Who do we work with?
Dobbes Family Estate (NextGEM client since 2006)
Mercantool integration into two existing websites
Dobbes Family Estate, owned by Joe Dobbes of Wine By Joe, originally came to us for Mercantool integration into their two paired websites which had been designed by a third party.
In 2010 we were given the chance to update the website design. We overhauled everything from the core page design to the information architecture.
By leveraging the highly customizable nature of Mercantool, we engineered two sets of templates for a single installation. This reduces costs dramatically for the client and also provides an integrated backend for lower effort in management of their sites.
Alaska Wild Berry Products (NextGEM client since 2003)
Design, e-commerce, copywriting, online marketing, website rescue
Alaska Wild Berry Products sells souvenirs and Alaska-themed gifts to tourist, locals, and Alaska fans throughout North America. In addition, they operate a small theme park and theater space that operates throughout the beautiful Anchorage summers.
This website project combined a very substantial initial build with continuing periodic marketing initiatives including creation and management of their monthly email newsletter, catalog maintenance, search engine marketing and analytics, complex Mercantool customizations, and seasonal graphics updates.
“First-class job on the Alaska Wild Berry Products website. It's exciting, it's fun, it's informative, it's a website destination! It makes us all proud. Thank you so very much, Littlejohn.”
Shop Lerant (NextGEM client since 2009)
Design, development, Mercantool E-commerce
Lerant is a well-established high-end furnishings retail establishment in Houston Texas.
Building an elegant site is easy with such spectacular product photography. Unfortunately many online retailers skimp on this area. We were thrilled when Lerant went to the extra effort to provide extraordinary photos and it shows in the results.
WillaKenzie Estate Winery (NextGEM client since 2001)
Mercantool e-commerce, extensive content management
WillaKenzie is one of the premier wineries in Oregon. They first approached us in 2001 when their web designers needed a wine-specific e-commerce package to integrate into their new website.
We worked alongside the designers to integrate Mercantool into their templates and went on to provide full website management after they completed the launch. We have since built an extensive Content Management toolset and the WKE staff does an excellent job keeping their content fresh and updated.
In 2007 we worked with WillaKenzie's new graphic designer to jointly create this completely new website which assures cross-platform compatibility with valid HTML/CSS design.
This installation demonstrates some of the flexibility we built into Mercantool including a highly accurate shipping price module and content management.
Salt Spring Dollars (NextGEM client since 2008)
Web design and development
The Salt Spring Island Monetary Foundation runs a community-based currency for a close-knit community of 10,000 that we call home here in British Columbia, Canada. Salt Spring Dollars are a wildly successful alternative to the national currencies we're all used to.
The SSIMF issues gold and silver backed dollars for local transactions between islanders, tourists, businesses, and all the bank branches on the island. Investment returns on the trust fund help local community organizations and projects. The new website we designed will help improve awareness of the project and the extensive copywriting updates will help educate the public about this admittedly unusual service.
Nurtured Soul Retreat (NextGEM client since 2009)
Site development
Working with a design delivered by the client's graphic designer, we quickly and economically built and launched a complete website.
This site features some unusual design elements: each page is largely contained in a unique background image. This cheat allows us to stack visual elements on top of each other without playing difficult tricks with transparent images.
These elements were important to the designer's vision and we considered it a point of pride to reproduce them faithfully while maintaining a cost-effective structure.
Huntco Supply (NextGEM client since 2004)
Site design and development, simplified e-commerce
Huntco manufactures and markets architectural site furnishings such as bike racks, outdoor benches, and concrete ash cans to architects and commercial builders.
By upgrading their previous design into a highly visual display, we've increased the visibility of their photography and the accessibility of their product documentation.
“NextGEM has helped me organize and grow my business without breaking the bank. Their response time continues to impress me and they have been extremely helpful on the creative front. They are always there when I need them and a joy to deal with.”
The Four Graces Winery (NextGEM client since 2009)
Website redevelopment, content management
In late 2009 when their previous web developer suddenly went out of business this winery found themselves in a difficult and urgent situation. They chose to move their services to NextGEM because of our long history with successful Oregon wineries and our specialized winery website skillset.
