What Is An SSL Certificate And Do I Need One?

An SSL certificate encrypts information sent between a browser and a web server (also known as encryption in transit) for a secure online experience. When you visit a website that does not have an SSL certificate, browsers will warn you that the website isn't secure. To allow site visitors the best experience and privacy on your website, an SSL certificate is a must. All websites should be secured with an SSL certificate. Not only does it add a layer of security, but it assures users their data is private and they can trust your business. As of July 2018, Google began marking websites without an SSL certificate as non-secure and warning users about the connection before sending them to the website. When you host your website with Blue Compass, we ensure your site is automatically secured with an SSL certificate.

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Results-Driven Responsive Web Design

Q: How Much Does A Website Cost?

There's a big difference between a website built specifically for you and a template-based product. Here at Blue Compass, we provide custom web development services, meaning your website will be uniquely yours. But building custom functionality takes time. Ultimately, cost comes down to how much custom design and development you need and how you choose to designate the work across your team and ours. We always provide an estimate of work for your approval before moving into design and development so you can budget accordingly. There's no nickel-and-diming here—no Blue Compass client ever receives a surprise invoice.

Q: How Long Does It Take To Design & Develop A New Website?

This depends on a number of factors, such as how many custom page templates you need and whether you require custom functionality. Our custom web developers stick to a predetermined schedule to keep the project moving, but we also allow your team the time to review and provide feedback as we work toward a final product. We know a lot of stakeholders from your team are invested in the success of your website, but quick and timely reviews and responses whenever possible on your end help us complete your new website faster.

Q: How Many Pages Should I Have On My Website?

We recommend creating as many high-quality pages as you need to tell your story. If you start adding pages that don't add value to your website, this will confuse your audience and could potentially reduce the SEO value of your site. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend page content include at least 300 words so Google can recognize what the page is about and rank it in search results accordingly. If you have a lot of short pages on your website or pages hidden deep in your navigation, we recommend a content audit. Led by our digital marketing team, we help you determine what pages make sense to consolidate and what pages can get stronger to stand alone.

Blue Compass’ custom web developers maintain extensive expertise in all things digital, setting us apart as a strategic responsive web design company driving results across all devices. Transform your online presence with our cutting-edge website designs and proven user experience strategies to dominate search results and convert visitors to loyal customers.

What to Expect Design Inspiration FAQ

Building Business Website Designs Ahead Of The Times

2007: The year of the first ever iPhone, Facebook’s rise to global prominence and the birth of a dedicated digital agency called Blue Compass. Since this pivotal year in digital history, Blue Compass has helped set the pace for digital innovation and what it means to succeed online. We’ve led hundreds of clients to digital success with mobile-friendly web designs and custom web development services. From global Fortune 500 powerhouses to specialized family businesses, we bring the best of responsive website design to create compelling websites for our clients.

Our Iowa Website Designers Execute Your Vision As An Extension Of Your Team

With an eye for design and a mind for marketing what makes your business tick, our Des Moines website design team works with you to distinguish your unique brand and value propositions. Whether offering niche industrial services to a local audience or selling competitive consumer-driven products worldwide, brands across the globe get more from their business’ website design with Blue Compass. We help you capture your target audience with a one-of-a-kind website built to get results for an impactful ROI.

Custom Web Design

One-Of-A-Kind Business Web Design Services

There’s a difference between a generic template and a custom website built specifically for your business. At Blue Compass, we design and develop custom websites from the ground up, creating a user experience and functionality tailer to your brand, goals and growth.

Blue Compass offers fully custom web design services, which means we can create and customize the items on your website functionality wishlist, including but not limited to:

Forms
News & Article System
Team Directory
Location System
Event Calendars & Registration
Alert Systems
Human Resources Systems
Ecommerce Platforms
Intranet Systems
Text Hotlines

We’re also one of the few SOC 2 Type 2 compliant web developers in the Midwest, meaning your website meets rigorous security standards and protects your data with confidence.

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User Experience (UX) Optimization

UX Is The Backbone Of Your Business’ Website Design

As a responsive web design agency, we never let the aesthetic of your website outweigh the actions you want users to take. Yes, it’s important to have a visually compelling business website design, but ultimately your website is a marketing tool to generate leads and conversions for your business. We build every website with user experience principles top of mind so the foundation of your site guides users through the customer journey and encourages action at all of the right moments.

