Our ecommerce projects are built with Magento. Our non-ecommerce projects use Joomla and other content-management frameworks. All our dynamic websites use PHP, Mysql, Apache, and Linux or UNIX. We design websites visually first, before coding begins. This way, designs appeal to your actual shoppers or customers, and not just some programmers. We can build the features and logic you need for your business, with very few limitations.

The short answer: Yes, we do design-only projects. Please see Our Work. The longer answer: There are unpublished limitations as to what's visually and logistically possible with a an off-the-shelf cart, without a major rewrite of the code. However, the cart's developer should be able adapt our designs to their system while keeping the overall look and feel.

Magento and Joomla are both Open Source software. This means that no one really owns it, but you have the right to use it and modify it as you please. You take possession of all the source code we create for you at the end of the project, along with programmer documentation, design files, and a user's guide.

You get exclusive ownership of any and all design elements we create for your project. In other words, we don't re-use your designs. They belong exclusively to you.

We don't charge recurring fees or a percent of sales. We usually charge a flat rate, based on your project's size and requirements. You'll need to pay recurring fees for hosting and your payment gateway — but not to us. Shared hosting will run about $50 a month. Your own dedicated server will cost $200 per month or more. Payment gateway pricing varies by plan.

In most cases, the answer is, "yes," as long as thorough documentation (such as a developer's guide) is available. Your current system doesn't need to by PHP-based to work with Magento or Joomla. And, your database can by Microsoft based or another formal, as long as a file export is available or through documentation (API) is available.

In the case of an ecommerce project, the entire website can be managed and updated by the client, without needing a webmaster or technician. In the case of an informational website or brochure site, we can integrate a CMS that exactly meets the project's needs. Generally, there are two kinds: a content manager that adds blocks of information (such as news articles), and a WYSIWYG editor, which works something like Microsoft Word.

We provide a user's manual, complete programmer documentation, training videos, as personalized training. Magento and Joomla are some of the world's most popular downloads, so the documentation is great, including many free user forums.

Projects usually come with 60-days free after-support. During the project, we have a well-structured and clear process for navigating the complexities of an ecommerce project. As consultants, we can provide expert advice on ecommerce best practices, Web standards, usability standards, and the many technical and creative options available.

We'll provide guidance and recommendations on reliable, fast, and economical hosting as part of the project's consultative component.

Magento provides the tools your SEO specialist needs to do his or her work. So, for example, meta tags, title tags, alt tags, and content are completely editable for all products and static pages. Also, product URLs are "cleanable," which means the URL path itself can be named with keywords. We ensure that all pages can be properly indexed (nothing blocks indexing or spidering). We create a Google map.

Our focus is usable ecommerce that converts (sells). SEO is a specialized field, and it's outside of our core competency. To get the best results, it's important to use a specialist. We can refer several well-established SEOs.

We do visual branding, which means website design, GUI design, logo design, and other visual design that expresses your brand ideas and ideals. Our work results in design and programming output, and not so much scholarly discussion. :-) We assume our clients have a pretty good understanding of their brand's personality and their target market. Based on your input and our research, experience, and talent, we represent that visually — in the form of a logo design and a website design. Our projects are all Web based, as opposed to a true branding company that works across media and physical spaces. However, we do create print and advertising materials to support our Web clients. Many examples are available in our branding section.

For full details, please download Our Process. Some Web design and development companies may try to entice potential clients with a high number of comps (or design concepts). Instead of delivering a half-dozen mediocre designs, we develop and present our best concept, which takes about a week. We go for quality of quantity. Most of the time, the first comp is approved, because we really invest the time, research and thought into it. We don't show casual comps. This approach produces superior work. Please see Our Work.