Absolute Web

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We sell security and safety products online. I'm a co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Absolute Web Services?

Some of our customers subscribe to an annual plan for technical support. We were struggling to manually track the customers in need of a plan renewal.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a solution to automate the renewal of the support plan, where customers would get alerts that their support plan is soon to expire, with an option to renew.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We'd worked with them in the past, when they completely redesigned our e-commerce website. We were very pleased with their services and professionalism, so we thought they would be perfect for this job.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They designed, developed, and integrated a custom module within our existing Magento admin platform. The interface allows us to configure the automatic notifications to our customers. They also created customized email templates, as well as a coupon code generator to offer varying discounts for the customer.

What was the team composition?

The project involved our project manager, Kyle (E-commerce Project Manager, Absolute Web Services), and a couple of developers from the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The solution was finished on time, within the time frame that they initially proposed. Since its launch, we can target all our customers with expired support plans. We've been able to increase our support renewals by over 200%.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Every request or question we had, we directed to Kyle by email. He responded within 30 minutes or fewer and was always available by phone. We never had a breakdown in communication, and we were able to follow the project's progress very easily.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The professionalism and seriousness of the team is out of this world. They are extremely competent, and will always try to accommodate requests the best they can. Clear communication is key, so that they know exactly what you're expecting from them.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Having worked with them on several projects now, I don't see anything that they could improve.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the IT manager at FitLife Foods. We fully prepare healthy meals, refrigerate them, then ship them directly to our customers. I oversee the design and functionality elements of our eCommerce site.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Absolute Web Services?

We needed to re-design our eCommerce website and implement a subscription-based system with one-time purchases available as well.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to improve our design and UX/UI elements throughout the website’s entire delivery funnel. Our goal was to encourage people to subscribe to our services by establishing a sense of consumer confidence in our meals.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We found them in a Google search and hired them after speaking with a few of their previous clients.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

They redesigned our eCommerce platform to follow a subscription-based model. The team implemented design strategies that allowed users to choose from a variety of packages designated delivery deadlines.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager and a couple WooCommerce experts, but Absolute was willing to provide more resources if necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Our home delivery business has grown significantly since launching Absolute’s website design.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We used a project management tool to keep all team members up to date and allow for open communication on ideas for upcoming tasks.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They provide a high level of expertise at a relatively competitive, compared to other companies in the web development industry. The owner is very involved and willing to step in to get the job done before the deadline.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

GoTua is an online marketplace for courses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Absolute Web Services?

We needed to develop our multivendor website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We searched worldwide for a company with CS-Cart experience and a solid business infrastructure with a long-standing, excellent reputation and fees that our startup could afford to pay.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Absolute Web Services designed, developed, and customized the blank canvas of CS-Cart.

What was the team composition?

Even though our project was small, we had weekly contact with their project manager who was responsive to our endless requests.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Our technical requirements were extensive, more than either of us had realized at the time we signed the contract. Regardless, Absolute produced a wonderful website with the functionality that our users want.

Now that the website is ready, we'll be starting user acceptance testing. Without Absolute's patience in dealing with us non-tech folk, we would never have such a great product.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We communicated either through Skype, email, or GoToMeeting. They also gave us access to their project management tools so that we could see their progress on every action item.

There was some staff turnover on both sides, which naturally caused delays. This is the primary reason the project took much longer than expected.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

While this project was underway, Absolute Web Services grew substantially, yet we always felt like we were valuable clients.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Alfa Vitamins Laboratories manufactures supplements and vitamins for worldwide distribution. As the e-commerce director, I ensure our company’s online presence is impeccable and that our products are reaching our target market. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Absolute Web Services?

Our outdated websites were experiencing issues ranging from payment gateway and performance problems to limited data storage and poor usability for our customers. We could not move forward on other projects without a more presentable website.

What were your goals for this project?

The goal was to redesign and repair multiple websites.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We did extensive research to find the best company for our project, one that would get the job done correctly with little supervision. While looking for a high-ranking team of professionals with good references and great experience, we came across Absolute Web Services.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

The first task was to change our web-hosting provider in order to improve and upgrade security, which Absolute Web Services completed quickly and flawlessly. They then redesigned and redeveloped our websites to be more modern and efficient for our company and our customers. 

