The site
www.merlinswakefield.com

The design
We had a bit of fun with the design, and it encompased a few features that really spring life into the site. For the background we heavily styled one of our stock photographs. We wanted the header to be fun, but not get in the way, letting the user concentrate on the page.  We designed the header in house using FLASH.  We worked a dark moody style by using careful typography

The Platform
This was based on a really good open source CMS platform – Joomla, with a modified Virtuemart store.  More about that later

Dealing with users
The site does some quite clever things.  To begin if a user is just shopping, they can register, and they automatically have an account in the forum, the store etc.. or if they register for the forum, a shopping account is created automatically.  The site remembers abandoned shopping carts, and offers them back to users on a re-visit.  The site can also automatically recognise users that havent visited for a while and send “come back” emails

The forum
No need to re-invent the wheel, we used Fireboard, and re-wrote the templates to give a totally homogenous style with the rest of the site. Users are managed via the CMS system

The store
This is a specially modified Virtumart installation. The store presented us another challenge – the previous site was a 1-off database, with a 1-off structure.  To top this, the previous host, and designer wasn’t allowing Control Panel access.   Fortunatally, we managed to figure out how to mount the database, using just FTP access (dont ask), extract and convert the data and import it into the new installation.  That took a lot of work, but a lot less than typing in about a 1000 products!  The import included dealing with the 1000’s of iamges, which we had to bulk re-size using Lightroom.  The store presnted another chalenge – Postage.  We had to develop a specific postage module to allow a split postage method in-house

SEO
I can’t stress enough that Search Engine Optimisation is something that you need to keep re-visiting, and changing, but only when the data really is telling you something.  The site as we type is too young to report back on SEO, but we have put together the same superbly performing system as we used on the Lencarta site.  Titles and URLS are dynamically generated for optimum SEO.  Combined with a clever URL re-writing regime which creates pretty, readable URL’s we are sure we have another winner on our hands. Down the line we will be doing a SEO anaysis, looking at site stats, google analytics + commercial data, and we will tweak out the site as needed

Feature list
- E-commerce based on a heavily modified Virtuemart set up
- Forum
- Community based user management
- Automatic CRON based database backups
- Manual full site (with database) zip backups
- Multi user CMS
- PayPalX credit / debit card integration
- Security by design
- SEO by design

CSS
We spent a lot of time setting up the cascading style sheets for this site.  This has provided a uniform framework for user content.  At the templating stage we spent a lot of time and attention to ensuring cross browser compatibility, and ensuring the more interactive features gracefully depreciate for older or non compliant browsers.  Like all of our builds, the site was rolled out in phases – Template, store, content and backend features

Technologies
This site uses PHP, SQL, DHTML, XML, AXAX, CSS and Javascript

Security
Clearly a high profile, user oriented site needs some level of security.  We spent a long time closing doors, adjusting server settings and generally locking the site out from attack and spam.  We wont discuss security details here, but would be happy to discuss it in general on the phone with prospective clients

Hosting
We are providing our unlimited commercial hosting package for this site

The launch
We launched the site, and within minutes we had a sale!

Working with the clients
We worked really closely with the clients, providing 1-1 remote desktop training (we take over the clients machine) and telephone support.  We will continue to support the clients over the next months, providing training as needed

Client testimonial

We are delighted with the way Richard and Elizabeth from www.placeofdesign.com have produced our website. Richard is always there with help and guidance, and I would not hesitate in recommending their services to anyone thinking about a website – first class!

Phil
Merlins of Wakefield (UK)

You indicate acceptance of these terms and conditions of service by placing a web-hosting order with Place of design. These terms and conditions will not be varied for individual customers

1 DEFINITIONS

1.1 In this Agreement the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:

1.1.1 “downtime” means any service interruption in the availability to visitors of the Website;

1.1.2 “intellectual property rights” means patents, trade marks, design rights, applications for any of the foregoing, copyright, topography rights, database rights, rights in know-how, trade or business names and other similar rights or obligations, whether registrable or not in any country;

1.1.3 “Place of design” means Place of design – www.placeofdesign.com

1.1.4 “IP address” stands for internet protocol address which is the numeric address for the server;

1.1.5 “ISP” stands for internet service provider;

1.1.6 “server” means the computer server equipment operated by Place of design in connection with the provision of the Services;

1.1.7 “the Services” means web hosting, domain name registration, email and any other services or facilities provided by Place of design

1.1.8 “spam” means sending unsolicited and/or bulk emails;

1.1.9 “virus” means a computer programme that copies itself or is copied to other storage media, including without limitation magnetic tape cassettes, memory chips, electronic cartridges, optical discs and magnetic discs, and destroys, alters or corrupts data, causes damage to the user’s files or creates a nuisance or annoyance to the user and includes without limitation computer programs commonly referred to as “worms” or “trojan horses”;

1.1.10 “visitor” means a third party who has accessed the Website;

1.2 Product specifications and details may be found at www.placeofdesign.com.

1.3 Words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words denoting any gender shall include all genders.

1.4 The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 The Customer wishes to provide Place of design with data that will be hosted on Place of design’s servers and made accessible via the Internet.

