How can local businesses let their customers into the virtual "back room" where ideas are generated and special events are born? And how can they keep those customers engaged so they'll walk through the front door often?
Those were the questions Drew Nelson, owner of
GRpulse.com, asked himself when he launched the engaging advertising website in September 2011. After the first few months of operating from home, Nelson needed to be in the heart of the city and moved GRpulse.com into
MoBevy, a co-working office environment on the second floor of 40 Monroe Center Ave. NW.
"I have a dedicated workspace that is mine, and it's all brand new
Haworth office cubicles and furniture," Nelson says. "It's a perfect fit for what I'm doing."
Nelson says his proximity to other businesses sharing the space is a plus, given the opportunity to interact and network, aspects that are integral to his business.
"[GRpulse.com has] grown into exactly what I wanted it to be -- a favorite resource where people can find out what's happening at their favorite establishments. We give people a hands-on approach -- they can see photos of a restaurant's interior and photos of the food so they know what to expect before they go somewhere. It's a proactive approach to what's happening, as opposed to after-the-fact, here's what you missed."
Nelson says businesses pay for ads and articles on the site. Nelson writes most of the articles and handles some of the photography, but advertisers can write their own pieces and provide their own photography, as well. There are currently 42 businesses on the site, all locally owned, and Nelson just hired a salesperson to bring on more clients.
"GRpulse.com is local supporting local," Nelson says. "Grand Rapids is loyal to our local businesses; it's important to the people who live here."
Source: Drew Nelson, GRpulse.com
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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