Thursday, 23 of February of 2012

Category » Web design

Year in review: new clients, new services, exciting changes in 2011

It was a banner year for Palmerworks on many levels.

The company filed Articles of Organization and became a Michigan Limited Licensed Company.

Rick retired from his day job to work full time on the business. Since September 1st, he has been making the rounds of local shop owners explaining the benefits of a good website. His work has paid off. He’s signed up many new clients, including a local dentist, two restaurants, and a “budding” entrepreneur.

Our services have expanded. We’ve added a new division: Palmerworks Corporate Services provides newsletters and other communication media utilizing our writing, editing, and design expertise.

New clients in 2011:

d48shop.com [site in progress] – The year began with our first online shopping cart, created for District 48 Apparel, a Carhartt reseller.  The company had some major catalog revisions and merchandise updates that are still in the works, but the site is projected to launch next month.

basspimp.com – Straight out of 5-String Township, Michigan, Gordon Spencer, aka The Bass Pimp, is the first bassist to call if you make music in Detroit. This site incorporates his music, pictures, and best-selling Basspimp tshirt.

ndcaps.com – New Direction Counseling, in Southfield, offers a variety of classes, resources, and services. Their dedicated group of professional therapists offer evidence-based treatment in providing individual, group, and family counseling.

murphydentalcare.com [site in progress] – Dr. Edward Murphy, DDS, is a Livonia family dentist.

beachbudd.com [site in progress] – The BeachBudd is a highly inventive tanning lotion applicator designed by a local entrepreneur.

cornedbeefrestaurant.com – The Corned Beef House is a local diner in Westland, Michigan, that serves up the best corned beef in town. The owner wanted his menu on a simple one-page site.

thegreekflame.com [site in progress] - Greek Flame Coney Island is a diner located in Garden City – we’re providing a menu redesign and website.

 

Palmerworks offers more than web design

Palmerworks Corporate Services is a new division of our company that offers a variety of business solutions, including:

  • Digital and print newsletters
  • Writing, editing, and proofreading
  • Press releases
  • Business letters
  • Speech writing
  • Ad copy
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • Print and online resumes
  • Branding strategies, SEO, and more.

Print services – We continue to design business cards, stationery, signs, posters, and brochures for our web clients. Once a website establishes the company look, we design print brochures, letterhead, and business cards that incorporate the logo, colors, and domain name.

Blogging and other digital services – No time to blog? Palmerworks writes bimonthly blogs, as well as Facebook and LinkedIn page updates for several clients.

Search engine optimization – We realize clients need help with website promotion. Palmerworks has added more services: we’ll help you list your new site in online directories, start your Facebook page, and help you discover other SEO strategies, all as part of our typical web design package.

Contact Palmerworks today for your new website  – or let us design your newsletter or brochure. Email info@palmerworks.com or call 734-252-WEB1.

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New one-page site for local restaurant: The Corned Beef House

Our latest client wanted a simple, one-page site with his full menu. Mike Zee, owner of the Corned Beef House and Coney Island Restaurant on Wayne Road in Westland, opened his new place about 4 months ago. Mike knew exactly what he wanted and Rick created an easily accessible, scrolling menu. We were unable to get a high resolution copy of the menu, so Rick keyed in the entire menu himself in order to make the new website graphics! The result is a simple, no-frills site that provides all the information customers need to find the restaurant and order ahead.

cornedbeef2Our latest client wanted a simple, one-page site with his full menu. Mike Zee, owner of the Corned Beef House and Coney Island Restaurant on Wayne Road in Westland, opened his new place about 4 months ago.

Mike knew exactly what he wanted and Rick created an easily accessible, scrolling menu. We were unable to get a high resolution copy of the menu, so Rick keyed in the entire menu himself in order to make the new website graphics! The result is a simple, no-frills site that provides all the information customers need to find the restaurant and order ahead.

As part of our full service, we also listed the restaurant in Google maps, and updated the Yelp listing. We created a Facebook page, as well. Palmerworks offers personalized service for clients who aren’t familiar with website search engine optimization (SEO) and online directory listings. We are always glad to do a little extra for each customer.

Visit the new website and drop in to Mike’s Corned Beef House for lunch. Be sure to order his home made soup and/or a tender, juicy corned beef sandwich. Check out the menu at http://cornedbeefrestaurant.com.

Let Palmerworks design a one-page site for your business for only $225. Call Rick at 734-525-WEB1 to discuss the type of website that would work best for your small business.

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New Client: New Direction Counseling website, biz cards, and more

New Direction is a new out-patient psychiatric clinic based in Southfield, Michigan. They wanted a web presence and a corporate identity, including business cards and letterhead – without breaking their budget.

We provided a custom package tailor-made to their needs:

  • Rick designed a logo that subtly incorporated the idea of a “new direction”
  • We created a one-page website featuring the new logo and basic information about services
  • Rick designed business cards and letterhead
  • We provided a sign for the door to their new office
  • Katherine provided editing services for their introductory letters and designed an informational flyer
  • We included includes 5 email addresses, hosting, and domain name for one year as part of the web package
  • We visited their location to take photos for the site

Best of all, we provided this entire package for under $300!

nd-collage2

Contact Palmerworks for an affordable, customized start-up package for your small business. We can provide all your web and corporate identity needs, leaving you time  you to run your business.

