Bop Design

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Heritage Paper is an industry leader delivering outstanding packaging design, equipment solutions, and fulfillment services to the southern California marketplace as well as national partners across the country. I am a sales account executive and lead the company’s marketing efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

Our previous website was designed nine years ago in conjunction with other sister companies. Because not all entities shared the same focus, the message was generalized and confusing. We hired Bop to not just redesign our website, but to also manage necessary SEO redirection to prevent traffic loss and assist with subsequent content marketing support for the new URL.  

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted the website to clearly convey our distinct advantages in this competitive field, to educate engineers and operations managers conducting independent preliminary research, and to serve as an effective marketing tool for our sales reps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After interviewing many different web developers, I chose Bop because they demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity in the B2B arena as well as a more in-depth understanding of our website’s purpose in generating more sales. In addition, they had the content marketing resources and experience to help us generate a return on our investment and offered a custom WordPress site, which we understood to be an advantage over the cheaper stock versions.  

Describe the project in detail.

I first polled our internal sales force and completed Bop’s project questionnaire to ensure we had a collective, comprehensive view of our messages and goals. Then I prepared a rough outline of a site map that identified crucial messaging and primary areas of focus before meeting with the business and creative principals and the web content director. We conducted a tour of our facility and design department followed by a general discovery session to which we invited our general manager (GM), our designer, and another sales executive. Bop carefully managed the process over the next four months, but there were inevitable delays on our part; we spent several weeks approving two revisions of the creative design. The remaining time was spent copy writing and selecting accompanying photos.  

What was the team composition?

Though we consulted with another key person when necessary for items requiring owner approval, we kept the team limited to primarily the GM, Bop’s head of design, and me. It was a good balance of marketing and sales input, tech design, and upper management endorsement. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bop excels at building websites for B2B. From the web developers who supervised the general process of copy and layout to the web integration tech and content marketing teams, each member or principal is capable, experienced, and knowledgeable in their respective disciplines. They can provide all the tools of a large agency but at a more reasonable cost and on a more personal level. Their quality of delivery may even surpass that of big vendors.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was extremely easy and fluid. Although I was responsible for the bulk of copy and layout decisions, we respected each other’s opinions and worked well together. They were excellent communicators and clearly explained the process of each phase so that we could attempt to plan for the expected output. They also remained flexible when issues arose preventing us from staying on schedule. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They are a skilled, knowledgeable team and every member is pleasant to work with. As we move forward with the content marketing strategy, their talent and efficiency continue to impress. I look forward to a long and successful relationship with Bop Design.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No; they're great!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am a partner at a public accounting firm in California.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bop Design?

Bop completely rebuilt our website for us. We really wanted a modern looking, outside the box website, and they were able to deliver.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

To start, we gave Bop examples of websites that we thought had a good theme or branding. They then presented us with a number of design and layout recommendations from which we chose. They then worked on rewording and populating the site with content including a blog, new photos, and key words based on our mission, values, and vision. They also created some really outstanding taglines that reflected our goal of reaching younger entrepreneurs.

What is the team composition?

We mostly communicated with their creative principle, but we also worked with a copywriter and a developer.

How did you come to work with Bop Design?

At the time we were considering redoing the website they actually cold called us, which turned out to be very fortuitous.

How much have you invested with them?

The project cost somewhere between $10,000­–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began this project in 2012, and we are about to start a new initiative with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bop took our old website, which was truly awful, and created one that I am very proud of. It has helped us to recruit high quality employees who often comment on how they really got a feel for our culture just from looking at the site. Additionally, while most of our business comes from organic leads, we have seen a significant increase in the amount of leads generated from the site. The website they built us really represents who we are as a company, and the feedback we have received from potential employees and clients reflects that.

How did Bop Design perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly speak over phone and email. They are very proactive at communication and setting follow-ups after any conversation.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Often times I will sit down with vendors and tell them our story and they will suggest something that in no way reflects who we are. Bop actually listened to us, did the work to understand who we are, and came back with ideas that reflected our culture. Every time they produced something for us it was on message and conveyed what we wanted.

Any advice for potential customers?

