Jackson Hole, Wyo.-A test of the integration of technology and local commerce will be to see if area businesses continue to invest in their online presences amid the retracting economy.
While some who make or supplement their livelihoods building Web sites reported a noticeable downturn in activity commensurate to the recession, other evidence suggests businesses may now rely more on the Web to have an edge over competing businesses.
“We’ve actually seen an upturn in creative work,” said Circumerro Media founder Latham Jenkins, who heads one of the valley’s top Web site design and branding firms. “There’s a lot of reinvestment online, moving into a more competitive market. If you have three high-end homebuilders, how do you standout in a down economy?”
Recently, Snake River Interiors re-launched its Web site with the help of Scott Neison’s Reboot, a Web site development and IT network business. Jessica Moore, an interior designer with Snake River Interiors who also handles a lot of the firm’s marketing, said the company had decided to re-invest in its Web site and would cut back on some of its print advertising.
“We needed to update our look, especially in the interior design market, where every thing is really design and visually oriented,” Moore said. “We figured it would have more impact.”
While Snake River Interiors continues to do work in large homes, business has been slow recently at the company’s Powderhorn Plaza design store, she said.
Other kinds of businesses not prepared to invest in major Web site renovations may find they now have more options when it comes to having minor work done.
VR Interactive Media, for example, has recently created a relatively low cost program that allows clients to have, say, a few lines of text changed on an existing Web site.
“We’ve streamlined our customer line to handle these requests with a more economically feasible buy-in up front,” said Jed Frumkin of VR Interactive. “Last year we there was a lot of interest from people tired of the old look and trying to get in newer, more robust systems. Now, for example, a lodging company may want to change a few lines instead.”
VR Interactive’s program, which Frumkin said was developed in response to the recession, also allows images to be changed and can add simple blog platforms.
The heads of both Circumerro and VR Interactive said adding social media like blogs can make Web sites more dynamic and appealing to new traffic.
But independent designers may not be able to adapt so adeptly.
Matt Englert, a freelancer who promotes his work on his Web site, SwishDog.com, said business is slow. Englert’s main client was once the valley’s second larges realtor –Real Estate of Jackson Hole, which folded in December.
“It’s pretty quiet right now,” said Englert, who added he remains optimistic. “A lot of people still need more Web site action. Restaurants need their menus online for people to see before they come to town. Or they may want to find a shirt after they left town.” PJH
