Examples - What Can We Do?
The sites listed here were created according to our preferences for a clear, get-to-the-point style. Because of this you won't find much in the way of Flash, javascript, or blinking and scrolling things. Of course, the customer is always right, so you can have it any way you like.
- Grayling Visitor's Bureau (final approval and testing in progress)
Proposed redesign of grayling-mi.com. This new version will not rely as heavily on Javascript and non-standard code. Maintainence will be simplified by the use of CSS style sheets and SSI server-side pre-processing. Complexity is reduced by the simplified, streamlined menu system.The Nucleus content management system has been integrated into this site, to give the site owners the ability to update frequently changing areas of the site without our involvement (or expense!). Client-updated pages in this site include:
Notable CSS features in this site include the flexible, rounded corner 'news' boxes and the css-driven, javascript-free menu tree. A .htc script was used specifically for current versions of Internet Explorer to enable some css features missing from this browser. Works well in nearly all browsers, with or without images or javascript.
- Twin Pine Lodge
This site is an update / redesign of the client's previous site, still archived at twinpinelodge.net/old. Style remained largely consistent with the old site, but layout and structure were improved. Improvements made include:- Simplified layout code, using CSS style sheets and centralized common content, for easier maintenance and changes
- Replace 'text-images' with real text. Previously the site's buttons and text boxes were just image files. This makes the text invisible to search engines, browser searches, blind people, browsers that don't load images, etc. A Very Bad Idea. If your site uses images instead of text, and you want more visitors to your site then you should make this change immediately (also, fire your current web designer).
- GoSledGrayling.org
The home of the Au Sable Valley Snowmobile Association, a local club. This site was created mostly from the ground up by us. Significant features include:- CSS Layout: smaller, faster, more portable and changeable, conforms to standards
- Common Menu: every page uses the same menu, even though a different section may be highlighted. This reduces complexity and maintenance requirements.
- Common Source for Repeated Items: titles, menus, footers, colors, etc. are only defined and stored once, not separately in each file. This makes future changes much easier. Don't like the blue color (I don't)? Change it in one place and the whole site will change.
- Contact Form: Do you have one on your site yet? If you do, you probably notice that more people use that to contact you than plain email. Don't miss these potential customers!
- Photo Gallery
This was created as an example of a feature that several clients have been asking about. This system displays collections of photos, with descriptions, organized into different albums. Once set up and configured, clients can create and update their own content, without involving (or paying) the webmaster. This idea can apply well to business or organization sites in a variety of areas:- Realtors
- Hotel / Motel / Resort (photos of each room, facilities, etc.)
- Clubs (members post their own photos, comment on others, etc.)
To try out the gallery, login as username "guest", password "guest"
(Note: in this sample, the login button is hidden near the bottom, since it wouldn't be used by most viewers). - woodland-snowmobiles.com
This past winter was the second year for this business. There was very little advertising other than word of mouth and this website. Within weeks of the website launch, we were receiving calls every day from people who had found us through the website. - woodland-motel.com
This business has well over 1000 customers every year. About 35% are new, first-time customers. Many new customers are drawn by the photos and description of the property.
