Hi, I'm Niko
I specialise in user-centred website design and in AI and search engine optimisation. I help businesses of every shape and size improve the quality and results of their web services.
I have eleven years of hands-on experience in both digital marketing and improving the user experience of web services. My day job is as a consultant in the IT sector, but I'm always taking on and looking for new and interesting projects. I've worked with organisations across the private and public sectors, on everything from UX design to search engine optimisation, analytics and digital advertising.
I'm driven by an ongoing interest in what technology can do for business, and for online business in particular. I'm constantly learning and trying out new ways of working, and I bring them into my work.
My passion is optimising websites for people and AI algorithms alike. The web gives businesses incredible potential to learn about their customers and grow their business. Yet harnessing that potential is often painful.
I want to help businesses with what I know. I believe in a people-centred, goal-driven way of working, where user insight builds lasting competitive advantage and visibility in AI algorithms.
How I work
Research before recommendations
I ground decisions in real user and business data before proposing solutions. Our own assumptions, or AI's biases, can easily lead the work astray.
Working openly and together
I work closely with the teams and stakeholders already in place, rather than disappearing into a black box. Design and decisions are always made together.
Measuring the change
Every project ends with a way to tell whether the change worked and whether it delivered business results. I report the results openly.
Skills
- Business understanding
- Requirements and goal definition, collaboration
- Research
- Qualitative research, usability testing, design thinking
- Design
- User experience, website management, content production, conversion optimisation
- Analytics
- Marketing and customer experience analytics, Google Analytics, Matomo Analytics
- Marketing
- SEO & GEO, paid advertising optimisation, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Google Ads
Career
- 2022 – presentUX Designer & Business Analyst — CGI / Traficom
- 2022 – presentPaid Social and SEO Specialist — Little Lives UK
- 2021 – 2022MSc, Marketing and User Experience — Bournemouth University
- 2017 – 2021Digital Marketing Lead — CGI
- 2015 – 2017Digital Marketing Associate — SAP
- 2012 – 2015Bachelor of Business Administration — Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Get in touch
What my colleagues say
“Niko and I were colleagues at CGI Finland's group marketing team, where he worked as Digilead. Niko takes ownership of his responsibilities and is constantly looking for ways to improve and develop his area of responsibility. He has proactive and solution-oriented way of working. As a team member, he is easy to get along and work with and his word can be trusted. His professionalism and dedication make him a valuable asset to any team or organization.”
“I've had the pleasure of teaming up with Niko on projects that focused on designing user friendly websites and services, combining customer interviews, usability research as well as website analytics. Niko's analytical mindset allows him to deeply understand user needs and translate them into effective design solutions. He is a talented designer who can take on versatile roles depending on what's needed in any given moment. His decisive yet kind attitude keeps projects moving forward and makes it so easy and fun to work with him. I hope we get to work together again soon!”
“Whilst working with Little Lives UK, Niko has demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of highly effective SEO Specialisation and website design. Since working with us our and because of the work Niko has done, website traffic has increased and in turn we have received more communication, interest and business for our charity.
Niko has a professional demeanour, has good time keeping skills, effective time management skills and has been a pleasure to work with. Niko and the work he has done for us will be missed by the whole Little Lives UK team.”
“I have worked with Niko Levonen for the past five years in my position as Global Digital Director in CGI's Marketing & Communications team. Niko is an enthusiastic and committed member of the digital network. He is responsible for local digital channel management in Finland and has delivered some of the most innovative digital campaigns for CGI in Europe. Niko is considered an expert in his field and he regularly shares best practice across the international digital community.
Niko is passionate about staying on top of the latest trends in digital marketing and is proactive in seeking learning opportunities. He is a regular contributor to the global working group of experts, participating in brainstorms to define new methods of working in response to the changing needs of stakeholder audiences.
Niko has successfully embedded UX best practice and digital marketing priniciples into his local marketing organization. He has strong technical knowledge which helps him bridge the divide between technical and content marketing. He integrates well with members both in and outside of the digital network and is responsible for some of the highest performing channels and content at CGI.”