Network Solutions today announced that it will merge its products and branding with its corporate sibling Web.com. The combined product will be branded as Network Solutions. As background for those unfamiliar, both sit under the Newfold Digital family of web services and digital presence products.
The thought behind this move is to consolidate both products under the full might of the Network Solutions brand. It has a stronger market presence, brand equity, and association with secure/stable software. For example, the brand is particularly strong with enterprise customers, including SMBs.
“Network Solutions is the IBM of registrars,” said Localogy President Bill Dinan, “It’s a highly-trusted brand with a strong reputation in the enterprise realm.”
Beyond a branding play, there are also functional synergies behind today’s move. For example, Web.com users will graduate to Network Solutions features such as enterprise-grade technical support. Network Solutions customers will likewise get Web.com’s award-winning website builder and marketing tools.
Specifically, Web.com’s AI Website Builder recently won a Bronze Stevie Award for Achievement in User Experience in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. The tool is known for its innovation and usability, which are key attributes for SMB-focused web products – a core segment for Newfold.
“By uniting the strengths of Network Solutions and Web.com, we’re delivering a more powerful, all-in-one platform that empowers SMBs to thrive in a rapidly changing marketplace,” Network Solutions’ newly appointed CEO Christina Clohecy told Localogy Insider. “Our enhanced AI Website Builder and unified support mean local businesses can focus on growth, knowing they have the tools and expertise to succeed online.”
Customer Retention & Competitive Edge
Going deeper on some of the consolidated features noted above – particularly those flowing from the web.com side – they include
AI-Powered Website Creation: Instantly generate a customized, fully designed website by answering a few quick questions. Then fine-tune colors, fonts and layout with ease.
Enhanced Drag-and-Drop Grid Layout: No more fumbling with containers. Easily align and arrange content with a visual editor.
Advanced Media Management: Access your uploads and a library of 1 million+ high-quality, royalty-free images right from the editor.
Element Layering Controls: Expanded layering capabilities give customers greater creative flexibility. Elements can now be stacked and arranged to create dynamic visual effects for enhanced impact and readability.
Element Grouping: Easily build responsive website pages for both desktop and mobile devices with the new grouping.
These functional upgrades for customers of both brands mean that they’ll both now have a more competitive feature set. That should boost key Newfold Digital goals like customer retention and competitive edge – especially to address quickly escalating demand for AI features among SMBs.
“At Network Solutions, we recognize that local businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy,” said Clohecy, “and their digital needs are evolving faster than ever.”
Family Tree
Dinan believes today’s move isn’t surprising, due to the corporate family tree. When Siris Capital acquired Web.com, one of the first things it did was to appoint Network Solutions’ former exec Tim Kelly into a director role at what was then Web.com. His input may have impacted or steered things towards today’s eventual move. In 2011, when the company was originally acquired by the Web.com group, Kelly was quoted as stating: “Network Solutions has been a pioneer in this industry for nearly 30 years”.