What was the team composition?

The team itself included several resources, but the team director was our primary contact, which simplified things and reduced a lot of stress. Communication was never a problem and we were always informed of deadlines and progress. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The redesigned websites, which were successfully launched on time and bug-free, have had a huge impact on our business. Our customers are happy and we feel confident moving forward knowing we have a well-developed e-commerce platform. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The project management was very impressive. With no issues, good communication, and a seamless process, our experience with Absolute Web Services far exceeded those we had had with previous vendors. We could not have asked for a better team or company.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were so impressed with their professionalism and communication skills.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

There is no improvement needed. They excel at everything they do.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the VP of a stencil manufacturer. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Absolute Web Services?

We wanted out website redesigned to be responsive and easy to use for customers.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a responsive website that works across multiple platforms and is easy to use for our customers

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After speaking with multiple companies, Absolute was the only one that could answer all of our questions and the best fit for us.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

Absolute is designing the UX/UI of the site, adding in options for certain products, and customizing the CMS section, blog, and other content. 

What was the team composition?

I am not sure how many people are on their team, but I do have a project manager. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

Customers compliment our site saying it is easy to use and looks great.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Our project manager is our main point of contact and his attention to detail and quick responses are refreshing. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They deliver projects within the promised deadline and are able to complete new tasks quickly.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

No, there are no areas to improve. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of Marc’s Mobility. We sell new and used handicapped medical equipment ranging from power wheelchairs, scooters, and lift chairs. We sell these products through our website and then ship them across the country.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Absolute Web Services.

We had worked with a couple of different developers and kept running into problems. There were issues at checkout or the system couldn’t process credit cards. We went to another company to fix the problem, but that was only temporary and every few weeks it would happen again. When we reached out to Absolute Web Services, we were looking for someone to repair the website and eliminate the problem.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had an existing website on a Yahoo-based platform, and switched to a Magento platform. The first developer wasn’t as well-versed in Magento and that’s where the problems began. The second company said they could fix it, and didn’t. Then, Absolute Web Services came in and looked at the Magento base files. They told us the previous developers had made modifications and it wasn’t worth it to fix it. They recommended we would be better off building a website from scratch, and we moved forward with that plan.

They created a custom website; it wasn’t built on templates. We told them we wanted a website similar to what we already had, but actually functioning. They went over everything from color schemes to font, design, layout and we kept sending prototypes back and forth until we were pleased with the result.

We have a lot of older clientele who visit our website to make purchases. We wanted everything to be very clear – large fonts, easily accessible website, and good mobile optimization as it’s a large source of our traffic. They provided suggestions to simplify the website and create what’s best for an elderly individual.

What is the team dynamic?

We mainly worked with Kyle [Ecommerce Project Manager, Absolute Web Services]. But we also met with Roman [Founder & CEO, Absolute Web Services] in the early stages of the process.

How did you come to work with Absolute Web Services?

We were looking around, and I’m not sure if they were recommended to us or we just found them, but we liked what we saw from them. Their team was all in-house and not exporting their services to many other places. They seemed like had an eager, good core of young professionals. The owner of our company just happened to be in Miami where they’re based and decided to stop in and see them. He had a good feeling about the company and we decided to go with them.

How much have you invested with them?

In the range of $15,000–20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2017, and the project was completed in September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven't had any issues with the website, which is the best quality we could ask for. With the previous site, people were always calling saying there was an error and they were unable to checkout. The best thing is having a functioning website with no problems whatsoever.

Traffic to the website seems to be about the same, but we’re definitely getting more conversions. We’ve seen an increase in online checkouts in comparison to phone orders. We’re working with them now as well to do more SEO after the success of the end-product.

How did Absolute Web Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They were excellent. We mainly communicated through email. I never met with our project manager, but we spoke on the phone. One of the best aspects was that whenever I found something that wasn’t quite right, I would email Kyle and within 10 minutes he would get back to me, and the problem would be addressed within a day. They were very on top of anything that we needed changed or wasn’t quite right.