Contact Rick or Katherine for a free estimate. Call 1-734-252-WEB1 or email info@palmerworks.com.

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Looking back on 2010

Palmerworks had a productive 2010. We were busy all year developing sites, creating company logos, and providing print media for entrepreneurs and established professionals.

We had the pleasure of meeting some great people who’ve created successful businesses. Please take advantage of their services.

911 Set Medics – provides the Michigan film industry with the highest-trained professional EMS personnel for commercial, TV, and film production. We developed their site, blog, logo, and business cards.

Everlast Asphalt a Canton, Michigan-based provider of residential and commercial asphalt services. Palmerworks developed a 5-page site, logo, and business cards.

The Word of Truth Church and Ministries – a thriving church in Warren, Mich., presided over by church founder, Dr. Robert E. Garner. We developed their site and incorporated two blogs for updates from the pastor and about church events. We also set up their Facebook, Twitter, and helped them with other social networking services.

Trotter Strategies – a Washington, D.C.-based firm headed by veteran lobbyist Tom Trotter, provides Congressional consulting, strategic advice, and issue advocacy. We provided a one-page “business card” site, logo, and business cards.

American CME – provides web-based continuing medical training with documentary-style training videos and online testing. We created a 5-page site, blog, logo, and set-up and integrated the learning management system. (As of March 2011, American CME has moved to “moodlerooms” as their new hosting provider. The original design is by Palmerworks, but writing and information is not by our company.)

Ostlund Plumbing – Ostlund Plumbing and Heating, Inc., has been a part of the community for more than 50 years, completing hundreds of projects in the southeastern Michigan area. We designe their 5-page site with photo gallery, plus their logo and business cards.

Fire Ground Review – is a first responder modified version of the military’s After Action Review used by fire departments to become more effective and create a safer working environment for personnel. We developed a 5-page site, blog, logo, and business cards.

Marsha Westfall – is an aspiring teacher in southeastern Michigan. We created an online resume/portfolio that showcases her credentials and teach philosophy.

Access Christian Counseling – is a private outpatient clinic offering a variety of services in Southfield, Michigan. We developed a 5-page site, blog, and print flyers, and provided photography services.

Ultimate Hair Removal/Body Beautiful – Located in Farmington Hills, Mich., Body Beautiful LLC specializes in laser and electrolysis hair removal, with 15 years of hair removal experience. We took her existing flash-based site and redeveloped it in html.

Jamy K – Jamy Krulikowski is mutli-talented actor, film and video editor, writer, and motion graphic artist living in surburban Los Angeles. We developed an online portfolio/bio and business cards.

Palmerworks is also honored to help whenever we can. We donated hosting to a site dedicated to supporting fallen Grand Rapids Firefighter Bryan Blattert.

This year is off to a great start. New in 2011:

The Initiative – We’re finishing up a site for a new company that specializes in property management services for homeowners, commercial investors, and small businesses.

Gordie’s Cards – Gordie Roedding creates original, hand-drawn greeting cards for any occasion, event, or holiday. We’re putting the finishing touches on his 5-page site.

Bass Pimp – Palmerworks is developing a one-page site offering t-shirts from local musician, Gordon Spencer.

District 48 Apparel – We’re developing a website, blog, and online cart for a local Carhartt reseller.

Cyndi’s Cakes – Cyndi Berger has been creating beautiful cakes for more than 35 years. We’re developing a 5-page site and blog showcasing her talents.

Check back often to see our progress. We’re thankful to all our clients and look forward to another successful and productive year.

Palmerworks provides affordable, professional web design and specializes in personalized service.

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New client: Jamy K’s business cards help smooth the way to a new career

Jamy Krulikowski is mutli-talented actor, film and video editor, writer, and motion graphic artist from Farmington Hills, Michigan. In preparation for his career change and move to California later this year, Jamy needs new business cards to help him showcase his talents and experience. He wanted a card that would provide contact information but also get attention.

jamybizcards2

As an actor, Jamy definitely needed his head shot on the card. We combined the photo on the back with a subtle “hollywood” image on the front and voila! The card is multifunctional and will help him open doors in his new career.

Of course, there’s much more information to provide for potential employees, so a website was the perfect complement to the cards. Take a look at the one-page site we developed to tide him over while he gathers more website content. It contains a brief bio and contact information, and will easily be developed into a larger site once we have more pictures, a resume, and video samples. See the “preview” site here: www.jamyk.com.

If you need the perfect business card, and/or a website to showcase your talents, call Rick or Katherine at 734-252-WEB1, or email info@palmerworks.com. We’ll work with you to develop the image you want to project at an affordable price. Ask about our “New Career” Package – a 5-page website, domain name, hosting for one year, 5 email addresses, and 100 2-sided business cards – all for only $475.

