services for the web
When you ask us to design your new web site we'll start by asking you lots of questions. Why do you need a web site? What do you want it to achieve? What will your visitors be looking for?
The questions aren't just about how you imagine your finished site will look, they're more basic - about how your business or organisation works, how you see it evolving. If you've not had a web site before, we'll look at how you could benefit from a strong internet presence. If you want it to, it has the potential to radically change the way you operate
We take your answers, think hard, and come up with various options for you to consider. Because we look from a different perspective it's possible we'll see opportunities, or even risks, that you hadn't thought of
Once you're happy with the design, we get down to producing your site. We'll also lead you through the process of getting it onto the web and advise how to manage and update your site once it's up and running. Of course if you'd prefer, we could manage it all for you - our rates are reasonable and we only charge for the work we actually do
Our clients wnat many different things from their web sites - to provide information, offer services or sell goods - but they are all looking for a straightforward and cost effective service to put them on the web. We understand that, and that each client deserves a totally bespoke solution
If you think we can help, please don't hesitate to contact us
web design
Whilst it's important that your web presence has the necessary technical elements, it's even more important that it projects the right image for you and your organisation. So whilst the look you need may vary - simple, sophisticated, artistic or high-tech - we can develop exactly the right style for you. We take the essential features and, based on your own designs or starting from scratch, apply them to the web
When we're putting putting it all together we use several software packages and many different technologies. The main software we use is Dreamweaver, backed up with Photoshop and Illustrator, but we also use InDesign, Flash, Microsoft Office, FrontPage and others as we need them
The technologies include html, xhtml, css, javascript, php and perl and, as the functions of your site require, incorporate features such as PayPal and scripts for security and anti-spam emailing. We can also add shopping trolleys, sound and video clips, document downloads and of course photographic and artwork images
Naturally, we construct each page to the industry's W3C standards to maximise 'cross-browser' compatibility for your visitors. Then we check them on popular browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Safari etc) to make sure that once they're up on the web they work both practically and aesthetically. We also ensure your site is optimised for search engines (Google, Yahoo, Live Search, Ask etc) so visitors can easily find you
You can visit a few of our completed sites from the links on our projects page
web management
OK - so your site's up and running and, you have to admit it, it looks great!... Job done!
Unfortunately not. Like most things in life it needs managing and maintaining to keep it at its best - your visitors will quickly get frustrated and move on if it's obvious your site's uncared for or out of date!
To be honest, keeping a relatively simple site in top order isn't rocket science, but in addition to the basic know-how it does need software that doesn't sit on everyone's computer - and let's face it, most people have more productive things to be doing with their valuable time
We currently manage the majority of the sites we've designed on behalf of our clients. The good news is that, unless your site needs to change very frequently, much of the work can be done on an 'as and when required' basis - and of course as we only charge for the actual work we do it doesn't cost the earth
Every site evolves differently over time so our service is completely flexible, though some of the following elements are typically included
- Managing domain name registrations
- Managing hosting contracts
- Managing/updating third party components (Google Maps, PayPal links etc)
- Updating and refreshing page content
- Creating and uploading new pages (including changes to navigation)
- Removing redundant pages (including changes to navigation)
- Re-optimisation for search engines following changes
- Promotion of changed/new pages to search engines
- Checking and updating external links
- Managing email accounts/aliases
Please note that we're not able to take on the management of sites designed, or previously managed, by others
graphic design
We undertake graphic design services as an integral part of the web design function, but if required this can be extended to include 'corporate' matching artwork for stationery, flyers, documentation and even pamphlets and books
All artwork must be checked and signed off by the client before it is preflighted and packaged to your Printers detailed requirements. Please note that we cannot provide (or organise on your behalf) any form of actual printing service
If you wish to incorporate this service as part of our appointment please discuss your requirements as early as possible during the web design process - not all designs developed for the screen successfully translate to printed media
reporting systems
We have extensive experience of developing and operating computer based reporting systems for clients, including cost reporting, progress reporting and general management reporting. These reports are typically generated from bespoke database systems that have been individually created for the duration of major projects
Whilst generally stand alone systems based on Microsoft Access, they can also be designed for use on the web using SQL databases. For more details, or to discuss your particular requirements, please don't hesitate to contact us
