Heritage Web Solutions, located in Provo, Utah designs custom websites and provides other website-related services. Founded in 2001, Heritage Web Solutions has been recognized by Inc. 500 in 2007 and again in 2008 as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. The company will surpass $20,000,000 in revenues for fiscal year 2008. Heritage currently hosts approximately 15,000 website, all of which have been designed by the company.
The history of Heritage Web Solutions began with the vision of its co-founder and CEO, David Aitken. Mr. Aitken was determined to create a company that could provide custom-designed websites to small and medium sized businesses at a price point that they could afford. The price points range from a low of $199 to as high as $15,000, with $900 being the average.
Services provided by Heritage Web Solutions include the hosting of websites, support and modification of existing websites, e-commerce, flash, web-traffic reporting, database development, marketing and search engine optimization, easy interfaces for updating websites, email accounts and other website-related services. Writing services are also available through the company’s professional writing staff. For a nominal fee, the writing staff will interview the business owner and then prepare the written text to be used on the website.
Good customer service is a landmark of Heritage Web Solutions. The Better Business Bureau reports reflect a sterling track record that Heritage has maintained. In spite of the large number of clients--approximately 15,000—there are no unsatisfied complaints with the BBB. To guarantee excellent customer service, Heritage has established a Priority Accounts Department. This department consists of several highly skilled account mangers and designers. They are available at a moment’s notice to engage a concerned client directly to resolve any issues that may arise.
Small business owners of today need not pay thousands of dollars to have the “look and feel” of a larger, more funded competitor. Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is only a phone call away.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The New Economy
The devastating impact of a “perfect economic storm” has ravaged global markets now for several weeks. Sky-rocketing oil prices of the last several months have recently been joined by the fallout of the mortgage debacle, placing enormous pressures and fear on the global economy, with no relief in sight in the near future. This “perfect storm” has ironically created a new set of opportunities for the entrepreneurial minded. Internet-savvy firms such as Heritage Web Solutions are ideally suited to assist both consumers and businesses to successfully navigate through these troubled economic waters.
What does the typical consumer do in the face of high gas prices and the fear or reality of being counted among the staggering number of unemployed workers? The answer is obvious. More and more, consumers will do their shopping from home where possible. No longer is shopping from home merely a convenience and time saver, but rather a financial necessity and budget saver as well. The “new economy” demands this.
What are the implications this “new economy” has for the business owner? Again, the answer is obvious. For the last several years online shopping has grown at an annual double-digit pace. In 2006 online retail sales totaled $144 billion. This figure grew to $175 billion in 2007. The years that lie ahead will continue to show dramatic increases in online sales. Enormous opportunities lie ahead for businesses with an effective online presence. Business owners without an online presence will become increasingly vulnerable in this “new economy”.
An effective online presence begins with a “pretty face”. First impressions are critical to online sales success. The look and feel of the website must then be complemented by easy navigation, images and copy that are supportive, but not intrusive, effective search engine optimization, and online marketing. The temptation to “do it myself” must be avoided at all costs. The business owner must engage the services of a professional firm that can consult and advise on all aspects of online marketing. The opportunity cost far outweighs the short-term savings. Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is only a phone call away.
What does the typical consumer do in the face of high gas prices and the fear or reality of being counted among the staggering number of unemployed workers? The answer is obvious. More and more, consumers will do their shopping from home where possible. No longer is shopping from home merely a convenience and time saver, but rather a financial necessity and budget saver as well. The “new economy” demands this.
What are the implications this “new economy” has for the business owner? Again, the answer is obvious. For the last several years online shopping has grown at an annual double-digit pace. In 2006 online retail sales totaled $144 billion. This figure grew to $175 billion in 2007. The years that lie ahead will continue to show dramatic increases in online sales. Enormous opportunities lie ahead for businesses with an effective online presence. Business owners without an online presence will become increasingly vulnerable in this “new economy”.
An effective online presence begins with a “pretty face”. First impressions are critical to online sales success. The look and feel of the website must then be complemented by easy navigation, images and copy that are supportive, but not intrusive, effective search engine optimization, and online marketing. The temptation to “do it myself” must be avoided at all costs. The business owner must engage the services of a professional firm that can consult and advise on all aspects of online marketing. The opportunity cost far outweighs the short-term savings. Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is only a phone call away.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Self Built vs. Professionally Built Websites
There are many options for having a web presence in today’s day and age. These options range from building one’s own website to contracting with a large professional design firm such as Heritage Web Solutions to create the design.