My advice would be to hire them. The time and effort they put in to understand who you are and what your end product should be is unbelievable. I can’t recommend them enough.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing manager at NPC, Inc., an information management and distribution solutions company based in Claysburg, PA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We needed to re-design our website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to clearly tell our story and show our target audiences why they would want to work for us or with us. Externally, we wanted to show our company as a solutions provider/strategic partner and not just a provider of capabilities and products. We wanted to highlight our offset printing, digital printing, fulfillment services. We wanted to use our messaging to position the organization for growth and transformation, moving away from the labeling us as only a “printer," a “government contractor," etc. We wanted to create a solid foundation for future marketing/communication efforts by using a CMS to make it easier to publish content and updates to the site.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We submitted an RFP to a number of website design and development vendors. We used a criteria scorecard and interview process to determine the best fit for the project.

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

Bop handled front- and backend development, concept development, UX design, content creation, content editing, and our website's launch. Their team took a quality over quantity approach to our website redesign strategy, focusing largely on the stories presented to our target audiences rather than on traditional SEO. 

What was the team composition?

There were a dozen people on the website design and development team, each with their own specific role, making it easy to transition from one part of the project to the next.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new website design showcased a modern look and feel, and it was much easier for us to publish new content, new pages, and edit current pages.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Once we ironed out the details on the goals and approach, the site content, design, and development stayed on schedule. Since each person on the Bop team had a specific role in the process, project management flowed nicely. Our handoffs during each phase of the project, from concept, content, design, to development, went smoothly. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their up-front customer service and relationship building set a positive tone for the project. Their structured, comprehensive final review and rollout of the site contributed to a smooth launch. Their development team was always extremely responsive to any and all requests.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the business development manager for a full-service media planning & buying agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We were redesigning our brand and wanted to update our website to accurately reflect our company. We needed to revamp our old content and create new elements to beef it up.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a website that was visually appealing, modern and informative. We wanted our potential clients and job searchers to understand our company well and reach out to work with us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We wanted to find someone with a great first impression that could understand our business and translate our values into a cohesive site. Bop Design was reasonable in their pricing, and we felt confident that they were up to the challenge.

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

Bop Design developed the front- and backend of the website. They designed our UX/UI and helped create our content.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a core group of about four people, but experts in a specific field were assigned as needed. We also worked with a day-to-day project manager who informed of the next steps of the project and introduced any additional experts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Based on the analytics we've received since the launch of our new site, traffic significantly increased. We also received several leads from potential clients.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

This was a long and complex project, and their project management handled it exceptionally well. Throughout the project, their team was responsive and addressed all of our many questions. The timeline was pushed back a bit because of the holidays, but overall communication and expectation management was excellent.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We were impressed with their ability to closely listen to our vision and turn it into reality. They were able to understand our business and keep our content and designs true to our core values.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

Since launch, we experienced some glitches on the site. They were fixed quickly by the team once we brought them to their attention, but it would've been helpful if they a system to alert them of any malfunctions in real time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

American Cargoservice is a full-service international and domestic freight forwarder. Since 1991, we’ve provided project logistics and transportation services for the alternative energy, mining, educational and manufacturing industries. As the business development manager, my primary responsibility is to manage our contract with the University of California system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We hired Bop Design to execute a complete website overhaul.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a user-friendly website that promoted our company as a well-established San Diego-based business. Ensuring that we could update the site in-house would help us keep the content fresh and relevant to our industry and customers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I sourced our industry partners and customers websites for mentions of web designers they used. Ultimately, we chose Bop Design because they promptly responded to us and had a local branch in San Diego.

Describe the project in detail.

Our company contributed the bulk of the content. Bop Design provided the process, structure, and design of the website. The team was responsive to our needs. They kept to the schedule while allowing for flexibility when we needed more time to provide content.

What was the team composition?

The team we worked with from Bop Design included Jeremy (Business Principal, Bop Design) and Emily (Project Manager, Bop Design).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve received inquiries nationwide from consumers.  Bop Design created a website for our company that’s easy to use, even for people with little to no prior knowledge of WordPress.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management style was very effective.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The Bop Design team was very easy to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They could have included a few days of hands-on WordPress training in the cost.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the marketing director for an organization the helps nonprofits raise money through direct response. I oversee all our B2B marketing and sales outreach efforts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We needed to completely reinvent our website from scratch.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to upgrade everything, including copy, images, function, analytics, interfaces, pages, etc. We needed a brand-new site.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found them on Clutch, reviewed highly for B2B websites. We gathered proposals from them and two other firms. All three were comparable in price, but Bop's B2B experience was drastically more robust than the others.

