Web design services

I am able to personally take a new web design project from initial requirement through to completion and on-going support.

If you have an existing site, I can work on a specific aspect of it, such as making it more visible in the search engines, or allowing you to manage your own content.

The range of services I offer fall into the following areas:

Search engine marketing

Search engines are rapidly becoming the number 1 way to find new clients.

It is essential that you are part of this new marketing world: your competitors certainly will be, and you cannot afford to have them quietly taking your business away.

I offer a complete and comprehensive service to put you at the centre of search engine marketing.

The first part is education: what are the issues, and what is best for you?

Second is "keyword analysis": what are the key words people are entering into search engines that relate to your business? Which are most commonly used?

Third is "keyword application": working on your site content and with the major search engines to ensure your company gets a top listing and your site meets visitor's needs when they arrive.

Finally, we have on-going monitoring: keeping a close eye on where you are in the search engines and what happens when your visitors arrive on the site. Search engine marketing brings most success when you continually monitor and improve your approach.

Search engine marketing usually comes at the start of the development process, so a site can be designed to suit the visitors it will bring.

Site planning

This is the most important aspect of web design: your site has to meet the needs of your business and your customers.

It must create the right image, clearly explain the benefits of your products and services, be easy to use, and have a search engine friendly structure. These are difficult things to achieve without serious forethought and planning.

Many web sites are built with regard to only one or two of these issues, and business is lost as a result.

Through my business background, I have developed a clear process for web site planning. I break the large number of tasks into small, manageable pieces. Through a range of simple questionnaires I work with my clients to understand their business and organise their knowledge into a well structured plan of the site.

Graphic design

Creating a professional image is critical to the success of a web site.

Many small businesses developed their first web site with minimal graphic design. Those sites are now looking old and outdated: not the first impression you want to give your prospects!

The graphic design of your site is closely tied to the messages you want to convey. Once we have used the planning process to define the key messages, I can start work on a graphic design to convey them to your audience. While I am not a graphic designer by trade, my business experience has given me a very keen eye for what works. Most clients prefer to work closely with me on the development of a core design idea which we then put out to a professional designer to add the final sheen.

Site build

Once you have agreed the site plan and graphic design, the build can begin.

You need to be confident I am using the very latest techniques that will make your site future proof. The short history of web design is an interesting one: it has only been possible in the last couple of years to build a site that meets all of the industry standards, and I am passionate about ensuring all my work achieves this.

(I have come across the work of many web designers quoting "8 years experience" who have just not moved on to embrace the latest techniques. In web design, "years of experience" can translate to "using outdated methods"!).

On-going support

Once your work is complete, I will not forget you. It is essential that your site is kept up to date.

I offer all customers an on-going support service: you pay a single monthly fee by standing order and I will support your on-going needs by phone or email.I keep a record of time spent supporting you and reconcile that against the payments made on a 6 monthly basis. That way you get support when you need it, but you never lose out.

Site features

I can build the latest features into your site:

Content Management System

A successful web site must be kept up to date.

I can build your site so that you can edit and manage your own content, only needing my assistance for major structural changes.

E-Shop

Many businesses have products that can be sold over the internet. If you are not already doing so, you will rapidly lose out to your competitors who are!

I can build a shop into your site using either the award winning Actinic e-commerce package, or with a completely customised implementation.

Accessibility to the disabled

The new Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which became law in Oct 2004 is bringing a new emphasis to ensuring web sites can be accessed by disabled people. I can advise you on how this impacts your site and ensure it is built with these issues in mind.

Interactive features

There are many interactive features such as discussion forums that can keep visitors coming back to your site on a regular basis. Give me a call to talk through how they could help increase your site traffic!