WebSideStory, Inc. (later Visual Sciences), was founded by Blaise Barrelet in 1996 as web analytics tool and link directory; its products were Hitbox and HBX.

WebSideStory then pivoted to offer a limited version of the analytics product for free in exchange for a small advertising banner on each website.

Users who clicked the banners were directed to a list of top sites owned by WebSideStory, creating an advertising revenue opportunity.

Unlike many late '90s Internet startups, WebSideStory did not raise angel funding or venture capital, but became profitable through customers and by displaying banners on their top site list.

Customers opted to pay for more in-depth statistics in exchange for removing the traditional Hitbox banner from their websites, giving birth to the "HBX" product line.