Building it was never the hard part.
Innovation by Design brings the marketing judgement big companies take for granted to South African businesses and schools. We build it, grow it and lead it, and we stay until it works. Founded in Johannesburg in 2016.
It started with a dog food store that never launched.
In 2016 Yaaseen Ebrahim set out to build an online store for dog food. He tried tool after tool. They could all technically do the job, but none were easy to use, and the store never properly launched. Along the way he found he loved the design work itself.
He also saw through a promise the industry was selling: build your own website, it is cheaper. Building the platform was never the hard part. Knowing how to launch it and make it succeed is what a business owner should actually worry about.
You would not put up the shelves in your own shop. You would be involved, but you would hire people who build shops. Your online business deserves the same.
From websites, IBD grew into design, photography, video, campaigns and strategy, and over the last few years into full marketing leadership. Before all of it came years inside schools, leading IT and training teachers, which still shapes how we explain, teach and support.
Specialists in every role. Senior judgement at the helm.
IBD is led by Yaaseen, who sets the direction and keeps a senior eye on every piece of work. Independent specialists, who run their own practices, do the work alongside him, including the people who manage our clients' Google Ads accounts. It means a broader view on your business and a founder who can work on the plan, not only in it.
No pitch by a director followed by a hand-off to juniors.
Each part of the work goes to someone who does it every day.
No office tower or idle bench to pay for, so we can work within real budgets without cutting corners.
Four rules we keep.
No jargon. If we cannot explain it simply, we have not understood it.
We report on calls, enquiries and sales, not just likes and clicks.
Your website, accounts and files are yours. You can leave with them.
If another approach suits you better, or you do not need us yet, we will say so.
Every business deserves senior thinking.
Big companies take good marketing judgement for granted. Micro, emerging and owner-led businesses are rarely offered it. Start at any level. The promise is the same at each: senior thinking, done properly, within your budget.
Web design from R6,000, online stores from R15,000, brand identity and photography.
GROWMarketing that brings customersSEO, Google Ads, social media and content, run as one plan.
LEADA fractional CMOA senior marketing head and team for a monthly fee, without a full-time salary.
We know schools from the inside.
From website refreshes to online admissions and enrolment marketing, we help schools attract families and turn enquiries into enrolments.
Things we will not do, and things we always will.
Promise what we cannot control
- Guarantee a ranking on Google or a number of sales
- Buy followers, reviews or links
- Hold your domain, accounts or files hostage
- Take on work we are not the right people for. We would rather refer you than learn on your budget
Show you the numbers
- Tell you what we did each month and what it changed
- Say so when you do not need us yet
- Put prices and terms in writing before work starts
- Answer your messages like a person
- Stay after launch, with training and support, until it works
- Own our mistakes and fix them
Let us talk about your business.
Tell us where you are and where you want to be. We will tell you where to start.