martes, 27 de marzo de 2012
Web-Wagon aims to promote small businesses with a web presence
By Carolyn B. Edwards BCC Staff Writer
"It's becoming more and more important for a business to have a website to succeed," said Web-Wagon owner Larry Haddad.
These days, when someone needs a product or service, they no longer turn to the Yellow Pages, they access the Internet through their computers or cell phones.
Haddad, who also creates The Courier's Caddo Kountree cartoon strip, started Web-Wagon in the fall of 2011.
"I had done web-site design for years, but not in a long time," said Haddad. "Then someone asked me if I could do a web-site for his business and I said yes." That was the start of the growing business, which now has an office at 327 Main Street in Bandera.
Haddad likes to meet his clients face-to-face. "I like to get a feel for the customer's personality and business philosophy," he said. "Then we can work toward communicating that on the website."
Web-Wagon is a purely in-house company. "I build the web-site right there in the office," he said. "We don't outsource our product." Larger web-site design firms often charge a client for the design process, but send the actual production out of the country for cheaper rates. These design firms also buy the domain name for the business and then host the site. If a customer wants to change something on the site, the design firm has to do it and they charge for makng the changes.
Haddad likes to design basic web-sites that are owner friendly and owner manageable.
"I set it up and I make it simple to use and to make changes," said Haddad. If a business owner wants Haddad to manage the site, he'll be happy to, but "you can do it yourself." Twenty years ago, when web-sites were done completely by complex computer language codes, amateurs had to find a professional to do them, but "now it's pretty simple to manage and maintain.
"I believe the web-site is the property of the owner and the owner should be able to access it and make changes," said Haddad.
Sometimes older businesses fail to see the need for a web presence. "They are used to operating by word of mouth, but if you are a newer business, or an older business that wants to reach out to new customers, you need a site," advises Haddad. "Anybody under 35 will go to their smart phone or computer to find what they are looking for."
On-line shopping continues to increase every year, advises Haddad. "Thirty-five percent of Americans have smart phones with Internet access. Ninety-five percent look for products and services before going anywhere else. People traveling look up restaurants, places to stay and things to do online. If your business is a service, like plumbing, new people in town don't know you and they'll look for plumbers online."
Haddad says that for a small business, the web-site does not have to be complex or expensive. "It's probably one of the least expensive forms of advertising. You're available to customers 24/7."
Haddad charges around $50 an hour for his services. Setting up a 3-page site, personalized and optimized to pop up near the top of various search engines, will cost about $300-$500.
That does not include the price of the domain name or the monthly fee to the host. Currently, Texas Business On-Line is offering a great bargain for small business owners, hosting a 3-page site and a domain name at no cost for one year.
Haddad does not host web-sites, but he'll help his clients find the best fit for their business. "It floors me how much some people are paying monthly for the creator of their site and for their hosting site," he said.
"If you are selling a product, I can set up an e-commerce site for you, too," said Haddad.
As part of his design services, Haddad will also design a custom logo and other items that help convey the spirit of the business.
"I'll admit that this is a business and it's about trying to make money, but for me, it's more than that," he said. "It's about trying to create more visibility for a small business."
Haddad has designed web-sites for Amber Lasater Painting & Woodworks and the Feed Barn in Pipe Creek.
For more information, go to his own website at
Web-Wagon.com
email him at
gowebwagon@gmail.com
or call 830-796-7076.
As Haddad's business motto says, "Go web, my friend, go web."
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