About
Unleashed Creative was started in 2003 by Perry Kibler and a couple other people. It has changed a bit (both growing and shrinking) over the past several years, but is primarily Perry and a core group of other independents. There are no account managers, no salespeople, no charts and graphs that show the way we work — it's just you and the designer.
What we do (specifically)
Web design is a fairly broad discipline. We've done the gamut from brochure sites less than 10 pages to full-scale web applications. We do everything from the initial pen and paper sketches to the final code.
Print design can be a brochure, ID package, logo, poster, ad, etc., even stretching as far as vehicle graphics and billboards. Odds are, we probably do it, it's all the same idea. If we don't do it, we can probably point you in the right direction.
Preferred programming languages
When a website gets to a certain size or complexity, you have to veer away from plain HTML and CSS. When that becomes the case, we choose Ruby on Rails, javascript (usually via jQuery), and PHP; we do not support or advocate .asp, .net, or anything else Microsoft. This only becomes an issue when you're either doing e-commerce, your site is over 150 pages, your site is database-driven, or you're doing a web application.
Links you might find helpful
Hosting
For shared-server hosting you might look at either Dreamhost or Mediatemple. Mediatemple has a better control panel and a little better reliability, but they're also more expensive. Dreamhost makes it exceptionally easy to use gmail with your own domain name, which in my opinion tips the balance in their favor, but I have a hard time recommending Dreamhost because their design makes me want to put a sharp stick in my eye.
Blogs
Wordpress is the 800lb gorilla in this arena. It's not perfect, but it's very good.
Search engine marketing (SEO)
We follow the tips suggested by Google, but the cliff-notes version is "content". If you want to be found, be active, be vocal, write good content, and be original. Stay away from black-hat SEO practices. If you want promises and guarantees, you're dreaming. If you want a very serious SEO company, see "social marketing" to the right.
Content Management Systems
Modx and Expression Engine both have some promise, and Cushy is good for quick and dirty CMS solutions. Drupal also has quite a following. Before you get married to the idea of a Content Management System, let's talk. There are some weighty pros and cons to consider.
Email Campaign Management
Campaign Monitor is really nice. They have good reporting and the campaign builder is painless. I don't feel they have any serious competition right now.
Social Marketing
Room 214 has a pretty good reputation and they are local. I met with them a couple times years ago and they were straight shooters.