2.2 Place of design provides web hosting services and has agreed to host the Customer’s data upon the following terms and conditions.

3 DUTIES

3.1 Place of design shall provide to the Customer the Services specified in their order subject to the following terms and conditions.

3.2 The Customer shall deliver to Place of design the website and the software used in the website which is owned by the Customer, or licensed to him by a third party or Place of design (“the Customer Software), in a format specified by Place of design

4 CHARGES  AND PAYMENTS

4.1 Payment methods include credit cards (including MasterCard and Visa), debit cards (including Switch/Maestro) and direct debits

4.2 Place of design does accept cheques, bank transfers, postal orders, cash, but no other form of payment other than those outlined in 4.1

4.3 The Charges are exclusive of VAT, as Place of design is currently not VAT registere. Customers effected by future registration will be notified as the situation changes

4.4 Place of design shall be entitled to charge interest in respect of late payment of any sum due under this Agreement, which shall accrue from the date when payment becomes due from day to day until the date of payment at a rate of 8% per annum above the base rate of the Bank of England from time to time in force

4.5 Place of design do not provide credit facilities

4.6 From time to time Place of design may make enquiries on the Customers company, proprietor or directors of the Customers company with credit reference agencies. These agencies may record that a search has been made and share this information with other businesses

4.7 Place of design provides no “Money-Back Guarantees”

4.8 Pro-rata refunds will not be issued for yearly services that are cancelled before then end of the year.

4.9 Should your chosen payment method fail Place of design will attempt to settle your invoice using any other payment facilities available on your account.

4.10 All services will renew until cancelled by the customer. Place of design emails the customers primary email address prior to renewal of services, it is the customers responsibility to cancel services prior to renewal as no refund can be made once renewal has occurred. Customers must notify us at least 72 hours before a service is renewed if they wish to cancel that service. The cancellation process must be fully completed by you before your account is cancelled.

5 IP ADDRESSES

5.1 Place of design shall maintain control and ownership of the IP address that is assigned to the Customer as part of the Services and reserves the right in its sole discretion to change or remove any and all IP addresses.

5.2 Where Place of design changes or removes any IP address it shall use its reasonable endeavours to avoid any disruption to the Customer.

6 SOFTWARE LICENCE AND RIGHTS

6.1 If the Customer requires use of software owned by or licensed to Place of design (“Place of design’s software”) in order to use the Services, Place of design grants to the Customer and its employees, agents and third party consultants and contractors, a royalty-free, world-wide, non-transferable, non-exclusive licence to use Place of design Software in object code form only, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not transfer or grant to the Customer any right, title, interest or intellectual property rights in Place of design Software.

6.2 In relation to Place of design’s obligations under this Agreement in connection with the provision of the Services, the Customer grants to Place of design a royalty-free, world-wide, non-exclusive licence to use the Customer Software and all text, graphics, logos, photographs, images, moving images, sound, illustrations and other material and related documentation featured, displayed or used in or in relation to the website (“the Content”). For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement does not transfer or grant to Place of design any right, title, interest or intellectual property rights in the Customer Software or the Content.

6.3 The Customer undertakes that he will not himself or through any third party, sell, lease, license or sublicense Place of design Software.

6.4 Place of design may make such copies of the Customer Content as may be necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including back up copies of the Content. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, Place of design shall destroy all such copies of the Content and other materials provided by the Customer as and when requested by the Customer.

7 SERVICE LEVELS AND DATA BACKUP

7.1 Place of design shall use its reasonable endeavours to make the server and the Services available to the Customer 100% of the time but because the Services are provided by means of computer and telecommunications systems, Place of design makes no warranties or representations that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free and Place of design shall not, in any event, be liable for interruptions of Service or downtime of the server.

7.2 Place of design carries out data backups for use by Place of design in the event of systems failure. Place of design do not provide data restoration facilities for individual customers. Even though every effort is made to ensure data is backed up correctly Place of design accepts no responsibility for data loss or corruption.

