Concept Phase

We work closely with you (or your marketing team) to develop a set of website specifications. Together we identify items needed to complete your project, e.g. new content, photos, etc. (where applicable). We review competing sites in your industry – noting what works and what doesn't, what's there and what's missing – to determine ways to improve your site and outdo your competition. We help you choose web solutions which best fit your project, needs, and budget. Based on our suggestions and your feedback, we draw up a site map clearly illustrating all pages, sections, elements, and links.

Design Phase

We work closely with you (or your design team) to develop a look-and-feel for your website. We encourage you to provide us with existing materials (electronic or printed) exemplifying your corporate identity, information on your target audience, etc. We discuss ways in which the design of the site can promote your corporate brand and products or services. We then typically propose one or two site design variations, each illustrating a typical page's layout and navigation (often the home page), as well as graphic elements, colors, fonts, spots for photos, etc.

Development Phase

Once you've chosen a design (after we've made any requested changes), we build a functional demonstration page illustrating any layout stretchability (if applicable) and your chosen navigation system. After approval, we setup a development site and begin to add page content. Individual pages can be reviewed and feedback provided as development continues. Testing is done alongside development to ensure code compatibility and high user interface standards.

Launch Phase

If you are hosting on one of our servers and do not currently have a website, launching your site will be a quick and simple process (typically taking 15 minutes after final approval of the development site). If you have an existing website, the site will be taken offline temporarily, and a simple page with your logo and a brief message will be shown during transition (typically one hour at your chosen time of day or night). If you are hosting at a third-party provider, launching will involve final testing on the target host after porting the website, to ensure there are no conflicts (server configurations, application versions, etc.)

Maintenance Phase

As new web browsers are released and web technology and standards change, some updates to your site code may also be necessary from time to time (typically two to six times per year).

Standard Features

• Browser Compatibility: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, Safari, Opera on major platforms
• "Pixel-Perfect" build of layouts and graphics to design specifications and comps
• Search Engine Optimization: Site structure, naming schemes, and HTML code optimized for keywords
• Spam Protection: All email links coded to prevent capture by automated spam robots
• Download Optimization: Code and images optimized for high quality results with minimum load times

Additional Features

• Navigation System: Choice of Drop Down Menus, Tree Style Menus, Two Tier Menus, etc., all of which offer search engine accessibility, and are quick to update when navigation changes are necessary
• Site Search: Integrated into design of site (optional advanced search of specific sections of site)
• Search Engine Marketing: Consultation on pay-per-click advertising, link placement and exchange, and creation of specialty pages (or sites) designed to attract search engines on specific keywords/phrases
• Content Management: Create, edit and delete web page content (via web browser interface)
• Web Applications and Web Hosting

Technologies

• HTML, XHTML, XML, XSL, CSS, AJAX, ECMAScript 262, MySQL, PHP, Ruby, SVG, Flash, Quicktime
• Emphasis on W3C standards compliant code and open source technology
• Modular architecture allows for components to be added or removed without affecting the website's operation, enabling adaptability and scalability as the website grows and changes over time
• Focus on compatibility, reliability, data integrity, and security

eNewsletter

• Fast, scalable, proven email delivery system sends to each subscriber individually
• Emails delivered legitimately from your site, safely passing through junk email filters
• HTML/ CSS email content preserves the look and feel of your site and branding
• Email also includes hidden Text version seen only by email clients not supporting HTML
• Tested on all modern email clients across all platforms (including web-based email services)
• Optional email address database management (list management, unsubscribe, etc.)
• Optional template(s) applied to your text content (for use with content management system)

Fixed Layout

• Design elements and content blocks at fixed widths and positions, aspect ratio and spacing locked
• Fast implementation (relatively quick to convert design to working site code)
• Most similar to print media (designs are quick to convert from printed materials)
• Requires less content per page (space is more compact and controllable)
• Many popular web sites are currently at a fixed width of about 800 pixels

Fluid Layout

• Content blocks resize to fill browser window/ device screen, initial design is more involved
• Requires less time to make significant structural, design and layout changes
• Best choice for repurposing content (mobile handhelds, printers, email, etc.)
• Each page should have enough content to fill most standard screens maximized

Modern Code

• Separates actual page content from presentation, enabling quick content updates
• Optimized for accessibility and search engines
• Compatible with future web browsers, mobile devices, etc.
• Database-driven option for updates (available with content management system)

Classic Code

• Compatible with older browsers using deprecated standards still rendered by modern browsers
• Positions all content within a 'layout table', undermining accessibility and searchability
• Precludes possibility of reusing content on site in more than one way, e.g. printers, mobile devices, etc.
• No database-driven option for updates (content inseparable from design markup)

Flash Components

• Excellent attention-getters, dynamic, exciting, useful to push messaging and branding
• Some users may not be able to view content (e.g. Firefox Flash Blocker plug-in)
• Limited searchability and accessibility (option: create and maintain separate HTML components)