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Business Profile

Web on High

In 1999, this was the very question which drove Alan Eager to establish Web on High, a web design and search engine optimisation firm.
Now, as Newbury-based Web on High enters its 10th year in business, you might have wondered whether the message had changed, now that we have all got used to the idea of having a website.  
“Not so,” said Alan Eager. “Nine years on, companies continue to ask me why their website fails to attract enquiries or why their online shop lacks sales.  It truly amazes me to see the number of companies that still have websites which don’t work well. 
“On investigation, quite often we find websites have been hampered by inflated design aesthetics.  They are too flashy and complex, and not easy enough to navigate.  Others have simply not understood the importance of search engine promotion and of marketing the website so that prospective customers searching for their services can find them easily.  The result is that they are not getting enough visitors to the site.
“What has changed in the last 10 years is technology, the way people conduct their research, and their  expectations.  It is natural for us to go straight to the Internet when conducting research. 
"Two thirds of the people who have Internet access  go online every single day. Around 90 per cent of us use search engines, and of those, 80 per cent use Google.  It has become essential to have a website, and now more businesses rely utterly on the web to generate business.
“Technology has steamed ahead with interactive sites, content management, and shopping carts  and even social interaction all taking place via the web.  Enter also broadband, which has transformed the face of Internet access and ushered in an age of much faster and cheaper access.
“In short, it has become more important than ever before to get the basics right when constructing a website – but much harder to achieve good results, because business has become more competitive.  This is why it is so critical to use a web company which understands all this.”
Web On High contact details, tel: (01635) 500840
www.woh.co.uk and ask@woh.co.uk

What do you know about Web on High?
Web on High was created in 1999 as the result of a vision which saw the internet being a truly successful promotional tool for business.  Managing director Alan Eager was adamant  that the internet would be the most important  method of business promotion for years to come.
This is why Web on High focused heavily on search engine promotion to help drive business to client websites - and at the time it was one of the first companies of its type to do it so rigorously.
Time has proved the point, and these days, Web on High continues to invest a significant proportion of its time and resources into ongoing research of search engine mechanics. The team will monitor very carefully the changes instigated by search engines which they know will impact on how Web on High promotes websites to them.
Web on High also works very hard to understand client businesses before even starting to think about web design.  Knowing how a business functions, how it makes profits and which lines generate the greatest margins are fundamental to building a website tailored to a specific area of commerce. The people behind the company have solid commercial and marketing experience as well as knowing their IT and computing, and it is this mix of experience which benefits their clients.
The company ethos is based on honesty, integrity and transparency. Honest answers are given to even the trickiest of questions, and there is ongoing dialogue on both sides.
As Alan Eager explained, he would rather spend extra time getting something right to ensure the result delights both client and himself.
 Web on High’s clients have reaped the benefit of this approach.  Some have been around since the company was founded, and are regarded as part of the family.  They have grown and developed alongside Web on High – and have the business success to show for it.

How do I choose a good web designer?
It is surprising how many overlook quite basic considerations when choosing a web designer. The world is awash with people starting up their own design firm and persuading others to put business their way because they have struck up a good rapport, they have creative flair and the solution offered is affordable.
- Remember that a website is a long term project, so choose a firm which has been in business a long time, is profitable, and likely to be in business next year as well as this. They need to be there to help you expand your business in the future, and to answer your questions on an ongoing basis. All you need to do is ask to see a copy of their accounts.
- When in doubt, phone a friend….   In other words, look for evidence of testimonial quotes, with quotes attributed to the real people.  Even better, ask to speak to some of their customers directly.
- It sounds obvious, but do not just accept their word over the phone - go and see the company for yourself and ask to talk to the members of the team who will be responsible for putting your website together. 
- Look at some of the websites they have created, judge how easy the website is to use, and put it to the test:  see if you can find it easily using one of the major search engines such as Google or Yahoo.

What the customers say
“The website has fundamentally changed the way we do business and improved our profit margin. Despite the fact that a number of our competitors are struggling, we have improved our market share…
“…following the increased search engine promotion work you have undertaken, in August we experienced the most dramatic increase in leads, PayPal orders and sales office orders which were up by a staggering 38 per cent on last August…”
Peter Bowen, managing director, Access Displays Ltd.
“In just over a year, the visitors to the sites have grown from a standing start to in excess of 64,000 visitors per month. I am very happy that I chose Web on High as the ideal partner to provide the most appropriate advice, support and services on this project.”
Gary Lake, vice president, strategic planning, Masco Europe, Masco Corporation Ltd.
“I still am approached twice, sometimes three times a week and nearly all offer me the world if I change to them. Why would I do that when Web on High have never made a claim or promise that they have not followed through with - and more to the point, succeeded with?”
Colin Dennard, director of sales and marketing, Forestdale Hotels Ltd.
“Working with Web on High has certainly been a good decision – our internet orders increased ten fold and the quality of the site has boosted the company image.”
Melanie King, managing director, Easy2Name Ltd.
“It has worked beyond my wildest expectations. I have gone from struggling to find enough work to do, to struggling to keep up.”
Tim Garrett, proprietor, Attic Art.

Invest in your website
Invest in your website and you could generate a real increase in sales and revenue as well as reduce costs.  It is worth the investment, even if you are a small business because online trading is extremely cost effective.  These were just a few of the messages delivered by Alan Eager (pictured above) when he addressed an IoD conference in London last week, to demonstrate practical ways for SMEs to profit through the internet.
 Afterwards delegate, Jamie Houston, head of communications for the Royal Thames Yacht Club, commented: “Fantastic.  It was a very informative and user friendly presentation, that covered many bases. Alan was a very relaxed and informative speaker who clearly has a passion for his job and company.”