8 ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

8.1 The website and use of the Services may be used for lawful purposes only and the Customer may not submit, publish or display any content that breaches any law, statute or regulation. In particular the Customer agrees not to:

8.1.1 use the Services or the website in any way to send unsolicited commercial email or “spam”, or any similar abuse of the Services;

8.1.2 send email or any type of electronic message with the intention or result of affecting the performance of any computer facilities;

8.1.3 publish, post, distribute or disseminate defamatory, obscene, indecent or other unlawful material or information, or any material or information which infringes any intellectual property rights (for the avoidance of doubt this includes licensed software distributed as Warez), via the Services or on the Website;

8.1.4 threaten, abuse, disrupt or otherwise violate the rights (including rights of privacy and publicity) of others;

8.1.5 engage in illegal or unlawful activities through the Services or via the Website;

8.1.6 make available or upload files to the website or to the Services that the Customer knows contain a virus, worm, trojan or corrupt data; or

8.1.7 obtain or attempt to obtain access, through whatever means, to areas of Place of design’s network or the Services which are identified as restricted or confidential. This includes leaving your home directory whilst using SSH access to servers.

8.1.8 operate or attempt to operate IRC bots or other permanent server processes.

8.2 The Customer has full responsibility for the content of the Website. For the avoidance of doubt, Place of design is not obliged to monitor, and will have no liability for, the content of any communications transmitted by virtue of the Services.

8.3 If the Customer fails to comply with the Acceptable Use Policy outlined in Clause 8.1 Place of design shall be entitled to withdraw the Services and terminate the Customer’s account without notice.

9 ALTERATIONS AND UPDATES

All alterations and updates to the website shall be made by the Customer using the online account management facility, FTP access or SSH access where available. The Customer will be issued with a user name and password in order to access the account. The Customer must take all reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of this user name and password. If the Customer reasonably believes that this information has become known to any unauthorised person, the Customer agrees to immediately inform Place of design and the password will be changed.

10 WARRANTIES

10.1 The Customer warrants and represents to Place of design that Place of design’s use of the Content or the Customer Software in accordance with this Agreement will not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party and that the Customer has the authority to license the Content and the Customer Software to Place of design as set out in Clause 6.2.

10.2 All conditions, terms, representations and warranties that are not expressly stated in this Agreement, whether oral or in writing or whether imposed by statute or operation of law or otherwise, including, without limitation, the implied warranty of satisfactory quality and fitness for a particular purpose are hereby excluded. In particular and without prejudice to that generality, Place of design shall not be liable to the Customer as a result of any viruses introduced or passed on to the Customer.

11 INDEMNITY

The Customer agrees to indemnify and hold Place of design and its employees and agents harmless from and against all liabilities, legal fees, damages, losses, costs and other expenses in relation to any claims or actions brought against Place of design arising out of any breach by the Customer of the terms of this Agreement or other liabilities arising out of or relating to the Website.

12 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

12.1 Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude or limit Place of design’s liability for death or personal injury resulting from Place of design’s negligence or that of its employees, agents or sub-contractors.

12.2 The entire liability of Place of design to the Customer in respect of any claim whatsoever or breach of this Agreement, whether or not arising out of negligence, shall be limited to the charges paid for the Services under this Agreement in respect of which the breach has arisen.

12.3 In no event shall Place of design be liable to the Customer for any loss of business, loss of opportunity or loss of profits or for any other indirect or consequential loss or damage whatsoever. This shall apply even where such a loss was reasonably foreseeable or Place of design had been made aware of the possibility of the Customer incurring such a loss.

13 TERM AND TERMINATION

13.1 This Agreement will become effective on the date the service is ordered and shall continue until terminated by either party in writing of its intention to terminate the Agreement.

13.2 Place of design shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by notice in writing to the Customer if the Customer fails to make any payment when it becomes due.

13.3 Either party may terminate this Agreement forthwith by notice in writing to the other if:

13.3.1 the other party commits a material breach of this Agreement and, in the case of a breach capable of being remedied, fails to remedy it within a reasonable time of being given written notice from the other party to do so; or

13.3.2 the other party commits a material breach of this Agreement which cannot be remedied under any circumstances; or

13.3.3 the other party passes a resolution for winding up (other than for the purpose of solvent amalgamation or reconstruction), or a court of competent jurisdiction makes an order to that effect; or

13.3.4 the other party ceases to carry on its business or substantially the whole of its business; or

13.3.5 the other party is declared insolvent, or convenes a meeting of or makes or proposes to make any arrangement or composition with its creditors; or a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, manager, trustee or similar officer is appointed over any of its assets.

13.4 Any rights to terminate this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any other accrued rights and liabilities of the parties arising in any way out of this Agreement as at the date of termination.

