As web design co, we believe that every single website has different requirements. Whilst the core of many websites will remain the same, the actual usability and functionality differs depending on your industry. Because of this, Web Design Co focuses on delivering the most appropriate website at the best price.
Whilst custom development is of the utmost importance, there is often no point in reinventing the wheel. For this reason Web Design Co specialises in the use of some very popular and well supported open source platforms. This can reduce the cost of development, the cost of maintenance and the usability.
Below is a list and brief description of the various Open Source projects which Web Design Co utilises and supports - For every Web Design Co website based on an open source software, we donate to the relevant project for the further development and upkeep.
Joomla - CMS
Joomla is a Content Management System (CMS), it is one of the largest CMS projects available on the web and allows for the building and maintenance of the website in a very user friendly manner. Websites developed on the Joomla platform allow the user to login to a back end and add content themselves. Joomla has an extensive array of "plugins" which allow the creation of very dynamic and modular based websites.
There are hundreds of advantages and disadvantages about basing your website on anything pre-developed. That being said, if the website would be best accommodated by a CMS platform, there is no better way than with Joomla. (Visit their Homepage)
Wordpress - CMS, Blog
Fundamentally Wordpress falls into the same category as Joomla in terms of being a Content Management System (CMS). However wordpress is focused on blogging. It is a well established and supported project which also uses a modular based approach. Users can easily add and remove content from the website.
In general Wordpress is not often used for a company website, but rather a supporting aspect of the website. It allows a company to have a very professional website with well written and categorised content, whilst also allowing the company to easily post news and additional information. (Visit their Homepage)
MySQL - Database
MySQL is an open source Database project. By using a database in conjunction with your website you are able to store information and retrieve the information when needed. The above mentioned projects all require a database to be setup to allow the storage of the content. Databases are used extensively and are often necessary to ensure that the information required can be captured and loaded when needed. (Visit their Homepage)
Zen Cart - Online Store, E-Commerce
Zen Cart is an open source project based on OS Commerce. Zen Cart is online store software with a full administrative backend. Zen Cart has the ability to integrate payment gateways, shipping modules and be setup for differing taxes based on areas. Zen Cart has a built in invoice system as well as a multitude of features which make it a very strong competitor in the market. Online stores are becoming more prevalent every year, over time you will be able to buy anything online. Why not make your product available now! (Visit their Homepage)
phpBB - Forum
Forums are a very popular way for individuals to interact with one another quickly and easily. Through an array of categories and threads users can ask questions, post answers and interect. Forums are a great source of content for a website. Due to the nature of a forum, there will always be unique and new content which helps immensely with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) strategies. (Visit their Homepage)
MediaWiki - CMS
MediaWiki is the software that sites such a wikipedia are based on. Through the use of this management system, users can write content about whatever the they want to. It allows users to write How-to's etc and other information. (Visit their Homepage)
