Web Services
House of Design have been involved in web design and development since 1999. The construction of websites has advanced tremendously since that time and we have kept in-line with the latest developments. We have supplied a range of websites from informational "brochure" websites to multi-functional, client-controlled sites.
Our main services are:
Website Design
The design stage begins with a thorough inspection of the client's needs leading to the development of a site content map. This content map will provide an overview of all the content that will be contained on the new site and how it will be categorised and accessed by site users. Once this is finalised the basic foundation of the website has been created and the visual design process can proceed.
With the input of a strong graphic design team, House of Design creates engaging, intuitive and user-friendly web interfaces. If the client has an existing corporate identity then the web design will forward this visual brand. A company website is a key marketing tool, therefore the design needs to be both strategic and creative to convert user visits to actual business. From the outset, House of Design put in proper structures for websites to perform well on the major search engines, such as Google and Yahoo.
House of Design offers the design stage as a stand-alone service, if so required.
Website Programming and Development
Once the visual design has been finalised, the back-end programming begins. (The typical programming languages we use are: XHTML; CSS; JavaScript; ASP; MySQL Databases; ActionScript; XML; AJAX). The workings and functionality of the site is fully developed at this stage. Extensive testing of the site is conducted, including testing on various browsers and platforms along with page download times before publishing the site.
Content Management Systems
House of Design create easy-to-use Content Management Systems that allow clients to update the text and imagery content on their site. Along with changing existing content, with a CMS the client can also create new pages and extend the content on the site. This offers enormous freedom and significant cost reductions in keeping the website updated and encourages regular visits from users in the market place.
Integrating RSS feeds and 'blogs into the website are additional services offered by House of Design which will enable the client to further manage, and keep current, their content.
Interactive Functions
House of Design can build interactive functions into a website, depending on the client's needs. For example, membership access only areas, forums, and chat rooms can be added to a site to allow users greater interactivity and encourages repeat visits.
E-Commerce
Whether it's B2B (Business to Business) or B2C (Business to Consumer), House of Design provide an advanced E-commerce solution which allows the client to offer all products and services on-line; an extensive searchable product/service database; shopping cart; order and payment interface; real-time processing of authorisation requests; and infallible transaction security.
Accessibility Standards
Website accessibility standards are a major consideration that must be incorporated, to a greater or lesser degree depending on the client's needs, into every website. The W3C are the authoritative body which define the accessibility standards, of which House of Design are fully versed and compliant with.
Web Analytics and Search Engine Optimisation
Once the website goes live, statistics, analytics and SEO are vital ongoing activities required to monitor and improve the real business success of the site. House of Design analyse each site and provided detailed reports on the amount of visits, type of visits, content most viewed, how the website was found and many more metrics that give valuable market and user activity feedback.
This information is compiled and used in optimising the website so it ranks high on the search engines. SEO is a vital aspect of on-line marketing and can be used in conjunction with pay-per-click and third party website advertising.
Hosting
House of Design have a dedicated server and can host client websites at a very competitive rate.