mWhile the digital world often rewards chasing trends, Splitpixel has taken a different path. They value strong relationships, creativity, and team growth more than chasing trends.
A Journey Built on Passion and Determination
Splitpixel’s launch in 2008 wasn’t exactly perfect timing. The global financial crisis had shaken businesses everywhere, but three professionals with expertise in web development, design, and account management saw an opportunity rather than a setback. They took a chance, set up a small office in Huddersfield, and started building something of their own.
The early years were a grind—persistence, problem-solving, and proving their worth were key. That small start quickly became a respected creative agency known for its work in the arts, culture, and more.
A Creative Focus That Found Them
Splitpixel didn’t plan to specialize in arts and culture, but sometimes opportunity knocks unexpectedly. Their local reputation led to a project with Leeds Playhouse (then West Yorkshire Playhouse). The team was trusted to redesign the theatre’s website—twice.
That project opened doors to collaborations with other theatres, museums, and galleries. While the arts became a natural fit, Splitpixel did not limit itself. Their portfolio grew to include manufacturing, retail, education, and nonprofits, always with a focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Co-founder Greg explains their approach.
“We love working with arts and culture organizations, but we never wanted to box ourselves in. If a client’s values align with ours, we are excited to work with them. Having a mix of projects keeps us challenged and inspired.”
Facing Uncertainty and Coming Out Stronger
No business journey is without challenges, and Splitpixel faced one of its biggest tests during the global pandemic. Budgets were slashed when theaters and cultural venues closed, and projects stalled. Instead of waiting it out, the team found ways to help.
“We helped theatres launch digital streaming, set up online stores for small businesses, and worked on projects that kept organizations connected to their audiences,” Greg recalls. “It was a tough time, but we pushed through and came out stronger. We even grew our team and brought in new clients who are still with us today.”
Adaptability and a focus on solutions helped Splitpixel prove that resilience and creativity work together. Long-term partnerships have helped a lot in their success and have remained one of their core values.
Splitpixel’s Secrets to Success
Splitpixel’s ongoing success is a result of a combination of strategic choices, team growth, and a strong focus on client relationships.
Strategic Growth with a Personal Touch
Unlike many agencies that go crazy for rapid expansion, Splitpixel has been quite intentional about its growth. Founder Greg explains:
“We’ve always had a clear vision—stay small to mid-sized and focus on building lasting relationships with our clients. I have no interest in leading a team of dozens or hundreds. I want to know everyone I employ, I want to know our clients, and I want to be hands-on with the work we do.”
This approach has allowed Splitpixel to maintain a close-knit and effective team where everyone makes a real contribution. This structure has also supported organic growth, with new team members joining only when the existing team is ready.
Prioritizing Team Development
Splitpixel’s talent retention is a significant achievement. Several team members have been with the agency for over a decade.
“In 2023, three of our first employees hit the 10-year mark with us. That kind of longevity speaks volumes about the culture we’ve built. It’s a huge source of pride,” Greg says.
This team stability allows Splitpixel to maintain consistency, valuing and nurturing each person’s expertise. The agency’s success comes from supporting team growth and development, whether it’s CRM integrations, Google Ads, content creation, or design systems.
Client-Centric Values
Splitpixel’s growth has been fueled by being open and saying “yes” to new opportunities. Though selective, they remain positive for new challenges and industries. This flexibility has led to some of their longest partnerships, even those born from tight deadlines or difficult briefs.
“Some of our best clients came to us through unexpected opportunities. We always try to maintain that openness, whether it’s a new platform, a different industry, or even a project with a smaller budget,” Greg shares.
Splitpixel’s core values i.e., accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability are central to everything they do. The team is deeply committed to ensuring that every project reflects these principles.
How Splitpixel Uses Tools for Efficiency
Efficiency and quality are essential to Splitpixel’s operations, and they rely on key tools to maintain both:
1) Cloudways
Cloudways has become a cornerstone of Splitpixel’s infrastructure, allowing the agency to manage and maintain the hundreds of websites it supports easily. The agency appreciates the platform’s intuitive user interface and robust scalability options.
“What we really love about Cloudways is the simplicity of the UI and the quick support,” Greg says. “It’s made it so much easier for us to scale and deploy servers instantly, manage backups, and handle traffic spikes.”
2) Webflow
Although they primarily work in WordPress, Splitpixel uses Webflow for prototyping and building smaller concept sites. It’s transformed the way the team designs, offering more agility and responsiveness in presenting ideas to clients.
Looking Ahead: Splitpixel’s Five-Year Vision
Splitpixel’s future focus is growth while staying true to its values. Their aim is to maintain a close-knit team and high-quality service, not become a large agency.
