Services
Sidetrail Media offers a complete range of web consultation, from the vetting of your project's goals to its design, execution, and deployment. Service offerings focus on engaging and intuitive web design; XHTML/CSS and Flash/ActionScript development; and web-worthy wordsmithing.
Web Design
Sidetrail Media delivers custom interface design tailored to present your organization's brand in a positive light, balancing engaging, easy-on-the-eyes visuals with intuitive interface controls that help you not only hook your first-time visitors, but entice them to return repeatedly and, even better, spread the word for you.
We all judge a book by its cover, despite mother's warning. Consequently, only a polished interface design creates the best chance to attract and retain an audience online. Due to the prevalence of the web, expectations are higher now than ever. Just as a poorly built house would deter you from entering, web design showing anything less than professional pride in your organization will fail to create a favourable first impression.
In addition to engaging the viewer, web pages must provide an intuitive interface through which visitors interact easily with your digital media and find the information they want quickly. The usability of your site's design is every bit as important as its aesthetics, for if site visitors become frustrated trying to navigate your site, no amount of "bells and whistles" will to convince them to return.
Web Development
Sidetrail Media develops web pages according to the latest standards, writing standards-compliant XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript to create web pages which come together more quickly, can be modified more easily, and serve a broader web-based audience than "old school" techniques permit. Pages developed according to these standards meet Accessibility guidelines, improve Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and download faster for your users.
For enhanced fluidity and interactivity, Sidetrail Media develops customized Flash/ActionScript presentations and tools to suit your online needs. Flash applications are developed in conjunction with XML to allow for easier updating without the need for you to know any Flash.
In addition to interface development, Sidetrail Media offers implementation of many "back-end" tools such as web logs (or "blogs"), email newsletter sign-up forms, custom photo galleries, and ad banner displays — all re-skinned to match your established look and feel, thereby ensuring a seamless merge with your web site.
If interface design creates the "face" for your site, the technology behind it serves as the heart and soul, breathing life into an otherwise static look and feel. A web site's aesthetic success rests upon the proper functioning of its technological framework.
Writing
Web sites exist to deliver content. Most of that content comes in the form of the written word. Engaging design and technology provide the framework for your audience to consume the real meat of your web presence — your content. Without meaningful content, web sites are nothing more than playful distractions attracting one-time visitors. Sidetrail Media provides clear and tidy web copywriting tailored, in tone and length, to suit your audience.