Appetiser

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-founder of an online marketplace for users to browse and book vendors for events or parties.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appetiser?

We needed to implement a full redesign of our web application and fix a long list of bugs.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to launch our application within a short time frame.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We wanted to partner with a service provider based in Melbourne. We found Appetiser after doing significant research. We met with Michael (co-founder, Appetiser) and knew within ten minutes that we wanted to work with them.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We provided Appetiser with a list of issues with our application and also the new design specifications. They came back to us with cost estimates. Once approved, we were introduced to our developer and had a conference call to discuss each point in detail. All points were uploaded to Trello, which was used as the primary means of communication and project tracking.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of three people, but I only worked closely with Anne (developer, Appetiser).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Appetiser saved our project. We achieved more in two months working with them than we achieved working with our previous developer for over a year. They met each and every milestone, and exceeded every expectation we had.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their team is very professional, knowledgeable, and likeable. They used Trello to communicate and track progress. Michael and Anne were always available for a quick chat if needed. They were generous with their suggestions, recommendations, and feedback. Anne’s response time was second to none. Her technical knowledge was fantastic. She managed to find solutions to every challenge we faced. She’s an incredible asset to their company.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They never over promised and under delivered on anything. They had the ability to problem solve and find solutions to anything we threw at them. They’re total professionals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the managing director of Manage My Plan, a client management system. The platform is aimed explicitly at clients who have funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appetiser?

We brought Appetiser on half-way through creating our product—we needed them to solve our issues and finish development.

What were your goals for this project?

Ultimately, we wanted to finalize our product and have a working software on the market.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I searched for developers online and reached out to Appetiser. After speaking with Michael (Founder, Appetiser), I trusted his confidence in understanding our needs and limitations. Since we were new to the industry, he took the time to explain our issues to us clearly.

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

Appetiser redesigned our software, including changing the color template. They modified the functions and features to improve UX. They added elements to strengthen the software’s capabilities.

What was the team composition?

Michael was our main point of contact, which made for a consistent experience. We communicated with the other developers throughout the process, as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They delivered a finished product, and we launched it to our marketplace.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We used a simple quote and invoice system, so we could effectively track our budget. The Appetiser team handled the project impressively, especially compared to other developers in the industry. They ensured we had mutual clarity throughout the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We valued the personal touch they added to the work. Additionally, they had strong expertise and the communication skills necessary for putting customers first.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

It could have been better if the development timelines were sped up.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're a business services company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Appetiser?

We wanted to develop a unique, compelling design for a business application.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a great UX, a clean design, and a compelling functionality.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We scheduled face-to-face meetings with a shortlist of local and international development firms.

Describe the project in detail.

They developed an app design through an agile, consultative process. They designed screen layouts, then improved the concept and crafted a UX prototype.

What was the team composition?

We had a small team of designers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They established a highly effective workflow through regular calls, emails and virtual meetings.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their collaborative approach, along with the expertise and advice they provided.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can't think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of DIYPro

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Automotive DIY app 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appetiser to accomplish?

• The tech knowledge to bring an idea to life

SOLUTION

How did you find Appetiser?

Online Search

Why did you select Appetiser over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Appetiser were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Lo-fi and hi-fi UX

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Progressed my idea to the point where I can now start raising capital 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Always on time. Were very easy to work with and didn't hesitate to change some things after I gave them feedback.

What was your primary form of communication with Appetiser?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their ability to make what I wanted work was impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appetiser could have done differently?

They said they dont have clients but have partners. Thats nice to say but definitely was a client. But that didn't really matter. Can't wait to work with them again building the MVP

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Oltrn8

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are still in the early stage but will be a mobile phone application centered around recruitment - the company may expand to other creative ventures.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appetiser to accomplish?

• Support in beginning and continuing the development of my idea

SOLUTION

How did you find Appetiser?

Online Search

Why did you select Appetiser over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned
• Other

How many teammates from Appetiser were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I began with the first phase of app development process called the 'momentum design stage'. 
Everything this process entailed when entering the contract was delivered far beyond my expectations. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Great communication, weekly meetings, designs reflected by what we had spoken about. Great support and transparency, and invest X support. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Everything far exceeded my expectations, meetings were held weekly, emails were prompt, designs were completed as promised. A lot of support all round as promised in the momentum program.

What was your primary form of communication with Appetiser?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Everything, taking an idea from an inexperienced customer and not only bringing it to life but going to the extent of ongoing support to the next stages of investment and entering the development phase. Everything was perfect. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appetiser could have done differently?

Absolutely not, I have had a great experience. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an Executive of Spotivo, a sports company that gives young athletes a fair chance at being discovered.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appetiser?

We hired Appetiser to design the Spotivo app, including the UX/UI design. The platform connects young footballers with clubs and agents. The goal was to bring our vision to life through an intuitive and engaging app design that works seamlessly for both athletes and talent seekers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appetiser has handled the end-to-end design of the Spotivo app, covering the full UX/UI design. The main deliverables have included the app architecture and user flow mapping, wireframes, high-fidelity screen designs for both the athlete and club sides of the platform, and a design system to ensure consistency across the product. The scope has covered the core features of the platform, including athlete profile creation, discovery and search functionality, and the connection between players and talent seekers.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 2–5 teammates from Appetiser.

