Bespoke Web Applications
I build bespoke web applications – online software that runs in your web browser – for businesses and organisations in Colchester, across Essex and Suffolk and throughout the UK. With over 20 years’ experience of planning, specifying, building, testing and maintaining online applications, I can take your idea from a first conversation to a secure, reliable system that your team uses every day.
What is a web application?
A web application (or online application) takes the form of a website, with pages, links and forms, but does the job of a software application you might run on your PC. Well known examples are Gmail (managing email), eBay (auctions) and Amazon (retail). Simply speaking, a website’s main job is to give information to visitors, whereas a web application collects, processes and presents information (or data).
For example, a retailer might need a secure online system to store and process customer, supplier and order data, automatically produce formatted documents (e.g. quotes, purchase orders and invoices), send out order tracking emails and produce comprehensive reports.
What I build
- CRM systems for managing customers, sales, orders and invoicing
- Online databases that replace Access databases and Excel spreadsheets
- Booking and ticketing systems with online payments
- Searchable online catalogues, with tools for importing and managing data
- Secure staff and customer logins, with role-based permissions
- Automatically generated documents (quotes, purchase orders, invoices and more) and emails
- Real time reports on the figures that matter to your business
- Integrations with your website, payment gateways, email and other software
Examples of my work
One of the largest projects I have worked on, for a well known national weight loss company, was to specify, build, test and maintain a comprehensive online application to run the entire multi-million pound business. Key features include storage of vital data for tens of thousands of clients, 24 hour, browser based access for hundreds of employees and optimised, real time reporting on large amounts of data. I have personally been solely responsible for the build and maintenance of this system since 2004.
Other examples include:
- Top Job Recruitment – a single online application that runs this Colchester recruitment agency, from sales and marketing through to invoicing, with a version optimised for smartphones
- Frinton Summer Theatre – bespoke online ticketing with seating plans, online payments, gift cards and donations, plus a staff CRM
- Britten-Pears Foundation – an online library catalogue and integrated catalogues, with MARC XML data import, flexible search and administration tools
- Chief Industries UK – an online CRM with single click, branded PDF documents and real time reporting
Why a web application?
Advantages over installed (offline) software include:
- Availability – being online, the application can be used from any computer, tablet or phone with an internet connection (e.g. the office, a hotel, home or even the beach!)
- No installations or updates on individual computers – the software is stored in one place, your web server
- Instant updates – an improvement can be thought of, discussed, implemented, tested and rolled out live in minutes
- Flexible and bespoke – the application will do exactly what you need it to, no more, no less
- Reasonable costs – especially when compared to, say, buying 10–50 software licences for all your employees for 5 years
- Mobile ready – versions of the application can be provided for smartphones and tablets
How I work
- Communication – discussing your requirements in plain English
- Documentation – providing technically comprehensive and well written specifications and manuals
- Security – keeping your vital and often confidential company and client data safe and secure
- Scalability – ensuring the finished project is easy to modify, build upon and expand to suit your business
- Longevity – being available to work with you to develop your application long into the future
I also use AI to speed up development where it helps, which can make a project quicker and more affordable than you might expect: read how I built CV parsing into a client’s CRM in about a week.
Sectors
I have considerable experience in the following industries / sectors, for which I can provide examples and current references:
- Lifestyle / Weight Loss
- Legal / Conveyancing
- Retail / Manufacturing
- Event Management
Questions
How much does a web application cost?
It depends on what the system needs to do. Many projects start with the essentials and add features over time, which spreads the cost and gets a working system to your team sooner. Call or email for a no-obligation chat and I’ll give you an idea of costs and timescales.
Can you replace our spreadsheets or Access database?
Yes, this is one of the most common web applications. See online databases for more.
Do you look after the system once it’s live?
Yes. I maintain and keep developing the applications I build, in some cases for many years, so your system can change as your business does.
Do you only work with businesses in Colchester?
No. I’m based in Colchester and work with many businesses across Essex and Suffolk, but my clients are all over the UK, from Oxford to Scotland.
If you or your company / organisation needs online software development, maintenance and / or consultation with a reliable, knowledgeable and experienced partner, call me on 07557 955212 or email.