For schools and nonprofits, a Web site is an essential power tool used in managing public relations and marketing, providing customer service, and conducting business. Because each organization has its own unique identity, customers, and business agenda, Web sites should be customized to advance a specific identity, serve particular customers, and efficiently conduct the business of a singular organization.

Educational institutions whose Web sites are less than professional, run the risk of producing negative impressions in the minds of their constituents, who may have a tendency then to become more critical of the institution in general, and of its administration in particular. Nonprofit agencies run a similar risk in that non-professional Web sites may diminish donor confidence and support by creating impressions of flawed customer service or mediocre management.

The BCIU Web Team develops, builds, and maintains Web sites for schools, nonprofit agencies, and municipalities. The team includes writers, designers, programmers, applications engineers, and other technicians who collaborate to produce sites that are effective and attractive. Our comprehensive menu of services includes:

Site Planning and Implementation

To be effective, a Web site must be planned with specific objectives and audiences in mind. The content of the site must be organized to serve those objectives and appeal to those audiences. Navigation must be planned and executed in such a way as to be convenient and intuitive for a broad range of users. Institutional sites usually require the organization and presentation of massive quantities of information, much of which has never been collected or displayed in such a comprehensive form before. Most organizations underestimate the importance and difficulty of accomplishing this planning phase, and many neglect to do it altogether.

Developing a blueprint for a workhorse Web site can be a daunting task. The insightful objectivity of the BCIU Web Team will help you organize your content in a logical, user-friendly way. Let us guide you through the hyperlink maze.

	Project management of the site build or overhaul
	Integration with the communication plan
	Organization of content and site navigation
	Site promotion
	Search engine seeding and registration
	Link management
	Site testing

Content Creation

Interesting, rich content is critical to a Web site's success. Oftentimes, content must be created or remade for the Web because paper-based publications converted directly to the Web rarely engage online viewers. The instantaneous and interactive nature of the Web makes it fundamentally different from conventional media and gives rise to the need for entirely new content.

Professional Web content proceeds from professional writing, photography, and design. Web content should be consistent with an organization's corporate identity. Content should be presented in a consistent institutional voice that is reflective of the corporate culture and supportive of the organization's communication objectives.

The look and feel of a Web site should reinforce the public identity of the organization, be in harmony with the organization's printed publications, and adhere to style guidelines with respect to corporate colors and logos. Professional page layout and design does all of those things while utilizing compositions that engage the viewer's attention and create positive impressions. Our designers and writers can communicate your message with graphics that grip and prose that packs a punch.

	Design of look and feel
	Page layout and production
	Copywriting, editing, and proofreading
	Graphics and photography
	Document conversion and scans

Web Programming

When the World Wide Web was first developed, it was sufficient for sites to simply display information. Now, databases and programming tools are used to produce second generation sites that are interactive, data-driven, and dynamic in nature. Contemporary sites have the ability to update themselves as a byproduct of the normal course of business and enable end users to change Web site content themselves. Current sites also feature increased functionality, such as mechanisms for the exchange of information (online submission of forms and applications, surveys, polls), e-commerce, and Web-based e-mail. Our programmers can help you maximize your data and the performance of your site.

	Web applications (HTML, ASP, scripting, etc.)
	Database integration (Access, SQL Server, etc.)
	E-commerce (online buying/selling)
	Back-end administration (client-friendly changes/updates of content)

Maintenance

Internet users now rely on Web sites to provide up-to-the-minute information and have come to expect frequent updates and enhancements. If a site remains static, it disappoints and alienates the very audience it was created to reach. Site maintenance is a critical phase of an organization's Web site strategy. Even sites with good organization and navigation can benefit from a fresh look and feel. The BCIU Web Team can help keep your site current. Turn to us for cosmetic enhancements as well as substantive improvements that optimize your Web presence.

	Time-sensitive updates
	Additions and enhancements
	Site make-overs
	Sub-sites for specific audiences or programs

Intranet Sites

An intranet is a private Web site that serves the internal purposes of an organization. Access to the site is limited to particular users (e.g., employees only) and controlled via login and password procedures. Intranets are used to electronically distribute news, memos, cafeteria menus, directories, policies, calendars, and other information. They may be used also as tools in the efficient performance of repetitive tasks, such as reserving meeting rooms, tracking time sheets, and submitting forms and requisitions.

	Organizations are developing intranet sites to:
	Expedite and improve internal communication
	Increase efficiency
	Reduce paperwork
	Boost morale and build team spirit
	Achieve savings of time and money through effective use of technology

Web Site Hosting Services

Web sites require a server and software to store and publish the information presented to users. Web-hosting services provide this functionality. Whether the content is authored by BCIU or developed independently, reliable, economical, high-speed service is available from BCIU. BCIU-hosted sites are protected by a hardware firewall that provides a first line of defense against site attacks. Our hosting services can accommodate Active Server Pages (ASP) and Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripting with ActivePerl, which are used for developing dynamic, data-driven content. BCIU Web-hosting services include:

	Server space
	Domain name registration
	On-site Domain Name Server
	E-mail accounts
	Certificate services
	Site backup
	Technical support

contact: Richard Deemer
(Content, Design, Organization)
610-987-8569 ~ ricdee@berksiu.org

Rich Loveless
(Programming, Technical Issues)
610-987-8465 ~ riclov@berksiu.org

Copyright © 2006 Berks County Intermediate Unit. All rights reserved.