When users know how to navigate your site and where to find your most important content, they’re that much closer to purchasing your products or inquiring about your services. To get your new site off to the right start, we develop user-friendly page layouts and site navigation to organize traffic and flow throughout your site. Once we’ve perfected the foundation, we incorporate all of the design elements and features that make your brand truly stand out.

After launch, we run UX tests to ensure all site functions are easy and intuitive for users across all devices so customers find exactly what they’re looking for as fast as possible on your new site.

For a deep dive on how users interact with your current website’s content, opt-in to a UX audit prior to your website redesign. Any data we collect helps us to identify the pain points on your current site so we can create the most convenient user experience possible going into the new design.

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Responsive Design

Mobile-Friendly Web Designs

Blue Compass’ web design and development services prioritize mobile-first design for optimal functionality across all devices. Our web developers create clean code that works across all browsers, devices and display sizes.

Before launch, each site goes through extensive quality assurance testing to make sure all functionality works properly across all platforms. No matter how web users access your content, they’ll see a polished, professional site designed for their screen.

What Is A Responsive Web Design Agency?

A responsive web design agency builds websites to adapt to device screen size so users can interact with a brand from mobile, tablet or desktop devices. Responsive design automatically adjusts content on the page to fit the screen, ensuring copy, images and design elements are readable across devices.

Blue Compass implements responsive design for all our web design clients, so your site is set up for success from the big screen of a desktop computer to the small screen of a cell phone—and everything in between.

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Content Management System (CMS) & Modules

The Slate CMS Experience With Our Custom Web Developers

We understand not everyone is a web expert, but a website needs to be updated regularly to perform well. That’s why we offer Slate, a user-friendly content management system (CMS), to make it easy for your business to manage and update your new site. Slate is used by hundreds of organizations in nearly every industry, from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses.

For businesses seeking the flexibility to add and format new content after site launch, our custom web developers can include module functionality in your Slate CMS. Pre-designed and developed by our experts, these modules allow your team the freedom to craft creative, unique page experiences. Format content how you see fit with engaging callouts, interactive toggles and more while remaining consistent with your overall branding and site design.

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO-First Web Design & Development Services

When we design a webpage, we include various heading tags and structural capabilities enabling you to set up and optimize page content in the future. SEO features are built into the Slate content management system (CMS) so your team can add keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions as well as image alt and title tags to tell Google what your content is about. Slate makes it easy for you to follow our recommended SEO best practices when implementing content or updating your site post-launch.

For further SEO support, clients can also ask our search engine experts to run an SEO audit. An audit provides a comprehensive look at any technical SEO issues or errors on your current site so that we can implement an error correction plan to help your new site launch without errors. The fewer errors your site has, the more likely your business will show up for relevant queries in search results.

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ADA Compliance

Navigate Accessibility With Our Responsive Web Design Agency

To improve accessibility and meet compliance requirements, all Blue Compass websites are designed to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Rest assured all of our web designs are ready to launch with Level AA certification. In fact, from our very first meeting with your team, we’ll point out ADA-abiding updates to complete your project with accessibility as a priority.

Since the updates your team makes to your website after launch can impact ADA compliance, our team can offer guidance on ADA best practices and provide ADA website audits in the future. During an ADA audit, our experienced website designers evaluate your site and recommend updates for compliance so your business remains conscientious and up-to-date on ADA regulations.

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Industry-Leading Brands Trust Blue Compass For A Competitive Web Presence

“When we set out to redesign our websites, our goal was to make them user-friendly and unique to our industry. The staff at Blue Compass listened to our ideas, goals and concerns and provided creative solutions that met and exceeded our expectations. The end result is a website that we proudly associate with our brand and an enhanced online experience for our customers. We look forward to working with Blue Compass again on our next web project.”

Jason Harris, Marketing Manager
Spalding Sports Equipment

Breaking Down Our Collaborative Web Design & Development Services One Step At A Time

Our Des Moines web designers, programmers, developers and content writers are the experts in all things digital. We create award-winning responsive websites for local and global brands alike to drive more traffic and conversions. Blue Compass works daily to inspire and challenge ourselves and our teammates, enabling us to provide the best web design and development services in the business. Here’s what to expect when you partner with our Iowa website design team for a standout business website design.

