Semper Fidelis Web Design

Welcome

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Semper Fidelis Web Design is dedicated to representing non-profit organizations as well as locally-owned and operated businesses. By utilizing open-source technologies, we are able to provide our clients with excellent solutions at an affordable price. Among others, here are some of the beliefs we adhere to:

  • Honor
  • Courage
  • Commitment
  • Communication
  • Professionalism

Business in today's world isn't done like it used to be, with a handshake that "sealed the deal". Semper Fidelis Web Design is bringing it back to the old-school way of things. Where a handshake means a deal is done. S.F.W.D. will NOT sign a contract until we have made every effort to meet the client in person. This is an important part of our approach to the business we conduct, and one we do not take lightly. It's more important for us to meet our potential clients than it is to bring in a ton of business.

Please, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Top Ten Things to Make Your IT Experience Better

Today, we share our top 10 suggestions for making your IT, and more specifically Web Design and Development, experience easier for all parties involved.

  1. Communicate - Communicate with your IT people. When they ask for something, don't hesitate in giving it to them. There is a reason behind asking, and it will only speed things up if you follow up. Don't be afraid to tell someone when you like something or don't like it. It will save time, and money.
  2. Trust - When a client is told something, there is a reason for it. Trust that your IT Rep is telling you something that is more or less "life or death" of the project. They won't tell you something you don't need to know.
  3. Be active in the development and design - Don't hesitate to be active, or even overly-active, in the design and development. As creative members, we are always looking for another set of eyes to suggest something. We are perfectionists, but not perfect. Let us know your thoughts.
  4. Respect - Respect what your IT Rep is telling you. Again, they aren't going to lie to you, and as a "Subject Matter Specialist", they probably have more insight into the situation, standards, and methods than you may think of.
  5. Don't Assume - Don't think that because we are creative, we know exactly what you are thinking. We all know what assuming does, so let's just stay away from it. Be open and honest about what you're thinking, instead of speaking in an encrypted manner...
Open Source? What's that?
Open source is a great alternative to what is called "Proprietary" Software. Examples of proprietary software in the web world would include things like Adobe's© Cold Fusion© , Microsoft's© ASP.NET©, and the slew of EllisLabs© options. So, what's open source, and why should you look for it? There are many reasons. I will cover a few.

  1. Community: The community in the world of Open Source (O.S.) programming is bigger, usually friendlier, and much more willing to help than some of the other proprietary companies. Think of this: If you have had Microsoft© Windows7© for 2 years, and you want some sort of technical support, if it's not on the website, you'll have to pay for it when you call Microsoft. Open Source alternatives are not like that. There are several websites out there that provide information for you for free. It's a great alternative.
  2. Adaptability: O.S. is a lot more adaptable than the other. To run PHP scripts and mySQL scripts on the internet, you can have either a Linux (O.S.) web server, or a Microsoft© (Proprietary) server. If you want to run asp or asp.net, you need to have a Microsoft© box.
  3. Cost: Probably the most important to a lot of people, especially in today's economy, is the cost of O.S. options. It's free! Much better than having to pay for the other. So, you save cost right there. And since it's free,...
Why Web Development and Design

So, a lot of people lately have been using online "tools" or outsourcing their needs for web design. They utilize things like Intuit's® site-builder, or hiring someone from India to do their design, development, search-engine registering, SEO, and Yellow Book registration. All of this for either a ton of money or hardly any money at all!

So, what's the big deal, you ask? The big deal is that these people that are using these resources and tools are taking work away from honest, hard-working, local designers and developers, like myself. That being said, on to the true meaning of this blog, why Web Development and Design.

Everyone knows that Web Development is important. You have to be able to have the content, and the different aspects of the site, to make it attractive to other people to come and look at. Development is a huge part of a new site, as it is responsible for every interactive portion of your site. From the simple display of a few graphics and tables, to the complete slideshow of photos, to an interactive blog or comment block. Everything that you may interact with is thanks to a Web Developer. Web Development is important, because it provides the opportunity for the client to have what they want put in to their site. It gives us a chance to display our knowledge, know-how, skills, talents, and abilities.

So, what's wrong with bringing in an outsourced company to do my web dev for me? Well, there's not...