Our Story

The Evolution of Monkey at Scruffymonkey Web Design.

Everyone with access to a half-decent bit of kit claims to be a web designer these days, but we’ve been doing this since 2013.

And the Monkeys behind the magic? We’re Chris and Lin, and we actually met all the way back in 2002…

We both had a career background in IT and education, and we met whilst both working at a local high school. Teaching, planning, department management… we saw and did it all.

When Chris later left behind a key Business & IT role at a professional football club at Christmas 2013, his new year wish was that one day, he’d convince Lin to leave teaching and join him as an official part of Team Monkey. Just over 2 years later, she did!

As well as working together to combine over 30 years of creative and technical knowledge and experience between us, we work with some truly talented Monkeys to enhance every aspect of our clients’ website. It might be a jungle out there, but we haven’t monkeyed around when choosing the best of the chatter.

We’ll always be a family business from Bolton at heart, but we’ve worked closely over the years to build a strong team around us from across the UK to ensure we can provide everything our clients need for their brand new website – the full monkey mastery. Check out our Testimonials to see what we’re chattering about.

Founder

Chris Dawes

I’m Chris, the Original Monkey. I created Scruffymonkey after deciding to leave a career in corporate IT. Whilst I’d built a career based on being ‘techy’, I have to be honest and say that I didn’t exactly love it, and always wanted the opportunity to get involved in something more creative and person-centered. Known for my Star Wars obsession and the fact that it’s steadily taking over the office (and the house) in the form of my memorabilia, I love that in the past year I’ve been invited to events around the country to speak about the lessons that Star Wars has taught me about business and all things motivation and mindset. #Geek.

Founder

Lindsay Dawes

I’m Lin, Fellow Monkey. I joined Chris in the family business when Scruffymonkey began to grow as a much-loved and in-demand web design business in our hometown of Bolton. I love that whilst we have such loyal clients here, we actually work with clients all over the country. It’s amazing how much our reputation has grown. And my role? Where it’s all very well Chris being creative, artistic and marketing-focussed when it comes to all things Scruffymonkey, I’m here to keep things logical, organised and technically sound in getting stuff done and keeping our clients smiling at Monkey HQ. #Nerd.

Reviews

4.8 Over 41 Reviews

Write a Review

Bev Strang

Really good local company to work with – Chris and Lin really understand the needs of our charity.
They recently designed our new website which we are very happy with. They are easily accessible and timely in responding.
We would definitely recommend them.
Bolton Carers Support

...

Rachelle Hutt (Mess Around West Suffolk)

Chris and Lindsey made the whole process so easy! My website was well in need of a total overhaul and boy did they deliver! I have a bright, colourful, easy to navigate site. My leads have doubled and I couldn't be happier! Highly, highly recommend!

Peter Harmer

Fantastic company who genuinely care. Extremely professional and highly recommended.

Dave Bevitt

Really good company to work with. Listened to what we needed and were flexible and timely in responding to any queries or requests.

Jody Fletcher

Chris recently offered me a huge amount of help and advice. He's incredibly knowledgeable and very generous with his time. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Chris and the Scruffymonkey team.

Landers Recruitment

Fantastic service - we have worked with Chris & Lin on more than one occasion and the end product each time is exactly what is promised. A pleasure to work with people who really understand your requirements and put their heart in to everything they do.
Luke Hodgson, Landers Recruitment

Helen Dewdney (The Complaining Cow)

Over 10 years ago I started a blog as a hobby, writing stories about getting redress. Just adding a post here and there. Over the years it has grown to be much more than a blog. Writing posts for businesses, publishing books, working as a journalist, offering consultancy, training and workshops for businesses, speaking and doing media work it grew somewhat! However, the design of the blog did not! All of this “stuff“ was just thrown at the site. The result being it was overloaded, difficult to navigate and a bit of a mess! I had outgrown the blog and eventually bit the bullet and asked Scruffymonkey to sort it out! They did a fantastic job. I gave them a long list of things I wanted and didn’t want (but with no idea for the design!) they took it all and completely understood the brief. Communication at all stages was very good, and always in a timely and helpful fashion whether asking me for information or to do things and in responding to queries.

The site was a complete overhaul with 1001 things to think about. They undertook the task with good humour, efficiency, and a determination to make it work. And work it did. I am extremely pleased with the result and I’ve had many many compliments regarding the improvement. I highly recommend Scruffymonkey for their diligence, professionalism, excellent eye for design and good value for money.

I also transferred my hosting over to Scruffymonkey which I had no intention of doing as was perfectly happy with my provider over of over 10 years but the saving made it a no brainer!

Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska

Scruffymonkey are a fabulous team. They listen to what you want and make it happen! Professional and quick to respond, the whole process was easy and I’m really happy with the end result. Thank you Chris & Lindsay dream team!

Our Story

The Evolution of Monkey at Scruffymonkey Web Design.

Chris Dawes

Lindsay Dawes

What People Think About Us

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