Rubious

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Internet Technology: Surf the wave or be left high and dry!

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

The internet is on the move! New devices like the fantastic Apple iPad and the multitude of smart-phones increasingly available on the market enable access to the web anywhere and at any time.

Whether in a cafe, on the train or during a late weekend lay-in, your customers need to access your website at a time most convenient to them. But did you know that most websites have not been created with such liberties in mind? In fact, some of the fundamental building blocks used by many web developers are simply not compatible with mobile devices at all. If your website falls into this category, the chances are that your business is suffering.

We’ve found many top-drawer companies with sites that have designs that fall apart, functionality that, well, does not function and at worst, sites that won’t even display.

Moving forward

Software developers have begun a massive shift away from reliance on traditional platforms such as Flash and compatibility solely with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, towards a more standards-compliant approach that works with all web browsers. They’re using platforms such as HTML5 to achieve enhanced results on all devices, in a slick and integrated way that makes a lasting positive impression.

Does all this sound like a foreign language? We’re not surprised, and unfortunately, unless your web developer is forward- thinking, these modern solutions to compatibility issues will be little more than tech jargon to them too.

At Rubious, we are experts in modern website building techniques. We couple these skills with inspiring design capabilities commissioned specially for your own bespoke requirements. We test every site we build not only on all mainstream web browsers that have appeared within the last decade, but on every device that we can get our hands on too. These include the iPad, smart-phones and mini netbooks, not to mention both Macs and PCs.

This ensures that your clients can always access your site, even if they are a little behind the times with their software updates, or simply enjoy browsing on the move. An uncluttered, unhindered and beautiful experience is the very minimum we strive to achieve for every one of your clients.

We invite you to revisit your own website and put it to the test.

Pop into our offices and use some of the devices we test our sites on, or pay a visit to your local electronics store and do the same. If you’re a little disappointed by what you discover, Rubious is here to help, and we make a great cup of coffee too!

[This article was originally published in Suffolk Business Magazine]

Suffolk Business Exhibition: 28th April, Stand 82.

Monday, April 26th, 2010

We are exhibiting at “Suffolk Business Exhibition” on 28th April 2010. The Event is being organised by ISSBA (Ipswich and Suffolk Small Business Association) and the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.

http://www.issba.co.uk/

The exhibition will take place at the Trinity Park Conference Centre, Suffolk Show Ground, Ipswich IP3 8UH.

Rubious will be exhibiting on Stand 82. We would be delighted to see you all there!

Does your website need updating?

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

At Rubious we are always looking for ways to improve our customers’ websites. An example of this happened just last week.

A website we had just built – SoccerKidz – was now being controlled by the customer with a Content Management System, and we noticed them announcing a sale with a bright red notice on the page.

How SoccerKidz used to show a sale

We felt that this did not fit in the overall design of the site, and so set to work on a replacement.

Greg did some mock-ups, and we came up with the following solution:

The new sale page style

A ‘sale’ label replaced the distracting, red text and we also highlighted the new price by showing the old price above it, and striked out.

The customer was happy with the changes, which we did not charge for as we felt it was our duty to keep the site looking the best it could.

If your website is not functioning completely to your liking, why not contact Rubious and find out if there is any way we can help. Some of the things we can do to add value to your website:

  • A fresh design for your whole site
  • Additional pages for more information
  • A blog for news updates
  • Photo galleries
  • Facebook / Twitter integration
  • ‘Contact us’ forms
  • Email marketing integration (subscriber forms, email templates)

Copy that sells your business

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Rubious are pleased to announce a new service we can now offer for all our clients – professional copywriting.

Why is copy so important?

Effective copy is not just about writing good English. Engaging, targeted copy builds trust and loyalty, which increases business opportunities and sales.

Persuasive copy quickly grabs and holds the reader’s attention, makes it easy for them to obtain the information they’re looking for and gets your message across.

A professional copywriter can help you create such copy.

Use a professional copywriter

When you take our copywriting services, you have your own, dedicated professional copywriter who could

  • Free your time so you can concentrate on those things only you can do
  • Create and maintain focus to get the job done and your message out there
  • Reduce your risk of spending time and money on ineffective marketing
  • Help you to understand what your customers might want to know
  • Subtly include keywords that make your website more visible to search engines

Contact us today to find out how a copywriter could increase your business through improved communication with the people you’re trying to reach.

A shining gem in 2010

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Below is our interview with Suffolk Business Magazine about our first year in business and our plans for the future.

One of Suffolk’s brightest young web and graphic design companies is celebrating its first successful year in business and looking forward to the new year.

Rubious, known as Spring Bud until a recent rebranding exercise, already has a solid base of clients across the United Kingdom, and is now looking to interact more closely with businesses here in Suffolk.

Through their collaboration of efforts and appropriate range of experience, Managing Director Andrew Dewhurst along with Creative Director Greg Goodson and Shaun Robinson, the Technical Director, Rubious has grown from a concept to a flourishing brand, and has even extended its portfolio of services into marketing, media and promotions.

Having been made redundant from their previous jobs, Greg and Shaun seized the opportunity to fulfil a long held ambition to start their own company. “I always wanted to start my own agency,” Greg said. “When I heard I was being made redundant the prospects for finding employment weren’t very good, so we took the leap,” he smiles.

“We are passionate about what we do and believe in our services. It has been a tough time to start but we have a growing portfolio of happy clients and have created products and solutions that we are very proud of.”

But Greg and Shaun aren’t simply interested in creating websites; they are on a mission to educate their clients on how to get the very best from their investment in marketing, and particularly in the World Wide Web.

“It’s about persuading people that it’s not enough just to have a website; in order to enhance their reputation and get the right response from it, they need a really good website, so we are trying to open their minds to the possibilities.”

“A website,” explained technical expert Shaun, “should not only look good but be robust and properly built. Many websites we see are not only poorly designed, but have been poorly built too. They do not comply with web standards, have security flaws, will not appear favourably in search engine results, and sometimes do not even display properly on the various browsers and hardware now available.”

Rubious ensures it keeps pace with the leading edge of technology, and builds fresh, up-to-date websites that work beautifully. Features tailored to the needs of their clients, such as an appropriate content management system to enable businesses to undertake their own site administration (keeping costs down), email marketing systems, and ecommerce modules are all available.

“With technologies changing, the internet presents huge possibilities for all sorts of businesses. Among our clients we have art galleries, hauliers, solicitors, a training company and even an on-line handbag shop; each has a different audience and different expectations from their website. To get it right, we work closely with our clients to learn about their business, understand their needs and bring our own expertise to the table.”

According to Andrew, “We are not interested in £50 websites and neither are our clients. We offer the highest quality services at honest prices – this philosophy has lead to satisfied clients and a business that is growing fast, despite the tough economic hurdles that companies are facing.”

The directors’ belief in their manifesto is reflected in the recent name change to Rubious. “The name references a ruby, something flawless and precious and represents quality and richness, which is what we aspire to.”

“It is a pleasure to be seeing success in business.” concludes Andrew. “It gives me immense satisfaction to see Greg and Shaun not only in employment, but developing a great brand in the region. We would not be here today without the help of individuals such as Philip Dodd of Healeys Print Group who granted us office space to launch the business, as well as the support of many others, too numerous to mention.”

“It’s been a great first year and we look forward to working with our clients and friends in business to ensure we remain on the path to becoming the leading agency in the East of England”.