Business Profile

i3web

“The real thrill is seeing our clients’ businesses growing and succeeding,” said web specialist John Laker, the managing director of West Berkshire website development and management group i3web.
“The effects on a smaller business of a properly constructed website, where the web strategy is built on the business strategy, can be truly amazing, dramatic bottom-line growth is there for the taking if, and let me stress if, the website is correctly planned, strategised and inventively managed.”
The concept is simple.  Business should not be a slave to technology; technology should be servant to business.
“Many of my clients originally had a website simply because they believed they should have one. No-one had spent the time or effort with them to analyse their actual business needs or aims – whether those be lead generation, increased sales, customer care, efficient promotion or anything else.
“There is little point in looking at the technology and asking, ‘what can I do with it?’ Effective business led web development,”said Mr Laker, “is not about merely throwing high-tech tricks or excessive functionality at a website.  Our approach is to look at the client’s business model, it's aims, strategies and current position and ask how correctly applied technologies can move all that forward.”
Talking in the context of i3web’s launch of packages for small to medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, Mr Laker went on to explain that he came into technology with a robust business background so his approach is commercially- focused and not just technical.
“From the mid-90s I was heavily involved in an SME importing and distributing to high street retailers.  There were only four of us, so we didn’t have the luxury of an IT department.  Multi-tasking was a must as in many small businesses.  On top of my critical role running sales and marketing I was also fitting in database design, application and website building with a vital need to make us more productive. 
“My whole approach had to be about getting the technology to work for us, which we achieved with success."
Now Mr Laker and i3web have a service dedicated to delivering similar success to its clients. “I have also seen the vast quantities of money big business throws at web development,” he said, “and I know exactly what can be achieved without having to commit budgets smaller companies can’t afford.
“Having said that, smaller companies today cannot afford not to have an effective web presence.
“Which means it all comes down to value – and I know from experience that you can achieve far more with knowledge, experience and creativity than you can by splashing out huge wads of cash to techies who don't necessarily have a feel for business.”
That is why i3web takes a slightly different approach to that of many website designers.
Email: johnlaker@i3web.co.uk 
Mobile: 07527 327091