They really went above and beyond and often answered questions that weren't even necessarily related to the project, just small changes. Kyle would send over a video of him doing a task on his screen so I could see step by step how to make the changes, usually for something simple like changing a banner. He would get back to within an hour at maximum for any questions we had.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their level of service and their quick response time to get back to you. There’s nothing more frustrating than when you email someone a question, and it takes them a week to get an answer back. Even if it’s just a short response acknowledging they are aware of the problem and they’re working on it, it’s key when your whole business run around a website.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really. We’re very happy. I think we kind of got scarred by the 2 previous companies that over-promised and under-achieved. Then when you go to a company like Absolute Web Services who did everything they said they were going to, there’s not much room for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be honest and straightforward about exactly what you’re looking for from the start. A lot of times people come in and think they know what they want, and then as the project goes on they add onto the scope which changes the price and the timeline. If you come in here and tell them everything that you're looking for right from the get go, they’ll deliver.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Poli LED Corporation is a B2B wholesale LED lights retailer in Miami, operating since 2001. We've recently decided to begin selling to retail customers so launching the website was our first step to making that become a reality.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a clean e-commerce shopping website. Customers deserve a straight-to-the-point shopping experience and we needed something easy to come alive and be successful.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We saw them online and they seemed like the best in Miami. We saw nothing but great reviews for them on every social media platform. We called up many web developers but finally decided that they were the ones. Their web page was a lot more trustworthy than other competitors in Miami.

Their young staff and boss convinced us when we met with them because we wanted something that reflected a younger attitude versus an older looking website.

Describe the project in detail.

We created the site designs first. After approval, the team started working to create an actual live website and we pointed out things we wanted to be implemented. The whole process took about 6 months, but overall the website included all the features we had identified from the beginning.

What was the team composition?

I was mainly in contact with Kyle [Project Manager, Absolute Web Service].

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The website was completed in 6-7 months. It looks very professional and makes customer shopping very easy.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

When I assigned a task it was immediately noted. Kyle gave me his Skype ID to contact him, through which I was able to contact him quickly. All of my questions were rapidly replied to and I felt like I was a part of the project the entire duration.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their communication was top notch. They are very creative individuals and have an expert design team.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Beyond Health is a vitamin and supplement company providing all-natural products without additives or fillers. The owner of our company was sick at one time and made himself well by taking vitamins and supplements, which is how our business started.

I am the operations manager of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Absolute Web Services?

We needed to build a brand-new website. The previous one was horrible, with essentially a 123-build-a-website look. Many of our clients only have the site as a contact means, so we needed one which expressed what we were about.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Absolute Web Services built a complete Magento website for us, taking us away from our previous platform version. The change ended up saving us around $23,000 per year, while still providing everything that we needed. Absolute was open around the options we had.

The site needed to feature a lot of information about our individual products, which come in tablet or powder form. Clients need the ability to pick whichever form they want. We also needed to express our mission and offer information about our founder. There is a weekly bulletin which we send out either in text form or as a news clipping; I wanted those to be on our website too.

How did you come to work with Absolute Web Services?

The company we were previously using was based out-of-state, so I was only able to communicate with them via phone and email. I wanted a more one-on-one experience and to be able to see a human. I made an online research for local companies, and I liked what I saw about Absolute. I called them and made an appointment. From the very moment we walked through the doors, the gentleman that talked to us made me feel reassured that my lack of technical experience would not be an issue. I liked Absolute Web Services from the start; they made me feel comfortable with their ability to handle everything we needed. If something couldn't be done, they didn't lie to me about it and always informed me about possible delays, instead of only letting me know at the last minute.

How much have you invested with Absolute Web Services?

The cost of Absolute’s services has been around $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our traffic and sales have been going up. Customers that have been with us for years love the easier flow of the website and the feeling of it. We're mobile-responsive, so the site flows and looks great on whatever device clients use. We haven't only been getting sales from new customers but have also offered more information to our returning ones.

Absolute Web Services is a very informative, professional, and open group. They have people who know what they're doing. There was no time at which I felt they couldn't do what we wanted, and any possible issues were always made clear to us.

Instead of trying to sell me a generic solution, Absolute Web Services tried to sell me what I wanted. They listened. I've been an operations manager for many years and have found that many people, especially younger ones, can have this problem. Absolute never inspired anything other than professionalism.

