Case study
Creating a website for PHAW
The standards for web design are constantly changing and being readdressed. Wingfinger aims to create sites that are adaptable, and functional across many platforms. We use coding methods that are recognised and reliable, and will stand the test of time (at least a little bit of time!) rather than give you a site that will need redesigning as soon as the next web trend comes along.
A snap shot of the PHAW home page: simple, clean and easy to use
The Poverty and Homelessness Action Week site needed to look simple, clean, and be easily adaptable for new content. Once we had come up with an overall design, we created a set of templates that the client could use to create additional pages. Most of our clients want to be able to alter their site’s content to some degree, and Wingfinger will create templates or find an appropriate content management system to suit skill levels or resources.
The database
Only registered users of the site were to be able to download online versions of Action Week resources and order additional merchandise. This required setting up a database to hold registration information and to allow an online log-in with password. We took several measures to ensure the information being input was kept secure and protected against hackers and ‘robots’. We also helped the client get set up with a server that could host and operate the database and all the coding requirements that go along with this kind of site.
Wingfinger was involved in the discussions on what was needed from the site at an early stage, particularly in terms of weighing up the security risks for what the client was hoping to achieve. Databases are difficult to alter once set up, so we helped our client think through the issues early on and settle on some sensible solutions.
Keeping the technology where it belongs
Website development might seem pretty daunting and unfathomable to some clients – so we do our best to clarify the issues and keep the nerd-talk in the office. To read more about Wingfinger’s approach to web design, take a look at our Services section, or get in touch and we can discuss your project.
World wide web
Although the Poverty and Homelessness Action Week website was produced entirely in-house, we’ve produced sites as sole developers and also in partnership with our clients’ existing programmers and content management services.
You can see more of our web designs and collaborations, including for Ebico, Amberlinks and Envirotrade, in the gallery.
Our web aims
Here’s a checklist of things we think about before starting a new web project. To read about these in more detail, look at our web design section on the services page.
Compatibility:
Ensure that as many people as possible see the same thing on screen, across platforms and browsers.
Accessibility:
Make a site usable even if visitors don’t have all the technology available.
Database:
Design an appropriately secure and flexible system to store data.
Content management:
Make systems suited to requirements so clients are able to update content.
Ease of use:
Keep in mind the experience of the end-user. Visitors should be able to find their way round!
