We can offer basic 'bread& butter' websites (like this one, and those at left) or more complex active sites with e-commerce capabilities,.mulit-media elements like audio and video, animated images and interactive functionality through Flash, Javascripting, and other client-side as well as server-side technologies. We can set up your domain, hosting package, email addresses, domain forwarding and anything else your site requires, from the most economical packages on offer from service providers; much the way insurance brokers find you the best underwriter for your policy, but you pay them directly for it, not us. We don't currently offer domain hosting ourselves, although we can easily host a domain forwarded from the server where you have it "parked." (the lowest cost option)

Prices for these services can't be quoted here for this reason, as there are many providers and packages, with ever-changing prices and features. We can refer you to browse their sites yourself, though. Click for links below. After careful consultation with you, we'll arrange everything for you if you wish, or you may have an arrangement already in place. Either way, we'll get your site up and running right away, and you can see it progress and evolve online as we build and test the different pages and other components. This approach also allows you to provide us with feedback as it progresses, and us to make requested changes as early on as possible, when it's most economical. (ie. no point putting the walls up if the foundation is wrong) As well, the content you provide will probably grow during the process, and you may want to see proofs of different elements or design approaches. The only limits are our collective imaginations and your budget. We bill only by the hour, so we gladly do anything you ask us to, (cut your lawn, paint your deck?) but otherwise stick to the plan and specs that you've decided on.

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The "Process" First, we (and by 'we' I mean you and me/us) need to nail down what the site is about, what it will do, to WHOM it will do it and how. (the goal) Next, we need a clear idea of your design budget and what features you need from the server, determining your hosting budget. Then, we toss around possible methods and tools that will achieve the goal within your budget. We should at this time keep an eye on the future and think about compatibility and ease of later expansion or enhancements. (that 'foundation' analogy again) Next we'll make a list of all the elements that should be included, and map out the different departments and where to split pages. (they can go on forever) From this list we'll compile the main and submenus, and map out the site's navigation system. We need to decide if multiple pages can be based on common templates, (a huge time-saver) or if each will be new design. Then we start choosing the look of the site: layout, colours, nesting and scrolling features, etc. You may have some examples of sites you really like. If the basic features will be common to multiple pages, then this template becomes the 'mother' of them all, and must be perfected before propagation. At this time, we need to collect the actual content: pictures, text, video, music, and the graphic elements. If you already have a logo, it will need to be formatted for the page, perhaps re-tooled into various versions that fit different colour schemes. If you don't have a logo, we'd be pleased to work with you on its design.

Now dozens of choices have to be made; menu layouts, button styles, interactive responses, etc. You can work with us, leave us to come up with proofs (online and working, of course), or you may already have designed your site's look, and just need us to make your vision reality. Whatever the case, we're happy to oblige. We can even show you how you can do your own updates when your info changes, if you're so inlcined.
Obviously, providing your content already in digital form is a great time and money saver, but we have no problem scanning your prints and 35mm slides, or digitizing music or video you may have on tape. We can read audio cassette, VHS, HI-8 (analog), and miniDV video into our computer. We can also rip or build CDs or DVDs. We can even edit your video and add titles, transitions, and many visual effects. We can compose and record original music in a myriad of styles to add your own stamp on videos or the website itself.

Once everything is up and running and on your server, (if it isn't there already), and all the bugs are ironed out and you're a thrilled customer, we're pretty much done. We can, of course, continue to develop and/or update the site for you. Websites are an ever-evolving and maleable medium, and at the very least need to be accurate and up-to-date, even if their look and function remains static; even stale. Whether or not that matters is detemined by the goal. If all you need is a few pages where people can order your widget parts, then a fresh design or the latest web gizmo may be useless to you, even detrimental, because change purely for change's.sake is largely unproductive, and at the least it's always disruptive. (Do you remember the last time they rearranged your local supermarket? Frustration. Sure you got used to it after a while, but once people get to know something, they like it to stay that way)

At MHM, there's no "here's what you get;" there's only "what would you like?" Custom, personal service is what we do, and it doesn't cost more! Give us a call or email for a free consultation. We do house calls.