news

Adrenalin Charters

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:18:00 GMT

Adrenalin Charters' new website conveys the experience awaiting visitors to one of the world's most popular marine playgrounds.

The challenge

The design brief was to convey the exciting experience awaiting visitors to one of the world's most popular marine playgrounds and New Zealand's top dive spot, The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.

A delicate balance

In this stunning website design, Iain Spanhake has successfully used a vibrant underwater theme throughout, whilst somehow retaining appropriate visual emphasis on the important messages for the visitor. Intuitive navigation and persistently impelling calls to action are enlivened by on-location photographs of the services on offer.

Dive in yourself!

Want a website to effectively represent your business on the internet? Get in touch with the team at Monster Graphics today.

Click on the image at right to visit Adrenalin Charters and see for yourself!

Static, dynamic, CMS ...qeh?

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:49:00 GMT

The intention of this post is to clarify the important differences between 'static' and 'dynamic' websites and what a 'CMS' is.

Static Website

A static website's pages are stored on the web server in the format that is sent to the client web browser (e.g. Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Etc.). Static websites are primarily coded using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), which must be edited directly to make any changes to the website's content. This is not to say that a static website cannot be interactive and highly engaging, it certainly can and that's where good design comes in.

Dynamic Website

A dynamic website is one that changes or customizes itself frequently and automatically, based on certain criteria. Variable content is displayed dynamically on the fly based on certain criteria, usually by retrieving content stored in a database. Dynamic websites can have two types of dynamic activity: Code and Content. Dynamic code is invisible or behind the scenes and dynamic content is visible or fully displayed.

Dynamic Code

A website with dynamic code refers to its construction or how it is built, and more specifically refers to the code used to create a single web page. A dynamic web page is generated on the fly by piecing together certain blocks of code, procedures or routines. A dynamically-generated web page would recall various bits of information from a database and put them together in a pre-defined format to present the reader with a coherent page. It interacts with users in a variety of ways including by reading cookies recognizing users' previous history, session variables, server side variables etc., or by using direct interaction (form elements, mouse overs, etc.). A site can display the current state of a dialogue between users, monitor a changing situation, or provide information in some way personalized to the requirements of the individual user.
Dynamic Content

A website with dynamic content refers to how its messages, text, images and other information are displayed on the web page, and more specifically how its content changes at any given moment. The web page content varies based on certain criteria, either pre-defined rules or variable user input. For example, a website with a database of news articles can use a pre-defined rule which tells it to display all news articles for today's date. This type of dynamic website will automatically show the most current news articles on any given date. Another example of dynamic content is when a retail website with a database of media products allows a user to input a search request for the keyword Beatles. In response, the content of the web page will spontaneously change the way it looked before, and will then display a list of Beatles products like CDs, DVDs and books.

The main purpose of a dynamic website is automation. A dynamic website can operate more effectively, be built more efficiently and is easier to maintain, update and expand. It is much simpler to build a template and a database than to build hundreds or thousands of individual, static HTML web pages.

CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS (Content Management System) can be thought of as a private layer of functionality 'above' the website that enables regular timely maintenance (adding, editing, deleting) of part or all of the website content and/or website interface behaviour, without the need to access or understand the language syntax of the underlying programming or database structure.

Will visitors notice any difference?

Dynamic CMS websites usually present fresher content that's more relevant to the each visitor's needs and interests. This is because dynamic websites can react to visitor input and CMS enabled websites are simpler, faster and thus less expensive to maintain. So a properly implemented dynamic CMS driven website is likely to be visited more often and will also likely achieve better search rankings over time.

What's the damage, then?

The initial investment necessary to achieve an effective dynamic and/or CMS driven web presence is significantly more than that of a static website. The ongoing costs of maintaining a static website are usually much more than that of a dynamic CMS driven website. So, as is often the case when comparing apples and pears, one needs to consider the the total cost of ownership over time. If you are considering establishing a new (or renovating an old) website, we have the skills and experience to advise you properly and the enthusiasm to get it sorted smartly. Contact Monster Graphics today!

Monsters on Holiday

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:23:00 GMT

I am positive that every year Christmas comes round faster and faster. Is this because I am older or have I lost my sense of excitement for this time of year. Either way it's here in 12 more sleeps!

