Archive for the 'Web Development – Getting it Done' Category
Written by jswayze | November 28, 2011 3:39 pm
The Oxiem team is giving a healthy shout out to our client/friends/ heroes at the Dayton Public Schools! This month, the Sunshine Review revealed the results of their national review of government websites… and Dayton Public Schools nabbed an A+, ranking it among the best websites in the nation. 
The Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization working to encourage open government and public oversight, judged more than 1,560 school district websites across the nation on information transparency and accessibility.
Our key client contact and content champion, Melissa Fowler, Communications Specialist and Webmaster with Dayton Public Schools, deserves a boatload of accolades for her tenacious approach to keeping the district informed through fresh, relevant web content.
The Oxiem/DPS relationship began more than a year ago, when Oxiem undertook the project of designing and developing the district and individual school site system. Built on our proprietary O2 Content Management System, every web feature is designed to make sharing information with staff, students, parents and public as quick and seamless as possible.
What’s O2? It’s Oxiem’s Content Management System that allows our clients to manage their websites with total control. DPS chose Oxiem for the job when they understood how O2’s simple interface and powerful organizing and monitoring features could help the district communicate effectively with all of their audiences.
“One of our top priorities in creating and maintaining this website has been to provide as much information as possible for families and other users. Thanks to Oxiem’s terrific content management system, it’s been an easy process to keep our site updated and fresh. We’re also thankful for the terrific Oxiem staff, who are always wonderful to work with and on top of any concerns or additional development ideas we have,” said Melissa Fowler of DPS.
Read the full Dayton Daily News story about the award.
Written by admin | September 22, 2011 11:55 am
Oxiem is seeking a junior or senior fall semester intern to work 15-20 hours a week for a paid internship. Must love technology and design, be self-motivated and a good communicator. We embrace your inner geek.
E-mail your resume and a note including three websites you like and why, and what your favorite kind of ice cream is to careers@oxiem.com. No boring cover letters allowed — we’d prefer casual and personality filled to standard.
Oh, you want to know what you’d actually be doing first? Ok, fine.
Internship could include but is not limited to:
- Hands on experience creating online experiences including everything from brainstorming to implementation
- Learning the website development process and opportunity to participate in projects from start to finish
- Training and experience using website CMS systems
- Blog strategy, writing and design
- Using social media for client campaigns, planning and strategy
- Search engine optimization reporting and Google Analytics training and experienc
We are open to helping a student achieve class credit in communications, marketing, advertising, technology or other related fields.
Written by crystalolig | September 8, 2011 10:09 am
We’ve been kicking the tires and lighting a few fires in the mobile world here at Oxiem in Columbus. With mobile internet browsing expected to eclipse desktop browsing by 2014 and smart phones proliferating like bunnies, it’s an important trend for your business to consider.
Here are a few tips, ideas and observations to help you on your way to a great mobile marketing strategy:
1. Mobile vs. Web
Consider what is different about your clients’ use of a mobile site vs. your corporate website. While online they may want to read pages of descriptive copy, on a mobile platform, less is more. While speed of internet keeps increasing, huge photos and long pages can affect load time – and you’ve already lost your customer’s attention.
2. Time and Place Utility
What instant info does your customer need on their phone? Driving directions to your office? An interactive map of various buildings on your campus? Phone numbers for all the key offices and leadership?
3. Give Them a Choice.
Anyone with a tablet (iPad, Xoom, etc) will tell you how annoying it is to be automatically routed to the mobile version of a site when the full version looks fine and the mobile version doesn’t even fill the screen. Or, to be on a mobile site and be looking for very specific information that’s only on your corporate website. Your users should always be able to choose to go to the full site version.
4. Make it Easy.
User interface design changes when you’re using a finger instead of the point of a mouse. For great mobile web design, keep your buttons big, headings clear and if selections (dropdowns, check boxes) are required to get the customer the info they need, size it for adult hands, not small children or Santa’s elves.
5. Be Prepared to Adapt.
Planning for cross-browser compatibility is hard for the development community, given the pace of change and how many updates happen across multiple browsers, each with different versions in use at once. (I sometimes want to play the “ding dong the witch is dead” song from The Wizard of Oz whenever someone tells me they finally got off Internet Explorer 6.) For mobile web browsing, the pace is crazy faster. With so many new phones coming on the market with new technology at any given time, it’s nearly impossible to stay caught up. Just plan to make more tweaks to your mobile site over time as more and better mobile browsers emerge.
Interested in what a mobile website could do for your business? Talk to us.
Written by crystalolig | May 6, 2011 2:10 pm
Oxiem partnered with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State to create a dyanamic blog and website to support the upcoming Ohio Growth Summit. Taking place in Columbus on June 8 & 9 this year, the Ohio Growth Summit brings together entrepreneurs and accomplished business owners for a series of speakers, educational and inspirational activities.
