by David Chapman
Staff Writer
In the past 10 years, marketing a business has become more about clicking than flipping — clicking online instead of flipping through pages, that is — and that trend isn’t going away. Such a shift in paradigms has helped make local company Web.com boom even amid the uncertain economy that permeates the business landscape.
And because of that, it doesn’t appear Web.com is going away anytime soon, either.
“Things are going really well,” said David Brown, Web.com CEO and chair. “Morale is great and we’ve had a very strong, steady Q1 ... we’re seeing stability in our marketplace and our profitability has never been better.”
The company’s success means small businesses, both locally and across the world, are further accepting the Internet’s role in their own success and growth.
The company, with headquarters off Gran Bay Parkway just west of Bayard, offers numerous services including both “We-do-it” and “Do-it-yourself” Web site design, search engine optimization for increased visibility, targeted online marketing, domain registration, Web site hosting, product sales and just recently, logo design for brand recognition. In effect, it’s a one-stop shop for small business Web needs, said Corporate Communications Manager Olga Gikas.
And though no small business has the same wants or needs, Brown has seen the rising trend for online services needs.
“Small businesses are turning to the Internet to market themselves, especially locally,” said Brown. “The medium itself has really become a requirement.”
Brown said success has come from a combination of being in the right field and “happening to have the wind behind us,” among other things, but even with the accolades and earnings, the company’s heart and values remain with helping small businesses succeed.
“Our mission is that it works for them,” said Brown. “We want to serve small businesses and help them achieve success ... it’s more than just giving them a Web presence, it’s about making it work for them.”
The company is also working for Jacksonville. With more than 300 people employed at its headquarters, Web.com contributes to the local workforce and is doing something in a down economy that not many others are: it’s rapidly growing its workforce.
“We’re still growing and we still have jobs,” said Gikas. “It’s just part of the value we add to Jacksonville and David Brown is extremely committed to the area.”
Brown, a Jacksonville native, worked for Barnett Bank for many years before moving away a couple times for different endeavors, but he always moved back.
“It’s the best place I could think of to work and raise a family,” he said.
Tired of moving and business opportunities from friends in other cities, he grew his own roots by creating Website Pros more than 10 years ago with a focus on “do-it-yourself” Web design. A growing success, in 2007 it merged with Atlanta-based Web.com for the aggregate purchase price of $129 million. It kept the Web.com and remained in Jacksonville.
But, like the Internet itself, Web.com isn’t just Jacksonville-centric. The company now has offices in eight U.S. cities and two Canadian cities, with a total workforce of close to 850 people.
It’s his workforce that keeps the engine running smoothly, but it’s not one that fits the average mold. Instead of simply relying on resumes, education and accolades, Brown and Web.com have a tweaked approach to looking at potential members of their workforce.
“We have a unique appeal and a mixture of employees unlike any other Internet company,” said Brown. “We look for good character and good human beings ... that’s our secret.”
That philosophy, said Gikas, helps translate into a better working environment that produces results — from office interactions to customer service relations and beyond — and brings positive results in more than just the bottom line.
With the initial and continued success, Brown said the future looks bright for both Web.com and the present and future clients he is looking to serve. His philosophy of “not how many, but how well” works and with the success comes notoriety among his peers, competitors and the general public — but the accolades aren’t something he seeks.
“We’re a very quiet group,” said Brown. “We’re here to serve small businesses, not make headlines.”
Unless, of course, it’s a headline produced for one of his Web.com’s Web sites.
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