Web Design
Technology has changed, but the human eye has not changed. The potential for visual confusion and lack of clarity remains. We create websites that accomplish their specific goal, namely communicating effectively. While we employ the most creative technologies and techniques, we do this in ways that support and do not detract from the ability to communicate.

Our design standards are based on well-developed understanding of how the human eye functions, the balance of content and space, the psychological impact of color, principles of classic typography, clarity of image, information flow logic, and issues of eye comfort. Accordingly, our work reflects close attention to the entire webpage experience, and does not rely on gimmicks or eye-candy as a substitute for real and meaningful content.

Custom Programming
Web users expect all websites to be as good as the best that they have used. Accordingly, websites become dated quickly. Today, keeping up to date requires some level of custom software programming. Whether it is to manage organization memberships and benefits, dynamically loaded information or images, create specialized client-controlled content management systems, affiliate commission software, or develop social networking semantic web software, the best sites take advantage of the power of the web by maximizing website and web server efficiency. We rigorously test our programming functionality, and enlist our clients in the testing and review process.

EpiChart
Our EpiChart program automatically converts XML data into animated charts, greatly increasing its informative value. Moreover, the data is dynamically loaded so that as the data changes, the charts immediately reflect the new input.

Languages & Technologies
LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP)
ASP, .NET, C#, JAVA, Python, Ruby, PERL
JavaScript, VBScript
HTML, CSS, XML, W3C XHTML Strict
Social Networking (Web 2.0), Semantic Web (Web 3.0), RDF, MySpace Dev, Facebook Dev
Flash ActionScript, Flash Media Server, Flex
SecondLife LSL

E-Commerce Features

EpiStore
E-commerce has become ever more popular as internet based business replaces "brick and mortar" with virtual stores. Our EpiStore Shopping Cart System is a powerful, flexible, scalable, yet easy to manage e-commerce module we make available to Epiphanet-hosted clients. It represents but one of the several e-commerce related modules we have developed to extend online functionality to its maximum advantage.

EpiAds
For appropriate websites, our EpiAd module provides the opportunity to generate website revenue by placing advertisements on the website.

The EpiAd system tracks views, clicks, sets campaign duration, and automatically generates email reports to advertisers. Ad costs can be charged by number of views, clicks or by set fee. Any size ad can be accommodated and clients can manage the campaign itself through the administrative interface.

EpiAuction
Our EpiAuction module is an easy-to-use scalable auction system that can accommodate an unlimited number of items and offer them for preset periods at minimum bids. The bidding on items is viewable, and as the deadline nears, the system can generate emails to the high bidders.

Hosting
By providing hosting to our clients, we extend our service-oriented and responsive personal approach across all aspects of online activities. While there are many hosting companies available, few offer our level of personalized service. If server problems develop, we are an easy phone call away and can begin the repair or restoration required. We provide free daily off-site website file back-up, so restoration of websites is fast and easy. Our servers are located in a state-of-the art highly secure facility adjacent to one of the west coast's major internet backbones.

Hosting services include unlimited email boxes, comprehensive website statistics viewable online at any time, and access to our server-side e-commerce modules. Hosting charges are billed quarterly, in advance ($60/quarter).

EditUpload Content Management System (CMS)
Our EditUpload website content management system provides our clients complete control over the contents of their website, including text, images, links, and formatting. EditUpload is a secure FTP-based content management tool which uses a MSWord-like interface to make website content changes. Fees are billed quarterly, in advance ($90/quarter).

Website Marketing

Google/Yahoo Paid Advertising Programs
Having an excellent website doesn't matter if nobody finds it. Because free listings on the search engines are considerably more limited than they used to be, using paid advertising is really the only way to make sure a website link is shown on the first page of search results for a wide variety of search terms and phrases.

We develop Google/Yahoo advertising programs that are tightly focused on matching the user search term to the language of an ad and linking that ad to the proper landing page on a website. We work with our clients to create a list of targeted keywords and keyword phrases. We develop a range of ad variations so that the ad that generates the most "clicks" is quickly identified. We recommend budgets and campaign parameters. We install Google Analytics (if necessary) to track site activity. In short, we plan and implement a complete ad program, and administer it so that it is monitored and maintained in an optimized manner that ensures the best results. Google/Yahoo ad campaigns require constant review and upkeep, and can be complicated to develop for maximum effectiveness. This service is available for a very reasonable quarterly management fee.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
In the days before paid search engine advertising, attaining a listing on the first result page of a search was all important. Advertising has made that somewhat less of an issue, and the search engines themselves have greatly limited the exposure of a free website listing as well. Nonetheless, a free organic listing is still possible, and valuable within the first three result pages. While Google provides suggestions at to the best way to succeed in getting a good free listing in their index, it remains more of an art than a science. Techniques vary, but the ones we employ do not jeopardize indexing by using "illegal" gimmicks to try to fool the search engines. We achieve consistently excellent results that are the by-product of over a decade of experience with search engine indexing and by keeping up with the trends and changes in the habits of the search engine "spider" programs.

There are many unscrupulous companies that prey on the ignorance many business owners have about SEO. They vastly overcharge and produce elaborate reports that do little more than rehash information available for free from Google Analytics.

When we are asked for a quote for SEO work, we first bill for an analysis and report with recommendations, usually a process of 1-3 hours. We also provide an estimate for the implementation of the recommendations, which varies with the size and complexity of the website. On average, our fees are one-tenth that of other so-called SEO "specialists."

Marketing Consultation
Developing a website marketing plan should ideally be part of an overall business plan, yet many businesses fail to create one. We provide consultation, guidance and the development of website marketing plans, and then assist in their implementation. This includes the review of current marketing and promotional activities, budgets and evaluation of results. Cost for this consultation service varies with the project and can be offered at hourly rates or for a project fee.

Email Blasts
Communicating with a client or customer base on a regular basis is critical to maintaining and building profitable long term relationships. We design and develop mass email blast campaigns (conforming to the anti-spam rules) that facilitate contact and keep the channels of communication open.

Consultation
Taking a step back and examining business goals and assumptions is a difficult thing for business operators to do. The press of daily business and the accumulation of habits and views often make an objective analysis difficult. Accordingly, we offer business and marketing consultation to assist clients in evaluating success or failure, new ventures, profitability and long-range planning. Consultation services are provided on an hourly basis, or can be provided as part of an overall project.