Principles and Beliefs

At Cast Iron Coding, we are committed to a set of core principles and beliefs that we strive to realize in every project we're a part of.

Web Development Principles

Whenever possible, wherever possible, websites should be XHTML Transitional or Strict. CSS and XHTML code should always validate when it's delivered to the client. Markup should be semantic whenever possible.
Design and Usability do not necessarily need to be at odds with each other. The perfect design is the design that lends itself most perfectly to increasing the usability of a site.
Content management systems, including TYPO3, should make sites easier to update. If the CMS gets in the way of adding content to the site, then the CMS hasn't been implemented properly.
Strong, well-planned development processes save money. We think about process a lot, and we strive to always use the most efficient, most transparent, and most effective development processes available.
As far as web development is concerned, surprises are almost always costly. We go the extra mile in the beginning by carefully analyzing the requirements and developing a project plan to avoid surprises at the end. This strategy saves us time and saves you money.

We believe that all clients are equal, no matter how large or small the project, and all clients deserve to get their money's worth.
Content Management Systems, when implemented correctly, are complex and often costly. That said, websites don't need to cost a fortune. Given a careful process and an experienced agency, Content Management can often be made available to individuals and small businesses for less than $10,000.
We take pride in our work. We don't make mistakes often, but when we do, we admit it. We always try to implement a feature right the first time. If necessary, we implement it again -- and we keep implementing it until it's done correctly.
We're open and honest with our clients. If a feature is going to be more complicated (and costly) than expected, it is our policy to talk to the client. If the client wants to implement a feature that will hurt the overall usability of the site, we talk to the client about it. We want our clients to be straightforward with us, so we are always straightforward with them.
In our experience, communication is key. We make a strong effort to respond to client questions and comments quickly and concisely. We don't make our clients wait for days for a response.