A reliable internet connection is essential in today’s digital world. Tom Bolling, communications lead at WhyFiber, faces the challenge of guiding over 1,400 residents in choosing an internet provider. Many resist change, and with time running short, Tom needed a solution to help residents make informed decisions.
The Sawgrass Association Board secured a contract with Comcast to upgrade their fiber-optic network, promising faster speeds, better service, and potential savings for homeowners. However, they needed 50% of residents to approve a Covenant amendment, which was difficult, with many needing to be more informed and present.
The impact of Web.com’s QuickStart on WhyFiber
To tackle this, Tom used Web.com’s QuickStart Website Design Service. He created a website that clearly explained the importance of voting, successfully engaging the community and keeping them informed.
We asked Tom questions about this decision, and he was happy to answer.
Q1: Why is it important for you to have an online presence?
“We are not your typical client. I am the lead member of a communications committee tasked with providing information that will help over 1,400 residents to make an informed decision about their internet provider.
The audience is apathetic, not current, and “stuck in place” with regard to whether they would be comfortable with any change in their internet provider.”
After acknowledging their unique client persona, he also shared the requirements for their website to serve its purpose. Saying, “…our website needed to be simple, reflective of (the) technology, and easy to edit as information changes.”
Q2: How easy would you describe the process of working with the Web.com team to deliver your QuickStart website?
After sharing his experience in advertising agencies and creative enterprises, like film editorial companies and internet studios, he was quick to say that “…I am not kidding when I tell you that your process is superb. I wish we had discovered and instituted some of your customer service protocols. It was extremely easy to connect and set conference call dates/times.”
He also has nothing but good things to say about their project manager with Web.com, saying, “My contact, Jillian, made every encounter positive and productive. When things were needed faster than normal, she was able to accommodate my requests. When the rare mistake was discovered, Jillian was often ahead of me and on top of the situation. I don’t know whether this is the cultural norm at Web.com, or a quality that Jillian brought to my encounters, but I can honestly say that I experienced a culture of caring and bringing joy to a working relationship.”
Tom also added that, “At the beginning of this project, I was asked many questions which I assumed were part of making sure that QuickStart got off to a positive start. I found this part very helpful, and it conditioned me to be as well prepared as I could be each time we spoke.”
Q3: What is your favorite aspect of QuickStart website design services?
“…My favorite aspect of the QuickStart design service is that your team takes care of the technical aspects of website design and production, and I never had to worry about anything other than what my content needed to be.”
Additionally, he said that it’s also a great experience to be part of the process, saying, “in some instances I was able to provide very specific creative direction.”
Whether with his creative requests or letting Web.com’s team take the reign, “we always ended up in a good place.”
QuickStart for him was: “Very simple. Very easy. Very cool.”
Finally, he said that “the QuickStart program could become a very strong product line for you guys. Both for more knowledgeable people like me, and even more important, people who have the need to have a web presence and don’t want to have to bother with all of the “back room” aspects of web design.”
10 tips for businesses looking to build their online presence
Drawing from the experience of WhyFiber and their collaboration with Web.com’s QuickStart service, here are some tailored tips to help your business establish a strong online presence:
Understand your audience
Like what Tom and his team did, know who you’re trying to reach. WhyFiber needed to engage over 1,400 homeowners, many of whom were apathetic or resistant to change.To effectively connect with these residents, they crafted messages that addressed their specific concerns and needed to make the information relevant and compelling.
Invest in user-friendly design
Investing in a professional website was a key strategy for WhyFiber. Recognizing that their audience wasn’t tech-savvy, they emphasized simplicity and ease of navigation. The website needed to showcase the benefits of the new fiber-optic network, so it was important that the design was modern and engaging.
Utilize professional services
To handle the technical aspects of the site, Tom partnered with Web.com’s QuickStart Website Design Service, so his team focused on content. Working with professionals made it easier to implement specific creative directions and ensure the website met their needs.
Prioritize high-quality content
WhyFiber focused on delivering clear and concise information about the upcoming vote and the benefits of the new services. They made sure that the website was easy to update as details changed, keeping residents informed in real-time.
Engage with your community
Engaging with the community was also important. WhyFiber included contact information to make it easy for residents to reach out with questions or concerns. By providing detailed information and a platform for feedback, they encouraged community involvement ahead of the important vote.
Ensure easy editing and updates
To ensure smooth operations, the team needed a website that was simple to update as new information became available. QuickStart provided that flexibility, and with support from Web.com, Tom and his team could make changes without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Focus on effective communication
They addressed potential apathy by making the content engaging and directly relevant to the residents’ interests.
By highlighting benefits, like cost savings and improved services, they motivated homeowners to participate in the vote.
Plan for challenges
Understanding that reaching 50% of residents would be challenging, they used the website as a strategic tool to overcome this hurdle. The team was prepared to adjust their approach based on the residents’ responses and engagement levels.
Create a positive user experience
Ensuring the website loaded quickly helped keep residents engaged, while an accessible design made the site usable for everyone, regardless of their tech proficiency.
Express appreciation and build trust
By sharing their journey and efforts transparently, they built trust within the community. Tom highlighted the positive experience with Web.com, fostering goodwill and demonstrating the value of collaboration.
Through these strategies, WhyFiber effectively built an online presence that not only informed residents but also encouraged them to take action.
Web.com: Your long-term success partner
Here at Web.com, we always put our customers and their goals top of mind. WhyFiber might not be the typical client we work with, but we make sure they get the best from us.
Our partnership played a crucial role in overcoming communication challenges and, of course, achieving their goals. So, if you’re one who’s having a rough time bringing your online vision to life, our QuickStart Design Service might be the partner you need to set up a long-term online success!
