Northern Ireland based web development firm Libertas Solutions are this week launching an initiative to partner with design and branding companies throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland. The initiative focuses on giving companies the tools to offer their clients greater control over their website content.
"One of the greatest barriers to the success of small firms websites is that content isn't updated often enough", said Libertas MD Steven Byrne. "We have a wealth of design talent in Ireland, but a lot of companies don't have the tools or the time to offer interactive, content managed sites to their clients. What Libertas are offering is a platform on which design companies can build client sites, then allow the clients to manage their own content. The key here is empowerment."
A recent survey showed that 23% of websites hadn't been updated since their creation, which was on average four years ago. Steven believes he has the answer - "The web design industry is still relatively young, and although competition is fierce, there still seems to be a lingering attitude of technological elitism within some companies. They are interested in building a sexy looking site, not necessarily in providing a long term partnership or making what they perceive as 'trivial' alterations to suit their clients. In many cases, the customer is very far from being king."
"Besides, for some firms, updates are a valuable source of income, and turning that update capability over to the client wouldn't be seen as a financially smart move. Some clients are waking up to this - we know, because several recent new clients are citing these as reasons to come to us. We're offering them control."
Libertas are now moving to offer that control to a wider audience. Their U DO content management platform allows designers to focus on what they do best - design, and to make website content easier to manage and update. They can have their clients update their own content and provide capability such as e-commerce or a range of interactive features.
"Everybody benefits", commented Steven "The designer benefits, because they can focus on what they do best, and can improve the services they offer. Their client benefits from a website that has fresher content, gives them control, and is standards compliant. Last but not least, the site visitor benefits from visiting a website that offers them a better user experience and has regularly updated content."
For more information about the U DO content management platform visit http://www.go-
