Bower Web Solutions

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a landscape designer at Green Meadows Landscaping, a landscape solutions company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

We had many issues with our website; our rankings were going down, and it wasn’t working properly.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bower Web Solutions did web redesign for us using WordPress; they changed all of our website’s content and appearance based on their proposals and gave us access to the platform to make updates at will.

In addition to that, they do hosting and ad hoc maintenance for the platform.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with Daniel (Founder) and Omar (Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

We found them through a networking group.

How much money have you invested in this partnership?

We spent $5,000–$10,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January–September 2019. We’ll continue to use them moving forward.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My customers give great feedback on our site, and that’s a benefit for our company. It also helps us get many leads directly from our site’s contact page — our rankings have increased since they took over.

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management is good; they’re quick and stay within deadlines and budgets. In terms of communication, we use email, phone calls, and occasional in-person meetings, which is nice for us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Our website works properly, which is night versus day compared to our other providers. They help our business through their work, and that’s the most important thing for us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve on — they’re always there when I need them, so they’re a great team to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend people to work with them; they’re the best option in the long run.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the sole proprietor of RH Consulting, a small business consulting firm also offering college financial aid advisory services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

I was training to have a more user-friendly interface on my client-facing website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bower Web Solutions has designed and developed my website from scratch on WordPress. Initially, I provided them with a brief of the top-level things I wanted to accomplish and gave them notes on the color palette, verbiage, and user flow I desired. Then, they took that input and provided me with a website mock-up to review. After making some changes per my request, we launched the site.

Among the basic features that Bower Web Solutions has helped me implement on the site were interactive dropdowns and questionnaires to collect prospective clients’ data. Additionally, they integrated animated graphics to convey some dynamism in the site’s presentation.

Since launching the site, we’ve kept working with Bower Web Solutions, planning for future upgrades. These upgrades include integrating a built-in blog and developing a feature for sending and receiving from clients document attachments securely through the site. In addition to web development, I’m planning to use them for interactive marketing and SEO.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with four people from Bower Web Solutions: Daniel (Owner), Zena (Office Manager), Omar (Creative Director), and another person. A lot of the original development and feedback gathering to design the site was done by Omar.

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

I met Daniel on a Facebook networking group.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $5,000–$6,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around October 2016, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from clients regarding my website. Whenever a new prospective client is looking for my services, I tend to engage with them and ask them how they found me. Various of those clients have told me that they’ve found my website. Although I currently don’t need the website to engage with potential clients, it is working well for that purpose.

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m very happy with Bower Web Solutions’ project management. I have very good access to their team, and they proactively reach out to me to talk about WordPress updates concerning the website. Their proactive approach is noteworthy, and the quality of our conversations is great. They’re very good at sharing important information with us.

We occasionally communicate via email, and we also interact with them through our business networking group. Overall, we have an active dialogue both online and in person.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bower Web Solutions’ service is great overall. They understand how important a website is as the virtual face of an organization and a point of interaction with prospective clients.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They’ve been great, so I can’t point out any weaknesses of theirs.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear understanding of the scope of work and your business needs before signing an agreement. Additionally, have an active and open dialogue about your challenges and budget so that there are no surprises later on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of aprofessional home organizing business. My areas of expertise include decluttering and staging homes to sell, packing/moving/unpacking and working with clients to organize their existing space.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bower Web Solutions, and what were your goals?

My goal was to update the look of my site and attract more potential clients looking for home organizing services. I asked Dan at Bower Web Solutions to provide some feedback about my website, pertaining to the design of the site and Search Engine Optimization.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I had heard about Bower Web Solutions through word of mouth and the feedback was very positive. They could have recommended a total redesign package, however they gave me the option of keeping the existing platform and making some changes to optimize the site, which as a small business owner I really appreciated.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and campaigns.

