Origin can build your website from start to finish. We can even take care of domain name registration and hosting if required.

The majority of web design agencies focus on either developing websites (databases, coding) or on the design of the site. We build websites that are visually attractive but also highly functional. This benefits our clients as the whole process is in-house.

Once the site is built, we will upload and test it on either our hosting server, or on your existing host server.

There are a lot of third party add-ons available for websites (shopping carts, for example) but we have found it sometimes takes as long to configure these as it does to create them from scratch – and there’s often a monthly or annual fee. Some also need to be hosted on a separate server. As we script our systems from the ground up, we have complete control over the function and design.

Loading time can differ dramatically from one user to the next depending on connection speeds etc.

All sites produced by Origin are optimised for fast download times - not, however, at the expense of image-scarce pages. All images are optimised to the smallest file sizes, still retaining the same visual quality and often at a choice of resolutions - so the viewer can choose whether to wait for a detailed picture to load. All scripting is stripped down to essential code, also to reduce download time.

Origin can build your website with a password-protected content management system. As we script the system entirely, you can tailor it to suit your exact requirements.

For example, you may want to change the colour of the background occasionally, or amend scrolling text on the home page, upload images, news articles etc. or assign user permissions to certain sections of the administration site. The possibilities are endless.

Because your site is totally built by us, it is styled to suit the rest of the website and isn't cluttered with confusing settings and options. We build our content management systems so that users with no knowledge of the web are still able to use them with ease.

Origin submits sites to 150 search engines and directories as part of the construction process. Although there are thousands of search engines sites can be registered with, only a few will produce results. Search engines also share their databases with other search engines, so submitting to one specific search engine can have the same effect as submitting to 30.

We produce detailed reports when the site is submitted and when the search engines’ databases have updated their site rankings, new reports are produced. These ranking reports are held online and are updated frequently so that we can track the effectiveness of the marketing and tweak any pages if necessary.

If you are hosting with us, server statistics are included as part of your package.The statistics are very detailed and contain graphs and charts to accurately gather data on visitors, countries, times, data transfers, where visitors entered and left the site, and how long they viewed a certain page.

If you use another host, they may provide server log files for clients to evaluate the number of visitors (hits) for their site. With the help of special analysis software, we can convert these log files into meaningful documents from which you will be able to extract the desired information on site hits, etc. depending on the server logs.

We build websites so that they are accessible to the widest possible audience. Where this is not possible, we can produce equivalent pages that function for specific devices.

Where plug-ins, such as Flash, are used,  we add detection scripts so that the website dynamically substitutes Flash for graphics that are 100% compatible. Not everyone uses Internet Explorer, and not all scripts work on all browsers. Where possible we use cross-browser, and cross-platform (Macintosh, PC) scripts. When this cannot be done, we build separate pages to work with a particular browser which the user will automatically be redirected to.

Yes, we have experience in producing secure e-commerce sites.

We use a third party credit card authenticating and transaction service that allows us the freedom to build our code behind it.

We use an off-the-shelf e-commerce package so that the pages are styled exactly the same as the rest of the site - giving a more professional and trustworthy feel to your site.

See our portfolio section for our e-commerce examples.

Yes. You will be able to get in touch with the designer or designers working on your project. As our work is always bespoke, we feel that it is very important to have regular contact throughout the development of the project so that the end result meets our clients’ every need.

Yes. Origin can manage print production ranging from 500 leaflets through to multiple exhibition stands. Through our connections in the print industry, we can find the best price and quality of service. Goods can be delivered in unbranded boxes to yourself or your clients - all you need to do is send us the print-ready artwork.

'New media' refers to electronic, interactive media as opposed to the 'traditional' media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio and movies.

Traditional media is pre-planned in its message and delivery, in such a way that you can't actively choose what you want to see. New media is different in that you play an active role in finding what you want, whether it be information or entertainment. As it is all electronic, it can be updated or changed frequently in response to customers’ requests or changes in the industry.

Interactive media can be very cost-effective, often letting the client update content without ever needing to contact the design agency. Typical new media applications are games, email newsletters, websites, animations, CD ROMS andpresentations.