I was evaluating Web site-building online tools for a .org site I was building and signed up for a free evaluation of Homestead’s tools. They were very nice and easy to use but what really struck me was the personal phone call I received from a Homestead sales person. It wasn’t a hard sell – they seemed really interested in my business and focused on helping my organization save money and put together a nice site.
We ended up going another (totally free) direction, but that’s another story.
|
Homestead’s combination of easy-to-use Web-based software with a bit of personalized handholding is an approach that should appeal to many small businesses.
Intuit’s acquisition of the company greatly strengthens its small biz push. Now, Intuit can sell you the software to run the back-end of your business with QuickBooks, from accounting to inventory management, as well as the services, from Web site building to e-commerce capabilities, to drive the front-end serving customers online. The move aligns Intuit to better compete with online-first players, especially Yahoo and Microsoft, both of which target small businesses online.
“Homestead helps us solve one of small businesses’ highest priorities – attracting customers – by helping them succeed on the Web,” said Brad Smith, senior vice president of Intuit’s small business group, in a statement.
Homestead’s Web and e-commerce tools include 2000 pre-built templates, a what-you-see-is-what-you-get site editor, Web analytics tool and a range of e-commerce/shopping cart capabilities via its Storefront product.
Those software tools are combined with services. For instance, you can talk to a Homestead designer to help you build your site. Or work with a Homestead Searchlight specialist to plan an online ad campaign.
Add Intuit to that equation and you get something that should appeal to any smartbiz.
Read more about Intuit’s acquisition. Visit Homestead now.