Each year team Monster take this time to rejuvenate our selves. We surround our selves in creative material so that when we return we can dive straight back into work. Ok, this is not entirely true for all of us. This year I am putting my feet up and you'll find me at the beach getting a tan and sipping a nice cold ....... whatever I can get my hands on. I plan on staying away from the computer for a bit and getting some sun. We have dusted off the tent, pulled the wake board out and the BBQ has been cleaned. We are ready to catch up with friends and family and get outdoors for a change.

Christmas Shutdown

This year we will be closing the office on Friday the 23rd December 2011 at 12 pm and we will be back in action on Monday the 9th of January 2012 at 9 am.

From all of us at Monster Graphics I would like to say have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Is your website shipshape?

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:59:00 GMT

According to maritime lexicons, when we describe something as being shipshape we mean it is meticulously neat and tidy, organized, serviceable, trained and ready for action. We believe that All Marine's new website can be described succinctly as being shipshape.

Team Monster are proud to have neatly and efficiently packed a veritable wealth of information and products to fit into the modest space afforded by most ancient mariner's salt-encrusted screens, whilst ensuring the particular information and products sought is intuitive and even, dare I say it? fun to find, and that the overall fell is not one of clutterment (is that a word? -ed.).

Visitors are instantly engaged with an aesthetically attractive and helpfully laid out website with consistent navigation throughout. They can be left in no doubt that they have indeed found a professional marine chandlery where they can dependably find what they require.

This is a prime example of the applied power of the Monster Graphics Colossus business management system. The entire website is dynamically rendered from a sophisticated relational database, largely in direct response to the visitors mouse clicks, in fact most of the pages don't even exist until the user elects to browse to them or searches for something! All content and products can be easily maintained by All Marine who also have access to very detailed information on their websites performance and visitor activity.

Websites like this one are quickly becoming the central hub around which a successful business operates. If you are looking to set sail on the internet with a professional website that engages your customers and consistently projects your products and services, then maybe it's time to make contact with the crew at Monster Graphics!

Get Networking and Grow your Business today

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Over the years we have grown steadily and I believe a lot of this has to with networking. Let's look at what networking we do to grow our business and hopefully this helps you grow yours.

What is Networking?

Networking is getting out there and engaging in conversation with others. Swapping tricks and tips with each other, introducing yourself to peers that you wouldn't normally. Networking is building relationships with others to form a "network".

Is Networking expensive?

Networking does not have to be expensive. Weigh up how much being a member of an association will cost with what you will get out of it. Once you start networking keep track of what you do and what you get in return. Monster Graphics are members of BNI Whangarei and this costs approximately $1640 per year. This covers membership fees and a cooked breakfast once a week. In return to get the most "financially" out of BNI I need to get at least 1 referral for a website per year.

Non financial return from Networking?

Your probably like what are you on about? But networking is not all about the money. For instance, with BNI I am instantly surrounded once a week by like minded peers. All business owners all with similar experiences to my own. I have at my finger tips a lawyer that I can casually ask questions to, an accountant that I can run ideas past and an auto-sparky that can lend a hand. These relationships are vital when you run a small to medium business. Think about it - friendly advice from a lawyer could cost you hundred of dollars??

Other forms of Networking in Whangarei?

The Northland Chamber of Commerce is a great organisation to be a member of. This costs next to nothing and you get so much in return. The BA5's which a twice a month are great social networking events. Different businesses from a range of industries host BA5's, here there are drinks and nibbles followed by a 10 minute presentation from the host. These are great opportunities to mingle with different crowds well in a casual environment.

Is Social Media a form of Networking?

It certainly is. Social Media is social networking in a nutshell. Building business relationships through social media is a great way to expand your network and an in-expensive way to get in-front of other target markets. By all means try social media - it's FREE to join and easy to use, all you invest is your time. Note that different forms of social media work differently. If your target market is 60 + males then Facebook is probably not for you.

To Network or not to Network that is the question.

As Nike says - Just Do IT - what do you to loose. Get out there and network your butt off. It's the best form of marketing you can do and most importantly your in-charge.

Grow your business today and start networking. If your new to Whangarei or new in Business and would like someone to go networking with contact me today.

