< 15 years of Factory73

15 Years. Shared.

Our team's combined pearls of wisdom to celebrate our 15th year

15 years is a long time in business, let alone in technology and we have learned a thing or two over the years about what makes a successful project fly. So to kick-off our birthday celebrations we have combined our knowledge and experience into a big list to share with those of you thinking of embarking on your next digital project. This collection captures some of the thinking that has shaped our journey, practical insights gained through fifteen years of strategy, engineering, integration and delivery.

 

Strategy and planning

1. Anything is possible with good planning and pizza

The most successful projects have clear objectives and requirements. Realistic planning, collaboration, a well briefed team and unlimited pizza can deliver miracles.

2. Start with the problem, not the solution

It’s dead easy to jump straight to solutions. But if you understand the underlying business challenge or opportunity first, you can prescribe solutions that will provide real value.

3. Always roadmap 24 months ahead

Technology, customer expectations and business priorities move quickly but taking a step back from the day-to-day to take a long-term view is essential to make sure the decisions you make today support your business for tomorrow and will help to avoid nasty (expensive) surprises further down the line.

5. Content always takes longer than you think, always

Content is often the main reason project timelines drift. Creating, reviewing and approving good content takes time, so the earlier it starts, the less likely it is to hold up going live.

6. Expect the unexpected

Risk mitigation planning is essential. Building in contingency and flexibility into plans makes managing unexpected challenges easier and less likely to derail projects.

 

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Websites and content

7. Your website remains your shop window

It’s the hub of your brand. It remains the foundation for your customers and clients discovery, engagement and conversion. Whether it’s eyes or AI’s looking in your shop window you need to dress it with your best content, keep it current and entice people to come in and find out more.

8. Every page should tell a story

The best webpages have a clear beginning, middle and end. Every piece of content should help users understand, trust and take the next step.

9. Only choose a domain name that can get recited in a noisy pub. 

A memorable domain removes friction from word-of-mouth recommendations, strengthens brand recall and makes marketing more effective.

10. Wireframes show structure, not the finished experience

Wireframes help shape information, hierarchy and user journeys. They're designed to guide discussion, not represent the final visual design. No, it won’t look like that, it’s just the blueprint.

11. Good content deserves as much attention as good design

Beautiful interfaces alone don't drive results. Clear messaging, useful information and compelling calls to action are what ultimately influence decisions.

12. Technical SEO works best when built in from the start

Search visibility is influenced by structure, performance, content and technical foundations. Considering SEO early avoids costly compromises later.

 

 

Design and development

19. Mobile-first thinking is the default

For most audiences, the mobile experience is the primary experience. Starting with mobile helps teams focus on what matters most and create simpler, more effective journeys.

20. Page performance should be considered from day one

Users expect websites to load quickly and respond instantly. Performance isn't a technical afterthought; it's a core part of the customer experience.

21. Component-based design creates flexibility and future-proofing

Reusable components make websites easier to manage, scale and evolve. They reduce complexity while giving teams greater control over content and experiences.

22. Great digital experiences are built by multidisciplinary teams

Successful projects bring together strategists, designers, developers, content specialists and stakeholders. Collaboration consistently produces stronger results than working in silos.

23. Performance metrics should guide decisions, not dictate them

Metrics provide valuable insight, but numbers alone rarely tell the whole story. The best decisions balance data, context and human understanding.

24. Thorough testing protects every launch

Every release is an opportunity to reinforce trust. Rigorous testing helps identify issues early and ensures customers experience your website as intended.

 

 

Optimisation and growth

25. A website launch is the beginning, not the finish line

The best-performing websites continue to evolve after launch. Ongoing optimisation ensures they remain effective as customer needs and business goals change.

26. Continuous improvement creates lasting competitive advantage

Incremental optimisation often delivers greater long-term value than large-scale redesigns. The organisations that improve consistently tend to outperform those that stand still.

27. The best insights come from real user behaviour

Analytics, testing and customer feedback reveal how users actually interact with digital experiences. Real behaviour often uncovers opportunities that assumptions miss.

28. Measure, learn, optimise, repeat

Digital success comes from continual learning. The most effective teams use data and feedback to make informed improvements over time.

29. Small improvements compound into significant results

Tiny enhancements to journeys, content or performance may seem insignificant on their own. Over time, those gains combine to create substantial business value.

 

 

Partnerships and culture

30. Transparency builds stronger partnerships

The strongest client relationships are built on openness and trust. Sharing challenges early allows teams to solve problems together and move forward with confidence.

31. Communicate in language your audience understands

Technical expertise has little value if it can't be understood. Explaining ideas simply helps people make informed decisions and builds confidence in the process.

32. The best outcomes come from collaboration and trust

Successful digital projects aren't delivered by agencies or clients alone. The strongest results emerge when everyone works towards a common goal.

33. Strong culture creates stronger delivery

Processes and technology matter, but culture is what drives consistency, accountability and quality. Teams that care about their work, their colleagues and their clients create better experiences for clients and customers alike.

34. Long-term success is built on consistency

Sustainable growth rarely happens through quick wins alone. Consistent effort, continual learning and a commitment to improvement create lasting results.

35. Anything worth building is worth improving

Technology, customer expectations and businesses continue to evolve. The most successful organisations embrace change and treat improvement as an ongoing commitment rather than a one-off project.

 

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