Today, we’re talking to Ron Gholson of DataMine Internet Marketing Solutions. DataMine is a web development company in Indiana. Ron Gholson implements marketing strategies for clients.
Hi, Ron! Tell us a bit about DataMine.
DataMine builds websites and web applications for clients across industry segments in both profit and non-profit sector, right here in Gary, Indiana.
DataMine is an internet marketing solution provider. It is our mission to establish a long-term relationship with each client, so that as our clients grow, we grow with them. Ongoing consultation, targeted online reporting and long term market planning are part of our services as well. We empower our clients by sharing our expertise and experience. Our willingness to serve and educate our clients sets us apart from other web developers, consultants and solution providers.
In addition, we offer licensed standardized software applications for content management, scheduling, membership, fundraising, and online marketing. Unlike many firms that outsource services offshore and domestically, our in-house team provides all services and is accessible directly for training and support. We can customize any of our standard solutions to suit specific needs, as well as develop proprietary solutions.
Since 1996, we have developed over 500 solutions across all markets. Examples of our range include: garychicagoairport.com, countylineorchard.com, circlecityclassic.com, indianaparentinginstitute.org, chicagocrusader.com, regionalfcu.org, foxrentacar.mx, ibeonline.com, marquetteparkgary.com, garycsc.k12.in.us and chestertonchamber.com.
There seem to be quite a few non-profit sites in your client list. Do you do something to attract these clients?
As part of our mission of giving back to the community, we offer discounts (50% to 75%) to 501 (c)3 and 501 (c)6 organizations. These clients range from small community development corporations and churches to national membership and event driven organizations. It is our experience that many of these organizations do not have the support staff and funding necessary to develop a high-quality, effective internet presence without additional guidance.
Our experience with NPO’s has enabled us to grow our level of service and commitment, streamline our processes in production and customer service, and better understand the relevance of the organizational conditions we face with each unique client and project, for all market sectors.
What is DataMine’s marketing philosophy?
We use the phrase “We Flex the Web.” Jason (Beres, co-owner of DataMine) and I, were working late one hot summer night in July of 2011. We decided to take a break, drink a cold one and relax for a moment outside on the front steps. Well, right in front of us was a beautiful banana spider spinning its web between our bushes in front of our building. As we watched for what seemed like hours (actually 20 – 30 minutes) this spider meticulously and precisely spun its web (service and attention to detail). We were wondering and contemplating how can we improve our system, our processes, and our company.
Well, lo and behold, just when we thought that the spider was finished after it anchored itself in the middle of the web to certain web lines (touch points of communication), it started to pull on these main web lines (core services) and then released them all of a sudden. The spider did this numerous times. We were wondering what in the hell is this spider doing?
Well, this spider was bending its web in the reflection of the outside porch light. It did this to reflex the light within its web to attract more prey (customers). It worked. The web became inundated with all kinds of insects.
So we decided to “Flex the Web” with our core services to attract and retain customers. We used to host client sites on our own servers, but decided to move our hosting and email services because of the time lost in troubleshooting and managing our servers. After looking at a few companies and their service lines, we decided that Winhost would be our best fit. We moved 60% of all of our websites to your service (roughly 175).
We were then able to concentrate on SEO, which contributed to our growth. So freeing up our time lost in hosting and email management services allowed for us to do what we do best – web design, mobile applications, and branding design. Since then, we have grown 3-fold.
Why did you choose Winhost as your web hosting solution?
Your service lines are similar to ours (hosting platforms, compatible application hosting, SmarterMail, Google Analytics, etc.). Other reasons include:
- Affordable ASP.NET hosting
- Using the latest Window and SQL versionSQL
- SmarterStats
- Easy to use Control Panel
- nopCommerce compliant
- SiteLock
What do you consider to be the key benefits of using the Winhost web hosting solution?
Winhost is affordable, scalable and support-driven.
Which future technologies or trends are you most excited about?
Custom mobile applications. We are seeing more and more of our clients wanting to reach and target all aspects of their perspective audiences.
What do you do outside of DataMine?
I love golf. I’ve been playing for 4 years and I shoot in the 90’s. I love going to church and participating in the service and the community based ministries. I serve on numerous civic organization within my city (as a board / executive member). I mostly enjoy being with my family (wife and 3 daughters). we travel a lot and enjoy one another’s company. And I’m expecting my first grandchild! And yes, it’s another girl!
That’s great, Ron! You must be very excited! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.