Greg shares:
“In five years, we’ll likely have the same team, maybe a bit bigger, but we’ll continue to grow at a pace that makes sense for us. Our goal isn’t massive expansion—it’s sustainability and consistency.”
Their goal is to expand their services, nurture lasting client relationships, and, most importantly, maintain a personal touch in all their work.
What they really want is to craft digital experiences that shine and are always guided by creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community.
Cloudways: The Backbone of Splitpixel’s Digital Operations
When Splitpixel was looking for a hosting partner, reliability and scalability were non-negotiable. They needed a platform that could easily handle their ever-expanding workload without skipping a beat on performance or security.
Greg recalls how they discovered Cloudways through a recommendation from a fellow local agency:
“We were looking to move to a new provider and asked around. Cloudways came highly recommended, and when we looked at their offerings, it just ticked all the boxes—price, solution, scalability, sustainability credentials, and support.”
Cloudways’ ability to scale servers quickly and its robust infrastructure have been a game-changer for Splitpixel. They can now easily launch servers, upgrade client infrastructure, and handle traffic spikes without worrying about downtime or slow responses. This reliability lets Splitpixel focus on growing their business, not tech issues.
The Impact of Cloudways Features on Splitpixel’s Growth
The ability to instantly scale servers has been a game-changer for Splitpixel. Whether it’s handling traffic spikes or testing new client website features, Cloudways lets them adapt quickly and efficiently.
“Scalability is everything for us. We can upgrade client servers, spin up test servers for development, and handle traffic spikes with ease. It’s all about agility—being able to move quickly means our clients don’t have to wait for us to do things,” says Greg.
Cloudways’ ability to scale up/down gives Splitpixel an advantage, allowing them to work quickly and efficiently. Easy server deployment and backups have streamlined their workflow, simplifying the management of many client sites.
Support That Speaks Volumes
Another major benefit that Splitpixel appreciates is Cloudways’ exceptional support. Unlike many other hosting providers, Cloudways offers direct, readily available support that can quickly provide solutions.
“The support we get is fantastic,” Greg shares. “We have direct contacts, and we get answers and fixes fast. It’s a huge relief to know that we have that support when we need it, especially when managing a large number of sites.”
This responsiveness ensures quick issue resolution, crucial for Splitpixel’s smooth operations. Because for them, it’s not just about keeping a website up and running; it’s about creating a seamless experience that builds trust and long-term relationships.
Advice for Agencies Looking to Grow and Succeed
As an agency that has seen the ups and downs of running a business over the years, Greg has a wealth of wisdom to share with others looking to start or grow their own agencies.
“Think about the ‘why’ behind what you’re doing. It’s easy to get caught up in delivering technical solutions, but the agencies that stand out are the ones that have values that resonate with their clients. What’s your mission? What do you stand for?”
For Splitpixel, their commitment to values such as accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability drives every decision they make. These values have allowed the agency to build long-term relationships with clients who share similar ideals, ensuring that their success is built on mutual trust and respect.
“Doing something you believe in is more important than doing something just for the money,” Greg advises. “If people see that authenticity, the growth comes naturally. You can’t do it the other way around.”
A Bright Future with Cloudways
Splitpixel views Cloudways as a growth partner, not just a host. They’re not just impressed by the tech; they’re already figuring out how to integrate it into their workflow to create truly exceptional online experiences for their clients.
Splitpixel doesn’t just use Cloudways; they rely on it to keep their work fast, flexible, and top-notch. That solid support lets them focus on delivering real value for clients, staying true to their vision, and making a difference in the digital world.
Final Thoughts
Launching a creative agency in 2008 amidst a global recession took guts. But Splitpixel’s founders had a different kind of focus. They weren’t deterred by the economic downturn; they were determined to build something solid.
Splitpixel has grown significantly, but their core values remain the same. They’ve built a strong team, expanded strategically, and forged valuable partnerships, like the one with Cloudways.
They prove that good things will happen if you stick to what you believe in, treat your clients well, and value your people.
And if other agencies are looking for similar success, Splitpixel’s advice is pretty simple: Keep it personal. Be authentic. And don’t forget what really matters. The tech world keeps changing, but Splitpixel seems ready for whatever comes next. With the added support of Cloudways’ agency program, they’re going to keep pushing the creative envelope and helping their clients grow, one awesome website at a time.
Visit their website to learn more about them and how Cloudways helps them do their work.
Sarim Javaid
Sarim Javaid is a Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Cloudways, where his role involves shaping compelling narratives and strategic content. Skilled at crafting cohesive stories from a flurry of ideas, Sarim's writing is driven by curiosity and a deep fascination with Google's evolving algorithms. Beyond the professional sphere, he's a music and art admirer and an overly-excited person.