How did Absolute Web Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Absolute Web Services never gave me an outrageous deadline. The project management was kept updated. If anything wasn't accomplishable in time, I knew beforehand. They finished the project on-time, and we were able to go live on the set date.

What did you find most impressive about Absolute Web Services?

I appreciate their professionalism and willingness to listen to what I wanted, instead of offering what they thought I wanted.

Are there any areas Absolute Web Services could improve?

No. I didn't come off with anything negative out of our collaboration.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Absolute Web Services?

Customers should be upfront and tell Absolute Web Services exactly what they're looking for. They can make something out of even just a statement of what the client wants, and they can handle any type of company. We're a small business looking to grow, but I can see Absolute working with Fortune 500 clients without issue.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Grand Western Steaks is a division of Cheney Brothers Inc., which is a huge corporation in the Florida food service industry. Our company sells premium meats. I am the e-commerce specialist.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Absolute Web Services?

We have an online retail division that was started for the local market. We wanted to bring this program to a nationwide level and needed e-commerce expertise for this. Our previous website was old-fashioned and didn't present a trustworthy image to someone who wasn't familiar with our company. We were also looking for a company which could handle online marketing. We have a marketing department, but its focus is more on food-service customers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Absolute Web Services has developed our website. At the moment, we're working on adding extensions as well as marketing.

How did you come to work with Absolute Web Services?

I wanted to find a local developer that could be easily reached. The other requirement was Magento e-commerce experience. I looked for companies within West Palm Beach and Miami and found some Magento-certified providers. I made a list of 5 companies, looked at their portfolios, and reviewed every website that they'd built. I decided to choose Absolute Web Services because they were also able to handle marketing.

How much have you invested with Absolute Web Services?

The cost of our project with Absolute Web Services has been around $25,000, including marketing services. We were able to negotiate pricing by offering them work for our parent company's site.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Absolute Web Services in March 2016. Our website was launched in July.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

With Absolute Web Services, we never felt like a customer, but rather as a part of their business. We appreciated this because, even though we are part of a huge corporation, we retain a family-owned mentality. Whenever I needed something from them, I was able to call Absolute Web Services' team directly to meet and share ideas.

Absolute Web Services took our website ideas and put them into practice. Whenever something wasn't likely to work, Absolute Web Services let us know.

We just started our marketing work, so I don't have accurate feedback for it, but it has gone well so far. To give you an idea though, last year our sales were $300,000 without marketing and with our old website; this year, our sales were about $500,000. Our goal for next year is to reach a sales volume of $2 million.

How did Absolute Web Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Absolute Web Services is excellent in terms of project management. We received work like we wanted it, timeframes were not an issue, and communication was good. If I can't find my main contact, there are several other people from Absolute Web Services who can help me do what I need to. Our developer has constantly looked over the site and made improvements, like check-out details that he didn't like. From this perspective, Absolute Web Services is a good company.

What did you find most impressive about Absolute Web Services?

It was very easy for us to bring our ideas and put them to practice by collaborating with Absolute Web Services. The timeframe was very efficient. Our initial estimate was for six months, but Absolute Web Services finished the site in four. As a company, Absolute Web Services is always looking for something to improve.

Are there any areas Absolute Web Services could improve?

I'm satisfied with everything that Absolute Web Services did for us, and I have no complaints. There is a good group of people working there, making it easy for us.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Absolute Web Services?

If a client wants to be successful, they should gather a lot of material for Absolute Web Services. There is a never-ending supply of information that needs to exist.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I'm the owner of a professional hair care manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Absolute Web Services?

I hired them to build a new website.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

All goals related to the building of the new website were accomplished.

How did you come to work with Absolute Web Services?

I met with them and wanted to work with a local company. They seemed very professional and responsive.

What is the status of this engagement?

We still work with them as needed. The website was done about a year ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We are happy with the work Absolute Web Services did and are happy to keep working with them.

How did Absolute Web Services perform from a project management standpoint?

My perception is that they did very well.

What distinguishes Absolute Web Services from other providers?

They were always available when needed.

In hindsight, are there areas in which they could improve or things you might do differently?

No.