Archive for October, 2010

E-mail Rules I Try to Live By

On 13 Oct, 2010 By Chad With Comments Off

A recent article in Business Week, Respond to All (Relevant) Email Yourself (April 13, 2010), started me thinking about the nature of building client relationships and the use of email. As business owners, we are acutely aware of the marketplace becoming…

Web Design: Form or Function?

On 13 Oct, 2010 By Chad With Comments Off

The story of the World Wide Web starts with an independent contractor at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Mr. Tim Berners-Lee. He first built “Enquire”, a simple hypertext software program, but was then interested in taking this further to…

Sticky-er Notes: Using Evernote

On 13 Oct, 2010 By Chad With Comments Off

How to use evernote in a way that helps you become productive, and very user friendly.

Simple SEO Tips for Blogging

On 13 Oct, 2010 By Chad With Comments Off

Recently, a friend of mine asked me about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). He inquired, “Isn’t it just putting words together that match your content? Like, if I was selling cars, wouldn’t I use “cars” as my title or something?” He had…

Client Testimonials

I am a physician and plastic surgeon in San Francisco that has shopped nationwide and used many different services and companies over the years for my website. I used Chad Bell and Zen Den for complete overhaul of my website and am delighted beyond words. Their creative and design and technical departments all work toghether well and provide the best service I have ever experienced. Please contact me for any questions.
~James Romano MD, San Francisco, CA
www.jromano.com

The team completely exceeded our expectations. We came to them with a tight deadline and a very specific idea. Chad, Vivien and Robert were amazing. They completely conceptualized our idea and translated it into a site that blew us away. They were organized and responsive to feedback and edits. After launch, they provided super quick tech support. We felt no kinks throughout the process. We're looking forward to working with them on larger projects in the future.
~Jenette Restivo, Cambridge, Massachusetts
www.voicesforprimarycare.org

As an up-and-coming company Zen Den has helped me establish a presence on the World Wide Web. After working with another website development company I was not getting my needs met and that's when I turned to Chad and his staff at Zen Den. They help me in a very efficient and timely manner accomplish the website that I wanted. I look forward to continually growing my website with Zen Den and I highly recommend them to anyone looking to start a new website or switch website developers as I did. Top-notch service! Matched with very nice work!
~Cory Hunt, San Francisco, CA
www.globalautodepot.com

We are a very small start-up with limited knowledge of web programming. We worked with several groups of designers before finding Zen Den, all of which wasted our limited time and money. The project really took off once it was in the capable hands of the Zen Den team. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and abilities were more than we could have hoped for; they brought some well-needed Zen to our project.

Creative Orbit LLC
~YoLawnda Hansen, San Francisco, CA

Since we began working with Zen Den Web Design we've learned to appreciate their superior level of customer service and their quality deliverables. I would recommend Zen Den Web Design to anyone looking for 3rd party web development with an in-house web development feel.

Putnam Auto
~Omar C., San Francisco, CA
www.putnam.toyota.ewarrantyonline.com

A 2011 goal for Goldrush Stores was to enhance and literally ‘zen’ up our image. In our search for a new web designer, we came across Zen Den Web Design and had an instant feeling the team would be a perfect match for what we wanted to do with our web-based marketing and branding. Their finished work did not disappoint. Project management, organization, communication, timeliness, and design was all top notch. Pricing was very reasonable and their continued assistance after project delivery has always been available. Want to bring Zen to your web? Hire this team now!

Marketing Dept.
~Goldrush Stores, San Francisco, CA
www.goldrushstores.com

We loved using Zen Den Web Design, they are fast, professional and SO easy to work with. We are definitely very particular clients and they handled every curve ball we threw at them with ease. I would recommend them to anyone who wants a great website done by a great company.”

The Australian Tanning Company
~Christie Mendonca, San Francisco, CA
australiantanningcompany.com/

Zen Den, Thanks for being patient with us :) and getting our vision perfected for our website for www.hicup.com You and your very creative team of professionals always had great ideas and feedback, are so easy to work with and we are more than pleased with the result. We couldn't recommend Zen Den Web Design highly enough, and we have already referred business your way! ”

Hicup
~David and Julie, San Francisco, CA
www.hicup.com

Zen Den Web Design handled a very specific administration application that I needed for a powerhouse client’s e-commerce website. They programmed the application to interface the DB for automation of a task that will be saving thousands of dollars for the client, shaving hours off each day. The project went very well, started immediately, took less time than expected, and cost less than expected. Normally you’d expect a developer to take the high bid, but these guys are true and honest, and did not gouge my company. The quality of the application is top-notch with proper error handling, and other things in place I hadn’t even thought to ask for, but make great sense, and did not suck up extra time. So needless to say, these guys are number one in my book.”