Describe the project in detail.

We began with an overview of our wish list for the new site. We also provided Bop with market research outlining our brand position within the industry. Collaboratively, we decided which pages to create and how the visitor journey should flow between pages.

Bop wrote some of the best copy I've ever seen and selected image options. They presented us with two homepage examples, and we picked the elements we liked most from each. They then proceeded to design the remaining pages. We handled the editing while they produced the site.

What was the team composition?

We began with an introductory meeting with everyone that would be involved. We mainly worked with a copywriter, their lead developer, or their lead creative director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within the first three days of launching the new site, we saw our bounce rate drop from over 70% into the mid 40's. Also, the time spent on the site tripled, from two minutes spent on average to six.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It was great! They were patiently persistent with us and kept us on track with deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They built an amazing website that does everything we wanted it to plus a little more. It all works better than we thought it would. None of us could believe that we got so much for the money we spent. If we had paid double than what we did, it still would’ve been a good deal.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No. I'd hire them again in a heartbeat.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

IVEMSA is an outsourcing management and compliance services company in Mexico. We help foreign companies set up operations in Mexico and provide the management services so they can concentrate on their core business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We hired Bop to help with our overall digital marketing strategy and brand positioning.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to improve our branding, content, and digital marketing strategy.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After having interviewed several agencies, we saw that Bop was able to grasp our requirements well. They were very conscious of our budget and didn't oversell their service. We also liked the fact that they were straight to the point.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Bop Design thoroughly interviewed our team to understand our value proposition and target market. From there, Bop worked on revamping our websites content with a straight-forward approach and stellar design.

Their team is currently working on SEO and optimizing the website's UX/UI. They are also helping us create full-bodied content for our blog.

What was the team composition?

We work directly with the Bop's principals and their team of collaborates. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website has seen an uptick in traffic, and we are starting to see more prospects which will hopefully turn to clients. Our sales cycle is quite long, so the results of our engagement will emerge further in the future. However, the quality of their work so far is immediately noticeable. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their hands-on team makes workflow seamless and collaborative. Although they are a boutique agency, they have the expertise and bandwidth to tackle any marketing need.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We are impressed by their overall professionalism, know-how, follow through, and quick execution of requests.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, so far everything is great.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of Connectronics, Inc. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer of Radio Frequency (RF) connectors, adapters, and components. We design and build a wide variety of standard and custom connectors with low minimums and fast turnaround capabilities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

Our website launched in the early 2000s and was outdated. It had a negative impact on our customer's perception of us. We selected Bop Design to redesign the website and create new content for the site.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed an easy-to-maintain website that allowed us to make updates and posts to reflect new products and trade show events. We also needed to restructure the site's hosting and management arrangements. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched available B2B-focused design firms and conducted phone screens with four potential partners. We received proposals from two finalists and selected Bop Design due to their overwhelming amount of experience in the B2B arena. They clearly articulated their vision for post-launch website maintenance efforts which was a vital consideration for our project. 

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

Bop Design executed website user interface design, development, and implementation. They created the graphical and copy content for the site with collaboration and input from our team. Bop Design also provided full implementation support, troubleshooting, and a detailed user manual for us to reference.

What was the team composition?

Bop Design provided a project manager, copywriting and search optimization experts, and technical resources to develop and implement the website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The improvements were staggering compared to the old site. We've received very positive feedback about our updated UX and have gained an unprecedented increase in business conversions. The improved UI have allowed new customers to easily access our portfolios and be reassured of our experience. 

