Many diverse elements go into the creation of an effective Web
presence. Those elements will differ from organization to organization,
and even from page to page within the site itself. The Gannett Fleming
Web Development Group will go over many of the features and options
that are available to you in the construction of your site, including
those listed below. BUT, if you don't see it listed here, it doesn't
mean we don't do it! Please
email us for further information.
JavaScript/ASP Programming
JavaScript is a nonproprietary scripting language that was designed
by Netscape to extend the browser's functionality, increasing
the aesthetics and friendliness of Web sites by adding author-specified
user events to otherwise static pages. These would include mouse
rollovers, slide shows, visitor counters, ad banners, interactive
surveys, pop-up menus, typing marques, and much, much more.
ASP, or Active Server Pages, are another commonly used technology
for data-enabling your Web site. ASP pages are executed "server-side,"
meaning that the Web server processes the information request
and returns the dynamic data to the client-side (i.e. your Web
browser).
Domain Name Registration
One of the first things a business or organization needs to consider
is whether or not it wants its own domain name (i.e. http://www.yourname.com/).
It is generally a good idea to secure a name when you go online,
as it allows you the flexibility to switch ISP's at will and yet
keep your same address. Having your own domain name does require
being hosted at your own Internet Service Provider. We are available
to assist any of our clients with the registration process.
E-Commerce
This is overwhelmingly the fastest growing part of the Internet.
There are a number of ways a business can incorporate e-commerce
into a site. There are a variety of software programs available
to provide your Web customer with a "shopping cart"
service. Customers pay for items by providing their credit card
number via a secure form, which is transmitted to you (using encryption
software) for order fulfillment.
Site Search Engine
For larger Web sites, or those with varied content, an intra-site
search engine allows the visitor to quickly find an item by entering
a search word query into a search box on the home page. The search
engine indexes only the pages on your site, and returns results
of instances of pertinent content on a list, so the viewer can
easily link to the desired item.
Flash Animations
Because simple animations download reasonably quickly, they have
been incorporated into Web sites over the past couple years to
make the site more visually appealing and fun to visit. Beyond
being informative, it is very useful for a site to be "entertaining."
With the recent arrival of advanced animation software such as
Macromedia Flash, expect to see the use of animations continue
to increase.
Streaming Video
Using Microsoft's Windows Media technology, we enhance your Web
site with streaming video and audio clips. Imagine if the CEO
of your company could personally deliver your message to your
Web visitors!
Sound
Recent advancements in compression technology and more efficient
use of bandwidth is making digital audio much more prevalent on
the Web. For example, you now have the option to verbally describe
your products or services, play background music, add sound effects,
etc. If you are a musician, sound clips from your CD or audio
tape source can be included on your Web site to be played in real-time
with both Netscape and Explorer browsers.
Online Surveys
GeoDecisions has developed an Active Server Page (ASP) application
for collecting survey data via the Internet. The survey questions
and answers are stored in an Access database that resides on one
of our in-house Web servers. This method of conducting surveys
has many advantages, not the least of which is that it totally
eliminates the need for someone to manually compile and analyze
the final data since it is already in a database. Other features
of this application include:
Real-time survey results available online
Survey and/or survey results can be password-protected
Customizable interface
Unlimited number of survey submissions
E-Newsletters
Web
surfers are busy, and may not come back to your site if you don't
give them a reason to. One way to bring them back is to use e-newsletters.
Visitors may choose to "subscribe" to a list, whereby
their information is added to a database. Then when updates are
made to the Web site, or items of interest occur, an e-newsletter
is sent out.
The process of sending the newsletter is automated via a password-protected
online form. All that the user needs to do is to go to the proper
page, type in their e-message, and hit "Send." Everyone
who has subscribed will receive your message. Subscribers may
also easily "unsubscribe" by clicking on a link that
is included in the email. No more managing email lists in Excel!
Guestbooks
By encouraging visitors to provide you (at the very least) with
their name and email, a guestbook is a simple way to gather feedback;
to allow potential clients to request information; and to expand
your mailing lists. If you can give something in return for this
personal information (such as discount coupons, email notification
of sales, etc), then a guestbook is even more likely to be productive.
508 Accessibility Compliant Page Construction
There are tens of thousands of people who regularly use the World
Wide Web who have either a visual or auditory disability. If you
have a Web site funded by governmental sources, or if you are
a manager for an organization or business which is utilized by
individuals with disabilities, then we can make your site compliant
with the guidelines established by the National Center for Accessible
Media.
PDF File Conversion
PDF files allow for scan or HTML conversion of your existing
print materials (ie. forms or newsletters) to then be uploaded
and viewed on the Web by free Acrobat Reader software. The original
graphics and page layout are retained, and can be printed out
by any printer. PDF pages are slower to load, and difficult to
read online, but are beneficial if you have detailed text content
you would like your clientele to be able to print out.
Specialty
Graphics
You can include photographs, logos, backgrounds, special fonts,
drawings, etc. to make your site more visually appealing to your
visitors. In adding graphics to a Web page, it is important that
those images load quickly without noticeable deterioration in
quality. As artists with 50 years design and layout experience,
we use sophisticated graphic software such as Photoshop and DreamWeaver
to keep all your Web images sharp, colorful, and quick loading.
Search Engine Registration
Search engines are like an advanced form of telephone directory
assistance. If someone is looking for you, they can type in your
name and, if you have a Web site, your Web address will come up.
Or, if they are simply looking to find a business or organization
in your field, the search engine can also help. While we automatically
register you with many of the major search engines, it's important
to realize that for a Web site to be easily found it must be properly
constructed... having extensively studied the workings of search
engines, we are especially aware of the various design techniques
required to help our client sites respond well to search queries.
Custom Banner Design
One proven way to increase traffic to your own Internet address
is to place a banner on other Web sites. For example, if you sell
children's tennis shoes, it would be advantageous to arrange to
put an advertising banner on a site featuring children's jackets
and another banner on a site selling children's books. For greatest
effect, we will design the banner to pick up on your logo and
the look of your overall site presentation.
Specialty
Graphics