Some agencies build websites, but Gas Mark 8 builds impact. They didn’t always focus on the big stuff. They started out helping local shops and schools with their websites.
But, things changed. They shifted from helping local businesses to specializing in nonprofits and healthcare, wanting to work with organizations making a real impact. Now, they’re helping some pretty important organizations.
Gas Mark 8’s portfolio now includes collaborations with significant entities, such as the largest men’s homeless shelter in Ohio, and partnerships with NHS physicians advancing cancer detection techniques. Gas Mark 8 goes beyond just providing services; they’re dedicated to driving real change.
A Journey from Side Hustle to Industry Leader
Gas Mark 8 started as a side project, working with small businesses and universities. Mike, who started Gas Mark 8, took a big chance back in 2018. He quit doing it as a side job and made it his full-time job. It was a bit of a risk, but it worked out. Now, they mostly help charities, hospitals, and universities with their websites and online stuff.
“We believe that the work we do should be meaningful and have a real impact. If our skills can help improve lives, then that’s work worth doing,” says Mike. “Whether it’s supporting the largest men’s homeless shelter in Ohio or helping NHS doctors stay at the forefront of cancer detection techniques, we take pride in knowing that our work contributes to something bigger than ourselves.”
Building Lasting Relationships and Driving Impact
Gas Mark 8 doesn’t just count finished projects; they value the connections they make. They see their clients as partners, colleagues, and even friends, not just customers.
“Our biggest achievement isn’t a single project—it’s the trust our clients place in us,” Mike shares. “Seeing their success, whether it’s a nonprofit expanding its impact or a healthcare organization improving patient outcomes, makes every challenge and late night absolutely worth it.”
Overcoming Challenges Through Smart Scaling
One of the biggest hurdles the agency has faced is scaling to meet demand. “The reward for good work is more work,” Mike explains. “As our reputation grew, so did the challenge of expanding our team while maintaining the quality and personal service that set us apart.”
The key to overcoming this is intentional growth. Gas Mark 8 prioritizes hiring people who align with its mission and values, ensuring that every team member enhances the service it provides to clients.
Strategies Behind Gas Mark 8’s Growth
Gas Mark 8’s growth isn’t accidental; it’s the result of three key strategies:
1) Sharing Knowledge: The agency has always been big on giving back. They’ve put in the work, talking at events, doing online talks, and writing about their stuff for ages, which has helped them build a solid reputation.
2) Commitment to Excellence: Their work directly impacts people’s lives, meaning “good enough” is never enough. They continuously learn and stay ahead of industry trends to ensure their work is always top-tier.
3) Long-Term Partnerships: Many of their clients stay with them for years, often through multiple website redesigns and ongoing hosting and support. They don’t just deliver projects—they invest in relationships.
Tackling Complex, High-Impact Projects
One of the most challenging and rewarding projects Gas Mark 8 has undertaken is a large cancer education platform serving over 20,000 users across three countries. The site’s complexity, combined with the importance of the information it provides, made this an ambitious undertaking.
“What makes this project special isn’t just its scale—it’s the partnership we’ve built with the client. They’re not just a customer; they’re a true collaborator,” Mike explains. “This project reinforced the importance of working with great people and investing in relationships beyond just delivering a service.”
Essential Tools That Power Gas Mark 8
Gas Mark 8 streamlines their globally distributed team’s workflow with these essential tools:
1) Slack: Facilitates real-time communication, crucial for remote team efficiency.
2) Loom: Enables video walkthroughs, simplifying complex information sharing and reducing reliance on lengthy emails.
3) Fathom.Video: An AI-powered note-taking tool that records and summarizes Zoom and Teams meetings, helping the team stay engaged while keeping track of important details.
Scaling with Cloudways: A Game-Changer for Gas Mark 8
Managing over 260 websites across 40 servers in three countries is no small feat, and Gas Mark 8 knew they needed a hosting provider that could scale with them.
“We outgrew our previous hosting platform—it was built for smaller developers who were comfortable handling a lot of the sysadmin work themselves. While I can do that, it was becoming a major drain on my time,” says Mike. “Cloudways had been on my radar for a while, so I finally signed up for a free trial. About 15 minutes in, I was sold.”
Gas Mark 8 uses Cloudways because it offers the right mix of flexibility and efficiency. It lets them focus on building websites without getting bogged down in server headaches.
Cloudways Support: The Ultimate Safety Net
One of the biggest advantages Gas Mark 8 has experienced with Cloudways is the exceptional support team. “Whether it’s a minor hiccup or a major issue, they’re always there—quick to respond, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping us resolve problems efficiently,” Mike says.
Knowing they have reliable support allows the agency to scale confidently, ensuring that their clients’ websites are always running smoothly. “That kind of peace of mind is invaluable,” he adds.
Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years
Gas Mark 8 doesn’t want to just get bigger, they want to team up with clients who get what they’re about, who see them as partners, not just people they hire.
They’re big on building relationships, not just websites. They keep up with the latest trends and make sure they’re always giving clients real value, which is how they turn them into long-term partners.
Advice for Aspiring Agency Owners
For those looking to start an agency in a similar niche, Mike offers a crucial piece of advice: “Expect the unexpected. You can plan everything out, but surprises will always come. The key is to stay adaptable, think on your feet, and not let challenges derail you. Instead, see them as opportunities to improve.”
Final Thoughts
Gas Mark 8’s story shows what happens when you really care about the work you do. They’ve got this idea that they only want to work with organizations that are making a positive difference in the world. So, they pour their technical skills and a whole lot of heart into every website they build.
They’re not just throwing together code; they’re helping these organizations reach more people and make a bigger impact. And with Cloudways handling the hosting and the added benefits of its agency program, they’ve got the solid base and strategic support they need to keep growing and helping more good causes.
Sarim Javaid
Sarim Javaid is a Sr. Content Marketing Manager at Cloudways, where his role involves shaping compelling narratives and strategic content. Skilled at crafting cohesive stories from a flurry of ideas, Sarim's writing is driven by curiosity and a deep fascination with Google's evolving algorithms. Beyond the professional sphere, he's a music and art admirer and an overly-excited person.
