Nothing will make customers leave your site faster than reading misspelled words and bad grammar. Think about it. When you visit a well-known “big name” site, do you find shoddy grammar or spelling errors? Sites with poor grammar, a variety of fonts, and spelling errors look unprofessional and do nothing to promote your product or service.

Take a few minutes to look over these common grammar errors. Do you know the correct usage of these terms?

• Their, there, they’re
• Lose vs. loose
• It’s vs. its
• Affect vs. effect
• Then or than?

Do you use random apostrophes? People often confuse plurals with possessives, a common error that can be seen on signs, ads, and websites.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White is an excellent book that explains the nuts and bolts of grammar. I recommend it if you plan to write content for your own site and/or blog.

If you aren’t sure if your site is up to snuff, or if you decide to revamp your site, give Palmerworks a call. We design and host websites, and writing the content is part of the package. We also provide blogging services.

Call 734-252-9321 to schedule a free consultation.

The 85th Academy Awards air this Sunday, February 24, 2013. The Oscars start at 8:30PM ET / 7:30PM CT / 5:30PM PT.

You might not have noticed, but there’s an attempt to rebrand the awards show this year.

According to the show’s co-producer, Neil Meron, calling it the “85th Academy Awards” sounded too “musty.”

“We’re rebranding it,” Meron told entertainment news website TheWrap.

“We’re not calling it ‘The 85th annual Academy Awards’…It’s called ‘The Oscars’,” he said.

He says the new approach would continue in years to come.

Last year’s Oscars poster was clearly emblazoned with “The 84th Academy Awards.” This year’s shows a picture of smiling host Seth MacFarlane under “The Oscars,” in gold.

What do you think? Is the rebranding necessary? If the big guns at the Academy think so, should you think about rebranding your “musty” small business identity?

If you feel like it’s time for an update, give us a call. We’ll help you design a fresh new look for your website, blog, brochures, business cards, and more. Call 734-252-9321 or use our contact form to set up a free consultation.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Everyone have a safe and happy New Year!

Katherine and Rick
Palmerworks Web and Print Design
www.palmerworks.com 

GARDEN CITY, Michigan – (September 20, 2012) – Palmerworks Design, a Garden City, Michigan-based, web & print design company, is celebrating its tenth year in business.

Rick and Katherine Palmer founded the company in 2002 after years of providing free design and writing services to friends and acquaintances. They soon found a ready-made market for their services in the small business community, with owners who wanted to get their businesses online at an affordable price. For ten years, they have designed and hosted websites and provided print media for local individuals and companies.

“We pride ourselves on personalized service,” said Rick. “Many of our clients have tried do-it-yourself web design companies and found that template-driven sites are unprofessional looking, take up a lot of their time, and are a waste of money.

“Unlike many web design companies, we help our clients create written content for their sites. In addition to developing a website for a client, we can design a business logo, and take care of all the technical details, like domain name, hosting, email setup, and even integrating your company Facebook page. We enjoy getting to know our clients, and we take an interest in seeing that their businesses succeed.”

Rick says many of their clients transferred existing sites to Palmerworks after being unable to reach their former designers for updates and other services.

“We are not is not a fly-by-night company. We’ve been in the business for ten years, and plan to be around for a long time. When you need changes to your site, due to price increases, employee turn around or other issues, we’ll have those updates done within the week,” says Palmer.

Palmerworks also designs and produces newsletters and other print materials for small businesses.

The future looks promising for Palmerworks. “We plan to keep growing the company,” said Rick, “and we’re going to focus on helping business owners develop ecommerce sites. We’ll bring the same level of personalized service and affordable pricing to that aspect of web development.”

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Palmerworks Design is offering a complete 5-page site for 10% off until the end of October 2012. Visit their website (palmerworks.com) to learn more about their web and print services, including business cards, monthly newsletters, and brochures. For a free consultation, call 734-252-web1, or email info@palmerworks.com.

Palmerworks Design, Garden City, MI 48135
734-252-web1
www.palmerworks.com

Contact: Katherine Palmer

Chris from C&C Countertops and Home Improvement in Westland gave us a call. He needed a website that advertised his company’s home remodeling business. The company started out doing countertops, but now they offer complete residential and home improvement services.

Rick decided that a rotating carousel on the front page would quickly convey the fact that they do all sorts of remodeling projects. Take a look at the result.

Palmerworks takes care of ALL the details necessary to get your site up and running.

The company needed a logo that reflected their many services. We created one and incorporated the logo into the look of the new site.

Next, we wrote the content, implemented the front page carousel, scanned company photos, created a photo gallery, developed a contact form, and also set up a new gmail address to receive client inquiries.

Technical details included purchasing the new domain name, hosting the site, setting up emails with the new domain name, and making sure the site is search-engine friendly. The next week will be spent listing the new site in online directories, linking it to Facebook and Linkedin, and submitting the site map to search engines.

Besides creating the new site, we also designed new company business cards and found Chris a local t-shirt shop where he ordered new shirts with logos for the crew. And the whole project took about 2 weeks.

Palmerworks knows that most business owners are too busy to take on more responsibility. Let us develop your new website and take care of all the details, while you run your business.

Five-page sites, with domain name and hosting – $475. Call 734-252-WEB1 for a free consultation.

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 [restaurant has closed, but you can see the site we designed here] – 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.

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.

Access Christian Counseling is a private outpatient clinic offering a variety of services in Southfield, Michigan. Their team of licensed Christian therapists facilitate the healing process for spiritual, psychological, and emotional growth by combining biblically based principles with psychological concepts.

The clinic director, Dr. Charles Capicchioni, wanted to update their website with a new, more welcoming look. We softened the colors, added photos, and incorporated a mountain view to coordinate with the business cards and brochures they already had. Take a look at this screenshot of the front page. Unfortunately, Access Christian Counseling closed its doors in 2012.

The original site had harsh, red tones that didn’t seem very warm or inviting.

The site we developed was our standard five-page package, which includes domain name, hosting for one year, and a blog. We really enjoy helping our clients, and wrote two “starter” blogs. Rick also updated their Men’s Group flyer, which we added as a blog graphic.

Palmerworks always customizes sites to our clients’ needs, and this site includes biographies of staff members. We’ll update it next month when we receive staff pictures.

We’d like to thank Dr. C. for choosing us to develop his new look. He is definitely a man who cares about his staff and clients, and he was a joy to work with.

We’d also like to extend our gratitude to Shelly Raitz for recommending us for the job.

Purchase a complete web package for your company, including domain name, hosting, and blog, for under $500. Contact Rick or Katherine at Palmerworks Design, today. We offer professional design with personalized service.

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.

Maria 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.