Web strategy can be daunting, especially for a small business owner who already has too much to do. One aid is a company like Apple Valley-based Netspace, which does search engine optimization and Web design. Founder Barb Parks talks about puzzles, technology, and making people happy.
How did the company get started?
Netspace was the result of an idea to provide small and mid-sized companies with robust Internet marketing tools and strategies comparable to those used by Fortune 1000 companies.
Netspace combines highly personal service to small and mid-sized business owners with Internet business solutions on the cutting edge of technology, including preferred search engine placement, e-mail marketing, online yellow pages placement, e-commerce enabled Web sites, and general marketing services--both offline and online.
What got you personally interested in doing this kind of work?
I have spent my career working nearly every angle of the technology "puzzle" to optimize the performance of the technology in which my employer, client or I invested. As an employee and as a consultant I have experience in human resources, finance, and IT. In each case, I strived to enhance the impact that people make on an organization by leveraging existing technology or specifying new technology to meet an organization's goals.
I have always enjoyed working with technology, but I get my greatest pleasure helping others solve business and marketing challenges. I provide them with the technology they need without their having to acquire tons of technical knowledge, or wade through technical jargon. I offer my customers the opportunity to advance their businesses with customized Internet-based solutions that will drive customers to their Web site and their brick-and-mortar facility.
Why do you think there's a need for the services you provide?
More than 90 percent of business owners or marketing managers with whom I speak say that they have gotten nothing from their Internet investment.
They have a Web site but it doesn't showcase their products and services properly. Or, nobody can find their company on the Web. I give people an affordable way to make the Internet work for them. In addition to Web site design and hosting, I offer proprietary Web promotion products such as a powerful automated search engine submission program designed to drive traffic to my customers' Web siteŅand to their store or office.
How do you differentiate yourself from competitors?
My focus is on achieving results by building an overall Web strategy to drive customers to the Web site or the storefront--not on building the fanciest or coolest Web site as a simple expense. From the perspective of the business owner or stockholder, a great Web site is one that helps to increase profits and revenues now and in the future, and it is my goal to build an Internet strategy that allows my customers to meet those business goals.
What kinds of challenges do you face in running your business?
My greatest challenge has been to meet my customers' marketing needs while not straying too far from my focus on smart digital solutions. My original plan had not included the composition of newsletters, or logo design, but these and other more general marketing services are ones in which many of my customers are interested, and which I have added.
And, of course, there are the usual start-up challenges of networking to find new clients while giving great service to current clients. Often I work long days or weekends. But that's the reality of starting a new business. I will never compromise service to expand the business.
What do you like best about what you do?
I love seeing my customers' happy reactions when they achieve their business goals as a result of my ideas and hard work.
do you know a Twin Cities company we should cover? Let us know about it. Send your local profile candidates to emillard@computeruser.com.
