[June 19, 2009] Building Web sites for every need Tweet Jun 19, 2009 (The Graham Leader - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A pump jack silhouetted against a sunset and cowboys herding horses are a few of the images on the Web designs. The Web sites designed by Joe Skipper line the wall of his office at Brazos Digital Design in Graham. Customers may not picture him as a country boy, but the transplanted Fort Worth city slicker now qualifies for one. He and his wife Sheyrie have moved into his family farm house in Jack County. He patrols for copperheads and rattlesnakes and collects tips for keeping herds of skunks out of smelling distance. His greatest delight is how much his grandkids love fishing for catfish in the creek behind his house. The returning native son is excited about finally beginning a business in Graham. "Like most small businesses, we do a little bit of everything, but we do a lot of Web sites," Skipper said. "They vary from those that cost $100 to those which are over $30,000." A Web site makes an indelible impression and introduces a small business or organization to a wide audience. Skipper said that he is finishing a Web design for Run for the Children, which is 13 pages. It includes lots of photos of children, a logo and will be a boost to future fund-raising. "Most small businesses can't afford an expensive Web site with a lot of extras, but they can afford a couple of pages," said Skipper. "The purchase can be a great marketing tool." Skipper knows that small businesses face many issues and among them is achieving a Web presence with a limited budget. He has created what he calls "Small Business Web Sites" geared to specific needs and financial constraints. "These Web sites are semi-custom," said Skipper. "Only some parts of the Web site are editable or changeable, but there are so many options available that it works well with most people." There are many elements that can be added to a small business Web site such as the ability to add a photo slide show, events calendar, blog, Google maps, RSS reader, guest book, shopping cart, online polls and surveys, live chat and more. Considering Joe Skippers' expertise and knowledge of the latest technology, a customer can be assured of a valuable marketing investment. "We can do anything you can dream up," said Skipper. "The Wildcatter's Web site is a good example of a more complex Web site." Having a Web site created is one of those things people tend to put off for several reasons, he said. They may not be convinced they need it, they don't know where to begin and they worry about what information will be needed. "The smaller businessman doesn't understand what a Web site entails," said Skipper. "They want one, but they don't know what to do next. They tend to be afraid, but all you have to do is give us the information, and we'll take care of it," said Sheyrie. Joe said that the Web site has to be hosted but that's something he takes care of. "These small business Web sites are turnkey Web sites, which means we do everything to get your site up and running: domain name registration, Web site hosting, e-mail hosting and designing," said Skipper. Customers don't have to be familiar with the computer jargon -- the Skippers handle everything. And an exciting development is that Skipper and the Chamber of Commerce have worked out some "deals" that will help area businesses. "New businesses who join the chamber or existing chamber of commerce members will be able to have a two-page basic business Web site designed for $245," said Skipper. Businesses only pay for the setup and hosting. "Of course, the sky's the limit as far as a Web site goes. We are designing more complex custom Web sites with special effects, inventory pages and a shopping cart," said Joe Skipper. For instance, an oil supply company would benefit from an inventory page where products and prices could be changed every day. A shop selling clothes would need a shopping cart and slide show for customer orders. Brazos Digital Design was originally set up to do Web design, but it's branched off into IT services, firewall installation and configuration, virus, spyware, malware removal, data recovery, software and hardware installation and general networking for home and business, to name a few. The Skippers have recently begun to sell custom built computers and servers, lap tops and refurbished lap tops and desktop computers. He has been pleasantly surprised at how well the refurbished computers are working out. "I will never get another new computer," said Skipper. "I found a refurbished 17-inch Tobisha laptop that was under $600. We offer a one-year warranty on refurbished equipment and major brands." Before he began Brazos Digital Design, Skipper worked for Echo Productions and later on a "small" project at The Wildcatter. Anne Skipper, Wildcatter director, hired him to coordinate and install all computer equipment and networking as it was built, design a Web site and create an audio-visual system. "I designed the electronic system before any building began at The Wildcatter," said Skipper. "That's the best way to do it." Skipper had a background in selling electronics in Fort Worth, but he did not have a concentrated background in computers. He did know a large network of computer engineers in the Metroplex who he commissioned to create a state-of-the art computer system that he's proud of. Later, Skipper worked on engineering the audiovisual system, IT services and a more advanced Wildcatter Web site. He set up computer IT services so that the restaurant, cabins, hotel, conference center and barns are all networked. He also set up the audio-video system in the Wildcatter Hotel and conference center, which has received rave reviews from conference participants. "When hotel guests come here, they are expecting the usual accommodations expected in a small town. As soon as they walk into the door, their eyes really open wide," said Skipper. "Even people from DFW are amazed." Wi-fi provides wireless high-speed Internet and network connections in every building so laptops can be used anywhere. During meetings, each room has a wide screen TV which shows DVD or Powerpoint, depending upon what the conference leader wants. The great hall is usually set up for a microphone. During weddings, couples can use an Ipod in one room, a slide show on DVD in another while using a microphone in the great hall. The versatility of the conference center is what causes the greatest surprise. Microsoft recently held a conference at the Wildcatter and gave Skipper the ultimate compliment: "This is one of the most sophisticated systems we've seen," the Microsoft rep said. Despite all the praise about his work at the Wildcatter, both Joe and Sheyrie remain well-grounded. They don't intend to make Graham customers conform to what they learned in Fort Worth. They know Brazos Digital Design must meet a different set of needs for Graham customers. "People who own businesses in small towns live by a different set of rules," said Sheyrie. "Unlike the city, thousands of possible customers do not drive by your business. Small town customers may want a Web site, but they want to come in and meet you before they make any decisions. The customers want to meet you and look you in the eye." To see more of The Graham Leader or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.grahamleader.com/. 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