Work - Ern Berck Digital

What we’ve done.

We’re designers, not artists. Design isn’t self-expression, it’s thoughtful discipline. Designers make things that solve problems within a set of constraints. Unlike artists, we work to solve real problems — not present our own view of the world.

Recent web design projects

We build complex systems that work on dinky screens.

We Love That Name!

We Love That Name is a new business based in Chico, California. It was created to help expectant parents deal with the challenge of naming a new baby. A strong focus of their process is how well a name will “wear” on a child as they grow up and enter adulthood. After a fun interview, WLTN creates a well-researched custom report with a short list of suitable names that might be perfect for that next family member.

Technology

Consultation
Strategy
Website design
Website development
Copywriting
Image sourcing

Conform with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
Mobile responsive using progressive enhancement
Score over 90 on Google PageSpeed Insights
Highlight blog and podcast archives
Provide direct access to Square Payment Links

Built on WordPress content management system (CMS)
GeneratePress Premium theme with custom child theme
Flywheel hosting with Nginx servers on Google Cloud Platform
Proprietary caching integrated with Fastly CDN
Custom transactional email processing using Postmark

Status: Active

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Ern Berck work project We Love That Name!

BMW E92 N55

BMW released their first Driver’s Guide app in 2016. It’s been updated continually with a major overhaul in 2020 and is now optimized for vehicles built from 2014 onwards. Unfortunately, the 2011 335i Coupe missed the cut, so we built a website that delivers similar information but with a more personal touch. It includes the ability to keep a running journal of the owner’s repair and maintenance activity.

Technology

Consultation
Strategy
Website design
Website development
Website management
Copywriting

Build a data resource, not a coffee table book
Provide access to hard-to-find technical PDF documents
Offer performance similar to a native smartphone app
Must perform well globally
Ability to easily add owner journal components

WP Engine Advanced Network
Cloudflare CDN
Perfmatters performance solutions
Speculative asset loading system
Fathom traffic analytics solution

Status: Active

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Ern Berck work project BMW E92 N55 Reference Guide

Ern Berck Digital designed my company’s website and continues to maintain and improve it. The finished site was so beautifully designed and we have clients tell us frequently that it is easy to navigate and full of good information. Phil made a process that could have been intimidating very easy. He’s an expert in his field, great to work with and I would recommend Ern Berck Digital to anyone looking to have an outstanding online presence.

Kristen Wilson

Mortgage Consultant
Network Mortgage

Network Mortgage

Network Mortgage is an independent residential mortgage broker located in Chico, California. Founded in 1994, they provide mortgage help to clients all over California — From Crescent City to San Diego. We built them a new website in August 2017 to replace an aging DIY effort built with Network Solutions tools. In 2021 the site needed a complete redesign due to major changes in the WordPress CMS editing platform.

Technology

Strategy
Website design
Website development
Website management
Copywriting
Image sourcing

Redesign 2017 website to run on WordPress 5.8 platform
Migrate text-based content to new block editing system
Improve performance on mobile devices
Simplify site architecture and code base
Reduce dependence on arbitrary images

Built with GeneratePress Premium theme framework
Low-maintenance image management program
Partial conformance with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
Postmark transactional email service
Cloudflare nameservers

Status: Active

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Monika Bistro

This is a design concept for an upscale diner with an affluent, yet down-to-earth, clientele. Open daily from 5am to 2pm, the stylish restaurant was originally designed to serve breakfast and lunch with an unusual flair. It accepts no reservations, and makes all breads, sauces, and pastries in-house. The client eventually decided to go in a different direction menu-wise, so the website design was put on hold.

Technology

Consultation
Strategy
Website design
Website development
Copywriting
Image sourcing

Primary target audience is affluent breakfast diners
Visual appeal extremely important
Ability to interact with reservation and delivery systems
Social media integration with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
Menus should be easily printable and avialble in PDF format

Mobile display is a priority, but must function well on desktop
High quality image optimization and storage
Must be conformant with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
Client interaction may be limited
May require integration with local delivery services

Status: Concept

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Ern Berck Digital has been doing the website for our Chico Concours d’Elegance for over 20 years. I can’t speak highly enough of them. They are smart, prompt, efficient and totally dedicated. The best! They really, really know their stuff.

Gary Estep

Chief of Concours
Chico Concours d’Elegance

Bendini Lambert and Locke

A design concept for a sophisticated but friendly law firm that works with small to midsized businesses. Every effort was made to eliminate cliche images and arbitrary functionality (sliders, video, accordions, etc). The website is mostly conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA website accessibility guidelines. The site was built on WordPress block editor and delivers high-performance on all mobile devices.

Technology

Consultation
Website design
Website development
Website management
Copywriting
Image sourcing

Target audience is small to midsized business owners
Visual appeal extremely important
Social media integration with LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook
Must be fast and perform well on mobile devices
Pages should be easily printable and downloadable in PDF format

A big priority was eliminating most legal cliches
Unusual imagery is a distinct departure for a law firm
Mobile display is a priority, but must function well on desktop
Must be conformant with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
Client involvement with site may be limited

Status: Concept

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Ern Berck work project Bendini Lambert and Locke law firm

Chico Concours

Founded in 1979, the Chico Concours d’Elegance car show was established to bring exceptional and beautiful automobiles to Northern California. Hosted at the historic Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, this popular annual event is one of longest running car shows in the nation. Ern Berck Digital has been building and managing their websites for over 20 years. A completely new site was launched in May 2023.

Technology

Consultation
Website design
Website development
Website management
Copywriting
Image sourcing

Provide a showcase for the annual car show
Document the show’s rich history and heritage
Provide up-to-date event and registration information
Create an archive of event and winner photos
Integrate with social media accounts for easy sharing

Custom-built image galleries
Server-side page caching solution
SSL and HTTP/2 enabled
Nginx web server with EverCache architecture
Automated daily backup system

Status: Active

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Ern Berck work project Chico Concours car show

Great website design and digital marketing create competitive advantages that differentiate successful organizations, both of which Phil excels at. He is passionate about his work and continuously adapts to the ever-evolving technologies utilized in website development and digital marketing. It was a pleasure working with Phil, sharing ideas and solving technical challenges.

Jeff Collins

Former Vice President / Information Technology
Tri Counties Bank