Case Study: ACRSurgeons — It's Never Too Late for Consulting
TL;DR
ACRSurgeons cut website hosting costs by roughly 60%, and our consulting identified similar savings on SMS outreach while adding small features that made the closure smoother.
The Background
ACRSurgeons is a small, specialized medical practice in Phoenix, Arizona, serving the community for over 30 years. Recently, the partner doctors decided it was finally time to retire—a much-deserved step after decades of work.
But closing a business brings extra challenges, especially for medical practices. Among the many steps was an email that surprised them: a website renewal notice for nearly $1,000.
The Problem
ACRSurgeons had a simple, functional website—essentially a digital business card. They rarely updated it, but it provided credibility and basic information. That simplicity was a strength: most small businesses don’t need complex systems or frequent updates. A straightforward site shows customers that your business is real, reachable, and still active. In fact, having a website—no matter how simple—can inspire confidence and legitimacy far more than relying only on word-of-mouth or social media.
The problem was that ACRSurgeons were paying for features they didn’t need and being upsold extras. Their “digital business card” site should have been affordable and stress-free, not a source of surprise costs.
The Solution
When they came to Marshland Software, we handled everything:
- Seamless migration: With their permission, we exported the site files and DNS records and moved everything to Marshland hosting—at zero downtime and no extra effort for the client.
- True cost savings: We bundled domain, SSL, hosting, and minor edits into a starting plan of $10/month for simple sites.
- Uncovered hidden needs: Through consultation we identified practical opportunities to streamline operations and reduce recurring costs.
Beyond Hosting: Tech Consulting Wins
We always ask: “What else do you need?” Many businesses don’t realize what’s possible until we bring ideas to the table.
SMS Notifications
ACRSurgeons asked us to notify patients from the last three years about their closure. Their electronic medical record (EMR) vendor charged $0.10 per text. For this outreach we were working with a list of about 5,000 messages.
We built a compliant messaging workflow for that list:
- Reduced costs to roughly $0.04 per text (~60% reduction)
- Forwarded replies automatically to the office manager’s email so incoming replies could be triaged
- Included opt-out handling so patients who unsubscribed would not receive future messages
- Processed only the data the client provided and handled all communications with privacy and applicable regulations in mind
The work took roughly two weeks from kickoff to completion: one week for compliance and setup, then three days to send the messages.
Phone Number Retention
Once the practice closed, the doctors wanted to keep their phone number active only to play a short recorded message describing the closure, how to request medical records, and referral options. They didn’t want voicemail or callbacks.
We implemented a low-cost VoIP recording and forwarding setup so the number remained active with a single recorded message, avoiding ongoing traditional phone service fees.
The Results
- ~60% reduction in hosting costs
- ~60% reduction in SMS fees for the outreach list they provided
- Small features (reply forwarding, recorded phone message) that made the closure process smoother and less stressful
Takeaway
Marshland Software goes beyond hosting. We listen, identify needs, and create custom solutions that are cost-effective, practical, and stress-free.
No two businesses are the same. While we can’t guarantee the same savings for everyone, we promise to listen, understand your unique situation, and build the right solution for your budget.
Ready to Save on Hosting & Tech?
If your business is overpaying for hosting or struggling with unnecessary upsells, we can help.
Get a modern, affordable site—starting at just $10/month for a simple static site (domain, SSL, hosting, and minor updates included).
👉 Contact us today or email hello@marshland.software