Monsters top picks for Christmas

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:59:00 GMT

It's electronics all round. It seems it doesn't matter whether your a kid or an adult - everyone wants electronics. Let's have a look at the top Christmas gifts you can buy your loved ones this year.

For her:

• kindle wireless reading device
• light blue by Dolce and Gabbana
• wii fit plus with balance board
• GHD red lust styler

For him:

• apple iPhone 4S
• xbox
• call of duty modern warfare 3
• assassin's creed revelations

For the kids:

• nintendo DSi xl
• spy net: secret mission video watches
• toy story 3 on blu-ray
• dance central for x box

For business owners:

• a monster graphics website
• refreshed branding

• cheaper hosting plans

Food for fruity flan fans

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:57:00 GMT

In response to critical acclaim and almost overwhelming demand from over 2 people, here's the recipe for my 'Trellised Apple Flan':

1 kg (about 5) Braeburn or similarly crisp & tart apples
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon custard powder
50 grams raisins
50 grams caster sugar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
3 sheets of short sweet pastry

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celcius.

If frozen, remove the pastry from freezer (It'll be ready after about 15mins at room temp).

Peel, core and slice apples thinly into a large mixing bowl. Mix in lemon juice, raisins, castor sugar and cinnamon (so apples are coated thoroughly).

Line a 23cm loose-bottomed flan tin with one of the sheets of pastry. Trim excess pastry overhanging edge of baking dish. Cleverly use these offcuts and a little of another pastry sheet to fill in any uncovered areas of the baking dish. Prick the base of the flan all over with a fork.

Pour in the apple mixture and distribute evenly. Whisk together the eggs, milk, sugar and custard powder and pour over the apples. Cut the remaining pastry into 1cm strips, laying half of these over the apples with 1cm spaces between each strip, then lay the remaining strips over the top at right angles creating a lattice pattern.

Bake for 50 - 60 mins. Cover baking dish with a sheet of tin foil after 30 mins to prevent the pastry top burning. Allow the flan to cool a little in the tin.

Serve with fresh chilled whipped cream. (Hot tip: After whipping, mix a little icing sugar into the cream.)

Useful measurements:
Extra Ks to run = 2 x (slices eaten x (mean flan slice arc / flan diameter)) .

Website Spotlight: Business Coaching New Zealand

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:04:00 GMT

It's been an exciting time for us and here at Monster Graphics we've been busy launching our latest lot of websites. Business Coaching New Zealand is one we are particularly proud of. Iain did wonderful job of updating the design based on the client's existing branding. Once signed off the job was passed to Simon who did an equally outstanding job of development and integration onto our content management system. The site features multiple contact forms, consultation form with auto generated reply, search feature, email marketing, analytics report and customer relationship management. Visit the Business Coaching New Zealand website.

Finalists in the 2011 Business Excellence Awards

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:18:00 GMT

This year we entered the 2011 Northland Business Excellence Awards. After toying with the idea of entering in previous years this year we finally did it. The entry form was long and some of the questions had us pulling our hair out, but the hard work paid off.

At the cocktail evening on the 5th of October we were named finalists in our category - technology, communication and education.

Over the following 2 weeks we made plans for the big night. I had to purchase a dress, Iain needed a suit, hair appointments etc. were booked. This was a black tie event and we were going to make the most out of our night out.

We were supported by our fellow business peers and our team. The evening was a a lot of fun even though we didn't win. We had some tough competition and in the end northlands own Educare took out the award for our category.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful team for all your hard work, without you we would not be where we are today. Thanks to our friends and family for their 27/7 support they have given us over the years. A huge thank you to our extended business whanau who offer their professional services to make sure we are well on track and most of all a MONSTER thank you goes out to all our FANS!

Pieday Friday

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:59:00 GMT

Now we are not talking about pie as in $π$ = 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510 with it's 50 decimal places. We are talking about "pies" as in a pastry case filled with sweet or savoury filling and baked. A kiwi favourite enjoyed by the all ages - including team Monster.

We are true believers in having fun while you work. So to have a bit of fun at the end of the week we introduced Pieday Friday! Pieday Friday is fun and simple. Each week a different team member is responsible for making from scratch a pie/pies for our lunch. Here's a review on the last few weeks.

