About Abacus Web Services and David Grace:

Abacus Web Services, established in 1999, has raised the bar in the delivery of unique custom web sites. They deliver innovative and affordable web site solutions specifically designed to capture the increased business in their given market place.

The Past Prior to the development of Abacus Web Services, David spent 18 years as an electronics company executive. During that time, it was crucial that the equipment his clients bought from him consistently met their high standards for usability, functionality, and cost performance ratios. Then, as now, superior customer service was the key to his success.

More recently, David started and ran a profitable gourmet tea import business, which gave him the opportunity to apply his skills and experience to building a business from the ground up. He took advantage of the latest developments in computer and Internet technology, explored new techniques in marketing and networking, and applied his experience as he built this business.

Today In 1999, Abacus Web Services was born. David’s focus since then has been driven by his clients’ successful web sites. His custom designs are search-engine and user-friendly to maximize potential impact. He has the experience, expertise, systems, and resources to develop world-class web sites that position you, and your business, above your competition.

One-On-One Service When you allow Abacus to design and develop your web site, you have one contact: the owner. David’s strength in web services is his one-on-one service to his clients. If you prefer to deal with a 30-person team, being passed like a football from one to the other, then you may want to continue shopping. If you would like to deal directly with your designer, David answers his own phone and email, then he’ll invite you to contact him for a free estimate.

David’s success as a web designer has revolved around his philosophy that direct communication will always result in a more positive professional relationship and, subsequently, a more successful web site for you.

David Grace
Born Glasgow, Scotland a few year ago……….
Married with one fantastic daughter
2003 & 2006 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year finalist
Charter member Lakewood Ranch Rotary AM, Treasurer 2002 – 2003
Past Technology writer for Around The Ranch
President of Lakewood Ranch Business Leaders 2004 - 2005
Member and guest speaker of Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Member Better Business Council

The Interview

<DropTheMike> Like many others, you came into the industry early on in its infancy but well into your own career. What was it that made you want to jump onto the information super highway?

<David Grace> Moved from Scotland in 1997 and wanted to get out of the tech business, we were electrical wholesalers. I started a tea import business and everyone asked us if we had a web site. My wife said ‘you are technical you can build a web site’ so I bought FrontPage and did. I sold the tea business in 2001 to focus full time on the web.

<DropTheMike> You have been in business since 1999, that’s 9 years in an industry that has had it’s share of ups and downs. What were some of the challenges you faced early on? How do they compare to the challenges you face today?

<David Grace> Early challenges were building the client base and trying to understand a fair way to bill for my time. There was so much I didn’t know how to do, so much to learn. Through my own hands-on time and through my team members I have pushed the technical reach of my business. In this business it is continuous learning or it is time close the door. That is the key challenge, to stay up-to-date with changing technical need and to keep my services relevant to my clients.

<DropTheMike> Inevitably in this business you eventually need to rely on a third-party for one service or another (domains, hosting, email, SEO etc.). Knowing what you know now, what advice would you share to someone when they are looking for a provider for any given service?

<David Grace> Go after quality service just picking a service based on lowest price could be dangerous to your business health. For web hosting a poor vendor will cost you a fortune in support time. On the other hand a first class vendor will save you a lot of time, keep your customers happy and give you further service that you can confidentially offer to your clients. If you are considering swapping to a new web hosting vendor try a couple of test accounts first and issue a trouble ticket and place a call to support to see the response times and quality.

Don’t be scared to hire people smarter than you. Surrounding yourself with high caliber staff is a win win situation.

<DropTheMike> After 9 years of being “the guy” are there any plans to expand?

<David Grace> We have grown a good clip over the last 4 years and my intention is to keep that progress steadily rolling along while maintaining quality service.

<DropTheMike> Is there anything you would have done differently 9 years ago, knowing what you know now? Anything that you were surprised became a revenue stream for you?

<David Grace> My revenue stream is pretty much in-line with my bread and butter butter business of web development and I try not to stray too far from that. I have done well with web hosting reselling and add on email services and have always tried to grow them. I tried online back-up services a few years and got inquiries but no sales, maybe I was too early for that but I had to drop that one.

Domain registration remains profitable but a lower level. The domain market changed so quickly from when people would phone me because they didn’t know where to go to register a domain, to where most new prospects come onto me with a ready registered domain. I guess we would call that a game changing shift.