711media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an online content manager for a higher education institution. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 711media?

We decided to relaunch our website as it required visual and technical improvements. The existing website was outdated and needed an upgrade, and we needed support with that.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

711media was responsible for the complete relaunch of our website. We collaborated with them on the design and functionality of the website. 

Our target audience includes both students and companies. We provided the team with a detailed brief about the project requirements. 

They're currently working on further development of the website. 

What is the team composition?

We work with the lead developer and a project manager. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

The exceptional competence of the lead developer played a pivotal role in ensuring the project's overall success, given his profound technical proficiency and extensive experience.

How did you come to work with 711media?

We were looking for a team that could implement the website relaunch. As a public institution, we had to create a specification book that clearly outlined our needs. 

We discovered 711media through an online search and were impressed with their past projects. We did extensive research on agencies and conducted market analysis. After comparing 711media to other agencies, we decided to award the project to 711media.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in December 2019, and it's an ongoing engagement. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The redesign of our website has successfully reestablished our brand. 711media is a sincere team that collaborates with us to find the proper solution.

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

The 711media team delivered the work on time and provided us with everything we requested. 

Overall, our project manager possesses outstanding communication abilities. We're delighted with their project management skills. 

In the beginning, we met in person and had many telephone calls. Additionally, their ticketing system ensures that all tasks are updated, and nothing gets overlooked.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team at 711media excels in transparent communication. They offered us honest and valuable advice and opinions that helped us meet our specific needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We've been quite happy. We didn't require any significant improvements. It's common to encounter discrepancies during a project. Still, the team was highly communicative and motivated to find the best solutions. As a result, we efficiently resolved any issues we encountered. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It's vital to communicate your requirements and goals clearly from the start to ensure effective engagement and prevent any avoidable problems. 711media is keen to solve problems, but it's crucial to have clear clarification.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an online marketing manager at Polytec, a German company that produces, sells, and distributes optical measurement solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 711media?

We worked with 711media on our website relaunch. Our goal was to have a more modern website with a better-working backend. However, we had a complex language and product structure, so we needed an agency that could offer an appropriate solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

711media helped us redesign our website. Initially, they worked with us to get to know our current backend and discuss our challenges, including a slow loading time. We also introduced them to our product structure and language structure so that they understood our requirements well. From there, 711media developed and designed a new website for us using TYPO3.

Among its main features, our website can be seen in nine languages. Thus, 711media implemented nine different email addresses within our contact forms, depending on the language the user uses on our website. Moreover, it has a login feature and other usability structures for our products.

In addition to web design and development, 711media has an SEO team. Although they didn’t provide us with structured SEO services, they helped us answer SEO questions whenever we needed them.

What is the team composition?

We worked with three teammates from 711media on the website relaunch, including a project manager, a lead developer, and a marketing and SEO manager. However, I don’t know how many more team members were involved in the project. The project manager was our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with 711media?

I’m not sure how we originally found them because that happened before my time. However, I know it is very important for us to work with companies close to us, and 711media is one hour away. Additionally, before the COVID-19 pandemic, we liked having in-person meetings, which also played into that decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around €250,000 (approximately $264,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2019, and our new website went live at the beginning of 2021. However, we’re still in contact with 711media; they’ve become our development partners.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

711media delivered a website with a better loading time and UX. We were so happy with our partnership with them that they eventually became our partners. Before working with them, we worked with a smaller agency. However, we found out that 711media was a well-equipped agency with expert developers. Now, we’re very confident in them as our partners.

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a very tight schedule for the website relaunch, and our goal was to relaunch the website in December 2020. However, after some feedback rounds with 711media, we decided that January 2021 would be a better time to relaunch. That situation was our only delay, but otherwise, 711media delivered everything on time. As for communication, they were quick and responsive. We collaborated via email and a ticketing system.

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of the things I valued the most about 711media was that they gave us their honest advice. Whenever we went to them with ideas, they provided honest feedback and gave us different options based on those ideas.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would have been great if 711media had a better backup system. Whenever our project manager was on holiday or out sick, their responses to the ticketing system were slower.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about your requirements and ideas. You can always ask for advice because they’re the experts, but it’s always best to come to the table with clear ideas.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior business analyst for FutureLog AG, a procure-to-pay platform for the hospitality industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 711media?

We had a web application for our platform and we needed someone to develop a native mobile app for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed our native mobile app. The app includes an ordering feature, access to catalogs of suppliers, and inventory management lists describing internal trends for the hotels. We still have projects to do with them. The next one will be an approval center for preorder approvals, invoice approvals, etc.

What is the team composition?

There were 4–5 people.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2018. The app went live in the App Store and Google Play Store in April 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

There were some project management hiccups at the beginning, but they were resolved quickly. They had a strong chief developer who had strong technical and project management skills. Their development is really good.