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Bop Design assigned a project manager from the beginning to the completion of the project. He was our primary point of contact and always followed through on our requests, questions, and deliverables.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Bop Design's B2B focus is what set them apart. They understand the unique aspects of B2B marketing in ways that a B2C subject matter expert may not.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

We were completely satisfied and happy with the results.If anything, a rough framework for future enhancements and their costs would have been convenient. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the vice president of sales at Silvus Technologies, which was founded in 2004 to bring the revolutionary benefits of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication technology to the transmission of high-fidelity video, voice, and data in harsh conditions. Silvus assembled a team of scientists and engineers to pursue U.S. government-funded research and development opportunities that address severe multipath, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation, interference, high mobility, and spectrum congestion. As of today, Silvus has successfully executed more than $56 million in contracts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

Our previous website was created in 2012. It looked outdated and did not properly reflect the cutting-edge work we do.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to surpass our competitors’ online presence with a polished and media-rich platform that reflects the quality of our products. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We solicited bids from three local vendors. One vendor was fully committed but referred us to Bop, explaining that Bop competes with them for many projects and always produces high-quality work. Of the proposals, Bop’s was by far the most impressive and professional and conveyed their creative aptitude and attention to detail. They have the whole process down to a science.

Describe the project in detail.

Bop pitched two different concepts that met our needs. The process of refining the website to suit our needs was interactive, and they responded to all requests while saving us from bad ideas on a few occasions. The website was completed within six months.

What was the team composition?

Bop assembled an impressive team of experts, each specialized in a certain area. They were all competent and professional. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

After comparing our current website to the old one, I think the results speak for themselves.

How effective was the project management?

The progression from design to development to launch went seamlessly as we were handed off from one team member to the next.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

On the surface, they seemed like a best-in-class marketing company. Now that our project is complete, I can definitively say they are a tremendous asset. I feel privileged to be able to collaborate with Bop.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

Check out their past work for other companies. If your B2B company is looking to enhance your profile in the market, Bop can help. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president of a company that manufactures a wide array of rooftop components for the pre-engineered metal building industry. We make roof curbs, skylights, smoke ventilators, roof hatches, and roof safety products. We ship products nationwide as well as to several international customers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bop Design?

We hired them to design, build, and deploy a new company website.

What were your goals for this project?

We operate in a very competitive market, so the presentation of our products and capabilities was paramount. Our primary goals include providing intuitive online access to product documents, installation guides, and contact information. We also wanted to improve the ability of users to submit quote requests online. Lastly, we wanted to build on a platform that allows for efficient expansion of features and functionality.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We conducted a market search of companies that best fit the project scope and who specialized in B2B web site services. After requesting quotations from five agencies, we interviewed three of them. We selected Bop Design because their portfolio aligned with our vision for the site and the proposed budget was on target. In addition, they developed using the WordPress platform, which would allow us to directly manage content and images in-house.

Describe the project in detail.

To gain a thorough understanding of our goals for the new site, Bop started with a series of conference calls and questionnaires. They then provided a set of baseline concepts for us to choose from. After the baseline design was established, we received a more comprehensive mockup of the website. They provided several revisions until we were happy with the design.

Once the design concept was complete, we received access to GatherContent, allowing us to easily supply content, images, and documents. Once the content was complete, they executed the actual build for about 2.5 months, including quality assurance (QA) and approval from our team. Bop then handled the deployment of the site as well as redirects from our old site.

What was the team composition?

The team consisted of roughly six members: a project manager (PM), two developers, two designers, and a content specialist. There may have been others involved that interacted directly with the PM.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

Our website has only deployed recently, so we do not have metrics to share at this time. However, we've asked a few key customers to review the new site, and they have all conveyed a very positive response. If our customers approve, then I'd say the project achieved one of our primary goals.

How effective was the project management?

It was a clean process. Aside from GatherContent, they utilized BugHerd to track and address site issues during QA. Our project manager was very responsive and did not hesitate to request feedback from their internal specialists to help us make key decisions. Those types of services were not specifically spelled out in the contract, but they were more than willing to help whenever possible. Their team was very easy to work with, and it was a great experience overall.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed by their superior design services. We appreciate the personal attention we received from their creative principal, who is the driving force behind their approach to web design. The Bop team was excellent at taking feedback and finding ways to achieve our goals while ensuring an excellent web user experience.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

As a small business, we have limited internal resources for content development. In addition, we underestimated the time needed to develop web content, images, documents, etc. Ideally, content should be developed ahead of time, or at least scoped and assigned before the project starts. This will cut down on the number hours required during the build and prevent delays in deploying the site.