Interland and Dex Media Forge Strategic Distribution Partnership
Interland has closed a new channel distribution deal with Dex Media that will reshape how small‑and‑medium‑enterprise owners launch or upgrade their online presence. The agreement lets Dex sell a private‑label version of Interland’s website design and hosting bundle under a fresh brand, Dex Web Clicks. This move positions Interland’s offerings inside Dex’s already robust sales network, while giving Dex a ready‑made digital solution to pitch to its long‑standing directory customer base.
The partnership follows Interland’s decision early this year to pivot toward indirect sales channels. Chairman and CEO Joel Kocher said the collaboration marks “a major step in that direction.” He added that working with Dex, one of the country’s leading Yellow Pages publishers, underscores the trust Dex places in Interland’s technology. The partnership is not merely a distribution arrangement; it is a strategic alignment that leverages Dex’s direct‑sales force and geographic footprint with Interland’s proven web‑design engine.
Dex Media has a history of delivering targeted advertising to local businesses through its Qwest Communications directory. As the exclusive publisher of the White and Yellow Pages for Qwest, Dex has published 259 directories and reaches over 400,000 customers across fourteen states where Qwest is the primary incumbent local exchange carrier. Dex’s sales organization comprises more than 1,000 representatives, each equipped to introduce local advertisers to the full suite of Dex’s digital services.
Interland’s decision to partner with Dex is anchored in the fact that the company’s website design platform is designed for non‑technical owners. With Interland, businesses can launch a professional site without learning code, using a drag‑and‑drop editor that is backed by a design studio for deeper custom work. The solution is priced competitively and can be deployed in days rather than weeks, which is a critical advantage for owners who need an online storefront quickly.
In addition, Interland’s hosting service is built on a highly secure, scalable infrastructure that reduces downtime and speeds up load times - factors that Dex can highlight when demonstrating the value of Dex Web Clicks. The partnership will allow Dex to bundle hosting with design, providing a single point of contact for small businesses that want an all‑in‑one solution. The collaboration taps into Dex’s knowledge of local market nuances, ensuring that the web presence solutions are tailored to the specific needs of businesses in each community.
When Dex’s VP of Internet Products Simon Greenman commented on the new product line, he stressed the benefits to advertisers: “Dex believes that it can better serve its advertisers by helping them establish or improve their online presence and results.” He also noted that Dex’s sales team can clearly communicate the advantages of Dex Web Clicks. The partnership brings together two companies that each have a deep understanding of small‑business marketing, which promises to deliver immediate, tangible value to Dex’s customers.
By integrating Interland’s technology into its sales pipeline, Dex can enhance its digital service portfolio without the overhead of building a new platform from scratch. The arrangement is a win‑win: Interland gains access to a large, ready‑made audience, while Dex strengthens its offering to match the growing demand for reliable web hosting and search‑engine marketing. This strategic move signals both companies’ commitment to helping local businesses thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Dex Web Clicks: A Complete Web Presence Solution for Small Businesses
The core of the partnership is Dex Web Clicks, a turnkey package that bundles website design, hosting, and search‑engine marketing into one simple offering. Designed specifically for small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises, the product provides a polished website, secure hosting, and an integrated marketing plan that guarantees a set number of clicks from search results. The product is slated for launch in Seattle, Dex’s largest market, where its sales force will immediately begin presenting the solution to local advertisers.
Web Clicks stands out because it removes the technical barrier that many small business owners face when trying to get online. The design component uses Interland’s proven platform, allowing clients to choose from a library of professionally crafted templates and customize them with a visual editor. The process can be completed in under a week, giving businesses a quick return on investment and a platform they can easily update as their needs evolve.
Hosting is handled by Interland’s state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, which offers 99.9% uptime and fast page loads. The hosting service also includes daily backups, SSL certificates, and 24/7 customer support. These features ensure that small businesses can focus on their core operations without worrying about website performance or security.
The marketing component of Web Clicks provides a guaranteed number of clicks. Interland’s search‑engine marketing team sets up and optimizes pay‑per‑click campaigns on Google and Bing, adjusting keywords and bids to maximize visibility. The guarantee ensures that customers receive measurable results, making it easier for them to see the value of their investment. This metric is especially attractive to owners who need to justify digital marketing spend to stakeholders.
