Please introduce your company and describe your role as CEO within the organization.

Internet Design & Publishing, Inc. is a web development company located in Kansas City, Missouri. IDP designs, develops and builds professional websites for clients.  As the owner and CEO I am responsible for a lot of the day to day operations and client relationships. I work on client proposals and scope of work, project management, quality control, web hosting and overall company performance.  As a small business owner, I wear a lot of hats.

What inspired the story behind founding or leading this company?

I founded IDP in 2003. I started building websites over 20 years ago. I have always had a passion for developing and launching websites for the world to see. My goal was to start my own business and quit my teaching job. In 2005 I was able to quit teaching and devote myself to IDP full time.

What is your company’s core business model – do you use an in-house team, third-party vendors, or a hybrid outsourcing approach?

We are a web development shop.  IDP has full time programmers working in house as regular W-2 employees.  Programming and web development is very complicated and detailed work.  It requires a lot of day to day communication with your developers.  We have never had any luck with outsourcing to contractors. IDP is able to build websites quickly and efficiently with our full time programmers on staff.

How does your company differentiate itself from competitors in a crowded market?

Expertise.  25 years experience building websites. Websites have evolved many, many times over the years.  Our understanding of how to properly code and build SEO friendly, ADA Compliant, Mobile Friendly, Fast and Professional websites is unmatched.  IDP is not an Ad Agency.  Our focus is on web development and execution.

What are the primary industries or sectors you serve, and how has that focus evolved over time?

IDP will build any type of website.  Marketing websites, corporate websites and E-Commerce websites. Over the years we have acquired a lot of insurance company websites.  IDP has also evolved into working for Ad Agencies. Agencies are often poor at web development execution. We work for Agencies and program their designs bringing them to life.

What are the most in-demand services or solutions that clients approach your company for?

WordPress development, Drupal Acquia development and web hosting.

How do you personally stay ahead of industry shifts when most data is already yesterday’s news

Survival. If you don’t constantly reinvent yourself and your skills in the web development industry you are out of business.  You have to be open to change and embrace new technologies.  When challenges like ADA Compliance and Cookie Compliance management appear, you have to look at them as opportunities.

Do you have a significant percentage of repeat clients? If so, what strategies contribute to that loyalty?

Yes.  Most of our business is referrals, agencies and repeat clients.  Do good work at a good price.  Make sure projects are successful and see them thru to the end.

How do you measure and ensure high customer satisfaction in your operations?

Listening to your client and good communication.  Incorporate feedback from client and make sure they are happy.  See the project thru to completion.

What kind of post-project support do you provide to address client queries or ongoing needs?

Ongoing maintenance and web hosting.  CMS training and SEO recommendation.s  Speed optimization and security work.

Describe your pricing and billing structure – is it fixed cost, pay-per-milestone, or another model?

For ongoing maintenance and small requests we generally bill hourly.  For larger requests and projects we work off of a Scope of Work fixed price.

What is the typical price range for projects you’ve handled in the past year, and how do you balance affordability with value?

$5k – $25k average range.  Very large range because every website project is very different.  It all depends on the scope of work and project detail.  Number of pages, functionality requirements, type of website and other details.

Have you turned down projects based on budget or scope? If so, what are your minimum requirements?

Not really.  We can typically execute even really small projects.  I’m always open to any new clients and work.

What key challenges has your company faced in the last few years, and how did you overcome them?

Some of our clients were switching away from WordPress and going to Drupal Acquia.  We decided to become Drupal Acquia experts and continue to service our clients.  This is nothing new.  Over the last 25 years we have learned many different CMS technologies.  We have switched CMS technologies many times over.

How do you foster innovation and adapt to emerging trends in your industry?

Always stay abreast of current development in website technologies and trends.  Embrace new technology.  Don’t hold onto the past.  Move forward quickly and adapt to an ever changing world.

What role does company culture play in your success, and how do you build and maintain it?

Our work has been very stable and most of our developers have been with us for a very long time.  Developers work full time regular schedules.  We work very hard 8-5 Monday thru Friday. I try to never bother our developers after hours or on weekends.

Where do you envision your company in the next 5-10 years? What are your boldest long-term goals?

Continue to build Drupal Acquia enterprise websites. Continue to grow adding new clients and servicing existing clients.  Rebuild all of our older websites on the latest technology and innovation.

How has your leadership style evolved throughout your career, and what influences it?

I delegate work more.  I can’t do everything.  I have to rely on my team and assist them as they need things.

What emerging technologies or market shifts are you most excited about for your company?

AI is going to change everything.  We don’t know exactly how yet. But we are excited to embrace it and adapt and thrive with it.

What advice would you give to aspiring CEOs? Can you share one lesson from your journey that resonates with the business community?

Turn a negative into a positive.  When a new challenge appears, don’t resist it.  Become an expert at it and turn it into an opportunity.  Expertise goes a long way.