Case Study: WR Hambrecht + Co

WR Hambrecht +Co is all about technology and openness. Since launching its first Web site eight years ago, WR Hambrecht + Co has matured and expanded its use of technology and its reliance on the Web to communicate openness with its key audiences – investors, institutions and issuers/companies.

“We needed to upgrade our Web site so information is easily accessible to our clients and partners,” said Sharon Smith, Director of Corporate Communications at WR Hambrecht + Co. “Although information is different for each audience, we needed a site that was cohesive, had a consistent look and highly intuitive navigation.”

WR Hambrecht + Co interviewed several Web design and development firms, including Marker Seven. “Not only did Marker Seven come highly recommended, but we were impressed with their comprehensive proposal, and we liked the fact that their development was done in-house by their staff versus being outsourced,” said Smith.

In addition to creating a new look for its Web site, WR Hambrecht + Co needed an overhaul of its information architecture and design. “We wanted the site to not only be very easy to navigate, but also to look professional and project our image,” said Smith.

The WR Hambrecht + Co site has more than 300 pages, so creating a solid information architecture was critical. It is important that a visitor to the site know exactly where they are at all times and that it is easy to get from page to page. “Marker Seven helped us create a design and navigation system that allowed us to present a lot of information for multiple audiences in a very accessible way,” said Smith.

WR Hambrecht + Co is based in San Francisco, but has offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and Pennsylvania. While the key decision makers for the Web site were in San Francisco, it was necessary to get input from the other team members. “The review and approval process was really streamlined with M7’s client Extranet. We could send login information to our remote team members and they could view latest versions and provide feedback immediately,” said Smith.

Since launching its new Web site, WR Hambrecht + Co has received very positive feedback and is pleased with their decision to go with Marker Seven. “Overall, people — both internal and external— are very impressed with the amount of information that is available and how accessible it is. In fact, several reporters already e-mailed to let us know how easy it was to find and obtain information on the site,” concluded Smith.

Founded in 1998, WR Hambrecht + Co is an investment bank committed to using technology and auction processes to provide open and fair access to financial markets for all its clients. The firm’s impartial Internet-based auctions, which allow the market to determine pricing and allocation, are dramatically changing the financial services landscape.

About Marker Seven
Marker Seven is a premier provider of Web-based solutions designed to maximize business sales and communication efforts. Headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2000, its skilled, cross-disciplinary team tackles every facet of Web development with a common bond and vision - to deliver value, high-quality work, and exceptional service. Marker Seven's professional team of business strategists, designers, and technical experts deliver solutions tailored to each client. Proven ability to understand client's business issues and technical needs allow its team to hit the ground running, take ownership and fully manage every project. Marker Seven remains focused on and dedicated to each project, delivering a polished look with clarity and consistency. Whatever the initiative, Marker Seven implements and delivers success.