Step 1.

Web Design Kick-Off Meeting

Before our custom web developers get to work on your new website, we join your team and review your goals, target audience, competitors, products and services so we can accurately approach the project. In this discussion, we talk through potential website features your team wants on your new site. Custom forms and databases, calculator tools and payment processing, a team directory or location system—you name it and we can help make it happen. Our Des Moines-based website design team translates your vision into reality with a responsive web design tailored to aid your team in serving customers and increasing conversions.

Step 2.

Content Architecture & Strategic Planning

Before we dive into your business web design, we do our due diligence to consider what’s working for your current site, what’s missing and what needs a home in your new website navigation. Our web design experts prioritize your audience’s goals and needs when considering recommendations for critical elements like site navigation, content structure and content development. Our designs are driven by user experience, so we make it a priority to address any pain points and simplify them for your new design.

Step 3.

Custom Web Design

Next, our team completes market and competitive research to evaluate the web design trends performing best in your industry, determining how to position your website to stand out and capitalize on best practices to perform even better. Based on our research and your requests, we’ll create a fresh homepage design, formulated specifically with your audience and brand goals in mind.

Step 4.

Design Review

Once we complete the homepage design, we sit down in a meeting with your team to review the design together. Here, we discuss our design strategy and gather your feedback so we can make any necessary updates to ensure you’re completely satisfied with the final result. Our web designers then use the approved homepage design to map out interior pages and custom features for a cohesive site. We maintain open communication with your team throughout the whole process to ensure all web pages represent your vision and captivate your audience.

Step 5.

Front & Back-End Website Development

After your approval, our custom web developers work to bring the design to life. During this phase, our expertise as a responsive web design agency shines as our front-end developers write HTML, CSS & JavaScript code based on the approved designs. They perfect various site features such as navigation, mobile functionality, animations, scroll effects and other finishing touches to make your site stand out.

As your launch date nears, our back-end development team uses .NET, JavaScript, C# and SQL to ensure a smooth transition between your old and new site, making sure all resources and tech functionality are connected on the back end of the site.

Step 6.

Content Population

After development, we move into content population to migrate your valuable resources and information into your new site layout. Some of our clients choose to write new content or use existing content for their new website, while others request help from our SEO professionals. Our content writing experts have perfected our efficient and informed copywriting process to suit your brand’s tone while utilizing SEO-friendly writing tactics to help your site rank high in search results. Whether we’re leading content population or helping support and guide your team through adding content to the CMS, we ensure your site is equipped with the intel and resources only you can provide your customers.

Step 7.

Quality Assurance & Testing

Our web design and development services wouldn’t be complete without pre-launch testing and quality assurance. Before launching a new site, our website development team in Des Moines performs rigorous testing on numerous devices and platforms. Our detail-oriented process helps us identify any functionality issues before launch day and ensures users are able to use your site without missing a beat.

Step 8.

Website Launch & Checklist

On launch day, our responsive web design agency is available and actively going through our four different launch checklists—one for each of our teams: digital marketing, client services, front-end development and back-end development. Our meticulous launch checklists enable us to ensure your site launch and transition is seamless. Our goal is to present a brand new website for everyone to enjoy, including your team, clients and customers.

A couple weeks after launch, our team checks in on your website's performance to ensure everything is working accordingly. Some of our clients elect to run user experience testing during this time to see how users respond to the look and feel of the new web design. But no matter what you need help with after your website launches, we always provide ongoing support for our clients. Our Client Support Team is well-organized, hard-working and attentive to your questions and business needs.

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Our Custom Web Developers & Designers At Work

For one-of-a-kind website designs, trust the bright creative minds at Blue Compass. Our responsive web design agency curates unique user experiences to drive your desired conversions.

Charting A Path

The Des Moines International Airport contacted our crew of Iowa website designers and custom web developers for an intuitive website featuring necessary travel planning and flight tracking capabilities front and center. Keeping user experience at the forefront of our design process, we integrated third-party data to display flight and parking updates in real-time directly from the homepage of the site. By helping the airport achieve a smooth user experience, they can in turn promote smooth travels for their passengers.

