"The design of an attractive, useable and simple website with an emphasis on reliability, accessibility and speed."
The Mission
Ethos
Ask ten people what their favourite website is. Most people will give you a different answer. However, one thing all the sites will have in common is this: they will all be useable. They have to be, because the important part of any site is the information it can give you. When I build a site, foremost in my mind is that I have to make your information accessible, to get your message to your audience as quickly and clearly as possible.
To illustrate how often the simple necessities of a website are overlooked, take a look at your website and ask a few simple questions:
1. Do I know where I am in the site whilst
I browse about?
2. Do I know where I have been in the site?
3. Do I know where I can go in this site?
If the answer to any of those questions is 'no' - please get in touch. It is one thing to have a website, quite another to have a website that works for you.
Web and Video Services
Video
for websites -
need high quality video for your website? Our compression service takes
existing video and film footage (e.g. MiniDV/DVD) and compresses
it down for instant high-quality playback on your site. This service
is available whether you have an existing website you want to add
video footage to or if you require a full site design incorporating
video.
Professional compression alogorithms ensure peerless
quality. Videos can be compressed and supplied in Flash
(FLV and SWF), QuickTime, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and Windows Media
(WMV) formats. Use the contact form for more inforation.
E-commerce
sites - large scale, custom built, e-commerce sites built
from the ground up.
Redesign
of sites to CSS based layout - many websites
have been built historically using table based layouts.
Whilst functional, such designs can appear dated by today's
standard. Get in touch if your site needs a lick of paint.
Actinic
shopping sites - A web-store based on the Actinic
platform is a good route to your first e-shop. It enables
a fully online store, ability to process credit cards,
accept online payments, provide digital downloads etc
Search
Engine optimisation - if you have a website
and want to climb search engine rankings like Google,
there are a few things you can do. However, be careful
- many people promise miracles in this department based
on outdated principles. If you want good honest consultancy
in this matter, get in touch.
Since 2000...
For nearly a decade I have been designing and building websites. I've been involved with portals, large scale e-commerce projects, personal websites, promotional websites. Whatever your website needs to be, chances are I have built something similar along the way.
W3C compliance.
This little logo means that the web page is validated by the World Wide Web consortium. In turn this means that your sites' content will display across multiple platforms. Not just different operating systems (Linux, Mac, Wiindows etc) but mobile devices like PDA's and phones. This ensures you will always reach the widest possible audience.
Search site and blog
Clients: SAMPLE Website design
The Retreat
Website: design, photography and execution.
Chicubes
Website: ecommerce website design and execution.
Valley Stone
Website: design and execution.
buyit247.com
Website: e-commerce website inc. design and execution.
PC Interworks
Website: corporate website design and execution
Broad Oak Events
Website: website design and execution
PRINT DESIGN EXAMPLES
Alongside website design, I also offer a print design service (including content). Below are two PDF examples...
Computer Buyer Advert
Single page advert for national magazine
R3 Services
Corporate brochure for refurbishment & WEEE services.
Latest blog entries
WRITING: Computer Buyer Mobile feature
2008-08-26T10:59:00.003+01:00
This month sees publication of an article I have written for Computer Buyer magazine. It's a feature discussing using a computer alongside a mobile phone to text, share contacts etc. It's a piece aimed at beginners to intermediate users and it's in the shops now.Click here to read the full entry.
WEB: healthyretreat.co.uk re-design now live
2008-08-20T22:15:00.007+01:00

I've just finished re-designing www.healthyretreat.co.uk, the website of 'The Retreat' health and beauty Spa in North Staffordshire. The project was a little complex due to the sheer volume of treatments they offer and therefore ordering them into some (hopefully) logical order that was easy to navigate was a challenge. Hopefully, for the viewing customer, it's easy enough to use.
To help get across to visitors the vast array of things The Retreat can offer, I implemented a 'random image and link' generator on the front page. In plain English this means each time people view the front page, they will see a new main image, linking to a different section of the site.
I also managed to integrate their site with a new online booking system they have had installed (provided through Phorest), which enables people to choose their treatment and book an appointment there and then. Very cool.
Besides that I also added a gallery, viewable from the front page. Their premises are BIG and they have loads of kit and treatment rooms so I wanted to feature some way of showing that off without making the treatment listings any longer.
Besides that I've given them the obligatory Google Map (fully interactive, obviously) and a quick contact form to save customers having to open their email to send an enquiry.
The final part of the revamp was including the search facility. The wealth of content meant this was essential so whilst the search technology is a 'free' facility, the custom template means results stay within the site and look like they are part of it.
Hope they and their visitors enjoy the new look...Click here to read the full entry.