Deep Blue Pacific
~Jay B., San Francisco, CA
www.deepbluepacific.com

Zen Den created a really useable website for us with flexible donation capabilities. They were so attentive to our needs and found the right solution. As a non-profit, they worked within our budget and were so patient with our technically challenged staff! We will definitely keep Zen Den on our favored vendor list.”

Executive Director
SF Women’s Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc
~Ardis J., San Francisco, CA
www.the-stepping-stone.org

We found Zen Den great to work with. After an initial meeting with the team, they were able to execute in a timely manner to get our website up and running. Even after a hitch that happened down the road, they were responsive and able to solve the problem. We would certainly use them again.”

Co-Founder of Theo
~John F., San Francisco, CA
www.sftheo.com

We interviewed a number of web designers before selecting Zen Den Web Design for development of our website and management of an internet marketing campaign. Zen Den’s grasp of our business, sensibilities for clean, crisp graphic design, competitive pricing, professionalism, and marketing expertise ranked them at the top of our list. They assimilated a large amount of technical text and graphic information into a visually coherent and easily navigable website. Working with Zen Den was and continues to be a collaborative and enjoyable experience. We give them - TWO THUMBS UP!

President of Ekose’a Homes, Inc.
~William Pearson, San Francisco, CA
www.ekoseahomes.com/

Zen Den designed my book and launched two web sites for me. The team helped integrate social media and SEO into the sites with professionalism and competency. They are easy to communicate with and did not bill me until the project was completely finished. I have received many compliments on the book that Zen Den designed the cover for. The websites reflect who I am and I appreciate the time they took to get to know me and my goals. I hope to maintain a long relationship with Zen Den Web Design.”

The Jewish Bohemian
~Dovid Krafchow, San Francisco, CA
www.jewishbohemian.com

Zen Den Web Design transformed a simple “homemade” website into a clear professional and notable business identity, had an intuitive ability to translate David’s Tours ideas, concepts and content into a well-organized product, and also lay the groundwork for future infrastructure development for our upcoming SEO efforts and future use of the site as an e-commerce venue. Our launch was less than a month ago, and so far many potential customers have commented on the elegant design and ease of navigation of the new website. We look forward to future collaboration with Zen Den Web Design, as our website needs continue to evolve. There is plenty of design talent out there but it was truly a pleasure to interact with Chad’s innovative, creative, helpful, patient, flexible and responsive approach. We made it happen together, many thanks.”

CEO
David’s Tours
~Aram Hava, San Francisco, CA
www.davidstours.com

The people at Zen Den are good listeners and willing to go the extra mile. I would highly recommend Zen Den Web Design to anyone who wants to get up and running quickly with plenty of knowledgeable support always available.”

Bali Hai Essentials
~Barry J., San Francisco, CA

The people at Zen Den Web Design were wonderful to work with. They listened to my needs and concerns and responded to all of my questions in a timely manner. They created a website, logo and business card design for me that combine professionalism with warmth, which was just the combination that I want for my business as a nutrition therapist and wellness coach. I would definitely recommend them!”

Nutrition Therapist and Wellness Coach
~Elyse Robin, RD, CWC, San Francisco, CA

If you are looking for a knowledgeable business to design your webpage, then I recommend Zen Den Web Design. They are versed in video uploads and surely will work the best they can with you in seeing your business through. One of the qualities that we have appreciated from Zen Den, is their ability to get back to you in a timely manner should you have any concerns. We really do appreciate this, especially in an overworked and demanding field such as web design. We thank you Zen Den and hope you continue to take on not-for-profit projects that contribute to social justice causes in our world. Bravo!”

- Documentary Team
Children of the Field
~Gian Michael S., San Francisco, CA

Timely. Responsive. Educational.
Programmers can be difficult to deal with at times. I found Zen Den to be patient, efficient and instructive. Our dealings with Zen Den were very pleasant. We look forward to having the team handle our Internet marketing campaign in the near future. Our final product is just what we had envisioned.

Marketing Dept. of Welcome Solar
~Don W., San Francisco, CA