Improving the Internet since 2010
Building and managing a website can be a painful experience. That’s why we created a simple system that streamlines the design process, provides ongoing support, and helps make your website a profit center, not a headache.
About Ern Berck Digital
A web design studio in Chico, California.
What we do
We’re a small, friendly, affordable web design studio in Chico, California. We design and build custom high-performance websites for small to midsize professional service businesses.
How we do it
We eliminate a lot of questionable web design steps like wireframes, mood boards, personas, mockups, and stylescapes. This results in a streamlined process that helps launch your website in weeks, not months.
Where we do it
Ern Berck Digital is based in Chico, California, a charming city with a population of around 100,000, located in Northern California’s Butte County. Situated in the Sacramento Valley, Chico is about 90 miles north of Sacramento and surrounded by lush landscapes — including the Sierra Nevada foothills. The city is home to California State University, Chico, which brings a youthful energy and academic influence to the area.
Why it works
Most websites today are over-designed, over-engineered, and way too complicated. We focus on using the simplest technology available that will meet your goals.
Who we work with
We work with smart clients who understand that it’s customers, not organization charts or office politics, that matter most.
What we know
We have over two decades of website design, development, and maintenance experience. We also have a broad knowledge of sales, marketing, advertising, and social media.
What we believe
Running a business is hard enough. You don’t need more homework.
Who the hell is Ern Berck?
Ern Berck is the blacksmith at an anonymous town shown in the opening scenes of the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven. You never see him, he never speaks. But somehow you know he’s there — with fire and iron — making stuff.
How we work
Before you make a commitment, we believe you have the right to as much information as possible about how we think, work, and communicate. With that in mind, we’d like to share our engagement process to help you make the right decision.
Build something that does something.
There are over 1.74 billion websites in the world. Most are pretty bad. So if you must have a website, please build one that does something positive. Make a website that’s relevant, useful, and fun. Something that enhances, enlightens, encourages, or entertains. Something that helps people lead better lives.
About the proprietor
Everyone has a story. This is mine.
Hello.
My name is Philip Papeman. I’m a web designer and the owner of Ern Berck Digital. I’m also the publisher of Signals, a weekly social media series that explores new technology, old technology, bad technology, myths, misnomers, and outright lies in the digital marketing industry.
Then
Over the past 25 years, I’ve built a career spanning hospitality, broadcasting, finance, marketing, and digital design. None of these jobs had much to do with my college degree, but that’s okay. With any luck, what you learn early in life gets tucked away until you need it later.
Now
New technologies are creating profound opportunities for many people and businesses. But I also think that much of this change is misunderstood — That a lot of things aren’t really changing and that many current trends might create real threats to our culture and livelihoods. From SEO to GEO to AEO, the world of digital marketing is filled with fibs, half-truths, misinformation, and regurgitated nonsense. And it’s all fueled by greed, AI, and a zero barrier to entry.
Plain talk
My communication style is often blunt and provocative. I do this to get better and more insightful answers. Not because I enjoy being argumentative, but because I’m curious and like to learn. Sometimes that annoys people.
Most of what Ern Berck Digital does today is less about building websites and more about helping small businesses successfully navigate and make sense of online trends. Feeling confused? Maybe we can help.
Thanks for visiting.
Philip Papeman
Proprietor
Ern Berck Digital
We never call in sick.
Most small businesses don’t have the resources or desire to maintain their websites. That’s normal. We can manage your site and help you create an Internet strategy that’s a profit center instead of a sinkhole. We’re like a long-term, part-time employee — Who doesn’t need benefits, never shows up late, and never calls in sick.
Technology providers
We work with some of the best companies in the industry.
Note: Other than using their services, Ern Berck Digital is in no way affiliated with, or endorsed by, the companies represented on this page. All trademarks, logotypes, devices, names, and slogans are the property of their respective owners and are used here for identification purposes only.
We’re not artists.
We’re designers, not artists. Design isn’t self-expression, it’s thoughtful discipline. Designers make things that solve problems within a set of constraints. Sure, we get “creative” when we build stuff, but unlike artists, we work to solve real problems — Not present our own view of the world.
Why hire us?
10 good reasons to hire Ern Berck Digital.
01. We’re reliable
We pride ourselves on the level of personal contact we provide our customers. You’ll always be able to talk with a real person who can help.
02. We really listen
We start a relationship by listening and learning, not overwhelming you with information. We’ll determine your online goals and find out what you really need.
03. Plain talk, no jargon
You deserve clear, honest and direct communication from your web developer. We don’t hide behind acronyms, buzzwords, or industry babble. You’ll always get answers you can understand.
04. We know business
We understand the budgetary and time constraints that companies face. We’ll help you define goals in concrete terms and then work with you to deliver a powerful solution.
05. Bigger isn’t always better
We’re small, and we like it that way. It lets us dedicate extraordinary attention to your website. We get to work on projects we want to do, rather than projects we have to do.
06. No second string
When you hire us, you get us. We’ll never hand your project off to some college intern or flaky freelancer. If we ever use outside sources, you’ll be the first to know.
07. Execution, not talk
We’re fast, efficient, and we deliver under tight deadlines. We realize you don’t have time to dawdle. Neither do we. That’s why we’ll work with you to get your website live ASAP.
08. Guidance you can use
We won’t try to dazzle you with whiteboard presentations or slide shows. We won’t confuse you with convoluted processes or useless data. We only give you the information you really need.
09. An objective approach
We understand the realities of building a website. We’ll bring a fresh set of eyes and an unvarnished viewpoint. We’ll unify your unique perspective with our objective expertise.
10. We’re stubborn
Our passion for web design is the result of skills and insight acquired over 20 years. So, we’ve got some strong opinions. We’re honest and direct. And we push back.
