Our History
A look back at the key moments that shaped our journey, the products we built, and the experience that defines how we work today.
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2010 Founding Years
Ben Harrison founded Web Optic from a small office in his flat. Early work came from local small businesses, a market research company, and an ice cream brand in Birmingham, focusing on bespoke web projects.
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2013 First Office and Team Growth
The company moved into an office inside a self-storage building in Cannock. Dan joined full-time, and Shane followed between 2014 and 2015 to handle more complex back-end work. During this period, Web Optic launched Textplode, an SMS marketing tool, and Fitphase, a personal training platform for selling online coaching.
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2016 Global Projects and Client Success
The team relocated to a rented barn-style office near Shugborough in 2016. Meg joined part-time to support admin, accounts, and client communication. Web Optic expanded globally, building hundreds of websites and web applications, with several clients later selling their businesses for eight-figure sums.
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2017 E-Commerce Expansion and Shopify Partnership
In 2017, Web Optic launched Beyond Shakers, a fitness product brand. Running a direct-to-consumer brand gave valuable insight into e-commerce. That same year, the team became a recognised Shopify Partner and was officially listed in the Shopify partner directory.
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2020 Bottle Lodge and Diversification
Web Optic purchased the Grade II listed Bottle Lodge in Tixall, a locally known building. It briefly served as an office before being renovated into a holiday let, adding a new strand to the business.
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2021 Scaling Beyond Shakers
With Beyond Shakers growing, Web Optic leased a larger industrial unit in Rugeley with extra space for stock and operations. This marked a more structured split between web services and product-based business.
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2023 Permanent HQ and Eco Build
In 2023, the company bought and renovated its own industrial unit in Hixon on a former WWII airfield. The space was made eco-friendly with solar panels, heat pumps, and smart LED lighting, becoming the permanent home for both Web Optic and Beyond Shakers.
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2025 Recognition and Results
By 2025, Web Optic had delivered over 800 custom websites and applications, including more than 50 Shopify stores.
- Textplode: Over 25 million SMS messages sent.
- Fitphase: Over £2.5 million in client revenue.
- Beyond Shakers: 50,000+ products sold, expanding into Germany and stocked on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Tesco, Rackhams, TikTok Shop, and TK Maxx.
Web Optic is now the highest-rated web design company in Staffordshire, with over 100 five-star Google reviews, continuing to lead with practical tech and commercial experience.
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2026 A Landmark Chapter - Textplode Joins MBA Group!
We are thrilled to announce that Textplode has officially been acquired by MBA Group, a powerhouse in UK multichannel customer communications with a legacy of excellence dating back to 1984.
This isn’t just a sale; it’s a massive leap forward. By joining forces with a market leader, we’re plugging into decades of expertise and a shared vision for the future of digital engagement.
Read the announcement
The story keeps moving, but the focus stays the same: practical, high-quality digital work.
If you want to build something with a team that understands both the technical and commercial side, we'd love to hear about it.