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Django / Python web development
ArtDriver has been an active advocate for WordPress CMS, and it would not strike our readers if we told them that over 50% of our web development projects for the past two years have been WordPress based websites. However, this post is not about WordPress anymore; rather it will describe our joy of discovering Django, an open source web application framework (as well as a CMS) written in Python programming language. We recently launched a Django based website for the Write Track Admissions consultants, and have been delighted to learn this new technology that can be effectively utilised for the creation of complex, database-driven websites.
We’ve enjoyed working with the Write Track Admissions, a U.S. based company that provides advice on admissions to the U.K, U.S. and Canadian universities. The Write Track Admissions difference can be described in one short paragraph:
“G.E.T N.O.T.I.C.E.D stands for the hallmark of Write Track Admissions. Our mission is to work directly with you, and fully discuss your personal story, academic pursuits, and admissions goals. Our expertise affirms that you will Get Noticed by the admissions committee, and Get In to your top choice programs.”
If you want to learn more about Django, visit the Wikipedia article or the official Django project website.
Here is the URL of the newly launched Django site: www.writetrackadmissions.com. Check it out! If you don’t wan’t to follow the link, here are some screenshots:
Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, dies at 56
We pay our tribute to Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder, who passed away on October 5, 2011 in Palo Alto, California surrounded by his wife and immediate family. We miss you Steve and know that you will remain in our lives forever through your genius inventions that will continue transforming our lives in the years to come…
Home page of www.apple.com to commemorate Steve Job
Steve Job’s Biographer, Walter Isaacson, on “60 minutes” (Part 1)
Steve Job’s Biographer, Walter Isaacson, on “60 minutes” (Part 2)
WordPress – ideal platform for the best charity web design
What is the best content management system (CMS) to use for a charity website?
We’ve been asked this question many times by our clients and people who are working in the Internet marketing area. While there are a couple of top-notch CMS systems that stand out (e.g. Drupal, Umbraco, Joomla), we believe that WordPress CMS is the best option for a charity related website development project.
ArtDriver has developed a number of WordPress websites for charities. Our most recent WordPress development project was for the Somali Relief and Development Forum. The website uses a number of custom programmed widgets and incorporates a custom design. You can view the site at www.srdf.org.uk.
WordPress, as any other publishing platform, has its pros and cons; however, its advantages significantly outweigh its flaws. Let us list some critical elements that tend to make WordPress our winner:
- WordPress is open source, which means you do not have to pay for this software to use it on your website and this can be a significant incentive for many small charities who struggle financially.
- WordPress is extremely popular and its popularity growing very fast. This means that it is easy to find and hire people who are familiar how to maintain a WordPress site and therefore, it can prove to be an efficient solution for charities in terms of administrative costs.
- Due to WordPress’ popular demand and open source license, there is a large web developer community that constantly generates new ideas and new add-ons (plugins) that get incorporated into the core software features and make WordPress develop by following step in step with the most recent technological advances.
- WordPress constantly issues new software updates and allows you to easily update the software on your website without knowing programming. This can prove to be beneficial for charities who do not have a web design in house but want to make sure that the site is cross browser compatible, social media friendly and search engines friendly.
- WordPress (originally being created and used as a blogging platform) has a built in RSS feed that can be used for charity news or events.
In terms of disadvantages of using WordPress, we can only point out that it may not be as flexible as Drupal, for example, if someone tries to create a complex layout and add a lot of dynamic functionalities to the site.
Charity web design – International HIV Fund
ArtDriver has been working with various charities providing web design and Internet marketing (SEO and social media marketing) services. In an effort to improve the online image of not-for-profit organisations and allow them to have as much control of their websites’ content as possible, we oftentimes recommend to implement WordPress content management system (CMS).
Our most recent charity web design project is the revamp of the International HIV Fund’s website www.internationalhivfund.org. Our team reprogrammed the site and integrated WordPress CMS. In addition, we created the Arabic section that runs alongside with the English version of the site.
International HIV Fund’s visition is
To see a society that is HIV-free. To realise this vision we cannot just focus on the medical aspect of HIV and AIDS. Instead what is required is a holistic approach that addresses the social and cultural factors that lead to the spread of HIV in communities. We believe that by addressing the root social and cultural issues, we can encourage behavioural and attitudinal change. Through Islamic value-driven policies and standards our aim is to coordinate efforts and awareness-raising initiatives that focus on promoting the preventative side of HIV and AIDS.
Charity web design - International HIV Fund
ArtDriver greatly enjoyed working with the team of the International HIV Fund and hopes that the new website will become a valuable tool for outreach and education.
