Clients using the computers in business support and advice
provided by Paul L.G. Morris: an experienced and respected Computer Advisor.
This page gives details of some of Paul's clients
Grave Respect Ltd.: a small business that tidies and gardens graves. Paul built the website based on a template from OSWD, wrote the content and optimised it for the search engines. The site uses 'CSS' for the layout and 'XHTML transitional' for the webpage code.
- Trax JH, a manufacturer of wheel balance weights. For this client, Paul made various changes to optimise the site for visibility in the search engines. In addition, he started the implementation of style sheets (CSS), and corrected the code where it failed the W3C organisation's validation test. A few changes to improve the accessibility were also made. Within 4 months this site was raised from a page rank of 0 to a rank of 3.
Ystwyth Valley Sawmill This client wanted a simple, basic website but one that was better than the local competition. Paul developed this site and took the photographs to illustrate it.
- Natural Chairs A website had been started for this client who makes greenwood and freeform furniture using traditional methods. This site, which was being developed by a friend of the owner, had a number of issues affecting usability and search engine visibility. Paul reworked the site (but kept the basic style) to overcome these problems and leave it such that the client can maintain the site herself. Additionally, Paul assisted the client in setting up of a blog on Blogger and put a page on the website showing the latest blog entry.
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Birdnesters This client, who has no experience of using a computer, had a website
created by a local developer. As developed, the site had a number of issues. Although it was quite good visually, the main text was held in an image. This made it unreadable by the search engines and not accessible to the visually impaired. Paul kept the basic style of this site but corrected these and a number of other issues. A new set of photographs - in focus - were taken by Paul to replace the out of focus images previously supplied.
- Melanie Phillips - Pet Portrait Artist This client specifically requested Opportunity Wales that Paul should visit her - this was a personal recommendation from another client to her. Melanie has an excellent web site but wanted ideas how to improve her already good Google ranking (4) and for ideas of other features she could use on her website to improve its popularity. Read her comments about the day in Melanie's Blog.
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Carno House Bed and Breakfast The client wanted improvements
made to the design and functionality of their website, made in such a way that they could maintain the content themselves. The revamp included the setting up of a blog on Blogger with a page on their website showing the latest blog entry. The original clients have subsequently retired due to ill health so the first website is no longer available.
Subsequently, the business has been bought by new owners. The website was kept pretty much as it was although some aspects, such as the blog, were removed. The calendar features were added. This job also entailed advice to the client and sorting out issues regarding email addressing. - Francis Gray Chartered Accountants (previously Robert Gray Chartered Accountants). For this Aberystwyth based firm of accountants, Paul helped them select a supplier of packaged websites aimed directly at small firms of accountants. This enabled them to gain a professional looking website, complete with functions such as tax calculators, with relatively little input. See more details on Francis Gray Chartered Accountants.
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G.T. Mobility Trailers This is a 2-man welding and fabrication
company who have designed and manufactured an innovative disability trailer. They had a website designed before Paul became involved. However, the web design company disappeared and Paul managed to rescue the source for the website before that too disappeared. Paul made a number of changes for Search Engine Optimisation and accessibility. Several other issues cropped up which he helped resolve.
Paul's iSeries clients include:
- Dexam International Ltd. - a distributor of quality kitchen utensils
- Technicolor - manufacturer of DVDs
- Wilkinsons Stores - the national hardware chain
- Warnaco - a major manufacturer of lingerie
- The Hobart Manufacturing company - manufacturers of commercial kitchen equipment
Robert Gray Chartered Accountants
Note that the business is now Francis Gray Chartered Accountants. This is a small firm of chartered accountants based in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion where most of their clients are located. They do have clients outside of the area in many parts of the UK, including some significant London based clients.
The first Opportunity Wales review was undertaken in the summer of 2004. This lead to them getting their first web site and implementing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) which allows Robert Gray to access the systems from his home or client's premises. These activities were written up as a case study for Opportunity Wales. From this case study, an extract was made for a feature in the Opportunity Wales Newsletter WOWe. Paul has provided a copy of this article.
A second review was carried out for the business which underwent a restructuring and relocation. Activities that Paul is assisted with includes: changing the business (and hence domain) name, and researching new telephone systems that can take advantage of VoIP (Voice over IP - Internet Telephony over a broadband connection).