We use a range of technologies to develop your site to your requirements. Don't worry if you really don't know your HTML from your Perl, you don't need to; all you do need to know is what we can do for you without things getting too expensive or time consuming.
For the more technically minded, we use XHTML, JavaScript, ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, Perl, SQL (Databases), and CSS Stylesheets. We do not use Macromedia Flash.
What this means is that we can produce sites that vary in complexity to suit your needs, but which do not hide the main reason for your site behind showy graphics.
 

Static pages are the simplest type of pages to produce. They are simply blocks of text and graphics, formatted in specific ways. There are several applications that allow you to develop static pages (such as Dreamweaver, FrontPage, PageMill, and Fusion), but you generally need to know a fair amount about the underlying HTML and how best to layout your page.
The benefits of static pages are that they are fairly quick to produce, take up little space (relatively) in your web directory, and don't require too much server processing power.
The disadvantages all become apparent when you need to update them. If you are only updating a single item on a single page (such as rewording a paragraph) then that's fine, but when you need to change the same piece of text on all the pages it can get rather tiresome and time consuming. You also need to still know about the underlying HTML to make changes, so if you're not confident about that then you'll need someone else to do it.

Static pages do have a place in web sites. Generally when you have a page that changes rarely, or that has an individual format, or indeed is the only page on your site, then it is probably appropriate to use a static page.
Of course, we are happy to build your site from static pages if that is what you want. We are also more than happy to update those pages for you when you want.
 

Dynamic pages are the other type of pages that can be produced. They range in complexity from static pages with additional scripting to reduce the amount of time doing updates up to fully integrated pages that source their content from databases. We can cater for all types of dynamic page, but it is always a good idea for you to know exactly what each level of dynamism can do for you so you can choose the level that best suits your needs.

The simplest form of dynamic page uses the JavaScript language to perform formatting tasks. JavaScript code is often used to change an image when your mouse moves over it and other things, but it can also be used to create a whole site'w worth of pages that have the same look and feel, but which can be changed centrally by editing only one common document.

The next form involves writing more code on the server side. It enables pages to be built up from formatting templates with only the changeable page data embedded in the web page (or held in a central text file). This means that if the whole site's look and feel is to be changed, it can be done so by changing only the templates rather than each individual page. This level of dynamism also allows data in central text files to be displayed on pages, so you could (for example) have a text file containing product information and allow the user to search through it by keyword for what product they are looking for. Also, once you start using server code you can provide a secure way for your visitors to e-mail you without giving out your e-mail address, or for them to leave comments on the site.

The last form of dynamism involves writing management pages in code on the server side. This provides a structured way to manage the data that is on your website. You would have a log in page, and structured management pages related to your own type of data requirements. For example, you could have a product page where you could add, modify, and delete your product information, including codes, descriptions, and prices. At this stage, it is probably best to start considering having a database to hold your site's data.
 

Despite all the fancy technology, you shouldn't lose site that your web pages are primarily there to provide your site's visitors with the information that they want, as quickly and concisely as necessary. This is often best done using a database to provide all the sorting and searching of your data - they are generally quicker than text files and are far more flexible. Databases can also be used to hold customer details such as log-in details and order details. Couple this to management pages and you have the beginnings of an on-line store, all you would need then is a secure payment option, which we can of course advise you on.

The level of dynamism, or complexity, that you need is up to you. We will advise you every step of the way (and explain whatever you want us to) but in the end, it has to be your decision. Don't let that put you off though, you have probably made far more complex decisions already. So whether you want simple static pages that you only update once in a while, or an on-line store that gives users their own logins, or a forum/discussion arena that allows users to post messages and comments, or whatever you want; we can provide a simple but elegant solution that works well but which won't break the bank.
 

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