Mobile website development
ArtDriver completed the mobile website development work for www.FeedbackActivator.com, a new startup that utilises an innovative and revolutionary idea for submitting customer feedback.
Feedback Activator allows consumers to leave anonymous feedback about their experiences at various businesses nationwide (the service is limited to the UK for now), so that managers of stores and businesses can read it and take appropriate action to improve products, services and customer experience. Whether you visit a restaurant, fitness club, salon spa or estate agency, your customer experience and feedback can be submitted via the Feedback Activator website using a smart phone, iPad or any other computer. The manager of registered ventures will know instantly if customers are happy with the provided service or if remedial action is required. Feedback Activator website is as simple to use as an app and there is no login or password needed to take advantage of this service.
Ivan Skrypka, founder of FeedbackActivator.com, pointed out:
“Too often, we moan to friends about the poor service we’ve received or about a bad product, but don’t do anything to change the situation with the people who matter i.e. the store managers and business proprietors. With Feedback Activator anyone can provide feedback about a business or store they’ve visited and help improve standards of customer care and products throughout the UK.”
ArtDriver greatly enjoyed working on this innovative startup idea and website that utilises the cleanest html/css coding as well as advanced PHP/MySQL programming.
Charity web design project
Spring is right around the corner! While nature reinvigorates itself and brings fresh air and sunny days, many new ideas are born and become implemented in real life. Zakat House (www.zakat-house.com), an innovative, not for profit organisation based in the heart of London is working with charities and social entrepreneurs to help to create new ideas to make the charity sector sustainable and efficient.
ArtDriver has worked with Zakat House charity since February to build the organisation’s website. Once again, we utilised WordPress CMS and implemented a custom designed theme as well as some interactive elements on the site. The snapshot of the end product can be seen below or by going to www.zakat-house.com. We share the philosophy of sustainability and innovation and greatly enjoyed working on this project.
Web development for ASL Photography
ArtDriver has recently completed a web development project for ASL Photography Ltd (www.aslphotography.co.uk), a professional, award winning photography studio based in London.
ASL Photography believes in capturing special moments through documentary photography so that you can relive your special event every time that you view your photographs.
We specialise in Events, Asian Weddings, Church Weddings, Fashion, Children, Commercial and portraiture.
ASL photography is London based, however we are flexible and are willing to travel though out the UK. We can tailor our services to meet your requirements.
We provided the following services:
- Custom web design and front-end programming of the template
- WordPress setup and CMS integration
- Flash intro design and programming
- Photo gallery customisation
- On-page SEO
Working with ASL Photography was a rewarding experience!
WordPress web development for an investigative firm
ArtDriver adds another WordPress web development project to its portfolio. This time it is a CMS-driven website for Global Forensix investigative firm (www.globalforensix.com).
Global Forensix provides business intelligence information and financial investigation expertise in accounting and international taxation. While the company was founded in Switzerland it manages a world-wide network of professionals through various partnerships and strategic alliances around the world.
We’ve worked closely with the founder of Global Forensix trying to combine the client’s web design preferences with technical and SEO aspects of the project. We also provided logo design services. The end result can be seen at www.globalforensix.com.
Financial industry web development & SEO
November 2010 marks the launch of another website development project related to the financial industry. ArtDriver has completed the development of www.credithedgefunds.com, a London-based online forum where institutional investors, portfolio managers and credit professionals can read the latest news on Credit Hedge Funds. The newly built website is based on the WordPress content management system (CMS) and benefits from a successfully planned SEO campaign that puts the site in #1 Google ranking under the keyword “credit hedge funds.”
According to the founder of Credit Hedge Funds,
the website will provide unbiased opinion and analysis on credit hedge funds and monitor the performance of over 200 established credit hedge funds across the main credit strategies (Distressed, Event Driven, Long-Short, Emerging Markets, Structured Credit, Relative Value and Multi-strategy).
Another financial industry related web design project, Forex Signals and Solutions, was developed by ArtDriver and launched back in September 2010. You can read more about it here….
Beauty ecommerce web design London
Considering the popularity of ecommerce and unstoppable trend to get business products online, ArtDriver has embarked on a journey to put together a nice beauty-related ecommerce website for First Trade Limited. Overall, the project has been interesting and resulted in a pleasant front-end interface and very practical admin back-end built on a WordPress content management system. The website was launched on October 1 and you can visit it at www.beautyfromabox.com. See the screenshot below of a fully integrated ecommerce site and WordPress blog:
