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In brief
Acumen Solutions specialises in developing Internet applications for companies and organisations involved in healthcare. You could be a pharmaceutical company, a medical supplies distributor, a medical equipment supplier, an NHS Trust, or a professional association. If your organisation is involved in healthcare and you're looking for an Internet solution, then come to Acumen.
Our aim is to help both information providers and Internet users make better use of this new communications medium, and fulfill the true potential of the Internet.
Acumen has a unique combination of knowledge and understanding of both the Internet and of the world of healthcare. We can help you to solve the mystery of the Internet and set up an Internet service that will really meet your organisation's and and your audience's needs.
Our philosophy is simple:
"Web design that works"
We provide web solutions not web design. That's why you'll find our approach to your project very different from other Web designers. If you're looking for a company that will take your literature, turn out some good looking Web pages, send you a bill and disappear into the night then, we suggest you look elsewhere!
Your web site must work for your company, as part of your overall communications and marketing strategy. That's why we put some serious thinking into your Web presence before we actually begin to design your site.
Here's how we approach a project:
Project research
The Web is a competitive medium. Your pages will compete with thousands of others for attention. So why not find out what your competitors are up to right from the start. Acumen will carry out the on-line research, download relevant Web pages and provide them on disk for you to browse off-line.
Setting your objectives
The Web is fun, it's exciting, and it's different. But, don't rush onto the Web before you've thought through your approach. At Acumen, we view the Web as part of your marketing and communications strategy. That's why we won't rush into Web site design until you've answered the following questions:
- Who is the target audience?
Just who do you want to visit your site? Will different areas of your site be targeted at different audiences? If you're not clear about who the site is aimed at, you'll waste your Web investment.
- Why are you considering the Web?
For many companies, it's often a case of "we'd better do something quick before our competitors do". But you have to decide what are your business objectives. Are you aiming to generate enquiries....gain on-line orders....provide a service to existing customers. Be clear about what you are trying to achieve.
- What are the key messages?
What do you want to convey about your company? What image do you want to project?
- What should be the tone of the site?
Is your site intended to be authoritative and professional? Weird and wacky? A showcase for new technology? How should the site reflect the image of your business?
Developing the site structure
Get a flipchart and start to draw a map of your site. Think about your target audience and their information needs. What are the key areas of the site going to be? How can we structure the site so that information is easy to find?
Remember that visitors will not always enter your site through the "front door" (the home page). Many will pick up links to your pages by using a search engine and may come through a "side door".
Developing the content
The secret here is "less is more". There's always the temptation to cram your Web site with too much information. Concentrate on your visitors' needs.
Think about the questions that your company is often asked and the information that you send out on a regular basis. How can you add value to that information through the interactivity of the Web? Ask yourself, "Why should people knock on the door of our Web site?"
Designing and testing the site
Once we've finalised the content, we'll begin work on putting the site together. Our graphic design philosophy is "keep it simple". Why?
- Because the typical Web user doesn't have lightening fast access. (Any graphic image over 50 kilobytes in size will take more than 15 seconds to load on a 28,800 modem).
- Because Web users don't all have the latest browser versions. (10% are still using version 1 of software that can't cope with fancy layouts).
- Because Web users don't all have the same equipment. Some computer screens can only cope with 16 colours. A site will look different on a PC to a Mac. Some users run screens at 640 x 480 pixels, some at 800 x 600 pixels and so on.
Testing the site is vital. We'll make sure that your site runs on different browser versions, different screen resolutions and different computers.
Launch and publicity
If you invest in a Web site then people need to know that you've arrived. Acumen can provide:
- Registration of your site on over 50 search engines and directories
- Registration on industry specific gateway sites
- An e-mail service that promotes a reciprocal link from other related sites
- A press publicity campaign to relevant publications
- Launch mailings to promote the site to your target audience
Reviewing your success
If it works, don't fix it....But with the Web things are changing all the time. After six months we'll review your progress against objectives and help you to decide what to do next to keep your site fresh and interesting.
Why should you choose Acumen?
Because:
- Our background and experience in healthcare gives us a better understanding of the communication and information needs of healthcare organisations.
- Our emphasis is on providing Internet solutions that are really relevant to your organisation's needs and the needs of your audiences. We provide web site solutions that are practical, user focused and supported by excellent rather than extravagant design.
- We speak your language, and not 'Net speak'. We believe in keeping things simple and not trying to blind you with the science of the Internet.
- Through our HealthIndex Web site and our publishing activities, Acumen stays abreast of the latest developments in healthcare on the Internet.
Contacting Acumen
Acumen Solutions Ltd
Concept House
271 High Street
Berkhamsted
Herts, HP4 1AA
UK.
Phone: 01442 385000
Fax: 01442 385004
sales@acumen-solutions.co.uk
To Find Out More..
For further information about Acumen's Web and Internet related services, please visit our web site at http://www.acumen-solutions.co.uk.
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