Projects
South Queens Chamber of Commerce
Client: South Queens Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber faced a problem shared by many small businesses and organizations - an old website that lacked a professional look, and was painful to update.
Web site content and page layout were revised to reflect their web site goals - promoting Chamber work and member businesses. WordPress, an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) was installed so staff could comfortably update their site. Add in a fresh new design, and the Chamber website is a "business-like" venue to address business issues, and promote its membership.
The response from Chamber members has been overwhelmingly positive.
New Elm Estates
Lake Lots for Sale, New Elm, NS
Client: New Elm Estates Ltd.
When buying real estate, most people start online - checking out listings, looking at photographs. New Elm Estates had an older site that originally served it well (more than half the lots have been sold). But todays' buyers expect much more — more photographs, more attractive and in-depth information.
Recognizing this need, a new website was built: bold green colour emphasizes the natural, treed setting; greatly expanded lot descriptions, photographs (with links) of the local attractions, all help viewers to learn more about Molega Lake area in Nova Scotia.
A custom-made Google map enables viewers to use the power of Google to truly explore the area!
Careful use of keywords has improved the number of visits from search engines like Google and Bing. New Elm Estates has seen an increase in enquiries about its properties.
Golden Horizon Drive
South West Port Mouton, NS
Client: Clyde Fisher
Location, location, location. Selling real estate is about selling the location as well as the property. In redesigning the web site for Golden Horizon Drive subdivision, the emphasis was placed on promoting the area - Port Mouton Bay. Few areas in Nova Scotia can surpass the natural beauty of Port Mouton Bay … many white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and sand dunes.
Photographs of the area (3 dozen) give visitors an extensive tour of the Bay. Potential buyers learn about the building lots for sale, the community, and the recreational opportunities available in Port Mouton Bay area.
Global View Import Export
Client: Fereshteh Badr
Need help with exporting and importing services? Global View Import Export stands ready to handle the intricacies of trade rules and negotiating contracts.
I was asked to work on the partially completed web site. Content and page formatting were revised. As well, the underlying markup was completely revamped to make the site more search engine friendly.
Safe Home Security
Client: John & Martha Bryson, Safe Home Security
Security - of our homes and businesses is a priority for everyone. Safe Home Security is an established business offering a range of security services including monitored security systems, video surveillance and access control systems. John and Martha Bryson requested a simple, straight-forward site to highlight their awards for customer service and many enthusiatic client testimonials.
Bridgewater and Area
Chamber of Commerce
Client: Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce
Established in 1899, the Bridgewater and Area of Chamber of Commerce (BACC) is the business voice in Bridgewater and surrounding areas.
The redesigned Chamber web site sports a brightly-coloured but clean visual design. In addition to Chamber news and information, the site features a new community events calendar. This calendar gives the public the opportunity to promote their events at no charge. A comprehensive content management system allows staff to easily manage events, and all their Chamber content.
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Service
Client: Sweet Cheeks Diaper Service
Sweet Cheeks offers a cloth diaper service in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The new company web site highlights the numerous benefits to the baby, parents, and to the environment; plus pricing and service details.
CRUSISIS
Client: CRUSISIS Sustainable Living Inc.
CRUSISIS promotes sustainable living in Nova Scotia. The site features great information on fair trade and organic products, as well as local businesses with products and services that foster sustainable living.
The first version of the site featured custom designed graphics. The site was re-designed to take advantage of a new content management system (CMS).
It is a delight to work on a site that provides well-researched and practical information enabling Nova Scotians to truly live "greener".
CRUSISIS v1
Nova Scotia Well Logs Database
Nova Scotia Environment
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
The Well Logs database project provides an easy mechanism for users to search the Nova Scotia well logs database. This database contains information on dug and drilled wells in Nova Scotia from the 1940s to the present. Read the provincial press release for more details.