13.5 On termination all data held in the customers account will be deleted.

14 ASSIGNMENT

14.1 Place of design may assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement at any time.

14.2 The Customer may not assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any part of it without Place of design’s prior written consent.

15 FORCE MAJEURE

Neither party shall be liable for any delay or failure to perform any of its obligations if the delay or failure results from events or circumstances outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, strikes, lock outs, accidents, war, fire, the act or omission of government, highway authorities or any telecommunications carrier, operator or administration or other competent authority, the act or omission of any Internet Service Provider, or the delay or failure in manufacture, production, or supply by third parties of equipment or services, and the party shall be entitled to a reasonable extension of its obligations after notifying the other party of the nature and extent of such events.

16 SEVERANCE

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason by any Court of competent jurisdiction such provision shall be severed and the remainder of the provisions hereof shall continue in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been agreed with the invalid illegal or unenforceable provision eliminated.

17 NOTICES

Any notice to be given by either party to the other may be sent by either email, fax or recorded delivery to the address of the other party as appearing in this Agreement or such other address as such party may from time to time have communicated to the other in writing, and if sent by email shall unless the contrary is proved be deemed to be received on the day it was sent or if sent by fax shall be deemed to be served on receipt of an error free transmission report, or if sent by recorded delivery shall be deemed to be served 2 days following the date of posting.

18 ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement contains the entire Agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter and supersedes any previous agreements, arrangements, undertakings or proposals, oral or written. This Agreement may be updated without notice.

19 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

20 DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION

20.1 Domain names are not deemed to be successfully registered until they appear in the relevant whois database of the top level domain name registrar. In the event that a domain name is unavailable when we attempt to register it Place of design will provide a full refund for that domain name.

20.2 Please return to the main terms and conditions area of this website to view terms and conditions for individual domain name registrars.

21 SCRIPTING

Place of design are not responsible for customer programming issues other than ensuring that programming languages such as Perl, PHP and ASP are installed and functioning on the web hosting system.

22 PRIVACY

To protect your privacy we will not distribute your details to third parties, unless required to do so by law.

23 DATA TRANSFER

23.1 Web hosting accounts include a certain amount of data transfer, if you exceed this amount in any one month your account will be deactivated until you have upgraded to an account that has more data transfer included.

23.2 Web hosting accounts are prohibited from hosting file distribution websites (including but not limited to music, video and software), adult content orientated websites, hosting banners, graphics or cgi scripts for other websites, storing pages, files or data as a repository for other websites or personal computers, giving away web space under a domain, sub domain or directory.

24 SERVER USAGE

Should your account use more than 5% of the servers processing power and as a result have a detrimental effect on other customers we will discuss with you alternative solutions for your hosting requirements.

25 EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Place of design communicates with it’s customers via email and as such you agree to receive by email our regular newsletter which contains amongst other things changes to our terms and conditions, notification of major outages, updates to our products & features and special offers.

26 WEBSPACE USAGE

Unlimited web space is available for genuine web site content, content must be linked into web pages. Customers are prohibited from using the server as a file/backup repository. Customers are expected to employ good house keeping when maintaining their account.

27 MAIL BOXES

Mail boxes not accessed for 100 days or more will be deleted from the system.

Working with the client
We feel part of web design is working with and listening to a client to understand their needs.  In this build, it became apparent the client was pretty OK with FTP, and wanted to be able to update the site herself.  We designed aspects of the site to make this really easy, all the way down to the point of supplying specifically modified slide show template files for Photoshop

The approach to this website was pretty easy.  The client being a creative sort, already had a firm idea on the design and look for the site.  See: www.clairejuliette.co.uk

Claire Juliette Creative Photography

We followed the clients ideas, chipped in a few of our own and produced this superb compact website.  The client had an existing Coppermine gallery, which we re-templated to suite the site

Hosting woes
Late last year, the clients original web host begun to pull all sorts of strange stunts – for example changing the SQL database passwords without telling anyone and generally service levels dropped.  The client has now migrated to our servers

The migration
We needed to move a SQL database, and a lot of scripts. we managed to do this and just swap DNS servers over at the last moment causing little loss in service.  The migration was pretty seamless

Hosting
Like most of our clients, this site is hosted in our unlimited hosting package – that is unlimited bandwidth, web space, SQL databases, POP accounts, FTP accounts.. you get the idea

The future
We have created the client a lovely new gallery that back-ends onto a e-commerce setup.  We will be launching this fully with the client in the near future.  As the client is a wedding photographer, selling images online is a absolute necessity nowadays