2018 Essex Digital Awards Showcases The Best Business Websites

This year’s Essex Digital Awards, which took place at Hylands House in Chelmsford, saw the best digital talent in Essex come together for the annual awards ceremony. Hosted by Premio64 and sponsored by Freelance SEO Essex, the event was a again a huge success, and showcased the best digital businesses in Essex.

Our brand has been involved in the Essex Digital Awards (EDAs) in some capacity since 2013. But this year, for the very first time, Freelance SEO Essex was billed as the initiative’s Headline Sponsor – which meant that our team got to enjoy unprecedented branding across all of the scheme’s marketing materials; extra exposure at the added open networking event at Chelmsford City Racecourse; and, of course, 10 tickets to the awards night itself, which took place at Hylands House, Chelmsford on Thursday 3^rd May 2018.

The whole of our in-house team, including Director Danny Hall, duly turned up suited and booted at 7pm sharp to celebrate the very best of the county’s digital talent with friends and peers.

All lucky guests were treated to bubbles in the House’s impressive reception room before heading into the venue’s events space. This purpose-built marquee housed 28 full tables of sponsors and finalists, all of whom enjoyed a two-course meal and plenty of table wine while host Robin Bailey of Capricorn Media raised the already-infectious energy in the room with talk of the various awards that were up for grabs.

Once the hand-outs were in full swing, Danny took to the stage to present the Bronze, Silver and Gold accolades for two categories: Best Blog, which was first in the line-up, and Best Website. The highest award for the latter, which is arguably the most sought-after of them all, went to Shaken Udder by Witham-based agency MediaVita.

Having attended the EDAs’ awards ceremonies for 5 years running, we can safely say that this event was the most exciting and enjoyable yet. The sheer calibre of the companies that were involved in the scheme – whether as sponsors, supporters, finalists or entrants – demonstrates how well-regarded the Digital Awards have become amongst local businesses. It was clear to us, too, that organisers Iain and Andy from Premio64 had really gone the extra mile to impress their audience this year and ensure that the scheme is always one step ahead of other awards’ initiatives in Essex. Thanks and well done to both for pulling off such a memorable evening!

Danny Hall Chats to EDA Host Robin Bailey

If you missed the announcement from the EDAs that was posted online straight after the event, here’s the full list of winners for reference:

BEST WEBSITE OF THE YEAR

• Gold – Shaken Udder by MediaVita
• Silver – New Hall School
• Bronze – Prested Hall by Hughes & Co Design

BEST BLOG

• Gold – Garda Design
• Silver – Knight West Estate Agents by Digital Reflow
• Bronze – VerriBerri

BEST ONLINE RETAILER

• Gold – The Bra Closet
• Silver – The Ragged Priest by sixredsquares
• Bronze – BoldLine Clothing by Studio Link 11

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS

• Gold – Wedding Day Angel
• Silver – Your Healthy Living Magazine by JFN Productions
• Bronze – Magnificent Stuff

BEST USE OF VIDEO FOR BUSINESS

• Gold – Sound Financial Planning
• Silver – The Robin Cancer Trust
• Bronze – Countryside Properties by Focus Integrated

BEST WEBSITE: B2B

• Gold – Red7Marine by Voice Communications
• Silver – Riviera Drinks by Focus Integrated
• Bronze – Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP

BEST WEBSITE: LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

• Gold – The Vida Consultancy by sixredsquares
• Silver – Elequra by Website Design Ltd
• Bronze – Crafty Arts

BEST WEBSITE: MARKETING & CREATIVE

• Gold – Chilligraphics
• Silver – Polar Creative
• Bronze – Charlotte Speculo Floral Designer by Scott Pearson Design

BEST WEBSITE: SCHOOL, EDUCATION OR CHARITY

• Gold – New Hall School
• Silver – St Peter Ad Vincula by Chilligraphics
• Bronze – The Robin Cancer Trust

BEST WEBSITE: SMALL BUSINESS

• Gold – Chilligraphics
• Silver – Happy Little Bundles
• Bronze – The Bra Closet

BEST WEBSITE: SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• Gold – Base Jump by Design Thing
• Silver – Chelmsford City Racecourse
• Bronze – Team BRIT by Digital Reflow

BEST WEBSITE: TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

• Gold – The Swan Hotel by Green Square
• Silver – Aldeburgh Fish & Chips by Hughes & Co Design
• Bronze – DJP Hospitality by sixredsquares

We look forward to supporting next year’s event and meeting the finalists and winners – see you all in 2019!