Dex’s sales representatives have been trained to highlight the value proposition of Web Clicks. They explain how the package offers a cost‑effective, end‑to‑end solution that replaces the need to engage multiple vendors. The unified billing structure simplifies budgeting and reduces administrative overhead. Small business owners can also rely on Dex’s existing relationship with their local community to trust the product’s reliability.
Web Clicks is not just a product; it’s a service ecosystem that supports small businesses from launch to growth. Interland’s design studio remains available for ongoing tweaks, while Dex’s marketing team can scale campaigns as the business expands. This collaborative approach keeps customers within a single ecosystem, fostering long‑term loyalty and reducing churn.
Because the package is private‑labeled, Dex can maintain its brand identity while offering a high‑quality service. Customers see Dex as the provider of the solution, but the underlying technology and support are supplied by Interland. This model allows Dex to keep its competitive edge while leveraging Interland’s expertise, creating a synergy that benefits both parties.
Overall, Dex Web Clicks addresses the most common pain points for small‑business owners: lack of technical know‑how, limited marketing budgets, and the need for reliable performance. By offering a one‑stop shop that guarantees measurable traffic, the partnership positions both companies at the forefront of local digital marketing solutions.
How the Collaboration Expands Reach for Local Businesses Across the Western U.S.
Dex Media’s footprint spans fourteen states, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. With over 400,000 customers and a network of more than 1,000 sales representatives, Dex is already a trusted partner for local businesses seeking advertising opportunities. The new distribution agreement adds a powerful digital tool to Dex’s portfolio, allowing it to serve a broader range of marketing needs.
For businesses in these regions, the collaboration means immediate access to a ready‑made web solution that comes pre‑configured for local search optimization. Interland’s platform automatically integrates geographic keywords and local listings, which boosts visibility in community searches. Dex can present this feature as a local advantage, helping businesses attract customers within their own ZIP codes.
The partnership also lowers the barrier to entry for online marketing. Many small‑business owners hesitate to invest in a website because they fear high costs or complexity. With Dex Web Clicks, the initial cost is bundled, and the process is managed by experts. Dex’s sales force can explain how the investment is protected by a guaranteed click count, giving owners tangible proof of performance.
Interland’s flexible design software means that businesses can modify their sites as they grow. For example, a retailer can add an online store module or a service provider can integrate booking functionality, all without hiring a developer. Dex can highlight this adaptability in its pitches, positioning Web Clicks as a future‑proof solution that scales with a company’s ambitions.
From an operational perspective, the partnership streamlines support. Dex customers already have a direct line to their sales reps for advertising needs; now they can add web hosting and marketing to that same channel. Interland’s technical support is integrated into Dex’s customer service framework, so any issue is resolved through a single contact point. This consolidation reduces confusion and speeds up problem resolution, a key factor for small business owners who cannot afford downtime.
Strategically, the collaboration reinforces Dex’s role as a one‑stop shop for local marketing. By bundling directory ads, digital display, and now web design, Dex creates a more compelling proposition for its existing customer base. The synergy also attracts new prospects who need a comprehensive digital strategy, helping Dex expand its reach and increase sales.
In the broader context of the digital marketing ecosystem, the partnership signals a shift toward integrated solutions that combine content, design, and promotion. For small businesses operating in the Western U.S., this means they no longer need to juggle multiple vendors or navigate complex platforms. Instead, they can rely on Dex’s network and Interland’s technology to deliver a cohesive online presence that drives traffic and conversions.
As the partnership unfolds, both companies will monitor performance metrics closely. For Dex, key indicators include lead generation rates, click‑through numbers, and customer retention. Interland will track site quality scores, uptime, and the percentage of customers who upgrade to additional services. By aligning their goals around data, the partnership can continually refine its offering to better meet the needs of local businesses.
Ultimately, the collaboration between Interland and Dex Media demonstrates how strategic alliances can create win‑win outcomes for both providers and customers. Small and medium enterprises across the Western United States now have a streamlined path to a professional online presence, powered by two industry leaders working together to solve real‑world challenges.
Murdok | Breaking eBusiness News
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