Who we are.
We design, build, and manage websites in Chico, California. We’re small, smart, charming, affordable, and devote uncommon attention to our clients. And we love what we do. That’s pretty much it. What follows is mostly fluff.
About Ern Berck Digital
Websites built by humans in Chico, California.
What we do
Founded in 2010, Ern Berck Digital is 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. The result is 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. 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 classic 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.
Steve Jobs
Design is a really loaded word. I don’t know what it means. So we don’t talk a lot about design around here, we just talk about how things work. Most people think it’s about how they look, but it’s about how they work.
About the proprietor
I didn’t plan any of this. Maybe I should have.
Hello
My name is Philip Papeman. I’m a web designer and the owner of Ern Berck Digital. I also post weekly rants on social media that explore new technology, old technology, bad technology, myths, misnomers, and outright lies in the digital marketing industry.
School
I liked high school. I excelled at nothing, but was fairly popular. Surprising, since I had no car, no money, and no athletic ability. High school lasted four years, but seemed like ten. In a good way.
I went to UC Davis to study engineering. I later changed my major to psychology, then philosophy, then botany. I finally graduated with a degree in molecular genetics because that’s what my roommate was studying.
Early careers
Over the years, I’ve worked in hospitality, broadcasting, finance, marketing, and digital design. I eventually wound up spending 10 years as marketing director and web administrator for a few regional banks.
None of my careers followed a grand plan — but everything taught me something useful. Thankfully, what you learn early in life has a way of resurfacing when you need it most.
Starting over
As banks struggled to redefine themselves after the 2008 financial meltdown, I thought it would be a good idea to do the same. So in 2010 I started my own web design studio in Chico, California. It’s been a long strange trip.
Today
New technologies create incredible opportunities for businesses — and just as much confusion. I think a lot of what passes for “innovation” today is misunderstood or misrepresented. Beneath all the hype, many things aren’t really changing at all.
From web design to social media and artificial intelligence, the digital marketing industry is filled with fibs, half-truths, jargon, and recycled advice. Most of it’s fueled by greed, ignorance, automation, and a zero barrier to entry. My job is to help small businesses clarify the chaos and focus on what actually works.
Plain talk
I ask direct questions and speak plainly — not to provoke, but to understand. That approach sometimes annoys people, but it also leads to clearer answers and better decisions. I value honesty, curiosity, and common sense more than buzzwords.
Most of what Ern Berck Digital does today isn’t just about building websites. It’s about helping business owners make sense of an industry that too often rewards fads and hype.
Feeling confused? Maybe we can help.
Philip Papeman
Proprietor
Ern Berck Digital
There are no statues of committees.
The size and structure of your organization have a direct impact on project management. Coordinating schedules and communication takes longer with twenty people than five. Committees can suck the life out of projects — And usually do.
You’re never alone
As a small studio, we rely on industry-leading hardware and software providers to deliver exceptional services for our clients.
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.
/ The power of small.
You can do big things with small teams, but it’s hard to do small things with big teams. And small is often plenty. That’s the power of small — you do what needs to be done rather than overdoing it.
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.