We worked intensively with the in-house team at Roman to provide a website which both delivered a great experience for Mobile users, but also kept the existing desktop site intact and functional.   David Osborne, Managing Director at Roman, stated: “The introduction of our new mobile website encourages further use of our website on the go as it is now extremely easy and convenient for the user.”

Find out more about why Mobile is important for your business – and get in touch with us to discuss what we can do to help increase business via Mobile for your website.

Roomserve is a highly optimised bespoke e-commerce website for our client based in Hexham, Northumberland.  The client’s brief was to create an easy-to-use e-commerce website that would convert visitors to users, and enable the client to move away from the restrictions and fee-heavy structure of Ebay.  Top of the list was the the site be optimised for mobiles, be fully responsive and integrate with the client’s order management system – Linnworks.    The client manages all their products and orders quickly and easily through Harris CMS, freeing the client up to spend more time growing the business.

It’s always a pleasure to work with a local business – and Hotspur Residential took advantage of our skills in the Estate Agency sector to create a new dynamic website for their business.  All their properties are managed with the CMS and displayed on the site with tools for search such as Postcode search, Property Display, EPC and Google mapping integration.  The system also seamlessly sends property updates to Rightmove and Zoopla, drawing on our years of experience working with technologies such as the Rightmove/Vebra API.  This allows to client to spend less time updating property listings and more time taking enquiries and renting out houses.

Newcastle-based hairdressers Zazu approached our company having become aware of the lack of value their bog-standard yell.com website page was giving to them.  They required a website which matched their customer-focus, innovative approach to providing hair and beauty services and we enabled their business to cross promote on multiple web, email and social media platforms by tapping into our website design experience.

Finally St Paul’s School in Alnwick came to us with a unique challenge.  Their school has three interlinking areas – their first school, middle school and the St Paul’s federation – which required both managing from a single CMS login but still sharing information.  This was something our CMS had no problem handling and we provided the school and their staff simple tools to update their core information, keeping pupils, staff and parents up to date with the school’s activities.  Of particular note was the additional of an immediate news ticker – due to the remote location of some pupils, it was important to give site visitors immediate information such as school closures or adverse weather conditions.

By Colin Harris

The assistance, from a European funding source, has a very wide remit of criteria and can range from 40% to 100% of funding, dependent on the location and nature of your business.  Preference is given to businesses with a mainly business-to-business turnover, but the funders have latitude for companies which meet their main objectives.

If your business is:

• Located in the North East
• Has less then 250 employees
• Has not received funding since March 2013
• Has commenced trading

…then funding may be available to you.   We have delivered many projects already so we know how effective and straightforward this funding is to obtain. Please get in touch for an informal chat and to find out more.

By Colin Harris

If you would like to know more about having a great looking website designed and developed for your business, please get in touch.  Funding for up to 40% of the total costs of each web project is available for certain types of business – please ask for more details.

Firstly is our new brochure website for an exciting new Indian restaurant, recently opened in Amble, Northumberland.  The website has been carefully designed to offer customers a potential slice of what is fast becoming one of the most iconic restaurants in Northumberland, serving traditional Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine.  As well as a good-looking website, we also extended the site to tie in with the MailChimp email marketing software, so the client could most effectively capture the email addresses and details of potential customers and keep them up to date with news and special offers.  http://www.tajmahalamble.co.uk/

Next is Dial a Driver, a unique website passed onto ourselves for completion building on the start of a great idea.  The client’s business is to help supply takeaway businesses with drivers on a sort or long term basis, and use the website to help match up takeaways with a database of drivers.  Rolling out to the North East this month and nationally in 2014, the business is showing every promise of the next great internet success in the field after Just Eat and Hungry House.  http://www.dial-a-driver.co.uk/

Coast and Castles (formerly Town and City) in Alnwick approached our business after hearing about our experience and expertise in building website solutions for Estate Agents.  They required a web-based extranet system which allows their employees both locally and nationally to amange via a web browser, to allow them to add property details, set up appointments and manage buyers and sellers alike.  The system also needed to seamlessly update their listings on Estate Agent portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla.   It has been so well received that we are already expanding the system to include Case Management and further website Integration.

