Ethical Design Co.

A print and digital design agency that cares.

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Web design Melbourne experts, building stunning websites with impact.

Get professional web design in Melbourne from Australia’s leading ethical digital agency.

At Ethical Design Co. (EDCo.), we create beautiful, award-winning websites and digital experiences for local and global clients. Every project combines creativity, technical expertise, and ethical design practice to build websites that support growth, improve user experience, and strengthen your brand online.

Platforms we use

The two primary content management systems (CMS) we use are WordPress and Webflow. We’ll recommend the best option for your project: WordPress is ideal for highly functional websites that might need a blog, an eCommerce store or other advanced features, while Webflow is perfect for elegant brochure-style websites. Read our comparison of these platforms and popular DIY alternatives.

Ready to get started?

Indigo Award-winning website design for Medicines Development for Global Health, showcasing professional web design Melbourne

Custom website design and development that’s tailored for your goals.

With many years of experience, our professional team has designed and developed websites for small businesses, not-for-profits, and global organisations. The result is a website that’s accessible, sustainable, scalable, and optimised for long-term success, giving your brand the right platform to grow and connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

Web design Melbourne agency services

Brand and website design icon representing a pen tool graphic in greenish cyan – Ethical Design Co.
Custom website design

Tailored, user-focused web design that reflects your brand and engages your audience. From small businesses to large organisations, we design websites that look great and deliver measurable results.

Website design and development service or annual report design service icon depicting a desktop screen and a smart phone screen with love hearts in the middle of the screens in greenish cyan
Website development

Professional website development using trusted platforms like WordPress and Webflow. Whether you need advanced functionality, a membership site, or a sleek brochure-style website, we’ll recommend the best solution.

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UX and accessibility

Every website is designed with usability and inclusivity in mind. We apply proven UX practices and accessibility standards so your site is intuitive, easy to maintain, and reaches the widest possible audience.

Green line icon of a leaf symbolising sustainable web design Melbourne, eco-friendly website development, and reduced digital carbon footprint.
Sustainable web design

We design and build websites with sustainability at the core – optimising performance, reducing digital carbon footprint, and creating platforms that last for the long term.

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SEO and optimisation

From launch, your website is built with SEO best practices in place, including alt tags, clean code, and logical content structure. We ensure your site is optimised for search visibility, sustainable growth, and long-term success.

Ongoing support

Our work doesn’t end at launch. We provide ongoing support with content updates, maintenance, and improvements to keep your website secure, up to date, and aligned with your evolving goals.

Web design and development process

1

Requirements, discovery and quote

Discovery call to understand your goals, audience, functionality needs, and budget. Followed by review of any existing site, brand guidelines, and relevant publications to define a clear creative direction. You’ll receive a tailored proposal outlining scope, approach, timeline, and costs for approval before moving forward.

2

Sitemap, UX design and content strategy

Website structure and navigation are mapped in Figma or Adobe XD, focusing on best-practice user experience and intuitive flow. UX wireframes are provided along with a content outline to guide messaging (if needed). Content can be supplied by you or sourced through trusted creators.

 

3

Homepage concept design and presentation

Initial homepage design concepts are created and presented for feedback and refinement. Once a direction is selected, the chosen style is developed across all required page templates. Additional concepts can be provided on request for an added fee.

4

Full website static page design

The approved visual style is applied across all key page templates and layouts, presented as a full suite of static designs with strategy notes. These are refined through up to two rounds of feedback and iteration before development handover.

5

Custom web development

The website is built in a staging environment using WordPress or Webflow, with responsive layouts and flexible templates tailored to your needs. All content is added for final review, ensuring the site is complete and ready for launch preparation.

6

Launch, handover and support

The website is tested for responsiveness across devices and browsers before launch. The old version is backed up, redirects are put in place, and Google Analytics is connected. After launch, CMS training is provided along with a warranty period and optional support packages to keep the site updated and aligned with your goals.

Contact us for a quote

 

FAQs

Do you offer SEO services and ongoing maintenance?

Yes. Our web design Melbourne approach always includes onsite SEO and best practices to support optimisation from the outset. For broader SEO strategy and campaigns, we collaborate with trusted specialist partners and can manage the process on your behalf. Every build is fast, secure, and accessible, and we offer tailored maintenance packages to keep your website updated, protected, and performing at its best.

Why WordPress and Webflow – do you develop in other platforms?

We typically work with professional platforms like WordPress and Webflow, rather than DIY options such as Wix or Squarespace. While DIY platforms can suit smaller budgets, our specialty is creating custom websites that align with your brand, prioritising user experience, search optimisation, speed, and avoiding generic templates that limit creativity and flexibility. Read our comparison of WordPress, Webflow and DIY alternatives.

Will my website be mobile-friendly and easy to update?

Yes. Every website we build is fully responsive, adapting seamlessly to all devices and screen sizes. We also provide CMS training after launch, so your team can confidently update content and manage the site without needing ongoing developer support, if desired.