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New client: Body Beautiful LLC – an updated site for a professional laser hair removal business

Palmerworks can do more for your company than design websites. If you already own an older site, call us to help you revamp and/or update it. Our latest client, Maria Gorton, is the owner of Body Beautiful LLC, a hair removal salon in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She had two sites and a unique problem.

26-ultimateMaria already owned a gorgeous site called bodybeautifulllc.com. The site was created in Flash, using custom-designed graphics that complement the colors and style of the decor in her beautiful new business location.

However, Maria also owns an older site named ultimatehairremoval.com — a simple home-made template site. She wanted to retain the old site, because it has a great, catchy name, with good search relevance, and it brings in lots of hits. Howevever, the site definitely lacked the professional allure of the Body Beautiful site.

After pondering the options, we decided to replace the “simple” site with a mirror image of  the beautiful Flash site, using  html instead of Flash. Rick honed his css design skills and recreated the entire Flash site graphic by graphic. The results are amazing. The new site retains the elegant look without using Flash, and also has a few improvements. We added a blog, a photo page, simpler navigation, an easy-to-access contact form, and we added the location’s address to every page. Take a look at the new ultimatehairremoval.com site.

As an added bonus, Maria received one year of hosting with her redesign. After canceling her old provider, Maria ended up paying the same price for the entire redesign plus hosting as she was already paying for hosting alone! We took care of the transfer for her, so it was a stress free “move.”

If you already own a site that needs updating, or have other unique web or print design needs, call us at 734-252-WEB1, or email info@palmerworks.com. We offer personalized service and will take care of all your design needs.

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Your Amazing Hair – website available

Sometimes we create a website that never gets published for one reason or another. The client may have wanted a different look, the company went out of business, or the business decided they didn’t need a site, after all.

Your Amazing Hair, is one such site. The client is a small business owner who became too overwhelmed by other career duties to promote her hair extension company.

amazinghair

We never “scrap” our designs. The creative process is never a waste, because from ideas flow more ideas. The site now becomes part of our portfolio, offering potential clients another style option from which to choose. The design is also available to any new client who’s looking for this style website. It can be adapted for salons and/or other hair extension providers to fit their personal style–with their own company name and information, of course.

If you’re a salon owner or other small business owner looking for a site, contact Palmerworks. We can redesign a tired-looking site, or provide you with a custom site that reflects your company’s needs. Complete website package, including one year of hosting, $475.

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New client: Fire Ground Review provides professional assessments for fire departments

Fire Ground Review was founded in 2009 by Mark Lawry, a professional firefighter/paramedic for the West Bloomfield Fire Department. The company provides professional assessments called “Fire Ground Reviews” modeled after the U.S. Army’s After Action Reviews. The Fire Ground Review process helps fire departments examine their performance standards in order to sustain strengths and improve on weaknesses. Utilizing the process saves lives, money, and time.

fgr

The site we developed was our standard five-page package, which includes domain name and hosting for one year, plus a blog and contact form. We customize sites to our clients’ needs, and this site also includes examples of actual fire ground reviews in pdf format. We’d like to thank Mark for choosing us to develop his corporate identity: website, logo, and business cards. We had a great time working with him! Now we just have to teach him the art of blogging.

Purchase a complete web package for your company, including domain name, hosting, and blog, for under $400. Contact Rick or Katherine at Palmerworks Design, today. We offer professional design with personalized service.


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American CME – new online training site by Palmerworks

As online training becomes more popular, knowing how to develop a website that incorporates a learning management system is an important skill for any web design company. Palmerworks Design recently designed a new online learning site for medical professionals: www.americancme.com.

americancme

Owned by Jeff Latkowski, an Oakland County emergency medical professional, American CME offers a convenient, quick, and economical solution to help emergency medical responders and other health care professionals meet state of Michigan training requirements. The user logs on, views an instructional video, and completes a short test that assesses comprehension of the video. Upon successfully completing the assessment, the user receives a printable completion certificate to provide to an employer and/or the State of Michigan.

(As of March 2011, American CME has moved to “moodlerooms” as their new hosting provider. The original design is by Palmerworks, but writing and information is not by our company.)

If you’re a trainer who’d like to start offering online courses, contact us for more information. We’ll design your site, set up the learning management and payment system, and help you get your training on the web.

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Need a resume or product brochure? Palmerworks also provides business services

The Palmerworks creative team can design your logo, business cards, brochures, letterhead, newsletters, and more.

With over 20 years of experience in the communications field, we are veterans at layout and design for projects that include newsletters, small magazines, brochures, flyers, posters, and marketing emails. We can help you create your business identity with a distinctive logo and integrate it into your website, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and brochures.

As a team of award-winning writers, we also offer writing and editing services for individuals and small businesses. Let us create your resume, revamp your marketing materials, or proofread and edit your business letters, newsletters, press releases, or adcopy.

Contact us for more information about our design, writing, and identity branding services.

We also specialize in digital and print business products, including logo design, brochures, newsletters, and resumes and other branding and marketing materials.

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