Clever Starfish Services
Here's an overview of the main areas that we work in.
Search Engine Optimisation and Online Marketing
Let's face it - almost everyone has a web site these days. Problem is, most web sites are not providing a genuine return on investment for their owners.
Optimising for search engines is only the first part of the process - once you get visitors to your site, you need to turn them into customers, and then into repeat customers.
If your web site is lounging around on your server doing little other than costing you money, maybe It's time to put it to work for your business. Talk to us about how we can help you.
Web Design and Development
If your business needs a web site or your web site needs a refresh, we're the people to speak to. Whether it's a small brochure site or a database backed system, we have the expertise, backed up by an army of excellent contractors. Contact us with your requirements and see what we can do for you.
Software Development
Clever Starfish can provide you with a complete range of custom software development services. From online applications to desktop software, simple utilities to large database driven systems.
Our main tool of choice is Delphi, an advanced development system with very quick development times. We also provide ColdFusion and .NET development, covering a wide range of services.
We believe in selecting the right tool for the job - as our client, you may not want to be bothered with making technical decisions. You want your project delivered on time and on budget, and that is exactly what we aim to do.
Application Design
You're an experienced software developer, you produce high quality code, and full featured programs all the time - but have you given thought to how others see your applications?
As a software developer, you face multiple challenges - both technical and business related. If you are working in a larger company, you may have your own testing and marketing teams, leaving you to develop great software. If you are on the other end of the scale, you may do all the development and also take care of testing and marketing yourself.
Your application can no longer impress a potential customer just based on its technical merit. The latest operating systems have raised the bar when it comes to visual presentation of software, and this trend is continuing into the next generation of computers.
This goes far beyond mere eye-candy and visual appeal. Long time users of systems such as Microsoft Windows XP are used to the look and feel of the system, and an application that does not conform to their expectations will seem out of place. If the user is not experienced with computers, anything that is out of the ordinary may have an immediate negative effect on their perception of your software. Experienced users are familiar with established standards, and want to get on with their work quickly and efficiently, without the software hindering them.
GUI Analysis
Application design is often thought of as the process of outlining the requirements, setting expected achievements and building documentation prior to starting development. What many developers ignore is the visual and usability aspect in the design phase, choosing to do this "as they go" while developing the application.
This approach can work for smaller applications, however it can also mean that tasks planned for the user interface can be forgotten, not assigned enough time or made very difficult if significant changes need to be made after the majority of the work is completed.
Usability Studies
So you have an application under development and it has a great user interface. But have you checked all the small details to make sure your target audience can use it efficiently?
Does your application have logical keyboard shortcuts? Intelligently organised menus? The right controls for the task? Some of these items are often overlooked, and can make a huge difference to the way your potential customers see your application compared to your competition.
Clever Starfish can provide a complete range of services from initial user interface design, icon creation and application usability testing.