I started Department Interactive in 2006 in response to the growing demands of keeping up with web technologies. I saw it becoming harder and harder for people to know the best way to utilize the web most efficiently, while still being able to focus on what they do best, run their company. As someone who lives and breathes interactive, I’m constantly reading, learning, thinking about, talking over, and dreaming of new ways to use the web to accomplish a variety of goals, from personal to commercial. I found these insights have given me the skills needed to help companies not just have a presence online, but have a successful tool to accomplish their marketing and strategic goals.
I offer a wide variety of services including website production and management, business consulting, and strategic planning for websites, web software, and applications both online and off. I’ve worked with iPhone developers and international snowboarders always helping them not only see what’s being done and what’s possible, but what will work for them, their company, and their needs. Some of the work I’m most proud of is helping people know what not to do, as in many cases, the status quo can lead to cliche and uneffective results, despite being what seems to be safe.
I also see that the barriers to effectively engaging your most passionate user base dwindling, and the tools to reach and engage them becoming more and more available. It is no longer necessary to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just for a magazine ad-blanketing the landscape with a one-way message-but instead, for a fraction of the cost you can accurately target your demographic bringing them a relevant message and giving them the opportunity to talk back. I’ve used these tools and I’ve built them, so I know how much is possible for so much less than we’re used to paying. My current services include:
Website Production
- Procure and manage production and design staff as necessary
- Oversee all steps of website production
- Assist with strategy and overall creative direction
- User-Interface and User-Experience
On-Site Marketing and Features
- “Best Practice” Search Engine Optimization
- Incorporate and Manage 3rd-party web tools
- Content Management System appropriate for the needs and demands of the project
Off-Site Marketing and Strategies
- Engagement and Management in social networks
- Creation of commercial presence in appropriate 3rd party sites
- Custom roadmap for engaging users wherever they may be
Final Thought
Your website should be a natural extension of your brand, but your online presence should consist of much more than just a website. Knowing where to go, what to spend, and what to expect is difficult, however, I love helping answer those questions.