Iain rose to the challenge and lead the way. Iain made - on his own, The Spanhake Farmhouse Pie. A hearty pie filled of savoury mince and mashed veges baked inside crispy flaky puff pasty. For someone who does not cook and has never made a pie before he did extremely well. After his pie photo appeared on Facebook many people came back saying they could see Jesus in it?? Maybe we should've put this pie on trade me.

Last week Simon made us his Apple and Cinnamon Pie and served it with whipped cream. This pie was sweet and full of apples. Not like those store bought ones that have all dough and no fruit. This recipe and the others will be posted to our blog later.

This week it's my turn. I am serving a Chicken, peach and cream cheese pie. This recipe was one I chucked together and has been a blast at home, as long as no one has issues with meat and fruit being served together we will be fine.

Pieday Friday is here to stay at Monster Graphics, don't panic though - designing and building websites are still our specialty every other day.

Warning: Pieday Friday has proven to decrease productivity in the afternoon.

Creating buzz from a sticky situation

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 03:58:00 GMT

If, like me, you are a honey lover, today's launch of the Steve's Honey website is for you. Evoking the wonderful natural world of bees, hives, honeycombs and the great New Zealand outdoors, I also found sweet sticky fingers and lashings of honey on toast of a Sunday morning springing to mind! More importantly, one can now avail oneself of large quantities of golden honey goodness with only a few clicks of a mouse. (yum!)

How Facebook Benefits Business

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:49:00 GMT

Facebook is now a part of life - a BIG part. With over 400 million active users and growing it's a massive hive of activity where people worldwide are constantly meeting, exploring and sharing with one-another. This makes for the perfect arena for businesses to create their own pages and to showcase themselves in front of a large, targeted audience. Want to know how Facebook can benefit your business? Here's some ways:

Web Traffic

Talking about your business and displaying a link to your website from your Facebook page will increase the amount of visitors to your site, which in turn will create leads which create sales. The more visitors to your website the better!

Brand Awareness

Displaying your logo and branding on your Facebook page is a must. This gets more people familiar with your brand and may remember you when they come to need your product or service.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to other advertising, such as in local newspapers and magazines, Facebook is over-and-above the most inexpensive yet effective form of marketing. Newspapers get a fraction of the amount of viewers compared to a Facebook page, and have you ever tried to share a newspaper ad with 100 of your friends and colleagues? If your viewers like what they see on your page they simply click "Share" and it's instantly visible to hundreds of others. Viral marketing is priceless.

Customer Engagement

Attract new business by posting promotions, sales, events, tips, competitions, special offers and much more by advertising these from your Facebook page.

Gain New Customers

People generally spend the majority of their time online viewing Facebook, and as such they tend to make many of their purchasing decisions there too. By actively promoting your business you are increasing the chances of getting in front of others seeking your product or service. Someone like this may then "Like" your page which subscribes them to all of your future posts and then sway them into buying in the future.

Customer Feedback

Conversing and discussing with your customers via the Wall is a comfortable and easy way to get feedback from your clients. Asking questions and receiving comments is invaluable in improving performance and systems within your business.

These are just a few ways Facebook can boost your business' profile and increase sales. For more info or help in building your Facebook business page feel free to get in touch with us here at Monster Graphics.

Tips For Your Content

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:11:00 GMT

Having a blog on a website gives our clients the opportunity to add new content easily. We suggest our clients with blogs regularly update them on a weekly basis. Fresh content rewards your website with repeat visits from both your visitors and spiders which is great for SEO.

What is SEO?

SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process of improving a website's visibility in search engines such as Google through various techniques.

The team at Monster Graphics work hard to ensure what is called on-page optimization is maximized when creating your website. There are external factors you the client can influence is called off-page optimization. If your wanting to write new content or add a new blog post here are some tips:

Write relevant content that your visitors will want to read.

Try taking a look at your Google Analytics to see which keywords people are typing into a search engine to find your website. If you're a Monster Graphics client you'll have a Google Analytics login already supplied to you and clients on our Colossus platform have a similar analytics build into their website admin. Once you've found out what your main search terms it's a good indication this is what your visitors are interested in.