How did you come to work with Appetiser?

We found them through an online search. We chose them over other options because of their high ratings and great culture fit.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2026, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The measurable outcomes have been primarily around the quality and completion of the design deliverables. Appetiser has delivered great designs; the product looks and feels exactly how we envisioned Spotivo. We’ve shared the work with potential users, who have responded positively. The consistent feedback is that the app feels premium and clean, which is exactly the positioning we want for Spotivo. For an early-stage product, that kind of validation from our target audience is a strong indicator that the design is heading in the right direction.

How did Appetiser perform from a project management standpoint?

Appetiser’s project management has been solid throughout. They’ve delivered on time and kept the project moving at a good pace. Our primary form of communication has been virtual meetings, emails, and messaging apps. Communication has been clear and consistent, and they’ve been responsive when we need to provide feedback or make changes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What has stood out the most is how well they’ve understood our vision from the start. Spotivo is a purpose-driven platform — it’s about giving young athletes a fair shot regardless of their background — and Appetiser has captured that in the design without us having to over-explain it. The collaboration has felt genuine; they’ve brought ideas to the table rather than just executing instructions. Overall, the end result has been a product we’re proud to show people.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of Melva Enterprises

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Founded and developed a calendar reminder App for patients and staff to organise IVF and other fertility treatments/cycles.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appetiser to accomplish?

• Discuss my idea and turn it into a prototype
• Develop the prototype into a functioning app and launch in the app store for users/patients to download and use
• Further develop the app to integrate with clinic systems for staff and patients

SOLUTION

How did you find Appetiser?

Online Search

Why did you select Appetiser over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Appetiser were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

To develop a simple and user-friendly app to organise IVF/fertility treatment instructions. Initially, the aim was to develop an app for patients to use themselves.  Appetiser staff make a very clear, neutral design that achieved by aim of a simple calendar reminder app. It was launched in the app store after developing a beta testing app. The app works very well - simple, flexible and tailored to IVF.  

Due doctor, nurse and clinic interest, appetiser are further developing the app to integrate with clinic systems. Appetiser have kindly met with and emailed the clinic IT system team several times to help integrate the app.     

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Developed a user-friendly and attractive app that did everything I needed. They brought my idea to life and made it into a product. 

Excellent feedback from IVF clinic doctors and nurses and clinic IT system managers.

Gaining paid users via the app store. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The development phase took slightly longer than anticipated and involved significantly more development costs. I think highly of the project, finished product, and current Appetiser team, but the earlier development phase was very protracted. Things sped up, and communication improved when my overseas project manager was replaced. 
The new manager was more organized, understood the technical side of app development more, and seemed to liaise more closely with the developers. I also had more access to chat with the Developers as needed. The second manager has been more proactive and communicated well with other teams outside Appetiser to integrate the app.

What was your primary form of communication with Appetiser?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The original app design and aesthetics by Appetiser - designer Sharon and Jarrod.

• Enthusiasm, knowledge, mature advice re app/social media/etc, Canva skill and all-round multi-talented local (Richmond) project manager - Tovah
• Communicative, polite, helpful, measured overseas project manager - Sherwin 
• Loyalty—when the project was recently delayed due to extenuating circumstances, Appetiser kindly shifted my development dates rather than billing me for more days. 

This was especially generous given that they had already billed me for fewer days than anticipated would be needed for the development. Also, they gave me generous access to a local project manager, Tovah.  

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appetiser could have done differently?

Their efficiency in development and escalating when projects take longer than anticipated is commendable. Responding to customers when they express concerns about duration and extra costs incurred through no fault of their own. 
Senior management staff contact customers when projects have been delayed and review if a project manager is not the best fit for the project and/or if the approach or system needs to change. 
It needs more oversight. I think very highly of my app and almost all staff I have dealt with, but more structure would help projects reach their full potential, keep customers and staff enthusiastic, and hopefully not lose hope, trust, and momentum. 
It would also be very helpful if they did formal marketing (although Tovah is a wizz at Canva) or officially partnered with a marketing, advertising, and digital assistant team/company to keep all in-house. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Sole trader of Pink Cloud

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provides an app to help people quit drinking alcohol.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appetiser to accomplish?

• Design an app
• Design an app

SOLUTION

How did you find Appetiser?

Online Search

Why did you select Appetiser over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Appetiser were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

To assist in the design of an app that would assist people to quit drinking alcohol.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I now have a prototype of an app that I can share with potential customers and investors.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Delivery was always on time and all my requests were responded to promptly and with careful consideration of what I was asking for.

What was your primary form of communication with Appetiser?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I was impressed with their customer service. I also was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm for the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appetiser could have done differently?

I enjoyed discussing strategy and ideas for app development in the early stage of the project, but this dropped off as the project progressed. I am not sure if this is a normal progression for this type of project as I am very new to app development.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of My breeders store

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

A platform for registered breeders to advertise their kennel, pups and stud services

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appetiser to accomplish?

• Build our app

SOLUTION

How did you find Appetiser?

Online Search

Why did you select Appetiser over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from Appetiser were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Appertiser were extremely helpful and professional from start to finish

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We had fortnightly meetings and were updated on progress

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Always delivererd on time

What was your primary form of communication with Appetiser?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Extremely professional and helpful

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appetiser could have done differently?

No. They are the best! 💯🙌