Do you know the difference between a nerd and a geek? I’ll tell you at the end of this page.

My name is Will Hanke. I’ve been doing web design since 1997. I own a company called Lighthouse Technologies. Originally started as a computer repair (nerd!) and web design business, I quickly added on hosting services, and then in 2004 I discovered SEO - particularly local SEO. I love it.

First, let’s back up a few years. Late in 2002, I started a website called Postcards For Mom. Within six months, the site was a huge hit. I ended up on the front page of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, I was featured in the Washington Times and newspapers all around the world. I was interviewed on hundreds of radio stations. I was contacted by the people at Leno and Letterman. Traffic on the site was huge - and free. Yet, with all that stuff going on, I didn’t make a dime. I had no idea how to turn my great fortune into any sort of profit. I literally didn’t make a thing off that huge windfall of notoriety.

This was my first wakeup call to the world of website monetization. I started reading forums like Digital Point and eWealth. Being a n00b, I soon found myself building MFA pages and hawking ebooks. Not a lot of fun, but the money was ok. Checks for $50 here and $100 there started showing up, so I was excited.

A few months into that, two things happened:

1. I stumbled across Webmaster Radio and their chat room
2. I started learning about online marketing, and in-depth SEO

Webmaster Radio is a geek paradise. They have shows that cover the gamut of Internet Marketing. Whether you’re interested in affiliate marketing or website analytics, they’ve got a show for you.

Even better, they’ve got a chat room. During their live shows, you can actually chat with the hosts and ask questions live. Between shows, the chat room is still frequented by very smart and industry-wise people. And they’re willing to answer your n00b questions, just like they did for me.

I’m constantly learning and growing. My client list continues to expand, and I’m helping more and more businesses make more and more money. It’s all good. I’m really into local SEO, the intricacies related to helping local retail businesses expand their market area. Some of my small business clients are taking on their large counterparts - and winning!

So that’s it in a nutshell about my geek side. Personally, I am father of four awesome kids and husband to a HOT wife. I like cycling and I hate the winter. I run a ton of personal websites, and love to read marketing and business-related books. I don’t care for politics and am not really into the whole ego thing.

This website has two purposes: to help me gain new clients, and to help those clients I already have grow their businesses. Why don’t you come along for the ride?

If you’re in to RSS, please sign up for this site’s feed. Stay informed and get a few more bucks in your bank. You can also stalk me at various social sites.

Oh - and the difference between a nerd and a geek? The amount of zeros in their paycheck. Geeks rule!