01
Standards and structure
Clear content, sound structure and careful choices remained useful as browsers changed.
About
Building for the web since 2002.
Subtle Difference is an Australian web design and development firm based on the Sunshine Coast. Stephen Neate works directly across the planning, design, development and long-term support of websites, platforms and custom applications for clients in Australia and New Zealand.
Experience without the museum tour
The web changed. The job did not get simpler.
SD has worked through the early standards era, responsive design, large publishing systems, modern APIs and the current wave of AI-assisted tools.
That experience helps us judge which decisions will still matter after the current trend has passed.
02
Responsive by default
Mobile stopped being a separate version and became part of every content, interface and performance decision.
03
Platforms and APIs
Websites grew to handle publishing, listings and integrations, with business data moving between them every day.
04
AI-assisted work
New tools change how quickly work can be explored and produced. Judgement still decides what is useful, accurate and maintainable.
Direct involvement
The person discussing the work is involved in doing it.
Stephen works across planning, design, development, platform decisions and long-term support. You can work through changes with someone who knows the project.
01
Plan around the real job
Start with the audience, the business requirement and what has to remain manageable after launch.
02
Use the simplest suitable foundation
We choose a managed platform, integration or custom application according to what the job needs.
03
Stay responsible afterwards
We continue with hosting, support and improvements after launch.
One operating history
2002
to now
Websites
Business, publishing and association sites designed to keep changing.
Platforms
RealMosaic and RealOnline, built and supported by SD.
Applications
Custom CodeIgniter systems where a standard website or platform does not fit cleanly.
Long-term relationships
Long-term means the site gets to change.
Many SD relationships have continued through several versions of the client's website and several generations of web practice.
We keep developing the website as the business and its systems change.
View selected workThe next project
Tell us what needs to work better.
A short brief is enough. Include the current site or system, the awkward part and any timing that matters.
Send a short brief