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

We had some difficulties at the beginning because our first project manager wasn't a good match for our development or company.

After we experienced that learning curve and brought in a new project lead, things went well. They’re very responsive through a ticketing tool. We mainly communicate via email, weekly conference calls, and monthly visits.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The developers are really good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re really satisfied and happy with them. They just need to make sure they understand the customer needs at the beginning. They can propose and give suggestions but ultimately need to define it with the customer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear and strong on what you expect. You can listen to proposals and recommendations but you need to be clear in your understanding of what you want.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the communications manager for a vaporizer manufacturer. I also manage our online store. We make herbal vaporizer products.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenges were you trying to address with 711media?

We hired them to help us develop and maintain our e-commerce website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a website previously, but we weren’t fully satisfied, so we wanted to create a new one. They developed a website for us using Magento 1. They customized and designed it to meet our requests. We designed an early mockup, and they transferred that to the actual platform. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people, primarily our project manager and one other team member. 

How did you come to work with 711media?

I’m not sure because I started working at the company after the engagement started. 

How much have you invested in them?

We spent about €750,000 (approximately $843,198.75 USD). 

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from 2013–2019. We stopped working together because support for Magento 1 ended, and we updated to a new Magento SaaS.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We saw continuous growth in website visitors and sales. 

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was really good. Our project manager was flexible, helpful, and always delivered on time. They understood our circumstances and the specific requests that we made. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of the highlights of our engagement was their ability to implement quick and flexible customizations. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

We were happy with the collaboration. I wish they had more experience with the Magento Commerce Cloud so we could’ve continued working with them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Be sure of what you need and make that clear from the beginning.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a manager for a global window and door manufacturer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 711media?

We were looking for a partner who could create a parts finder for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They programmed an online spare parts finder. This involved working with big data. In the solution, the client fills out questions about the type of part they’re searching for (e.g. what is the length of the part?) In the end, they had to train employees at my company about how to use the new solution.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager. I’m not sure how many programmers they had, but there were more than three. Another person did the web design and graphics.

How did you come to work with 711media?

We ended up choosing between three companies, and 711 made the best offer. They’re also making our website, so it made sense to hire them.

Also, the project manager has some experience in building a complex website and solutions like the parts finder.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we paid around $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in May of 2018, and the solution went live in October of 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Their quality was very good. We tested the solution a lot during the project. Whenever we tested the solution and found an issue, they were very quick to fix it.

Everything that we made with them was a big success. I presented our tools in front of 40 people from international press, and that created a lot of newspaper and online articles about the tool.

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very good at managing the project. They stayed within the timeline and the scope. When the scope changed, they were very flexible about changing it without putting extra money on it. We remained in budget as well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their reliability made for a good experience, which is why we want to work with them again in the future.  711media speaks clearly to make sure that people outside of the web business can understand them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have anything to criticize.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You should compare agencies in the beginning before you start the project. When you compare 711media to other web agencies, you’ll find they’re different. You should let them speak in front of you. They aren’t the cheapest one, but their work is very professional.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a German B2B email provider that offers white label software solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with 711media?

We wanted support with our online presence, specifically the company website. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

711media revamped our website, including SEO, SEM, and website design. They also included several custom features that we requested. Our website is based on TYPO3, which is an open-source CMS.

We had a corporate design in place, with colors and some layout structures, but the current design was mainly done by 711media’s design team.

What is the team composition?

I’m the only contact for 711media from our side. If anything needs to be done with them, I will contact them on behalf of my team. We have our own account manager at 711media, who works on all our tasks. I’ve had contact with some technical people as well.

How did you come to work with 711media?

We chose them out of several agencies that we were looking at because they’re based in Stuttgart, where most of our colleagues and online marketing are based. I wasn’t involved in the selection process, so I can’t provide more details.

How much have you invested with them?

Over the last four years, I’d estimate that we’ve invested around $500,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with 711media in July 2016, and the first project took around four months. We’ve been working with them continuously on the website since then.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Traffic definitely went up after our website redesign. Aside from that, we don’t use the website for lead generation. We’re exclusively B2B, and most of our customers come from events we attend. The website is more of an information hub for our existing and prospective customers. Its purpose is not to generate leads, but traffic has definitely improved, as did our SEO.

How did 711media perform from a project management standpoint?

We use Redmine as a ticket system. Every feature and bug fix request is done through it. Aside from that, we have a weekly call with them. If anything comes up, I have our account manager’s direct phone number. We’re in contact almost every day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve been able to create every custom feature we requested.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’ve had some issues with QA.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

My advice is for clients to teach 711media about how their company is structured, what clients they have, and what policies are in place. For example, we are a very specialized company with special customers. Since we’re open-source-based, there’s some politics around our website’s security, etc. 

If 711media is made aware of how your company is structured, they will react accordingly and keep that in mind when working on features, security, and so on.