The project included migrating data (about 107,000 records) from the originating database to an online database, as well as development of search, search results and detailed well log pages designed to fit seamlessly in the existing provincial web site.
Construction Industry Portal
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
The Construction Industry Portal brings together all the provincial requirements, such as permits, licensing, and approvals, that apply to the construction industry in Nova Scotia.
The Province is actively promoting to the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (a partner in the project), and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce's “Business to Business Expo”. For more details, read the provincial press release.
Based on input from the target user group, the construction industry, the web site is already receiving positive reviews. The Portal is sure to be a time-saving resource for the industry.
Spring into Business
Women in Business Expo
Client: South Shore Women in Business & Bridgewater and Area Chamber of Commerce
The Spring into Business Expo was a one-day event held in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia in April 2008 and April 2009. The event provided workshops, networking and showcase opportunities for South Shore business women.
As a member of the volunteer committee organizing the event, I created the web site to provide information on registration, workshops and presentations, as well as promote the event sponsors. Logo design: Visible Image
Content Development for Insurance Section
Nova Scotia Finance
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
The Department of Finance recently completed a dramatic renewal of their web site. As part of the project team, I was responsible for organizing, renewing and rewriting insurance content. I worked closely with department staff to review existing content, develop content groupings, and assemble revised and new content.
The Regulatory Craft Conference
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
The Regulatory Craft Conference web site provided information for registration, speakers, schedule and session topics. After the conference was over, photographs, slide shows and video presentations were added to the site.
Online Employee Survey
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
Revamped a web-based survey that gathered feedback from government staff. Staff were able to complete the comprehensive survey over a number of sessions, starting where they left off. This web application featured custom password creation, automatic email notifications, and ability for staff to generate new account passwords.
Impact Woven Products
Client: Impact Woven Products
Impact Woven Products, a Nova Scotia based small business, specializes in the design of cotton throws that incorporate client logos and emblems. The business web site illustrates custom throws the company has already produced, and outlines the design and ordering process.
Friends of Port Mouton Bay
Client: Friends of Port Mouton Bay
Port Mouton Bay, located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, is a historic community with an economy based on tourism and the fishery. In the last number of years, the community has become very concerned about the harm an aquaculture site has done to the Bay. A proposal to add a second site has further heightened community concerns. As a member of the volunteer committee organizing opposition to the fish farm, I wrote the content and designed the web site to document the evidence backing their concerns.
Provincial Department Web Site
Client: Province of Nova Scotia
A diverse and very large government web site consisting of over 2500 files needed a complete overhaul. A new content structure was designed, and further refined based on user testing. A new graphic design and page layout were developed. Then new and existing content migrated over to the new standards-based templates. As the project lead, I was responsible for managing team members as well doing hands-on coding. The new web site was launched on schedule in 2005.
In April 2008 the department was split into two separate departments. Portions of the original design still live on in the two separate web sites.
Business Database
Client: Financial services business (name withheld)
The business's client account and transaction information needed to be upgraded to a newer system. I met with staff to collect initial requirements analysis, developed the database, and later returned for installation of completed application, migration of existing data and staff training.
Software Survey
Client: Non-profit organization (name withheld)
The client wanted to set-up a web content management system to help coordinate the activities of the web team, and remote content contributors. I authored a report that investigated available web content management systems. The evaluation process included downloading, installing, testing numerous software products. I traveled to Washington, DC, USA to establish software requirements. Final report detailed features and evaluations of over two dozen products.
Prototype Web Site
Client: Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Designed and developed pilot web site for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The work included creation of original content (text and diagrams) based on employee interviews and existing documentation. The web site was built to meet "Common Look and Feel” standards established by the Government of Canada for web page design.
Data and Information Requirements Documentation
Client: A division of Nova Scotia Environment and Labour (name withheld)
Staff in this office wanted to upgrade their system for managing a complex workflow. I worked with the staff to document the information flows and data requirements of their work process. This documentation will enable future development of a new database application.