The site is robust and dynamic, featuring social sharing features like the Linked In & Facebook “Like” buttons, Topsy and an Author widget.
Conference registration and payment opportunities are provided by eEvent, a free event registration system created by entrepreneurs in Ohio.
A new logo and brand identity created especially for the new site help modernize and create excitement around the event.
Written by crystalolig | February 26, 2011 10:19 am
Oxiem’s business-to-business interactive marketing experts helped All-Flo Pump Company, a global leader in diaphragm pump manufacturing, create a new website to offer customers a streamlined web experience. The company is a leading manufacturer of rugged, lube-free, non-stall/freeze air diaphragm pumps. Serving a variety of industries, including oil & petroleum, petrochemical, food & beverage, mining and construction, All-Flo works with a global network of distributors to ensure local availability and service.
Clear, comprehensive branding includes a unique and easy diaphragm pump selection tool, a distributor locator feature, and an exclusive resource portal for distributors.
Fast Pump Finder
The interactive business driver widget, the “Fast Pump Finder,” eliminated a paper-based solution used by the company. Before, to find the correct pump, customers used printed chemical compatibility tables. Now, users can pick the appropriate size and the material they would like to pump. The Fast Pump finder cross references all the relevant data and presents the user with the appropriate pump for that need.
“All-Flo’s commitment to provide our customers with smart pump solutions is reflected in this new website,” said Paul McGarry, All-Flo sales and marketing manager for North America. “We believe this new website will be a tremendous advantage for our customers around the world and will bolster our position as a leading diaphragm pump manufacturer.”
Benefits for Distributor Network
Another goal for All-Flo’s new site was to faciliate connections between their global network of distributors and direct clients. The Distributor Locator tool allows customers to enter a zip or other postal code to find the nearest pump distributor. Paired with a new distributors-only section with product pricing, marketing and training materials, All-Flo’s internal clients are now better equipped to connect with clients and resources.
Web- and document-based product catalogs with detailed and high-quality product galleries and illustration let All-Flo’s products be found from anywhere.
Written by admin | February 1, 2011 11:43 am
Oxiem helped Eagle Warehouse & Logistics create a new site that is modern, reflects family values and showcases the unique services Eagle provides. With a patriotic color scheme for this military family, a redesigned logo and contemporary navigation buttons, the site is expressive of Eagle’s values and helps drive business.
Gregg Flowers, sales & marketing director for Eagle, one of the top third party logistics firms in Central Ohio, according to Business First, had this to say about the new Eagle site:
“Crystal Olig & the Oxiem team have done an outstanding job with creating a website that we are proud to have.We asked them to make a website that would be a 24/7 sales rep for Eagle Warehouse & Logistics…they did just that. Oxiem did everything they said they would & even more. If you are wondering if Oxiem is the right choice for your web design, stop wondering & go for it. You won’t be disappointed.”
With a focus on making sure clients could contact Eagle in just a click or with a quick call, the site includes a quick contact form on most pages as well as a web-only 800 number, allowing them to track and measure calls coming from the web.
Another goal was to help companies and start-ups who have no experience with logistics or shipping to clearly understand the logistics business, and secondly, see that Eagle is there to help educate them and be a consultative partner. This was achieved through quick definitions and explanations placed throughout the site.
Custom site imagery showcases the real people behind the scenes at Eagle, many of whom are members of the Flowers family. Even the team’s clients, Beer Tubes, who co-office at the property, got in on the action.
Oxiem will partner with Eagle to launch a full Search Engine Optimization and marketing campaign to drive leads and new business to Eagle. For all your Ohio warehousing, logistics and packaging needs – think Eagle.
Written by crystalolig | December 8, 2010 12:28 pm
Oxiem helped Upper Valley JVS in Piqua, Ohio, create a youthful, trendy and energetic microsite, Pursuit, to allow students to share their individual stories about career tech education and student life.
The theme of the project is “Pursuit,” sharing students as they pursue their own career tech education at the school. Key features include project galleries to share complete student projects, streaming videos from YouTube as well as a custom YouTube channel, and a blog implemented on popular blogging platform, WordPress.
Links to Facebook, social sharing ability on blog posts and YouTube integration make this site social media-rich, while also accomplishing all those important site items like news items, conversion tracking and key marketing messages,
Student bloggers will soon be the rockstars of their programs, sharing what’s great about Upper Valley. Elias, Brittany and Andrew each will contribute stories, photos and thoughts about their day-to-day experiences. The school’s goal is to increase student recruitment and retention by showcasing talented real students.
We loved the enthusiasm and vision of our client, Kathy Voris, and her team at Upper Valley. Here are a few selected comments from them throughout the process.
“Yeah!!! I showed my daughter who is a high school art teacher last night and she thought it looked great. She’s a tough critic – loved the graphics and energy! …”
“You and the Oxiem team rocked it!”