Do-it-yourselfers often access one of several WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) programs with template designs, quick-fix buttons, and program-generated code that allows them to drag-and-drop images and content into place. These efforts are then called “a web site”.
In conveying an image of professionalism, the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” could accurately be altered to read “a picture is worth a thousand customers.” A poorly designed, amateur-looking website may in fact do more damage to the image and reputation to a business than having no website at all. “You must have a professional looking website if you want to be taken seriously.” (Entrepreneur, Oct 2003)
For those seeking professional design help, there are many options. As mentioned, large design firms such as Heritage Web Solutions cater to the small to medium sized businesses with limited budgets. There are also a myriad smaller designs firms. Either way, the professional firms are far more capable of creating the professional image a business needs. These professionals understand the latest trends—sites maintain a type of style that is popular across the Web similar to the way fashion designers push fashion trends on the public—the latest coding and programming norms, and they understand the nuances of the programs used to develop a site allowing them to truly design something unique, something tailored to the customer and industry, something that a business owner can be proud of.
Lance Card, senior design manager at Heritage Web Solutions, sums it up succinctly: “The difference between maintaining a WYSIWYG-developed site versus one developed by a professional is the difference between driving a minivan and a Jaguar. People aren’t going to really notice one more minivan amidst the mass traffic they encounter, but that Jag is going to draw attention, and people are going to remember its clean lines, its sleek design, and its great composition.” Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is only a phone call away.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Owning Your Own Future
The troubled financial times the economy is currently being battered by may very well be an opportunity in disguise for would-be entrepreneurs. As attested to by the co-founders of Heritage Web Solutions, many successful businesses have been launched during dire financial conditions. The co-founders, Brad Stone, Leah Young, and Mark Strong, had previously owned a residential mortgage lending company. Over the years they experienced several dramatic ups and downs in the mortgage industry. Sensing an impending down turn, they made the decision to break out of the cycle and launch a new business in 2001. That new business, a website design and hosting company, will gross over $20,000,000 in 2008.
As reported by the U.S. Department of Labor for the week ending Oct. 11, the 4-week moving average for unemployment claims was 483,250. This is a 7-year high and represents a 50% increase from the prior year! The short to mid-term future outlook appears bleak. For those who are or will be directly affected by layoffs, can there a silver lining in this? Are there opportunities there for the taking?
Large businesses often enjoy economies of scale, greater purchasing power, and well-established distribution/marketing systems. However, in troubled financial times they also carry enormous fixed over-head, suffocating payrolls and other operating inefficiencies. Would-be entrepreneurs can often create a start-up business with very little capital and minimal overhead. Heritage Web Solutions began on a shoe-string budget of $1000. They hired a part-time marketer and two technicians, brothers David and Jeremy Aitken, who built the first websites in their home in the evening after their regular day-time jobs. Mark Strong has summarized it by saying: “The key to success is mostly a function of courage and sacrifice. Do your homework first, then go for it”
A concluding word of advice from Strong to the aspiring entrepreneur: “You must have a web presence. Whether you work out of your garage or basement, a professionally designed website allows you to compete on image with the big boys.” Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is just a phone call away.
As reported by the U.S. Department of Labor for the week ending Oct. 11, the 4-week moving average for unemployment claims was 483,250. This is a 7-year high and represents a 50% increase from the prior year! The short to mid-term future outlook appears bleak. For those who are or will be directly affected by layoffs, can there a silver lining in this? Are there opportunities there for the taking?
Large businesses often enjoy economies of scale, greater purchasing power, and well-established distribution/marketing systems. However, in troubled financial times they also carry enormous fixed over-head, suffocating payrolls and other operating inefficiencies. Would-be entrepreneurs can often create a start-up business with very little capital and minimal overhead. Heritage Web Solutions began on a shoe-string budget of $1000. They hired a part-time marketer and two technicians, brothers David and Jeremy Aitken, who built the first websites in their home in the evening after their regular day-time jobs. Mark Strong has summarized it by saying: “The key to success is mostly a function of courage and sacrifice. Do your homework first, then go for it”
A concluding word of advice from Strong to the aspiring entrepreneur: “You must have a web presence. Whether you work out of your garage or basement, a professionally designed website allows you to compete on image with the big boys.” Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is just a phone call away.
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