Custom Solutions
Because we understand computer technology and have the skill to apply that knowledge, we are frequently
approached with requests to address a unique problem or issue. The following descriptions highlight some
of the custom website solutions we have created for our clients.
Business Location Map & Directions - For a business with a "brick and mortar" location, providing an on-line map and
directions are crucial in attracting new customers. With many people regularly using Google Maps, it is a
comfortable and familiar way to provide the site visitor with maps and directions.
Examples of the Map & Directions pages that we have created using Google Maps can be seen
here and
here. Note that the embedded maps on these pages are both scrollable and zoomable.
Easy-To-Use FAQ Page - A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on a website can be very useful
addition when you are selling a product, providing a service, or giving information about a
complex topic. To be most effective, an FAQ page must provide a simple way to navigate through the
list of questions and answers.
Our FAQ
page demonstrates an easy-to-use navigation interface we have created. It uses a "clickable question" design which
allows a site visitor to individually show or hide the answer to each question. It also provides
buttons which show or hide the answers for all of the questions.
Owner-Editable Status Area - A small business website is an excellent way to provide current and
potential customers with information about upcoming specials deals or other news about the business.
An owner-editable status area gives the business owner a simple and direct way to regularly update such
information on their website. These updates can be made by the owner or an employee in less than five
minutes using any computer with internet access. The updates require no modification to the website
and can be completed without assistance from the website designer.
Click
here to see examples of owner-editable status areas we have incorporated into several websites along
with details on how these status areas are easily updated by the owner or an employee.
Calendar - Chop Shop Barbers requested we include a monthly calendar so that customers could check their website
for holiday closing days, staff vacations and other such events where the shop staff members would be working hours
different than their normal schedule.
We implemented their monthly calendar using Google Calendar which provides them with an easy-to-use interface
to add, modify and delete calendar date information. They simply update the information in Google Calendar and it is
immediately viewable to customers viweing their website. Click
here to view the monthly shop calendar for Chop Shop Barbers.
Such calendars are easily added a website and the layout can be customized to display information in other formats, such as
a single weekl. Other tailoring options are also available including calendar size, time zone and various colors.
Barber Shop Webcam - Several of the websites we have created for barber shops incorporate a web-accessible camera to
allow customers to see how many individuals are currently waiting for a haircut. We designed a low-cost system
which "snaps" a new photo of their waiting area every 30 seconds and posts that image instantly on the barber shop's website.
The camera used in the system is about the size of a deck of playing cards. The camera uses a wireless internet
connection so it can be easily positioned anywhere within the shop. It is powered by a low-voltage power adapter
plugged into a standard electric outlet.
WordPress Website Conversion - En-Gravs Laser Engraving LLC asked us to convert the underlying
technology used to implement their Lazer Cutting Grid website. Their existing site was built using
WordPress and they wanted the site to be implemented using a HTML/CSS framework. This change was desired
because they could not "tweak" the WordPress implementation to make minor formatting changes to the website.
A primary requirement of this conversion was that the new implementation had to retain the "look and feel"
of the original website. The conversion was completed in 7 days and the new website looks essentially
identical to the original. Lazer Cutting Grid's new website can be viewed
here.
Replacement Product Slideshow - A client inquired if we could replicate the "look and feel" of an
existing product slideshow used on one of their websites. Their existing slideshow, which is a set of
rotating images used to highlighting "featured" services and products, could not be viewed on some mobile
devices including iPhones and iPads.
Click
here to see our replacement product slideshow solution and read a more detailed explanation about the
issues with viewing the original slideshow implementation on some mobile devices.
Owner-Configurable Image Gallery - A free-lance photographer asked us to create a website to
display photographs that she sells as postcards, greeting cards, and limited edition prints. As part of
her request, she asked us to include a simple method that she could use to add and remove images displayed
on the website.
To provide an easy way to update the photographs on the website, we designed an owner-configurable image
gallery. This solution uses a simple text file, which can be updated by a client, to customize the images
displayed on a gallery page on a website.
Click
here for more information on our owner-configurable image gallery solution.