On the YouTube customizations: “Love, love, love it. Leave your wonder “extra-special” touches exactly as is – it’s terrific.”
“I’m overwhelmed. I think I love each and every one of you at Oxiem Marketing Technology – both Springfield and Columbus offices.”
Written by crystalolig | September 27, 2010 8:21 pm
As you might have already noticed, the holidays are getting closer. Some stores are breaking out the Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas décor. Regardless of how you feel about decking the halls in September, we have one important question for you:
Is your business ready for the holiday rush? It makes good economic sense to be ready.
Columbus premier holiday lighting service, Holiday Illuminations, is in the business of making your home or business look just right for the season. They offer free lighting design consultations and have a portfolio of work showcasing professional lighting work that might even make Rudolph jealous. We just helped them get a new site launched in time for all kinds of year-end excitement.
One of our great partners, Tree Tree Branding, delivered a fresh web design and gave us the opportunity to code the site and manage the online marketing programs. Web design for the Holiday Illuminations site is a perfect example of keeping your site clean, crisp and clearly branded – focusing on the most important quality traffic conversions like photo gallery viewings and consultation sign-ups. Well done Tree Tree!
Oxiem will be helping the company ramp up their holiday business through Pay Per Click search engine marketing (SEM). Are you taking advantage of higher seasonal traffic for your business? Contact Oxiem today to find out how we might be able to help you.
Or, if you just really want to make the neighbors jealous this year, contact Holiday Illuminations for a free design consultation.
Written by crystalolig | July 26, 2010 6:57 pm
Oxiem recently launched two new websites to serve audiences north of the border. No Mounties were harmed in the making of this website – we promise. Eh?
Comfort Keepers Canada Website
Comfort Keepers Canada serves franchise development needs through the Canada in-home senior care website, sharing information about franchise opportunities throughout the country. With a handy location finder, users can quickly find a contact in a territory near them.
The site includes a “Quick Question” form, a rotating quote box for testimonials from happy franchisees, and an easy request more information form for users wanting more info about franchising with Comfort Keepers in Canada.
Visit Comfort Keepers Franchising Canada today, to check out our work and learn a little something about the in-home care market.
Konecranes Canada French Website
Konecranes provides all types of cranes, all over the world. A vital component of the Canadian market strategy is speaking to people in their native tongue. The Konecranes Canada site is translated entirely in French, including all conversion opportunities like the “formulaire de contact“, search marketing-focused landing pages, and location finder.
Written by crystalolig | May 16, 2010 8:38 pm
Oxiem just launched the new website for the Dayton Public Schools, serving the city of Dayton and the community with a modern, easily navigable and clearly branded site. The launch is the culmination of a great partnership with the district’s Office of Public Information. This advanced web system that covers the entire district, and will grow to encompass every school and department in the district.
Key Features:
High level of customization and targeted key messaging spaces
The site serves a dual purpose of informing the public and marketing district initiatives. Each section of the site has available free space for in-house “adlets,” that can promote important dates, share key information and engage various audiences with additional information directly relevant to that site section. For example, the Human Resources department can customize a sidebar ad to promote new job openings, and link directly to the online application for that job. The deep marketing focus throughout the site will keep it flexible and focused on the multiple audiences the district serves, from internal (staff, board members) to external (parents, students, media, community advocates, etc.).
Live Maps and Profiles
While each school will eventually have its own home page, the district site represents all schools and wanted to make key information readily available. School profile pages feature maps to each school in the district, with the ability to generate driving directions to or from the school locations. Contact information for school main offices and principals is readily available.
News Alert Banner with Toggle On/Off Feature
When urgent information needs to be quickly disseminated throughout the district, the DPS staff can toggle “on” a brightly-colored banner alerting any site visitors to this immediate announcement. This could include alerts for snow days, late starts or other crisis response info.
Interactive calendar
The advanced calendaring system serves the entire district with advanced filters by type of event, including items on the academic, athletic and other categories. The system administrators will have the ability to push important events and deadlines out to calendars at schools throughout the district, helping ensure a high level of accuracy and detail across multiple sites and calendars. Calendar contributors at the non-administrative level will be able to publish calendar events and the district can choose to approve and post them to the district calendar, or ignore the event if it is not relevant to the rest of the district.
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We love when our clients are as excited about a new site as we are. Our fabulous client from the Dayton Public Schools had this to say about the new site:
“It’s sappy, but sometimes I get a little choked up when I see this new site ‘blossom’ before my eyes. This project means so much to me, and I’m so grateful that we are able to work with Oxiem to bring it about. Thanks again,” Melissa Fowler, DPS Communications Specialist, in an e-mail to Oxiem staff.
Oxiem will continue to work with the school district in the coming months to build out individual school sites.
