Custom Web Design & Development
Web Design & Development is an important step in developing your online identity. While organizations and individuals may employ social media services (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.), there is nothing like having your own website. It is important to connect with your audience on multiple levels, including through relationship and information. In the online world, content (information) is king! While there are many techniques to content creation and presentation, we look at content in the online world as an expression of art. It takes time. It’s intended to be eye capturing. And, more importantly, it is designed to express an idea!
AM Media Creators provides a flexible and helpful design process that will (1) complement your needs, (2) appropriately express who you are in the online world, and (3) advance your web presence. Combining experience with passion and expertise, you will only experience the best. With this in mind, we strives to create quality websites that will reflect your individual or organizational needs. Our skilled and passionate design team translates your brand into a visual display of consistent coloring, typography, and imagery. Within this framework, your content will promote, enhance, captivate, and engage your audience.
All of our websites are built to the customer’s specifications and/or desires. Whether you are attempting to follow trends or be innovative, we will work with you to develop the best site possible.
WordPress Customization
AM Media Creators specializes in content management systems (CMS). These systems are essentially online web editors that house and edit information on a website. Instead of a collection of static web pages, a CMS collects the site’s information in a database. This process ensures that content remains consistent and clean. Furthermore, a CMS provides the opportunity for the end user (you) to make changes to their site without special software or knowledge of web languages. The software acts much like a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Open Office Writer.
We use WordPress, an open-source tool, as our CMS client. Being open-source provides access to an incredible database of web resources such as templates, site tools, and technical support. In addition to serving as a CMS, WordPress is becoming a standard tool for bloggers. In recent years, blogging has gained tremendous ground for people of all sorts. Business Executives, Non-profit leaders, and your everyday “Joe” are using blogging to communicate their ideals, passions, and beliefs. We can customize an installation of WordPress for use as a pure website, blog, or the combination of the two.
High-Quality Web Standards
In addition to an eye-capturing design, the site needs to follow the highest quality standards that will ensure a consistent experience for all site visitors. The key is to create an intuitive, manageable, yet simplistic interface.
For this reason, all websites are created using high-quality CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language) standards that determine both the style and layout for the entire site. The benefits of these standards include the following:
- Fast Site Wide Changes – One of the benefits of CSS is the ability to change the look and feel of the site quickly and without significant manipulation. This allows your design to be extensible throughout the design process.
- Fast Loading Websites - Most people will not wait more than 4-5 seconds for a webpage to load. By following strict standards, we ensure that your site is accessible in the least amount of time.
- Cross-Browser Consistency - Our sites are tested across all major web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome) for compatibility.
Usability
Usability refers to a wide range of design techniques, which are influenced by visitor behaviors. For example, it is important to design websites that reflect the way customers read content, incorporate easy to use navigation, ensure a consistent format (see High Quality Web Standards), and provide for the fast editing of content. All of these techniques ensure a user-friendly environment. Usability will ensure that the following areas are above par in quality and presentation:
- Flow - This refers to the design of a simple, discovery-oriented navigation that does not leave visitors confused rather has them wanting to explore more. To ensure this discovery is happening, we will setup a tracking service to determine the impact of the design.
- Click Through - The ultimate goal is to direct visitors to the right location, every time.
- Scale - Your site should be extensible, allowing for future additions without a complete redesign
- User Experience - Your site should leave a positive impression from the color to the interactivity to the content.
Content Creation
As previously stated, content (information) is king in the online world. In fact, content might be considered the most important element of your website, which includes written words, images, video, interactive elements, etc. AM Media Creators can collaborate with your organization on a content creation strategy or even create the content for your website. Our goal is to develop content that enhances your image, attracts a following, and advances your organizational mission.
We can help with the following:
- Copy Writing, including strategy, writing, and proofreading
- Photography Research & Selection
- Illustration Design
- Interaction Development
- Audio/Video File Preparation
- PDF File Creation
Website Analytics
A portion of the web development process includes an integration of Google’s Analytic Software. This software enable you to track various aspects of your website including site visits, paid advertisement effectiveness, and intended market segmentation. Google Analytics includes access to advertising ROI (return on investment) research, multimedia tracking, data visualization, customized reporting, and integration with other Google products. For more information regarding Google Analytics, visit the product website. Please note that Google Analytics is a free service and is included in the web development process.
