This month our article in Axis Magazine looked at the future of the web and a little bit about where it all started.

Download your copy of our July article from Axis Magazine (1MB) >

The web is constantly evolving. New technology and innovation does not come in generations, it comes as a continual drip over time. To keep ahead of the game, companies, organisations and individuals need to continually re-evaluate their web presence and update things accordingly. Just because you have a good web presence now, doesn't mean your web presence is sorted forever.

Key to success in the changing world and on the web is to watch how your customers interact with you and adapt as their needs change.

What are you talking about?

Here are some explanations of different terms and the sources which are referred to in the article:

Facebook: Statistics on the usage of Facebook >
Google Maps: Content is being added by everyday people >
YouTube: This broadcasting is even being used by the government >
Mozilla Foundation: See the quote in the article? Find out who they are >

‘RSS’: what it means and how it is used by the BBC >
Semantic Web: What is this? Watch a intro video to this concept >
Linked Data: Video of Tim Berners-Lee on his idea for ‘Linked Data’ >
Cloud Computing: Watch this very brief overview on the concept >

Predicting the future...

Here are a couple of articles which are well worth a read if you are interested in more information about the (possible) future of the web:

Sir Tim Berners-Lee: “the future web will rock the boat" >
Gordon Brown: "The internet is as vital as water" >
iPhone 3G S: A new mobile phone which is taking full of advantage of the web >

When Essex based South Eastern Electrical decided to create a facilities management division of the company, they contacted Beaver Design. The new venture ‘Tudor Facilities Management’ asked us to create a corporate brand image, with a new design and the print of their general stationery and a quality brochure.

After consultation with the directors we came up with the simple, clean look they required starting with the company logo (above). From this, we further designed letterheads, compliment slips and business cards. With some careful consideration, we also sourced all of the relevant images to create a company brochure which is clean, to the point and reflects Tudor’s ethos – quality.

In only a short time, Beaver Design has provided Tudor Facilities Management with everything, including delivery of all printed items, days before their deadline.

Beaver Design is now working on finalising the new website for Tudor, which will go online in a few days. Watch this space!

“The internet is as vital as water and gas”, wrote Gordon Brown today in an article for The Times. In the article, which preceded today’s Digital Britain report, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s plans for investment into the internet.

The Prime Minister stated, “Just as the bridges, roads and railways built in the 19th century were the foundations of the Industrial Revolution that helped Britain to become the workshop of the world, so investment now in the information and communications industries can underpin our emergence from recession to recovery and cement the UK's position as a global economic powerhouse.”

So, are you making the most of the web now? Talk to us about the ways your business can use the web to bring in business, lower costs and raise your profile.

To read the article by Gordon Brown, go to:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6506136.ece

To read the Digital Britain report, go to:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/5631.aspx

A new website for the office interior specialists One Workplayce has recently gone live giving them a strong and stylish presence on the web. One Workplayce (work-PLAY-ce) specialise in creating well designed and functional office spaces, with the motto “Where an office is more than just four walls”.

Beaver Design created the website based on strong and clear brand guidelines. The new site provides One Workplayce a distinct web presence and company portfolio for customers to find out about them and what they do. Clean and stylish imagery, with well designed and subtle hightlights make this site functional and memorable.

For more information about One Workplayce and to view the website, please go to:
www.oneworkplayce.com

This month, we looked at how important it is to recognise and use your brand when creating a web presence.

Download your copy of our article from Axis Magazine (1MB) >

A website should be an extension of your brand, not a separate part of it. It should fit with your other company material and create a complete picture for your customers and prospects.

A logo and a slogan are usually a good way to encapsulate a company and what they stand for. From there you should think about the design of the brand; what are you trying to say? Your company isn’t just a purveyor of goods and services. You are different from the competition and you should make that distinction clear.

Where is the brand?

The brand is an intangible thing and exists in the minds of your customers. How it gets into their mind is through your marketing material and website. This means your brand can be seen in your business cards, brochures, letterhead paper, website, posters and so on. Your marketing material and website isn’t just trying to sell, it’s got to build the brand.

South Eastern Electrical saw the need to have a solid brand identity and called on us to design logos, brochures and a website for them. Take a look at our short case-study on South Eastern Electrical >

What can a brand do?

A strong brand adds value to what you sell. It’s doubtful that Nike trainers really cost £100 to make. Nike can charge that price in part because of the brand they have. People are willing to pay more for a brand.

Successful and established brands also have the flexibility to engage with their audience in different ways. Masterfoods renamed their Mars bars to “Believe” for a few months during the 2006 World Cup. They could do this because the Mars brand is so established, that even with a new name the product was easily recognised.

With a solid and well designed brand, you can give all your marketing a unified, complimentary and memorable identity.

View more of our articles for Axis Magazine >