Finally we have made some major extensions to the functionality of market leading Men’s Tie e-commerce website Oliver Bainbridge.  As well as a re-skin, we have added several new features including reviews, blogging, recategorisation, social media integration and enhanced CMS features.  For example the system will remind new customers to leave a review in exchange for a discount off their next purchase – vital to both increasing sales and assisting with repeat business.  The system has also had an intense SEO makeover, with every element of the system optimised.  http://www.oliverbainbridge.co.uk/

By Colin Harris

For £600 (including VAT) we will provide you with a stunning website, hosted and maintained by ourselves at our secure hosting facilities.  The full package includes:

• Full website design, branding and logo
• Website built using modern HTML5 and CSS3 for up to 6 pages
• Your domain name included if required (for example .co.uk or .com)
• Unlimited email and website hosting – have as many email addresses as you wish
• Website maintenance for 12 months from go-live – make as many changes to the site’s content as you wish
• Office hours support via email, phone or visit our office in Amble, Northumberland

Upgrades are available if you would like the site to do a little more, and funding is also applicable to certain types of businesses and website projects – ask us for more information.

To find out more contact us or ring the office on 01665 714433.  Examples of our work can be found on our Website Design Portfolio.  Offer ends 31st August 2013.

Colin Harris Website Development have worked on over 300 projects since 2006 providing website design, development, e-commerce, hosting and support to businesses.  They work with clients of all sizes both in the North East area and across the UK.

By Colin Harris

MORPETH Town Council has launched a new website giving residents greater access to the latest council information whilst ensuring they still have the services they would like to use at their fingertips.

The site has been developed as part of Morpeth Town Council’s dedication to improve access to current news and information regarding the services, activities and events relating to the authority.

The website, designed and developed by ourselves features a revamped and improved homepage, a simplistic navigation system and search facility as well as the ability to download the latest council documents.

Colin Harris said: “We took the underlying structure of the old website and modernised it throughout, reflecting the informative and efficient ethos of the council.

“The site is a WordPress based content management system which allows the council staff to amend and update information on a real-time basis, ensuring the site is up-to-date with the latest council news.”

Councillor Ken Brown said: “The new website is an exciting development in our drive to grow our online presence and most importantly our efficiency. Due to the content management system the council staff have direct control over the uploading and modification of any online content allowing us to provide our users with the most relevant and current information.

“We were delighted to award Colin Harris Website Development the contract due to an excellent balance of cost-efficiency and high quality results, as well as an extensive proven track record.

“We will continue to develop the website, including the addition of an online voting function – allowing users to have their say on local issues. This is just the beginning of what we hope to be a long and fruitful relationship with Colin Harris Website Development.”

Colin Harris Website Development was also responsible for the design and formation of The Morpeth Neighbourhood Plan website, a project in which Morpeth Town Council takes the lead.

To take a peek at either website visit http://www.themorpethneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/ or http://www.morpeth-tc.gov.uk/

As featured in The Morpeth Herald

By Colin Harris

STEVEN Ions, 24 of Ponteland, is senior website developer at Northumberland-based Colin Harris Website Development.

The company has rocketed into the new year with a host of client wins and the hiring of three new specialists, doubling the size of its workforce in the process.

Steven’s role entails website build, project management and supervising the team of developers. He will be joining the rest of his team on a 10k charity run this summer.

Were you ill much as a child?

No, I am lucky in that I have always been quite healthy.

What sports and activities did you take part in at school?

I have always enjoyed playing football (5-a-side and 11-a-side) however my interest in other sports and fitness didn’t develop until I was older and became more aware of the benefits to my health.

Have you ever had a health scare?

No, fortunately not.

Have you ever had an operation?

Yes I injured my knee playing football and had to have surgery to repair the cartilage.

How often do you exercise and what do you do?

I try to maintain a rigorous exercise schedule; I go to the gym 3-4 times a week, play 5-a-side at least twice a week and every Sunday morning I play 11-a-side.

I’m quite lucky in that I really enjoy exercise and find football a great way to socialise.

What is the most challenging activity / event you have ever done?

The final two miles of my latest Great North Run were extremely difficult, it was literally an uphill struggle.

Have you ever done the Great North Run?

I have completed the Great North Run twice as well as being extremely close to my heart I find it a great way to challenge myself.

My sister used to compete in the run however a few years ago she became seriously ill. I made a promise to her that is she recovered I would do the run in her place, thankfully she did.

How do you keep motivated?

I think most people would like to improve their physique, it is striving for a better body and a healthier lifestyle which keeps me motivated.

I also attribute a lot of my motivation to my sister, seeing what she overcome and how she maintained her health greatly inspires me to do the same.

What’s your diet like and how could you change it?

