Sherpa! Guides Launch of Rinnai’s Consumer Website Revamp

Atlanta, GA (March 1, 2009) – Sherpa! Web Studios (Sherpa!), a leading Atlanta-based web design, marketing, and development firm, proudly announces the launch of a revamped consumer web site for Rinnai America Corporation (Rinnai). The new, streamlined web site provides customers a central, consistent online experience by consolidating information and tools previously housed on multiple Rinnai sites into one simple-to-navigate location, www.rinnai.us.

The website makes it easier for consumers to understand Rinnai’s core product portfolio -- tankless water heaters, direct-vent wall furnaces, gas fireplaces, hydronic air handlers, and cooking appliances – and the technology behind them. The website also arms consumers with the tools necessary to choose the right Rinnai product for their individual needs.

“Online research plays a huge role in the home products purchasing process, so we took great care to make the new Rinnai web site very informative and consumer-friendly,” said Kelly Matheny, Rinnai’s e-Business manager. “We invested additional time in the website planning process to better understand our customers’ expectations and preferences. Sherpa! collected and utilized both qualitative and quantitative data to create a website that better informs and assists our customers.”

The new Rinnai web site features a contemporary, uniform design that reflects the Rinnai brand and streamlined navigation that ensures relevant information can be found within just three clicks. Some of the improvements to the website include:

• Centralization of information: Consumers can now visit one place to learn about all of Rinnai’s product lines and discover special offers, tax credits, rebates, or incentives.
• Powerful purchasing tools: Reveal which Rinnai model is best for the consumer with online sizing calculators and find and request the nearest Rinnai registered dealer to contact them regarding product installation.
• Enhanced customer support: Enable customers to resolve product issues online, search frequently asked questions, and connect with Rinnai’s 24 hour call center and nearby Rinnai registered service providers.

Sherpa! assisted Rinnai with the website information architecture, web interface design, content management system deployment, and custom feature development.

“Having worked with Rinnai on multiple web initiatives over the years, Sherpa! had a deep understanding of their business and customers,” said David Felfoldi, Chief Experience Officer for Sherpa!. “So when Rinnai gave us the latitude to design and develop this website, we were ready to create an engaging online experience for their customers. And the robust, scalable web content management system that powers it will serve Rinnai well as they continue their impressive growth.”

With the release of the website Sherpa! will manage Rinnai’s search engine optimization and pay-per-click campaigns in addition to website enhancements and support.

“In developing the new site, we sought a web marketing vendor with proven experience in planning, executing, and managing a web initiative of this caliber,” said Matheny. “Sherpa!’s attentive guidance throughout the process ensured the project was delivered on time and within budget. We look forward to seeing the positive effects these and future efforts will have on the rest of our business.”

About Sherpa! Web Studios
Sherpa!’s proven approach to web channel marketing improves online brand awareness, increases lead conversion, and promotes long-term relationships that generate sustainable value. Sherpa! serves both local and national clients such as Siemens, Cbeyond, and Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, as their trusted guide in planning, implementing, and measuring online initiatives. Sherpa!’s unique specializations in web usability, testing and research and search engine optimization enhances their web design, application interface design, and web content management system service offerings. To learn how Sherpa! can improve the performance of your web initiative, contact us at results@sherpawebstudios.com or call (404) 492-6281.

About Rinnai
Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya,
Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas and oil appliances, including tankless hot water heaters and a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. Today, Rinnai is the single largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the technology leader in its industry. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $2.5 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st century products for the home and office, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to the safety and pursuit of comfortable lifestyles. For more information about the Rinnai Corporation and Rinnai’s ENERGY-STAR qualified tankless water heaters visit www.rinnai.us .