Empowering Fresh Layouts

Chevron Renewable Energy Group specializes in renewable fuel products, and their desire to better showcase their offerings fueled their interest in a renewed business website design. More importantly, they knew they wanted the flexibility to update and add content as they acquired new product lines or notable partnerships after launch. Our custom web developers implemented a variety of module formats into their CMS, granting their team ready access to format and design new pages or posts in line with their new look.

Solidifying Brand Identity

Absolute Group approached Blue Compass with a challenge: combining their six distinct brands into one website under one parent company. They needed a user-friendly web design for their comprehensive services to live in one convenient location—not to mention a unified content management solution to update all site content under the parent brand. Our careful execution enabled Absolute Group to pay appropriate dues to each of their related services, allowing their unique assets and abilities an equal share of the spotlight.

Our Business Website Designs

Boost Traffic By 48%

A year after website launch, Blue Compass clients see a 48% increase, on average, in organic traffic. This heightened volume and increased attention is a testament to our successful SEO-first, user-driven responsive web design and development services.

I Want Results

More Digital Marketing, Web Design & Development Services

Content Management System

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Company Intranet

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Digital Branding

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Online Video

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Search Engine Optimization

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“We're thrilled with the outcome! I enjoy working with the Blue Compass team and highly recommend them for all interactive needs. They delivered for an amazingly competitive price.”

Tara Meier, VP of Marketing
Ruan Transport Corporation

FAQ For Business Website Design

Q: How Much Does A Website Cost?

Q: How Long Does It Take To Design & Develop A New Website?

Q: How Many Pages Should I Have On My Website?

Q: How Do I Purchase A Domain Name?

Q: Who Will Host My Website?

Q: What Is An SSL Certificate & Do I Need One?

Q: Does Blue Compass Have SOC 2 Certification?

Partner With Our Responsive Web Design Agency For Development Done Right

Since 2007, clients across the nation have trusted us to provide exceptional web design and development services, and we’ve helped them achieve significant results for their brand. We work with businesses from various industries, including financial institutions, real estate firms, medical clinics and healthcare institutions, schools and colleges, transportation companies, construction contractors, nonprofits, industrial services and more.

Our goal is to provide each and every one of our clients with an outstanding business website design that meets their company’s unique needs and exceeds expectations. If you need a website refresh or a brand new custom site, call us at (515) 868-0010 or reach out today to let us know how we can assist you with your website goals!

Ready to get started?

Contact the Blue Compass team today. Together we will examine your needs and lay out a plan for taking your digital presence to the next level.

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Results-Driven Responsive Web Design

Building Business Website Designs Ahead Of The Times

Our Iowa Website Designers Execute Your Vision As An Extension Of Your Team

Custom Web Design

One-Of-A-Kind Business Web Design Services

User Experience (UX) Optimization

UX Is The Backbone Of Your Business’ Website Design

Responsive Design

Mobile-Friendly Web Designs

What Is A Responsive Web Design Agency?

Content Management System (CMS) & Modules

The Slate CMS Experience With Our Custom Web Developers

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO-First Web Design & Development Services

ADA Compliance

Navigate Accessibility With Our Responsive Web Design Agency

Industry-Leading Brands Trust Blue Compass For A Competitive Web Presence

Breaking Down Our Collaborative Web Design & Development Services One Step At A Time

Web Design Kick-Off Meeting

Content Architecture & Strategic Planning

Custom Web Design

Design Review

Front & Back-End Website Development

Content Population

Quality Assurance & Testing

Website Launch & Checklist

Our Custom Web Developers & Designers At Work

Charting A Path

Empowering Fresh Layouts

Solidifying Brand Identity

Our Business Website Designs

Boost Traffic By 48%

More Digital Marketing, Web Design & Development Services

“We're thrilled with the outcome! I enjoy working with the Blue Compass team and highly recommend them for all interactive needs. They delivered for an amazingly competitive price.”

FAQ For Business Website Design

Q: How Much Does A Website Cost?

Q: How Long Does It Take To Design & Develop A New Website?

Q: How Many Pages Should I Have On My Website?

Q: How Do I Purchase A Domain Name?

Q: Who Will Host My Website?

Q: What Is An SSL Certificate & Do I Need One?

Q: Does Blue Compass Have SOC 2 Certification?

Partner With Our Responsive Web Design Agency For Development Done Right

Ready to get started?

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