GreenNet web projects are all about planning, designing, building and hosting websites that work for you and the issues you’re working on.
GreenNet’s approach to web development is guided by design principles of:
- Transparent navigation
- Accessible content for both people and search engine robots
- Simple data structures for organisations to update
- Effective tools for collaboration between workers
- Engaging spaces for supporters to interact with your work
Our web projects begin with a collaborative planning phase, in which we work together with you to devise a project plan and site architecture. This can take various forms – from meeting around the GN drafting table, to workshopping with you and your colleagues, to discussing things online by email.
With plans drawn up and agreed, we move onto the technical development phase. All our web projects use open source content management technologies. This means that we set up a database to house your content. We work on getting the database to make the most of your content by serving it up in the right places on the website, and with the right effect.
Once the site has been set up, we provide you with documentation and training which guides you through the process of how to manage the site. As you then begin the critical work of populating the site with content, we work together through a phase of structured testing of all the site’s functions and features.
Site authors can add, modify and manage their content in the site’s database using simple private online forms. These are accessible by anyone who has authorised access from any internet connected computer. No special software is required – just an ordinary web browser such as Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari. Our sites have a built-in finely grained permissions system allowing you to easily assign web management roles to different people.
Features
GreenNet specialises in developing interactive features which encourage readers to engage with the content on your website. It’s not possible to give a finite list of options as the range of possibilities extends with each new project we implement. Browse through the list of examples below to get a flavour of what we can do for your online spaces..
- a bundle-maker enabling users to file selected documents and clippings in personal online folders, as they browse through the site (for the Electronic Immigration Network).
- an online glossary allowing users to see pop-up definitions as they hover over unfamiliar terms (for the Freedom of Expression Project)
- an online subscription management and payment facility (for Creative Exchange).
- a dynamic mapping feature enabling a clear geographical display of organisational projects, along with details and links (for Building Communications Opportunities).
- an online file store for use by remote office workers, accessible through a web interface on the intranet, and as a mapped network drive on the desktop (for the Oxford Research Group).
- multilingual presentation of content in a range of scripts, with the flexibility to display content in a default language when translations have not yet been provided (for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and the Association of Progressive Communications).
- a calendar of events with a sign-up facility allowing users to apply to attend an event through the website (for the Association of Progressive Communications).
- a PDF search ideal for finding articles in back issues of magazines and periodicals (for the Conference of Socialist Economists).
- a members-only area to provide access to private or value-added content for your members (for the Association of Progressive Communications, the Electronic Immigration Network and IDEAS forum).
- multi-media galleries for publishing still images, audio and video, either served up from GreenNet’s web server or embedded in the site from a public media sharing site like Flickr, YouTube or SwitchPod (for the Association of Progressive Communications).
Technical information
All our current web projects are being developed with Drupal, giving us access to an enormous range of functionality modules.
We implement site coding in either HTML 4.01 or XHTML, as defined by the W3C in their accessibility standards. This involves the use of CSS1 and CSS2 (Cascading Style Sheets) which allow different layouts for screen and print.
Sites are hosted on our webserver in the Telehouse colocation centre in London’s docklands. Overnight, weekly, monthly and six monthly backups are made onsite and offsite. See our server hosting page for more detail on GN’s hosting service.
Costs
Each web project is individually priced according to the development work necessary to build the site. Costs are always based on GreenNet’s daily rate of £300 plus VAT.
Prices for recent projects have looked like this..
- An office intranet with a file store, calendar and contacts database – £1750
- A site rebuild including automated import of old content, and site re-structuring – £1750
- A multi-lingual site with a calendar, and discussion forum – £3000
Let us know if you are looking for a quote for web development which will form part of a funding application to a donor. We are happy to work with you on the technical component and costings of your proposal.
