Intelligent Web Site Solutions

Good Sense Never Goes Out of Style
Don't Just Impress. Communicate.

Just a couple years ago, it seemed most web site developers were on a Flash frenzy, trying to impress everyone with whizzbang effects. Now, even the company who produces Flash appears to be phasing it out.

But of course, other whizzbang stuff pops up all the time. There is never a shortage.

Fads come and go, but the truth is that while fancy effects do draw attention, it's usually not of the right kind: The effect draws attention to itself rather than to the message or product it's supposed to be supporting.

That's why when I develop web sites, I emphasize old-fashioned values like integrity and communication. Yes, you may see some fancy image handling and various other forms of responsive web design - but my aim is to put everything I do in service to your message and your product. Otherwise, what's the point?

This good-sense approach has helped me create appropriate web sites for a broad variety of folks:

• Non-profits: Churches, church denominations, and charitable organizations.
• Businesses: construction, service industry, painting, townhome rental.
• Professionals: accountants, financial advisors, draftsmen, office professionals.
• Musicians.

With each, I have sought to absorb the identity of the client and his message and/or product, and translate that into how the site communicates, both verbally and visually.

Are You Lost or Found?
Get Seen By Search Engines and Read By Real People

Getting ranked on Google is not the be-all and end-all, but it sure helps. Thankfully, doing things behind the scenes that make sense for human beings also goes a long way toward search engine recognition, as well.

I work with what is technically called semantics in the web world. Put in plain English, your site is structured in a logical way, and the key terms in your content are presented in a fashion that search engines read well. Even the best SEO ("Search Engine Optimization") expert cannot guarantee to get you to page one of Google - but when I build it, your site will be deployed in a way that Google appreciates.

“That's Pretty. Will It Break?”
Web Site Value Beyond the First Glance

There are plenty of nice-looking designs and layouts out there. Unfortunately, some web designers are better on the design end than the testing and coding end.

I write cleanly-coded HTML and CSS, and test across a spectrum of browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. (Even though I do not guarantee full support, I even check ancient browsers like Internet Explorer 6 and 5.5 and fix what I can. This means that if you have a web site visitor on an old computer from the turn of the millennium, he or she will still be able to view your site.) I also don't count on every visitor having a maximized browser window - I regularly resize the window to make sure stuff doesn't start breaking or moving around when it shouldn't.

My coding practices usually render well automatically in mobile devices, but optionally I can create special style sheets on request.

Now You Can Afford to Be High Maintenance.

Both humans and search engines like fresh content, and chances are, your business or organization isn't static either. While I do build sites based on WordPress or miniature content management systems, I also provide ongoing maintenance for sites I have built. (If you wish me to maintain a previously-built site, please contact me and we can discuss your needs.) You can pay me by the hour to update your site, or if you prefer a more predictable budget, together we can tailor a maintenance plan to suit your needs.

Not sure whether to choose a WordPress/content management solution, on one hand, or maintenance, on the other? Here are a few factors to consider:

Advantages of a Content Management System or WordPress

• Convenience. Ability to add or change content at any time without waiting for the web developer.
• Ongoing cost. For frequently-updated sites, being able to make one's own changes may result in significant savings.

Advantages of Developer Maintenance

• Helps ensure search engine recognition. There are various rules to keep in mind to ensure the right things are semantically accented for the sake of search engine visibility, and few people update sufficiently frequently to keep those principles in mind.
• Lower initial cost. While periodic updates may cost you more in the long run, preparing a site for WordPress or other content management system adds to the cost of your initial project.
• Verbal assistance. Not everyone is skilled with the sort of word usage that is going to be engaging and "market-savvy." I can work with you to ensure your content presents well.
• Your time is also money. It is often much more cost-effective for you to focus on what makes you money and let a professional handle things you are not trained in.
• Brings hidden costs into the open. Setting your site up in WordPress (for instance) does not mean that everything will now be free from here on out. You will still need to pay hosting fees; you will still need to upgrade WordPress regularly; and there may even be occasional alterations that you cannot accomplish without developer assistance.

Whichever you choose, I think you will find that I provide quality care and good value for your money.

You Have the Fun. I Do the Grunt Work.

In addition to creating web sites from scratch, I offer design to HTML/CSS conversion services. If you're more fond of making things pretty than getting into the nuts and bolts of coding, this service is tailor-made for you. I can take very complex designs and translate them into rock-solid, functional web sites. All you need to do is supply me with your Illustrator, Photoshop (CS3 or earlier) or Fireworks (version 8 or earlier) files and your content, and I'll get the heavy lifting done.

Here are a couple examples of my graphics conversion work:

Suncrest Signs

Suncrest Granite Memorials

A Select Web Portfolio

Click on small thumbnail for full-size lightshow images.