Back In 1996, when computers were still the size of small appliances and dial-up internet access was considered cutting-edge, I had just learned how to make basic websites. My “office” was a tiny apartment in Washington, DC, where a bed and a desk were actually the same thing. I had this great idea (or so I thought) to create something called a ‘website’ to link all the stores in Georgetown.

I bought a domain name called www.shopgeorgetown.com, put on my best (and only) suit and went door-to-door trying to sell my new website directory – one site with everything Georgetown had to offer. The value was apparent to me, but after months of trying to explain my concept to local merchants I realized I was a little ahead of my time. People weren't quite ready to buy something they couldn’t touch or see… not yet anyway. Although ShopGeorgetown.com didn't make it, I learned the importance of web strategy, and the level of service and support necessary for small business owners.

By 1998, with the crazy Dot Com boom in full swing and two whole years of web development under my belt, I was ready to launch my next great idea: JoeRomance.com, a site for men to be romantic and sensitive even though they are not. The concept was unique, inventive and brilliant -- articles on how to buy a diamond ring, ideas for weekend getaways, a mad-lib style love letter generator, metro-sexual grooming products… you name it, we had it. I was in final negotiations to raise a few million dollars for Joe Romance to go big-time, when, boom, the bottom dropped out. The dot com bust hit, every cent of my venture capital disappeared and poor Joe Romance never saw the light of day. But during that time I learned something truly revolutionary: how to create a system to post content to a website without any real programming knowledge. Eureka!

In 2000 I started DC Web Designers. There weren’t any web-authoring tools for non-programmers at the time, so companies paid a fortune to developers for simple website changes. I envisioned a simple tool that would change this dynamic and transfer control from the designers to the clients. I began working on a Content Management System (or CMS) and later that year SmartSite was born: web based software that would allow everyday computer users to add, edit, and delete their website content.

It’s now 2010 – a decade may have come and gone, but not much has changed from my original goal. Our SmartSite CMS has been installed in over 80% of our projects; whether it’s a local business, a regional company, or a national or international organization, SmartSite is customized to fit the individual needs of each and every client. Our client roster has grown to include the likes of World Bank, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Harvard, Virginia Tech and George Washington Universities, Swissport America Airlines, The US Army and many, many more. Pardon the shameless self-promotion, but we’ve come a very, very long way from JoeRomance.com.

Today, DC Web Designers is recognized as a premier design and development company. We have grown our product line to accommodate almost every need and budget, and now offer a variety of consulting services to help organizations organize and plan successful website projects. Most importantly we have stayed true to our tagline, and continue to produce websites that are Smart and Good Looking.

I want to thank you for your business and for tagging along with us on this incredible journey.

Sincerely,
Mark Cyphers
President, DC Web Designers