Over a Decade of Building Websites Better
My name is Ethan - Founder and Head Developer of Test Valley Digital, and I've been telling computers what to do since I was 12 years old - well over a decade ago.
It all started in my school's coding club, where I discovered something that would change my life forever. Web development caught my attention in a way nothing else had - there was something magical about being able to build whatever I could imagine, directing a computer's every move, and (often) learning from the interesting ways things could go wrong. It was like having a superpower that let me create something from nothing.
As I grew older, I began building websites for the online communities I was part of. Like many developers, I started with WordPress, trying to balance my growing coding skills with the allure of "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" page builders. To put it mildly, it wasn't the experience I'd hoped for. Despite being the world's most popular website platform, WordPress felt like trying to paint the Mona Lisa while wearing oven mitts - clunky interfaces, frustrated developers, and websites that loaded slower than a Sunday morning.
Most infuriatingly of all, every new "DIY" website solution that emerged promised to be the answer to these problems, but they all shared the same fatal flaw - sacrificing performance, user experience, and accessibility (a potentially criminal offence) for the facade of simplicity.
This made me livid.
For someone who gets physically uncomfortable when technology isn't snappy and responsive, I knew there had to be a better way.
Finding Purpose in the Pivot
Life took an interesting detour through university, where I briefly studied dentistry - quite a departure from where I am now! But sometimes the wrong path leads you to exactly where you need to be. I left university to found Test Valley Digital with one fundamental principle - delivering the fastest, most efficient websites possible to businesses of all sizes.
I wanted to build websites the right way. Accessibly, usable by anyone, anywhere, and with clean, custom code. But my research revealed a problem. Agencies were charging thousands of pounds upfront for static websites that business owners couldn't even update themselves, thus trapping them in contracts where they had to pay extortionate rates for the smallest of edits. That's when it clicked - what if we could make premium websites available to everyone? Thus, the £0 upfront, £179/month model was born.
What began as an "I" has now become a "we". My one-man freelancing operation has blossomed into something more meaningful than I could have imagined. We now have a talented team of employees and partners, but most importantly, we have our clients - who I'm proud to call friends on this journey together.
I've built hundreds of websites over the years, each one better than the last, and every single one has brought success to the businesses I've had the privilege of working with. But you know what? I still get the same excitement I felt in that coding club, well over a decade ago, every time I start a new project. That's how I know I'm doing exactly what I was meant to do.
Get Started- 10+ Years of Experience
- 100s of Websites Built
- <1s Average Load Time
Building Partnerships, Not Just Websites
Building relationships is at the heart of everything we do at Test Valley Digital. When you first reach out to us, you'll be in the capable hands of Will, our Business Operations Consultant. Fluent in both "tech" and "business", Will is your first port of call to help chart the perfect course for your digital transformation.
- Will Dentten Business Operations Consultant
Will came aboard the Test Valley Digital journey with a range of experience in helping businesses grow and scale digitally. Our paths first crossed at Fresh Relevance, a marketing software company, where he was creating digital plans for major eCommerce plans to help them improve their on-site conversion rates using an advanced content personalisation software.
His knack for understanding both the technical and commercial challenges that businesses face caught my attention, he was someone able to architect complex solutions and explain them effortlessly to clients, putting them at ease while creating excellent results.
Drawing from his experience at organisations like Fresh Relevance, the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, and various marketing and digital agencies, he brings a wider perspective on how digital marketing can transform businesses, especially local ones, from all sizes and sectors. His passion for customer success and digital strategy means he is not just focused on bringing clients through the door, he’s passionate about making sure they thrive long after their go-live date.
Will stands as an embodiment of everything we stand for, a commitment to premium solutions at an affordable cost for businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Our Trusted Specialists
We believe true expertise isn't about being a jack of all trades. That's why each element of your website is crafted by a specialist who has spent years, if not decades, refining their specific skills. When you work with us, you're not just getting a website - you're benefiting from the combined wisdom of professionals who have dedicated their careers to mastering their individual crafts.
- Eric Warner Brand Strategist & Designer
A multi-disciplinary creative, Eric has expertise in digital design, print design, UI/UX, brand strategy. With a distinguished track record containing clients the likes of Amazon, Kettle Chips, and Ticketmaster. Versatile and adaptable, Eric is always ready to bring enterprise-level design to businesses of all sizes. In fact, Eric designed the very logo Test Valley Digital continues to use this day!
- Walid Sayed Digital Product Designer
Walid is our digital design specialist. He is a rare breed, with experience in both designing and developing websites. Having an understanding of what is and not technologically possible during the ideation phase of projects, alongside his extraordinary breadth of experience across numerous industries, makes Walid an invaluable asset to our team.
- Adnan Radwan Frontend Developer
Adnan helps us with the initial development of our client's websites. Finding a developer capable of our exacting standards is hard, but yet Adnan exceeds the bar every time. When he isn't building websites, Adnan enjoys running, martial arts, and customising shoes for people.
- #Hilary Copywriter
Hilary turns business stories into content that builds trust between brands and their audiences. With expertise across many diverse sectors and a burning passion for writing everything from social posts to T&Cs (yes, T&Cs), she brings both professional polish and genuine, warming personality to every project. Part copywriter, part marketing strategist, and occasional hedgehog nurse – Hilary delivers words that work.
- Nick Nabai SEO Specialist
For clients who want a little "more", Nick transforms businesses through expert SEO strategy and execution. With specialised, industry knowledge in SEO & PPC, he optimizes search visibility, drives qualified traffic, and improves conversion rates. Leveraging his extensive HubSpot background and technical certifications, Nick crafts data-driven SEO approaches that align with broader business goals — helping clients navigate algorithm changes while delivering measurable results across all markets.
- Eleni Boutsalis Social Media Manager
Meet Eleni, the driving force behind our client's social media campaigns. With over 7 years of corporate marketing experience, she's not only a creative guru but also a seasoned professional in the field. Eleni's deep-rooted passion lies in guiding brands towards agility, continuous learning, and evolution.