Case studies

Browse all case studies

What our customers say…

  • John Lambert, retired General Manager at Atticus Medical, circle cropped greyscale headshot.
    5
    "It was great to work with EDCo as they built our website. The project was well managed, expectations were clear during the process and the final product was outstanding."
    John Lambert
    Atticus Medical
  • Téa McKenna headshot - Grants Manager at Fairground
    5
    "Thank you for bringing our vision to life so well and for all your fantastic work on the Fairground rebrand!"
    Téa McKenna
    Fairground
  • 5
    "Working with Ethical Design Co. was a rewarding and inspirational experience. They were responsible for the content development, website design and web development of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence's 2023 Annual report. They also produced a 52-page full report and 4-page summary report version and managed the printing of everything including our financial report. The result was spectacular! I would definitely recommend them and look forward to working with them again."
    Melanie Hailstone
    Brotherhood of St. Laurence
  • Emily McCaffrey, Head of Philanthropy at Medicines Development for Global Health, greyscale headshot.
    5
    "It's such a pleasure to work with the professional and friendly team at Ethical Design Co. Their creative vision is compelling, and the results speak for themselves. We love our new philanthropy pages! Thank you Ethical Design Co."
    Emily McCaffrey
    Medicines Development for Global Health
  • Headshot of Amanda Grace from Landcare Victoria Inc. - Testimonial thumbnail image in greyscale, circle.
    5
    "Ethical Design Co. have designed and printed a number of documents for our organisation, from simple flyers to complex reports, plus new brand guidelines, and we have been extremely happy with everything they have produced. Such a lovely team, too! Highly recommended."
    Amanda Grace
    Landcare Victoria Inc.
  • Allira-headshot-grey-200px
    5
    "I engaged Ethical Design Co. to turn my dreams into reality. From the very beginning of our engagement on my logo and branding project, business collateral, and website design and development, Ethical Design Co.’s professionalism and eye for design was apparent. I was impressed with their suggested improvements, felt confident in leaving them in charge of design decisions, and have continued to be impressed after completion. I recommend Ethical Design Co. if you're after a quality service with sleek and sophisticated results."
    Allira Panebianco
    Freedom Diabetes Management
  • Paula-Kaye Richards, Head of Marketing & Communications at Space Capital, greyscale headshot.
    5
    "I have worked with Ethical Design Co. on multiple projects and will continue to work with them in the future. They have been an amazing partner who has helped on projects as large as our rebranding strategy for three brands, to brand guidelines to our quarterly reporting. In all of these projects, they have provided a fresh perspective/design that has been impressive. Working with them is professional and easy without a single deadline missed. I would recommend them for all design work."
    Paula-Kaye Richards
    Space Capital
  • 5
    “I can't thank you enough and honestly couldn't recommend the team at EDCo. any more highly! Your work is truly professional and has encapsulated the core of my business better than even I could've hoped for!”
    Tim Thomas
    Celestial Sound
  • 5
    "The team at Ethical Design Co. designed the whole look and feel of our brand, something we are now proud to display. Because of the professionalism shown from the very first talks we had with them, we were able to put many creative decisions into their hands. When launching another business, I would not hesitate to get them involved from the very start. As a bonus, they deliver work on time too."
    Anthony Ward
    Noria
  • 5
    "As a specialist solutions consulting group that provides information and analytic services to our corporate clients, we engaged with Sonja Meyer to help add an additional level of professional design to our solutions.  From our very first engagement with Sonja we quickly realised that we received more than just her wonderful designs.  Other qualities like her professionalism, experience and fast turnaround have enriched our projects to a point where Sonja’s involvement has become a constant feature in our projects that have a high graphic or visualisation component."
    Zac Anstee
    Tridant
  • 5
    "Sonja has a fine eye for beauty. Her work is elegant and she has a remarkable capacity to reflect the taste of her clients. She is silken smooth to work with. She meets her deadlines, provides accurate information when required, contributes grace and intelligence to the development of every project. I am forever recommending her, and I recommend her again, here and now, to you."
    Donna Ward
    Inkerman & Blunt
  • 5
    "We often seek out Sonja’s assistance on UI/UX designs on particularly creative challenges that our internal designers get blocked on. Her work is always delivered timely and is always above the quality expected. Every time we deliver Sonja’s designs to a client they are blown away."
    Joe McCord
    Digital8
  • 5
    "Sonja has been our go-to designer for all our web-based needs, designing our web platform from initial mock-ups to a fully functioning product. She is a thoughtful, and nimble designer responding to our requirements and our user’s needs whilst retaining a clear vision for simple, engaging and user-friendly design. She manages to fit in with the fast-paced demands of an early stage start-up whilst continually creating beautiful designs for us. I would thoroughly recommend Sonja as a partner in design and we feel lucky to have found her!"
    Daneal Bassiouni
    Native
  • 5
    "As the owner of a small business and a design novice, it's been a pleasure to deal with EDCo. Their designs met my brief perfectly, making my business branding a breeze. Sonja is exceptionally professional and her designs are elegant. Over the years I have been in business I have always chosen to return to Sonja for any design needs. Her work has always been delivered well within deadlines with the assurance that all measures have been taken with environmental sustainability in mind - giving me peace of mind as well as strong branding. Thank you Sonja!"
    Angela O’Toole
    The Art of Eating
  • 5
    "Sonja has worked closely with me in designing our circa 30-page pitch deck, investor summary slides, and other multi-page presentations needed to pitch key partners. Sonja is an incredible designer, but she's also a great instructor too. Most importantly, Sonja is a pleasure to work with. There’s no BS, she is prompt and hardworking. Her performance has been consistently high and turnaround quick whether she’s working from home base in Australia or remotely. We will continue to use EDCo.'s services for the foreseeable future."
    Brandon Greenberg
    Mately