Matukaitis Opens Web Site Firm in Lewisburg

A long time professional web designer with roots in the Susquehanna Valley has opened a Web site design firm based in Lewisburg.

Summit Design Studio provides Web site design and web development for businesses. Services include Web site design, web programming, Web site marketing, hosting, professional email addresses and online training. Areas of specialty include designing professional looking, standards-compliant sites for those with a small budget and getting sites to show up on Google in order to increase a client’s business.

“When thinking about websites, I like to draw the analogy of a sign hanging over your store,” said Mike Matukaitis. “If you make your own sign and the sign looks crude, people are going to think ‘if this is how the sign looks, then the products or services can’t be of high quality either’. Your Web site needs to look good because it reflects upon you and your business. My clients understand the importance of establishing a strong web presence, but often don’t have the staff necessary to handle all of the aspects involved. Plus, over the last few years web design has actually gotten more complex instead of simpler because of the emphasis on standards-compliant code. For nearly all businesses I recommend outsourcing the initial Web site design and then try to have the site set up in a way that some of the maintenance can be done in-house. Outsourcing to a pro can be both time-saving and cost effective. We’ve recently created a proprietary process that helps us get initial designs out in three days and to charge a lot less than old-line competitors.”

Matukaitis began his career at the CSIU as an Elementary teacher and became an expert in instructional technology. In 1999, Matukaitis continued to work at the CSIU but left the classroom to become a staff development specialist and web developer. Over the years he launched three successful start-ups and learned how to handle everything from marketing, sales, product design and development to technical support.

“We were always the David vs. Goliath story,” said Matukaitis. “We had to find ways to do a lot with very limited staff and resources. I really enjoy helping small businesses and organizations increase their business with web solutions because I know exactly what it feels like to be the person wearing many hats, trying to do it all.”

In 1999, Matukaitis created an eLearning operation called Academy PA that provided online courses for the State System of Higher Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In addition to designing online courses, he has taught online professional development courses to over 1,600 local K-12 teachers.

During his tenure, Matukaitis created Web sites and web applications (such as a content management system and learning management system) for the State Museum of Pennsylvania, School District of Philadelphia, the Association of Educational Service Agencies and over 80 other clients and grant projects. 

In 2006, Matukaitis co-authored a book for the US Department of Education called “Forum Guide to Elementary/Secondary Virtual Education.”

Summit Design Studio is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.