The design we migrated over was quite dated however and some of the choices made by the previous developers were holding our client back. We proposed — then delivered — a whole-site overhaul including reader-friendly colors and text formats, more rational architecture and navigation, valid HTML/CSS code, advanced display functionality, and content management tools so the client could update their own text and images.
Of course we've found it's important when redesigning established sites to gently reincorporate enough of the previous design to give existing customers an experience that's consistent and familiar. That's why the web design should evolve smoothly. When it's time to update branding it should be done with respect and attention to what's come before.
“It is a pleasure to work with NextGEM. They know how to improve our website in conjunction with our style guidelines, capacity to maintain the site and our budget. NextGEM facilitates changes easily and efficiently. I would highly recommend them.”
Annie Turbin Designs (NextGEM client since 2010)
Site design and development, Mercantool e-commerce
Annie's gorgeous photos form the centerpiece of her new, growing website. Constructed quickly to meet a deadline, this website performs a simple function: display her designs to an appreciative audience and deliver orders to the client efficiently and safely.
Grand Cru Estates (NextGEM client since 2008)
Website design and development
Initial discussions involved building this entire site in Flash, but after addressing the drawbacks inherent in that method, the client decided to build traditionally while aiming for the visual appeal of Flash sites. This compromise allowed us to achieve the important technical advantages of HTML/CSS.
On this job we worked closely with the client's marketing manager who coordinated all copy, photography, and graphics assets as well as organized the client reviews. The job went smoothly and quickly and the results are excellent.
“LJ and Raistlin made an extraordinary website. Starting with the first telephone meeting and through every step, their technological explanations were understandable, they made important editing choices, and the finished product is finely tuned. They made the process understandable, do-able, professional, personal, and possible. Most importantly it turned out like I had always imagined it. I recommend this team highly for any project.”
Art Fair SourceBook (NextGEM client since 1997)
Site development: design, Mercantool, custom apps, updates, forum management
Art Fair SourceBook is a subscription service for professional artists who sell at the thousands of US art and craft fairs. They rely on AFSB to guide them through choosing and applying. AFSB compiles dozens of facts on each of the top fairs then publishes over a dozen annual guides — all duplicated and expanded on the web.
We are wholly responsible for the development and maintenance of AFSB's Online Format which includes 300,000 facts compiled in a powerful searchable database. Interactive calendar and mapping displays and automated reminder emails assist artists in planning their exhibitions. Finally, an online forum brings hundreds of artists together to discuss professional interests which promotes site loyalty.
“Since 1997 you have been critical to our success. The ground-breaking website you built and continue to expand for us makes us the focus of our industry.”
Western Photo Mount (NextGEM client since 2003)
Website design, complex custom e-commerce, content management, integration with POP systems
Western Photo Mount sells mats and frames to photographers. They wanted to put their catalog online so it could be easily updated for their clients to see the latest offerings.
After 6 years with an earlier (and more primitive) design, the client chose to invest major resources into a much more advanced website. This new site launched in early 2009 with a whole new appearance but more importantly with major underlying code modifications.
The website functions as an advanced wholesale order processing department, validating clients and their orders, processing complex pricing code, and transmitting data to and from the client's in-house software systems.
There are many planned future upgrades including onscreen product customization and an ongoing email marketing process.
“NextGem is characterized by web market savvy, technical proficiency and a keen sense of graphic design. Today they are our primary marketing company. They truly understand web marketing and how to impact sales for small business. They have learned our business and have driven sales upwards, not just on the Internet but in our regular customer base as well. I consider them to be one of our best investments into our small business in recent years. I strongly recommend them. ”
LRS Architects (NextGEM client since 2003)
Web development
Five years after we created their first website, LRS Architects returned for a full redevelopment based on their updated branding.
“Thank you for the wonderful new website you designed... We are very proud.”
