Steve Cross - Background and Experience

Who am I and what is my background?

My name is Steve Cross. I've been building websites for small and medium sized businesses since 1994. Until late in 2011 I owned and operated a company called Zap BC Website Development. I started building websites totally by accident. I owned a janitorial company in 1994 and I decided my company needed a website, so I built one. Somehow the owner of a newspaper in Yerington Nevada saw the website and asked if I could build one for his paper. A few other word of mouth referrals and I found I was too busy building websites to run my janitorial company. I liked building websites much more than cleaning things so I sold the janitorial company./p>

What happened to Zap BC?

Zap BC Website Development was a British Columbia registered company. I'm no longer living or working in BC so I closed the company. I now work as a freelance developer.

Jack of All Trades, Master of None?

That is quite often the case with freelance web developers. Either they are good designers and poor programmers, or maybe they know marketing but don't understand design.

A lot of things have changed on the internet since 1994. It didn't take me too long to figure out that I wasn't going to be able to keep up to date on everything. It also didn't take long to figure out I didn't have to.

I focused on the overall development and marketing of websites and how to relate to the business people who need websites. I leave most of the programming to the programmers but I know enough to be able to explain to them how I want the programs written.

My relationship with my network of experts gives me the ability to be able to bring you the technologies of a large corporate web design company at freelance prices.

Steve Cross Web Development Services

Services Overview

Web Page Design

Web page design includes placement of all the elements of the page, formatting text, editing graphics and placement of the images on the page. Web page design also may include special javascripts for menus and special effects. A good web page designer will use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for most of the formatting and layout.

When designing a web page, a good designer will pay attention to placement and wording of text so search engines will be able to index the page properly. The layout of the site should meet standard web page expectations so site users don't become confused.

Interactive web applications

Searchable catalogues, customer feedback forms, surveys, forums, etc.

Most web users expect more from a website than just a static informational brochure. They want to be able to communicate, have input or get feedback. Interactive websites are almost required these days. We can build custom web applications to suit your customers' needs.

E-commerce shopping carts

More people are shopping online now and we can help you get your products in front of those people. Not all products are suited for online sales but we can get you set up with a secure, easy to manage shopping cart system if your products are suitable.

Content management systems

Many of our clients are using Content Management Systems (CMS) to update their websites. A CMS uses a database to store all the information and pages on your site. The web pages are generated automatically as they are called for by the website visitor. Editing or adding pages in a CMS is as easy as using a word processor.

Most CMS's have a variety of add on modules like events calendars, membership databases, photo galleries and many other features found on popular websites. These modules can be added as you need them.

Custom database applications

Client or salespeople login areas, product catalogues, reservation systems, events calendars are all examples of web applications that use databases. We can custom build almost any type of database application you can think of, or we can implement "off the shelf" applications.

Existing website upgrades and search engine optimization

If you are happy with the design of your existing website and you just want to freshen up your content or you aren't getting the search engine results you expect, we can help.

Business Quick. Smart. Effective

Is your website working for you?

I specialize in interactive websites such as E-commerce, catalogues, reservation systems, customer feedback systems, and content management systems. I have been building websites for small and medium sized businesses since 1994.

Steve Cross - Website Portfolio

A small sample of the over 150 websites I have built.

Contact me for more information about any of these sites or other sites I've built.

ProWest Services

Complete website design. Regular updates.

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The Views of Forbidden Plateau

Website design, regular updates, custom content management, secure document viewing area.

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Landstar Development Corporation

Website upgrades and customer feedback form.

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Ocean Estates Developments

Website design, custom content management, customer registration.

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Qualicum Bay Resort

Web site design and content management system.

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The Village at Westsprings

Entire website design. Customer registration form.

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Steve Cross - Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a website cost?

I so wish I could answer that question with a dollar figure. I can tell you that my hourly rate is $50 per hour. That won't help much unless we know exactly how long it will take to build your website. Every website has different requirements and even though they may look similar, no two websites are going to take the same amount of time to build. The best thing to do is to contact me and we can discuss your requirements. That won't cost anything. I can usually give you a rough estimate of cost after the first phone call or email.

I don't know anything about websites & I've been burned before. Are you going to rip me off?

Any web developer who wouldn't provide what their client wants, at a reasonable price, in a timely manner, is stupid! Would you use their services again? Would you reccommmend them to friends or business associates? I've been building websites for over 15 years and many of my clients have been with me since the very beginning. Over the years I have done very well from repeat business and referrals. I get that business and those referrals because I stake my reputation on every site I build and every relationship I have with every client. So no, I'm not going to rip you off. I'm not stupid.

Why do I need a website?

Hmmm..... maybe you don't. Right off the top of my head I can't think of a business or organization that couldn't benefit in some manner from having a website, but I'm sure there are some. Just the fact that more people in North America use the internet instead of the yellow pages to find local businesses is a pretty good reason to have your business on the internet. Add to that the 7 billion or so potential viewers of your website as opposed to the few hundred or thousand who might see your yellow pages ad. Keeping your information updated regularly, making changes to your specials, making appointments or reservations available online, selling directly from your website. Not your business? Contact me and I'll see if I can come up with a good reason for your specific business to have a website. If I can't, I won't reccommend that you have one built.

Got a question?

Ask me. You can email me at steve@zapbc.com. I'll answer any questions you may have & if it's one I get asked a lot, I'll post the answer here.

Contact Steve Cross

Location

My office is located in Port Colborne, Ontario. ....at the moment. That could change at any time. Not a problem.

My clients are located all over the world. Most of them I've never met. Although I enjoy meeting my clients and sitting down for coffee when I get near where they are, it's not a requirement that we meet face to face.

Mailing Address

259 Charlotte St.
Port Colborne On.
L3K 3E5

905-325-4885Telephone:
steve@zapbc.com E-mail: