ThompsonMurray’s Site Earns Critic’s Respect

If the rating system would have permitted it, our team of reviewers probably would have given ThompsonMurray’s Web site even higher marks. One graphic artist suggested that it would take eight computer mice to do www.thompsonmurray.com any justice.

“I love this site,” she said. “It’s beautiful and easy to use … This is what a business’ Web site is supposed to be.”

It did take a couple of tries to get a response from an e-mail inquiry sent to the company. But when we did hear back, ThompsonMurray was pretty candid. The site, produced and maintained in-house, debuted in its current form nearly three years ago when it wasn’t just sharp-looking but downright avant garde. The firm’s Web administrator wouldn’t disclose its budget for the site’s development. But he did say the substantial cost has been offset by gains in employee and client recruitment.

Whatever the cost, including the year of research, we say it was worth it.

The site’s Flash animation introduction and sultry music and voice-overs seems more like the opening of a mod motion picture than a business tool. A technician who analyzed the site for us said its usage of Flash is “cutting edge” and in line with the firm’s commitment to provide integrated marketing solutions for its clients.

The intro shows off ThompsonMurray’s creativity and its penchant for first-class results.

Overall, the site is designed to function mostly as a virtual brochure since ThompsonMurray strives to build brands through relationships instead of electronic mediums.

The site’s flat navigation and audio and video samplings of ThompsonMurray’s work are also attractions. And we especially liked the site map, which is drawn out like an FBI chain-of-command tree for a Mafia crime family. Martin Scorsese would be proud.

We noticed that www.thompsonmurray.com loaded quickly for both DSL and dial-up access and various platforms.

One reviewer said the site definitely would make a potential advertiser want to hire ThompsonMurray. Another pointed out that every hyperlink does something, so the graphics are functional in addition to being pretty.

We decided that if ThompsonMurray’s Web site were an American city, it would be Brentwood, Calif. — close to the flash and splash of Hollywood, but with more class.