Picture Cookbook (NextGEM client since 2007)
Design
The author of this groundbreaking cookbook was inspired by her own challenging experience teaching her low-functioning autistic daughter to prepare her own food. Finding there were no developed resources to assist her, she created her own.
This cookbook series' recipes are entirely explained in pictures, not words, to help people with cognitive challenges, non-readers or who otherwise will benefit by a visual presentation.
We were asked to develop a low-cost website to promote pre-publication interest in the series and support future growth of the project.
Carlton Farms (NextGEM client since 2010)
Website rescue, coding overhaul, design updates, Mercantool e-commerce
Like many of our clients Carlton Farms came to us with a frustrating and painful history with their website. The previous developer outsourced all of his work to distant and unreliable subcontractors. This meant that even minor updates such as new product offerings, simple formatting changes, and bug fixes were major headaches which sometimes took months and cost thousands of dollars.
The owners of Carlton Farms asked a neighboring winery business why their website updates were so quick, easy, and inexpensive. And that led to us.
After a thorough codebase overhaul to simplify unwise technology choices the previous developers had inflicted on the website, we quickly implemented changes that the client had been hoping to achieve for years. As a side benefit the site operates much faster and will enjoy greater compatibility with search engines. And best of all we can now provide quick and easy control of every element from page design to text and photography to the processes of e-commerce.
Jovino Pinot (NextGEM client since 2006)
Design and development
This restaurant-only wine website works in parallel with winemaker Joe Dobbes' other domains, dobbesfamilyestate.com and winebyjoe.com which we also host and maintain.
By leveraging the highly customizable nature of Mercantool, we engineered multiple template sets for a single installation. This reduces costs dramatically for the client and also provides an integrated backend for lower effort in management of their sites.
Also included in this ambitious group of websites is Joe Dobbes' blog, joethewinemaker.com. We're proud to provide technical and creative assistance for all of Joe's websites.
VIP PDX (NextGEM client since 2008)
Website design and development
Starting with a do-it-yourself website, VIP PDX hired us to build a website more in keeping with their growing professionalism.
The Flash slideshows incorporated throughout the site give VIP PDX a chance to showcase their large collection of photography and entice new customers.
“NextGem created an outstanding website for our transportation business, VIP PDX. LJ's knowledge, guidance and timeliness were unsurpassed during the course of the project and we consistently get compliments on our site from clients. We couldn't be happier!”
NW Core Collection (NextGEM client since 2007)
Content management, website rescue
NW Core Collection serves wineries with complex distribution and research services. Our job was to develop sophisticated Content Management services through which NWCC could manage a vast store of marketing information for each of their clients.
“Finding NextGEM was a stroke of luck in the early days of our company. They helped design a useful website for our customers, and they built a great background framework for us to be able to do continual updates ourselves. I appreciate their willingness to provide suggestions and alternatives when I can't articulate what I want, too!”
Freddy Guys (NextGEM client since 2009)
HTML/CSS redevelopment, design updates
When Freddy Guys came to us they were generally pleased with the old look of their pages but the old webmasters had moved on and they needed someone to manage their site. We suggested little changes here and there until we greatly improved, modernized, and strengthened the site.
The first step in any website rescue is to assure the HTML/CSS is well-written. Until this codebase is strong, nothing else can really be counted on to work.
Next we'll revisit some of the early design choices. Is the page width appropriate for modern monitor sizes? Was the logo used well? Font usage? Copy writing? In the case of Freddy Guys there were a hundred little updates: The navbar was plain and disorganized, the framing around the homepage photo was jaggy, and much of the content was hard to find. In the end we maintained and improved the spirit of the original design.
“WOW!! It is just shockingly better.”
Spoljaric Consulting (NextGEM client since 1997)
Website development
Possibly our oldest client! We've been working with Darko Spoljaric and his family business Val Med, later purchased by ConMed, for over a decade. Darko is now starting a new consulting business and came to us for a brand new website to match his printed marketing materials.
Cavu Creative (NextGEM client since 2007)
Website design and development
A delightful and lightweight client-designed site built for a freelance technical writer specializing in the healthcare industry.