Repetition of keywords

Repetition is important in making your content SEO friendly. Using your chosen keywords you found above, repeat it several times throughout your content. Good places to include your keywords are in the main heading, sub-headings, first paragraph, image alt tags and throughout the main content body. It's important that you repeat your keyword but don't make it sound unnatural. You are writing content for people, not search engines!

Put links into your content

Make your links part of the content to other areas of the website using your keyword phrases. This helps improve your website's internal linking structure and may help search engine's spiders index your pages it otherwise may have difficulty finding.

If you want the SEO and the traffic increase benefits without doing the work we're more than happy to help you update your website and we have a content writer we closely work.

Making light work of your products

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:09:00 GMT

Photographing your products yourself for use in your printed marketing materials or web site needn't be difficult. With a little careful preparation there's every chance that you'll get a great finished result, because after all, you know your own products better than anyone else, right? Also, life will be nicer for us when we incorporate your photos into design projects for you. Hey, it might even be fun! Here's eight things to consider before you start:

USE A TRIPOD

A tripod is a great way to ensure that you capture each product consistently in the same position and orientation relative to the lens.

SHOOT AGAINST A PLAIN BACKGROUND

A suitably contrasting plain back drop can make it much easier to digitally separate your products from their background if required later.

TURN THE FLASH OFF!

If your camera has a built in flash, turn it off! It's hard to think of a situation that would benefit from the harsh highlights and hard shadows that invariably result from flash fired directly at your subject. Even professionals never fire flash directly, they bounce the light onto their subjects from other surfaces. If you do need a little extra fill light on one side, simply holding a sheet of white paper at an angle near the product (just out of shot) can reflect in enough light.

USE APERTURE PRIORITY

If your camera supports it, use Aperture Priority mode and set the aperture to its highest number value. This will ensure that you achieve maximum possible depth of focus. Depending on available light, this will also increase the necessary exposure duration, which is why you really do need a tripod.

USE HIGHEST RESOLUTION

Your photographs can always be reduced in size but cannot be enlarged without significantly reducing their quality. It's always better to capture more detail and reduce it later if needed, so set your camera to it's lowest ISO (this will reduce image noise) and it's highest resolution settings.

GET CLOSE TO THE ACTION

Set up your camera close enough to fill most of the frame with your largest product. Let's not waste precious pixels on the background.

FOCUS ON THE PRODUCT

Make sure that you positively focus on a point near the front of your product. The depth of focus extends much further behind the actual point that you focus on than it does toward the camera from that point.

MAKE A BACKUP!

Wait, the job's not over until you've saved at least one complete copy of all your shots in a safe place.

Of course the team at Monster Graphics are happy to advise on specific projects, and there's really not much we cannot do with professional image manipulation software, but you'll likely be saving time and money by taking excellent photographs to start with!

We FLY that extra mile for our clients

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:42:00 GMT

Myself, Iain and Tamara made the quick trip across the ditch a few weeks back to visit one of our loyal clients. With their head office in Melbourne and a team of over 20 staff it was more convenient for us to pop over there.

It was a whirlwind trip with an early start, nothing like Mc'Donald's at 4 am! When we touched down in Melbourne we made our way through customs and jumped in the first taxi we found. There was lots to discuss and only one day to get through it all.

We were introduced to the entire team — the developers, IT support, the customer service department and management. Over a long lunch meeting we discussed the upcoming projects to tackle. Everything from design through to development and most importantly, how we will assist them in implementing our work into their custom programs. All very exciting and a little over my head. So, I left Tamara to talk development while myself and management sat down to discuss the work flow. As project manager it is my job to ensure that all projects are completed and delivered in a timely fashion. There is nothing worse than a project taking so long that it turns stale. The team their were amazing, exceptional in their field and so friendly and welcoming.

Names now had faces and a solid foundation for a long working relationship was formed. We have been working with this company for just over 4 months and the distance is no battle. Using VOIP, Skype and email to stay in contact it's just the same as working with someone up the road. Regular face to face meetings with the owner/director keeps everyone up-to-date and ontrack.

Whether you have a business here in Whangarei or one over 2000 kms away Monster Graphics can cater to your needs. Tailored packages, website starter kits, set monthly hosting fees and customer service like no other.

Credit note for the photo of Melbourne city: australia.edu