TSAChoice

The Client

TSA Choice is the largest provider of business technology solutions in Western North Carolina.

The Challenge

This client was looking for a complete overhaul of their website, an intensive process that would require soup-to-nuts service. While the site ended up with a very simple look, it was actually quite complex to produce using a dynamic, nontraditional design.

The Process

TSAChoice had hired a marketing director to oversee the project. She provided content for the site and a graphic designer created a unique new look. Our role was to implement this nontraditional design and customize the navigation strategy.

• The site's home page contains customer testimonial videos linked from a rotating large graphic. The videos, displayed as overlays called from 4 different links, required custom coding to play properly. Because Plone stores large files on the server, but outside of the website, they don't slow the site down. Thus we are able to host these videos and avoid using YouTube or other video streaming services.
• We created a custom tabbed contact/customer service feature that compactly presents links for service requests, directory, login and contact info. 
• The bottom half of the home page is totally automated using Plone's news and events content types, recent Blog posts, and a Facebook stream which provide up-to-date content on the home page. 
• On the inside pages, the left column portlets are managed with Plone's Solgema portlet manager. The client can choose what page a portlet appears on and in what order they will be shown on the page.
• The Blog is smartly incorporated into the site so that traffic generated by the blog is not split off to a different domain. We used Feedburner to enable visitors to subscribe via email and Captcha to keep those pesky spambots at bay.
• A portlet displaying the current Google Analytics was added for a logged in viewer so they can keep an eye on the site stats.
  

The Results

TSAChoice now has a technologically savvy website that authentically reflects the high tech nature of their business.

Additional Benefits

TSAChoice has given their clients access to their site from mobile devices by using the Plone mobile product. When a page is updated on the website, the mobile presentation likewise changes, eliminating the chore of keeping multiple sites updated for multiple media devices. Using a tool called Mobile Convergence, the site owner can decide which pages to include on a mobile site, or they can edit a page to provide an alternate version for mobile.

Interviews and Editing provided by pagemaven.com

The Takeaway

   + Webonobo has the ability to build websites that not only look the way you want them to, but work the way you want them to.

   + Because Plone separates content from design, we can work with any graphic designer.

   + As technologies advance, Webonobo and Plone can keep your website on the cutting edge.

Client Review

"Within a few months the site was up and running as presented, no problems. It's the easiest and best site we've had.

"The budget increases, for the mobile aspect particularly, added extra value to the site, so I had no objections. We got what we paid for: a beautiful site that works the way it's supposed to.

"The more I see of Plone, the look and feel of it, the more impressed I am. We were given a product that is spot on and error-free."

"Plone is definitely superior in my experience. It's easy to learn, intuitive, easy to train others in, and scalable and adaptable over time.

"Totsie and Winn were super responsive throughout the process. Especially at critical points, they have a way of making the client feel like the only client at the moment. They're very dedicated to the client's satisfaction.

"Many web design companies tend to be one-dimensional but Totsie and Winn are well-rounded and solution-oriented. They think holistically about the entire site."

- Elly Wells
Marketing+Project Management
ellywells.com