Back when the Internet was just getting off the ground, Web design
often consisted of a few technology-savvy graphic designers fooling
around with HTML. Today, Web development companies are much more robust
-- giving advice on strategy, branding, and marketing through the Web.
Dallas-based NetSuccess is no exception, garnering
success for its clients through the power of the Internet. Vice
president of sales Eric Williamson talks about getting started,
opportunities, and getting young golfers clicking.
How did NetSuccess get started?
NetSuccess was founded in 1995 when most people were just trying the
Internet for the first time, and not many companies were online except
the Fortune 500s. Our company founder noticed the increasing need for
our services across several industries and parlayed her keen business
sense, eye for design, and marketing experience into a small Web design
shop running on a shoestring budget. She created the company's core
values around providing our clients with a high-quality total solution,
all under one roof, complemented by quick and personal customer service.
By maintaining the focus on these key attributes, her gamble paid off
and NetSuccess has become one of the best Web design/ development
companies in our industry.
Why do you feel there is a need for what you provide?
The numbers don't lie. Total B2B/B2C e-commerce revenues recently
broke the $1 trillion mark, and the US alone accounts for approximately
half of that. A Web site is the only way for a company to compete for a
piece of that huge pie, regardless of if the company actually sells
products from their Web site or just provides quality information and
services. The Internet has shifted the power of information to the buyer
and companies today recognize that they must have a professionally
designed Web site in order to compete and survive.
What kind of challenges do you find in doing Web design now, that
might not have existed when companies were first putting Web sites up?
In the beginning, Web sites were nothing more than an extension of a
company's conventional print advertising slapped into HTML for people to
read only. Fast forward to a well-designed Web sites today and you'll
notice that it understands and incorporates how people actually
"experience" the Web by providing Web-friendly content and interactivity
among other things.
Some of biggest challenges for Web developers today are: fully
understanding the online behavior of a target market for every different
project; educating our clients on how they can improve some of their
daily business processes with their Web site; and keeping up with
technology. I think the next real challenge that professional Web
developers will have to overcome will be learning how to successfully
create Web sites that are optimal for wireless devices like PDA's, cell
phones, etc.
What's been one of your favorite projects?
One of the most enjoyable projects that we are actively involved in
is a junior-golf Web site for one of the major professional golf
associations. The overall design is kid-friendly and incorporates tons
of information for young golfers, their parents, as well as golf program
directors. We have really helped them with a grass-roots marketing
effort including logo creation, flash gaming, e-cards, hats, and even a
commercial using flash animation and live action. It has been really
incredible to watch their traffic go through the roof. They went from
zero visitors to averaging over 20 thousand visits per month.
do you know a local company we should cover? Let us know about it.
Send your local profile candidates to emillard@computeruser.com.
