Hearst DMS Review: A Cautionary Tale for Businesses Seeking Digital Services

Introduction

Hearst DMS (Digital Media Services) is a division of Hearst, a media giant with a legacy dating back to 1887. The company offers digital advertising, web design, and marketing solutions, promising professional services to help businesses grow their online presence. However, based on customer experiences, the reality may not align with expectations.

Pros and Cons of Hearst DMS

Quality of Service: A Major Letdown

One customer’s experience highlights severe dissatisfaction with Hearst DMS’s web design services:

• Unprofessional Execution – The customer expected expert designers but instead had to micromanage basic tasks like icon placement, which took days to implement.
• Unfinished Work – Despite paying monthly fees, the website remained incomplete, forcing the client to hire an outside developer.
• Damaged Reputation – The poorly executed website made the business appear untrustworthy, harming its credibility.

"People think my business is a SCAM NOW because of your incompetent web designers."

Contract and Customer Support Issues

The company’s handling of contract disputes and customer service further worsened the situation:

• Bait-and-Switch Tactics – Instead of fixing the issues, Hearst DMS allegedly pressured the client to upgrade their package and sign a new contract.
• Failure to Deliver – The company reportedly refused to fulfill the original agreement or allow cancellation without penalties.
• Lack of Accountability – When the assigned representative (Jessica) left, the replacement (Stu) failed to resolve the problem satisfactorily.

"They breached their contract and won't even allow me to cancel it nor will fix my website."

Communication Problems

The primary mode of communication was virtual meetings, but responsiveness and follow-through were lacking:

• Slow Response Times – Simple design changes took days to implement.
• No Proactive Solutions – The team allegedly couldn’t replicate a template provided by an external developer, raising concerns about their technical competence.

Final Verdict: Proceed with Extreme Caution

Strengths (Theoretical)

• Backed by a well-established media corporation (Hearst).
• Offers a range of digital marketing services.

Weaknesses (Based on Customer Experience)

• Poor Quality Control – Design and execution fall short of professional standards.
• Unethical Contract Practices – Allegations of forcing upgrades instead of fixing issues.
• Damaging to Business Reputation – Subpar work can harm a company’s image.

Conclusion: Not Recommended

Based on this customer’s harrowing experience, Hearst DMS fails to deliver on its promises, leaving businesses with unfinished work, contractual headaches, and reputational damage. If you’re considering their services, thoroughly vet their work, read contracts carefully, and explore alternatives before committing.

"This has been a living nightmare for my business."

For those seeking reliable web design and digital marketing, it may be wiser to look elsewhere.