IS4WE.com – a Dedicated Caribbean Search Engine launches.

IS4WE.com “is a dedicated Caribbean search engine in every sense of the word.” Those were the emphatic words of Muhammad Ibrahim Abdullah, the Ceo of this new Caribbean web startup. So I said ok, cool, explain that to me and in fact answer a few other questions too, I think my readers would love to know more. What follows is a question and answer between Ibrahim and myself. I’m always excited when I discover companies such as these, as it’s these minds and the ideas they spawn, that’ll continue to fuel the growth and success of the Global Caribbean Web.

SC: When did you launch is4we.com? 

is4we: is4we was unofficially launched in May 2008 for public testing. This allowed us to create a brand, fix bugs, and add new technologies. Our Official launch was on Wednesday 13^th January 2009.

SC: What prompted you to launch such a site anyway?

is4we: Have you noticed how the results on all the Search Engines rank single pages from non-Caribbean websites as the number one, most credible and popular resources for so many Caribbean related terms. As a result, Caribbean authentic and authoritative web sources were being pushed lower down in the page results. Websites that focused on Caribbean subject terms (Islands, History, Music, People, Businesses, etc) were having to compete with non-related Caribbean websites who were superior (skills, available budgets and strategy) at exploiting the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) phenomenon and were out ranking Caribbean sites. I tell you, those big engines and their fancy algorithms will have to answer for their actions (smile). Where could users find exclusive Caribbean results without the spam and billions of unrelated pages? We needed to create a dedicated Search Engine that did not feed off the big boys (google, yahoo, msn), but served up its own accurate and exclusive Caribbean Search services and results.

Another thing, we also had to differentiate ourselves from those Caribbean sites that called themselves Search Engines, but were really nothing more than directories or portals.

SC: What makes this a viable business?

is4we: Most users are comfortable using their favorite search engine. Alternative services are innovative, fun and experimental. We have taken the is4we search index and removed all the industry ranking parameters, websites will now have to work within the is4we search index at getting ranked higher for their desired keywords (the ranking system is still very much in beta, but be patient). That’s a fresh start for everyone.

Our competitive advantage is that we don’t want to serve the Global Web, just the Global Caribbean. Imagine for a moment all the Caribbean accommodations (Hotels, Villas, Guesthouses, Renting Apartments, etc) online and offline in one location. Imagine a place where you can find any Caribbean Restaurant in Canada, UK and US, or shop online for any product from any Caribbean island. We intend to excel in the Caribbean subject matter, bringing new services that will create community, opportunity and hopefully a new type of internet. We aren’t shackled by industry definitions and manuals – meaning we are going to experiment and be a little nuts with our ideas. Once the Spanish, French and Dutch Caribbean is merged with its English offerings, and with some hope, effort and lots of prayers we can fully compete in the Global Search industry for our niche. The opportunity exists for any website wishing to be included in the is4we results to create a sub-domain or folder with relevant information (business, content specific, organizations, etc) so that at least that section can be added to our engine.

SC: How big is your team and what their Caribbean heritage and Internet backgrounds

is4we: Our Company is currently made up of 5 persons. Last year (2008) it peaked at 15 members, but financial constraints meant that we had to make some sacrifices (hopefully not permanent) to survive. The core team was made up of 8 (4 remained) Caribbean nationals all from Dominica. The remaining 7 (1 remaining) team members were our software engineers and were from 3 different continents; 2 from Romania, 4 from Vietnam and 1 from India. The testing and final decision of all technology was completed on island. We don’t have an elite of PHD holders or a super-force of industry experts, nor do we have any sort of colorful experiences in the industry, PERIOD. We had to learn it all, build it, and package it. We are highly competent and motivated, and maybe too confident. As for our backgrounds, well they are a clean slate.

SC: Where is the company based?

is4we: The company’s office is now 100% virtual (from humble beginnings in a living room, to the smallest office by the beach = is4we has evolved) and all operations are out of Dominica.

SC: What are your 2009 expectations regarding the Global Caribbean Web since you’ve hitched your site and business on it?

is4we: Let me first start by saying “God Willing” we hope 2009 will allow is4we to push its potential even further by exploring new online technologies and services that will give us the competitive edge in the Global Caribbean. That competitive edge extends right into the bellies of the Search Giants for our niche (the Caribbean). Getting users to assist in defining what is this “Global Caribbean Web”, sharing their content, and participating in building the community and opportunity that will allow our online sources to be more visible. To be honest we are just hoping that 2009 blows in something fresh. We are overwhelmed and really excited to be this far. 

SC: What are your plans for the next 3 months? in terms of increasing visibility, users.

is4we: We have developed a solid link building strategy for that period. We have also realized that we need to offer more than search, to bring in that traffic we need to build community on is4we. Offer the World something to do on is4we. We have a few services that we are going to be working on, and blogging about. Ingrid, you are going to be hearing and seeing a lot about is4we in the coming months.

SC: What is your background, are you a Tech Entrepreneur? What’s your back ground in Technology.

is4we: I am Capricorn (did I just say that), 32 years old, furnished with a Business Degree, and the odd website I have designed over the years. Technology for me is that full-time escape and indulgence that sets everything else apart. Can you imagine someone dared to accuse me of being “married to the internet” (smile). I have learnt so much over the years, by being part of the mainstream Tech community and being curious of the offerings of the underground (hackers, warez etc). Don’t be disappointed, is4we and myself have a lot more to offer without the Techie accolades attached. I am forced to try the impossible, I am on a relentless hunt to build the next phenomenon. 90% Self taught and growing… Ohh Yeah!!!

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