I try to keep a healthy and balanced diet particularly through the week however my vices do occasionally get the best of me. Incorporating more vegetables into my diet probably wouldn’t hurt either!

Have you ever been on a diet and did it work?

I believe in healthy eating and have always tried to be sensible however I am not one for fad diets.

Are you happy with your body?

I am happy with my body; however I am always striving to improve.

What are your guilty pleasures?

I love eating out and dine out at least once a week; this and my love for takeaways are probably my downfall.

How much do you drink a week?

I don’t go out as much as I used to however I do enjoy one or two pints at the weekend.

Have you ever smoked?

No.

Do you have any health or fitness tips to pass on?

I think the most important thing is to find an exercise or sport that you enjoy, I think this helps maintain a routine.

What are your health and fitness goals for the future?

I would love to maintain my fitness and maybe grow my body confidence but my real goal for the future is to complete the Great North Run in less than two hours.

For more information on Steven or the gang take a peek at our Team page.

As featured in The Journal and The Journal Live.

Why does your business need social media?

• It is a great platform to build upon industry knowledge and make a name for yourself as an expert
• To connect and converse with like minded people
• To create a greater awareness of your company and company ethos
• It is a great platform to build a rapport and relationship with clients and like-minded professionals
• It allows you to establish credibility inside and outside of your company
• Social media allows you to communicate company and industry news, as well as a host of other topics
• Allows you to put a face to your business
• Builds SEO value

What we can offer you

We offer packages that incorporate a wide range of social media including: Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, Twitter and blogging.

We understand and use all the key social media platforms daily so we know what works and for which types of businesses. We can provide a stand-alone customized content generation service for you where we write your blogs, and create the daily content for your other social media accounts. If you prefer, we will work with you to create a Social Media Strategy tailored to your business, which you are then able to instigate in-house.

To find out more about our packages and how we can help you please do not hesitate to contact us.

There are several reasons why your business needs a website, including:

• People are increasingly using the web to make buying decisions. More than ever before, people are turning away from traditional means of finding information and are instead looking online, your business should be at their fingertips.
• They are a great way to display the packages you offer e.g. gift vouchers, wedding day
• Websites provide a measureable return on investment
• Websites are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
• Websites improve customer confidence & corporate image.
• A website is a platform for communication and promotion

Starting from a one page website ranging to social media packages, e-newsletters and e-commerce websites, there are several services we offer that greatly help businesses within the beauty industry.

For more information or to see examples of our work please do not hesitate to contact us.

 By Colin Harris

From left to right: Bill Grisdale, Liz Herbert, Colin Harris, Jane Mann and Dudley George.

Colin Harris Website Development, has been appointed by BailiffgateMuseum in Alnwick to create a new museum website to replace the existing site www.bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk.

Following a £308,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Bailiffgate website revamp is part of the museum’s Heritage at the Heart of the Community project. This exciting project includes a major refurbishment of the museum itself and an outreach programme, which will involve local communities in exploring, preserving and celebrating their heritage in a range of interesting and engaging ways.

Colin Harris Website Development will build a new content management system to support the website and make access easier and more enjoyable from hand-held devices and tablets, as well as from normal PCs.

Colin Harris, founder of the company, said: “Our objective is to help attract many more visitors and sponsors to the museum. We will do so by making the website more attractive and easier to navigate as well as adding an easy to use “E-commerce” system, so the museum can develop online sales. We will construct the website using our extensive knowledge of  web users and their habits , and make the website easier for search engines to find.”

BailiffgateMuseum is an award winning independent museum in the centre of Alnwick, run by a dedicated team of volunteers and Trustees, which celebrates the colourful, rich and resilient past, and aims to connect communities and visitors with the heritage of Alnwick and the surrounding district. In addition to the permanent collection, there is a programme of exhibitions in the upstairs gallery throughout the year. The museum also has a programme of arts and crafts activities.

Jane Mann a trustee of the museum said: “The past year has been very exciting for the museum after being awarded a major HLF grant for our Heritage at the Heart of the Community Project and winning the award for outstanding achievement by a volunteer led museum at the North East Museum Awards.  The website is extremely important for our marketing, and will be used to promote the many interesting things we have to offer. We will incorporate much more information into our website, adding for example an online gallery of the museum’s huge photo collection. A better website will help us connect with visitors and prospective visitors from all over the world, as well as help strengthen our contact with local communities”.

“Colin Harris Website Development won the tender because of their reputation for turning ideas into quality websites; we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the company.”

By Colin Harris