Case Studies

ONE STEP AT A TIME.COM www.onestepatatime.com Profile: Gene Benedetto is a licensed Psychologist and founder of OneStepAtATime.com. He has been in private practice for thirty-two years and is dedicated in helping those who suffer from severe anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors as well as self-esteem issues. He is licensed by the State Board of Psychology for Ohio, and is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Ohio Psychological Association. Challenge: Gene first came to Intersoft with his idea of an online community that would allow him to stay in touch and provide support to his clients that he saw in his private practice. Once he realized the success of his vision, he decided to continue his relationship with Intersoft and expand his site to attract members from around the world who wanted and needed support that they were not receiving elsewhere. Solution: Intersoft has worked continuously with Gene Benedetto for over six years. Starting out small, Intersoft designed a web site with a Membership Component where members (who were kept anonymous) logged in to participate in chat room & discussion forums, download his newsletter, fill out a personal assessment online form and sign up to have pen pals. Over the years and with much success, OneStepAtATime grew 200,000 members strong. At this time, Intersoft was asked to add features such as additional Support Groups, Chat Rooms available 24 hours a day, an expanded Discussion Forum, Online Seminars, and Private E-Therapy. When membership hit 300,000, Intersoft took on the task of revamping the web site and incorporating a new membership model. The goal of the redesign was to produce a calming, safe haven for his visitors and this was accomplished by using soft colors and soothing images. Using ASP, Intersoft developers tackled the new membership model giving access to different site features based on a free or paid membership. The Feel-Good Store was developed which allowed Gene to sell his products, seminars and therapy. It also gave a twist to the visitors shopping experience by giving them the ability to "shop" outside products and add them to their "Wish List". OneStep clients were able to submit questions to Benedetto based on their membership type. The Membership Component would track how many times the member had submitted a question and would restrict them from asking more than they were allowed. The system also tracked discounts that the paid members received and reflected the discounts upon check out. Intersoft has been very committed to understanding the goals that Gene has envisioned and bringing them to reality.