Jerry's Homes employs the latest technology in newly launched content-rich Web site

Wednesday, November 12, 2008, Urbandale, IA

Marking 50 years, Des Moines home builder focuses on the customer experience.

"Make it easy for our customers and make it easy for us, too." Those were the marching orders from Amy Blaess, director of marketing at Jerry's Homes, when the company embarked on the development of a technologically advanced Web site earlier this year. The site, www.jerryshomes.com, launched to the public Oct. 24.

Partnering with Trilix Marketing Group, Urbandale, the Jerry's Homes team set out to build an online experience that would inspire its customers.

"The experience a customer has online is often their first impression and tells them what they should expect when they work with a business," says Todd Senne, president of Trilix Marketing Group. "If a Web site is difficult to navigate, looks outdated or ‘cookie-cutter,' the customer will expect the same when they interact with you in person. That's why strategy is so important in Web development. It's not just a site, it's a very important relationship experience."

With offices in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Jerry's Homes needed to reach a wide audience. Potential homeowners from throughout Iowa - and the world, in fact - are now able to view properties, learn about communities, explore the design process, contact the listing agent directly and move effortlessly throughout the site. Importantly, they'll be able to find anything on the site in about three clicks.

Interactive plat maps have been added to enable home buyers to choose a city then drill down to Jerry's Homes communities where they'll click through to a plat map. The map allows them to see which lots are available and immediately view the home style, price and amenities.

"Most clients come to us with Web sites that are five or six years old, with so much content pieced together that visitors become frustrated with the navigation and usability and abandon the site," Senne says. "That's not the experience you want your customers - and prospective customers - to remember about your business."

Staff-friendly, too

While the public face of jerryshomes.com is designed to be a content-rich customer experience, the back-end functionality of the site is an essential component for a successful online presence.

"Web sites are a lot like television," Senne explains. "If the visitor sees the same old thing each time they visit, they'll stop tuning in. The content of an effective Web site must change continually to keep the information fresh and keep the visitor interested."

To facilitate the updating process, Trilix recommends that clients include a content management solution that allows them to make simple content changes, upload photos and add information themselves.

"There are some elements of a Web site that are so complex it only makes sense for your technology provider to manage them, but when it comes to content, there is no reason why a client shouldn't be able to make changes when needed without having to wait on - or pay - someone else to do it," he says.

Jerry's Homes employees are able to log into their admin section, upload content, change offers, add new listings and update their inventory status so the visitor is always getting the most current information. For Jerry's Homes, the decision to work with Trilix was the right one.

"Trilix managed to capture the magnitude of what we were looking for in our site, and translate that into a form that is simple for us to maintain and, more importantly, user-friendly and engaging for our buyers," Blaess, adds. "As a client, you know where you need to go but not always how to get there. Thanks to Trilix, we are well on our way."

About Jerry's Homes

Jerry's Homes, Inc. is dedicated to building the highest quality and most affordable homes in the Des Moines and Cedar Rapids metropolitan areas. Skilled builders with more than 50 years of proven experience, Jerry's Homes offers a solid portfolio of award-winning designs in townhome, condo, row home and single-family floor plans. In 2008, Jerry Grubb and Jerry's Homes celebrate their 50th Anniversary - building longer than any other home builder in Greater Des Moines. Jerry's Homes was awarded the Energy Star 2008 Leadership In Housing Award and was presented the #1 Builder in the State for Energy Star Tested Homes by Mid-American Energy.

About Trilix