W e b  S i t e  D e s i g n   Philosophy

During the design process, the objectives defined in our strategic planning serve as a frame of reference so that every decision is aimed at delivering the right information to the right target.

Using this approach, Safaltech is able to build Web sites that appeal to a desired market, target a specific audience, and lead that audience to specific information. Each of these factors help to create a strong connection with the consumer, build their confidence, and encourage interaction.

Our goal is to design Web sites with logical architectures, intuitive navigation, creative and aesthetic page layout, and powerful presentation. We design sites that scale well over time and that are easy to manage. We design first for function and then for appearance.

Interface design is key to building a functional Web site. We start by organizing and categorizing information into a logical site architecture. Key concepts, themes, ideas, and phrases are then incorporated into that architecture.

A Web site built with strong architecture presents information logically and efficiently. It organizes the site and facilitates intuitive navigation. Pages are further augmented with orientational features so that visitors always know where they are. The home page introduces the major Web site sections. Visitors are then funneled down the pathways they choose. As they venture deeper into the site, information becomes more and more detailed.

 

After function has been addressed, we begin designing for appearance. We use sophisticated graphic design to create a look and feel for the site that projects the desired image and emotions. We create Web sites that develop positive perceptions about our clients and their products and services.

Good graphic design is essential to the success of a Web site. It harnesses emotion, direction, organization, presentation, and information and bundles them together into a package that projects a message of strength and sophistication. Combining text, imagery, and white space, we create a cohesive, informative, and emotionally charged interaction with the viewer. Viewers recognize it, enjoy it, and respond to it.  
 

Our designers have a solid understanding of HTML, browser capabilities, and design constraints on the Web as a result of the extensive work done by our research team. We pay close attention to a number of design-related issues. Our software engineers remain on the cutting edge by continually investigating new Internet technologies.

Design-Related Issues

Browser Compatibility - Well-designed Web sites are formatted in such a way that they maintain their integrity when viewed through different browser software. We test our sites in a variety of Macintosh and PC Web browsers including Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape.

Screen Resolution - Monitor resolution is an important measurement of the amount of space people have available on their computer desktops and therefore the amount of space available in their browser windows. We pay close attention to resolution when designing Web sites. We design our Web sites so they work at any screen resolution (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, etc.)

Connection Speeds - Our researchers pay close attention to the slowly increasing average connection speeds. We also research consumer preferences regarding the length of time they will wait for Web pages to download. We test all our pages for download time and make sure they fall within reasonable limits.

Explore the excitement of interactive Web site applications. Safaltech can incorporate interactive features such as searchable databases, search engines, shopping carts, and more. Animation, video, and sound are also available to energize your site.

Interactive Applications

Successful Web sites encourage visitor interaction. Participating users are engaged, interested and more likely to leave the site with a positive and lasting impression. To achieve this end, Safaltech uses a number of technologies and techniques:

Database Integration - Safaltech can integrate your database of information into a sophisticated Web site application. This information can be made available to your visitors with powerful and flexible searches. This is especially useful for providing a catalog of products, employee or membership directories, articles and newsletters, or any information that needs to be updated regularly.

Custom Bulletin Boards - Our Bulletin Board application can provide your Web site with an online discussion area where viewers can read and post messages regarding a topic of interest. Each visitor can select a forum, create a new message, or reply to an existing message. This bulletin board processes new messages in real time. Messages are sorted by date to ensure that the newest ones appear first. These forums support conversations among multiple users that can take place over extended periods of time.

Animation, Video, & Sound

Animation, video, and sound can be an informative, engaging and useful tool if properly implemented into a Web site. For instance, an animated graphic can illustrate the range of motion built into a product... graphs can come alive and highlight key points... animated icons can assist in navigation... background music can create a mood... stories can be narrated with a real voice... seminars and interviews can be presented online through video.

Safaltech has the resources to utilize any number of animation, video, and sound technologies including Real Audio/Video, Shockwave, Flash, Active-X, dynamic HTML, animated GIFs and more.