What sort of website will suit your needs?
Most people, especially artists, craftspeople, performers and other small businesses will probably want to start off with what is usually referred to as a "static" website. Leaping Hare is a "static" website. A static site is like an online book or brochure with various pages and maybe sections.
Usually the content doesn't need to be updated on a daily or weekly basis and the viewer only really interacts with the site by moving from page to page or, perhaps, responding to forms.
This doesn't mean that you can't have movement. If there is a good reason to have animated graphics, Flash movies or even video clips on your site these can still be included in the "static" format. Static sites are usually written in HTML.
Leaping Hare is experienced in all aspects of creating static sites, including forms and Macromedia Flash animation, and can create just about anything you need.
Dynamic, database-driven and content managed web sites
With "static" sites the viewer's browser does the processing, calling pages from the website server. Even Flash movies and the like are processed on your PC or Mac using a "plug-in" programme attached to the browser.
"Dynamic" sites, however, use scripting programmes on the server, such as PHP, which can add extra functionality such as forums, search facilities and the creation of all sorts of interactive pages.
So if you need to have a searchable catalogue of products, like Amazon
for example, or a news-based site, like the BBC, you would need a dynamic
site. You would also need a database like MySQL, to store the information
in. (Available with Leaping Hare hosting, of course!)
If you have a community group or want to involve your customers and contacts in adding their comments and content to your website then you will need a CMS (content managed site). With a CMS you can allow visitors to add content, submit news and articles, post on forums and a host of other interactions. You can control who has permission to do what through a simple administration area. If you need a content managed system Leaping Hare is happy to specify your requirements; select the appropriate platform; design and customise the site; and then provide as much or as little support as you need. You can see examples of how some of our customers use CMS systems at The Moveable Feast and Feminenza community sites.
Dynamic sites are more complex to build and maintain than static sites (and therefore tend to cost more). So unless you have a real need for your business we suggest you keep it simple to start with.
Selling your wares safely on the web
It may be part of your plan to sell your products and services over the internet. Leaping Hare can help you whether it's just setting up a PayPal account and implementing online ordering for a few items to a fully-featured e-commerce site with a shopping cart facility and credit card merchant account.
Of course it is important that online transactions are safe for you
and your customers. Leaping Hare can advise on the best route for your
business and then implement a secure solution for your internet store.
...and all the other flashy-looking stuff you see on websites
Pretty much anything you see on the web Leaping Hare can create for you. We might try to persuade you against some of the weirder and wackier things out there, but if you have a real need for it we can work with your imagination at full throttle to come up with whatever does it for you.
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