Today we launch the first in a series of Blue Compass Video Blogs! These video blogs (or "vlogs") give you a deeper look at the process we took to create certain websites and animations.
In our first episode you'll see how we handle the goals of our client, look at our target audience, and add Flash elements to a website, as we showcase SpaldingEquipment.com
Being a high-end interactive design firm, we are often asked whether to develop a website in Flash or HTML. Our favorite answer is, both! Although Google has made great strides to index text within Flash files (or SWFs), your website deserves more visitors than an indexed SWF will deliver.
To preview SWF indexing at work, give this a try. Go to Google.com and type in "Blue Compass Listened" or just click here.
Similar to the results of an indexed PDF file, Google opens the actual SWF for your viewing instead of the page that SWF resides on. As you can see from this little experiment, these search results can be a waste of your time. Essentially, this means you can't rely on search engines to be the driving force behind your all-Flash website, and that's a big problem unless you're someone like Nike or Coca-Cola.
As you can see with some of our websites, a mixture of HTML with Flash elements creates an appealing style for all audiences. HTML gives stability and search engine performance, while Flash adds dynamism and energy. So for the time being, we will stay with that answer...that is until Google tells us differently.
A well designed website can be not just an incredibly useful tool, but a work of art. We're often asked our thoughts on the design and functionality of websites. So, this 4th of July, we decided to take a look at official state websites and decide which three are the best designed.
There are many challenges states face when trying to create a good looking website - with so much information they are required to display, avoiding clutter can be tough. However, a few states were up to the challenge. Here's the Blue Compass Interactive list of the current top state websites:
3. Utah - This site is one of the brightest, boldest state websites. Good use of photography in the header.
2. Vermont - Overall, a pretty good looking site with well organized navigation.
1. West Virginia - Currently the best looking state website! West Virginia does the best job of fighting the clutter while keeping a clean, pleasant look.
Click here for more of our thoughts on what makes a well designed website!
We are frequently asked about the Blue Compass name. What's the story behind the compass?...and why blue? When starting up Blue Compass Interactive, we went through literally hundreds of names, but decided on Blue Compass for a reason.
Having worked for other Web companies around Central Iowa, we became tired of the way these older companies were doing business. Equally unexcited about the local interactive options, clients seemed anxious for a new alternative as well. We became inspired to begin a new interactive company that would actually focus on what the customer wanted and do the work to make clients happy - we wanted a company that would apply their skills and creativity to take Central Iowa Web in a fresh, new direction. Hence, the Compass - we strive to take your project in that new direction. In addition, we included Blue to illustrate the fresh, unique, and creative qualities that we possess.
So there you have it - At Blue Compass, we are unique and creative, taking interactive projects in a fresh, new direction.
The Des Moines Business Record recently sat down with us to discuss website design, the importance of an online presence, and even the origins of Blue Compass Interactive. Check out the article in the DM Business Record being released this week, or view it online here!
Blue Compass Rebrands Tunink Murray Financial Group
It's a big deal to rename and rebrand an established company. The new name means not only new logos and letterheads, but making your current and potential customers aware of your name change. We recently teamed up with Agnew Tunink and Associates to help with their name change to Tunink Murray Financial Group.
Agnew Tunink has been specializing in tax, accounting, financial planning, and consulting since 1973, and has a well established identity in Central Iowa. Working with the Tunink Murray team, we began by discussing everything that would need updating. Our first step was to concept ideas for new logos that would show the strength and stability the company was known for (click here for more info on how we create great logos). The result is a new logo incorporates a "T" and "M" into an attractive pillar image, symbolizing the already established strength and stability.
Next, we incorporated the new name and logo into business cards, letterheads, envelopes, magnets, and more. It's important to update everything for consistency and awareness. Finally, (and perhaps most importantly) we updated their old website with a clean, fresh look that utilizes the new branding. We suggested a new web address for Tunink Murray, and we helped the new site and company Email smoothly move to the new URL. Check it out the finished product at www.tuninkmurray.com!
Ruan Transport Corp recently came to Blue Compass Interactive looking for a way to help get their message out, promote their company, and make an impact with potential clients. With vast capabilities and a rich history dating back to the 1930s, Ruan had a lot to showcase. The solution was a Blue Compass Flash Presentation.
In this day of instant information, your audience isn't always willing to take the time to read paragraphs about your company, service, or product. That's why we're excited to announce Flash Presentations by Blue Compass Interactive. Our presentations use Flash animation to artistically blend text, photos, graphics, and voiceovers to create a dynamic presentation that promotes your business and spreads your message in an entertaining manner. Compared to shooting and editing a video or TV commercial, this is a much easier, flexible, and cost-effective solution that allows you to showcase what your business has to offer.
Flash Presentations are fully interactive movies. Your viewers can seamlessly pause, fast forward, rewind, or even jump to different sections of the movie. Presentations are extremely flexible - they can be put on web, used via Email, on CDs, or DVDs.
Today, Ruan is getting great results using their Flash Presentation to engage potential clients in many different ways. Their sales staff is currently armed with the Flash on CD, which is greatly enhancing their presentations to clients. Ruan also has the presentation posted on websites, and is Emailing it to potential clients.
"Recently, we partnered on a Flash Presentation for Ruan Transport Corp. We're thrilled with the outcome! I enjoy working with the Blue Compass team and highly recommend them for all interactive needs. They delivered for an amazingly competitive price."
Tara Meier Director of Marketing, Ruan Transport Corp.
Being a high-end interactive design firm, we are often asked whether to develop a website in Flash or HTML. Our favorite answer is, both! Although Google has made great strides to index text within Flash files (or SWFs), your website deserves more visitors than an indexed SWF will deliver.
A well designed website can be not just an incredibly useful tool, but a work of art. We're often asked our thoughts on the design and functionality of websites. So, this 4th of July, we decided to take a look at official state websites and decide which three are the best designed.