We began by having a discovery meeting to identify what my website needs were and to set project goals. They analyized the site and provided a list of reccomendations as well as educating me about search engine optimization. We worked together to achieve the end result.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked with one project manager who I believe was an SEO specalist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Clients really like the new and improved appearance of the website and some special features, such as a before and after photo app. With the SEO and my marketing efforts, I expect to see an increase in traffic in the near future!

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They were quick to respond to emails and the project was done in a timely manner.

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

Their overall knowledge of the industry is very comprehensive, the price was affordable and what impressed me most was their honesty. They could've tried to upscale their services but instead, they provided some very practical solutions.

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

Overall they did an excellent job. My only suggestion would be to set-up periodic meetings in addition to the excellent email communications.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and owner of a full-service graphic design business for both print and web projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bower Web Solutions, and what were your goals?

Bower Web Solutions (BWS) has helped us edit, upgrade, and sometimes revamp our WordPress websites.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

A fellow art director recommended BWS to me while we were speaking about issues on Wordpress sites we were working on. I called and spoke with Dan Bower and immediately recognized his expertise and employed their help. BWS is our go-to service provider for WordPress websites.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

Typically, BWS assists us with edits to our WP sites, sometimes requiring theme updates or upgrades particularly for better cyber security, and occasionally execution of site redesign. I always rely on their advice about technology choices to make and user interface suggestions. They are also very open to partnering with me to consult with me and my client to explain in plain speak what is truly needed for their online presence and business efficiency and growth.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I have worked with web developers Dan, Tom, and Omar at BWS and have never been disappointed with their timely attentiveness and quality work, was well as their wise counsel on programming work we are all doing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

I have been working with the Bower Web Solutions team for about 15 years now. They have always been a reliable resource for my company, very knowledgeable and very responsive. They have helped me with WordPress website edits and enhancements for my clients and have provided great support in a timely manner.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

I rely on their advice regarding best practices for today's always-changing technologies, they are on point and up-to-date.

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

Their pricing is always fair, and they are very easy to reach during business hours. They have been providing us with technical advice, web hosting, and email services, for many years, and I have confidently recommended them to many of my clients because I know they'll be in good hands. I truly like and trust these folks and I highly recommend them.

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

We all have room to improve if we are honest with ourselves. I can't really think of anything in particular to mention here, certainly not anything that would be dissatisfactory. I feel that they valuable are partners who are my first call for WP website support.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Danny's Luxury Cruise Vacations, a company in the travel industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

I hired them to develop a website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bower Web Solutions has developed my WordPress website from scratch. Currently, they offer maintenance and support for the website. 

What is the team composition?

I work with a web developer. 

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

I found them because they’re in my networking group. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $2,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around July 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Bower Web Solutions is wonderful to work with; they’re friendly, professional, and easy to work with. If they’re busy and can’t answer the phone, they’re very quick to call me back and respond to emails quickly. Overall, I’ve had a very nice experience with them. 

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re perfect at project management. Their ability to meet deadlines and stay on budget is right on target. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate that Bower Web Solutions cares about small businesses. They’re focused on helping us grow and get results. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they should keep doing what they’re doing and improving. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them what you need, and they’ll work with you to accomplish your goals. Bower Web Solutions does such a nice job that I have no issues referring people to them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Michael Raiser Associates specialize in the design, development, implementation, project management and commissioning activities in the global hospitality, resort, gaming, condominium, commercial, retail, and mixed use marketplaces. I am the VP of the Design Studio at MRA.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bower Web Solutions?

We hired Bower Web Solutions to help develop an updated Teammra website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Bower Web Solutions had helped us with the previous design of our Teammra website.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Multiple in person & online meetings were held during the design portion of the project. These ranged from color choices to detailed verbiage within each portion of the website. In person meetings included a photo-shoot session to capture Team MRA photos and Headshots to be used for the website. Back and forth coordination between Bower Web Solutions and MRA continued throughout the final portions of design.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked directly with Omar (Creative Director) throughout all portions of the website design.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Even with delays due to personal issues at MRA and the COVID pandemic, Omar was diligent in keeping the project on pace. His continual "check-in's" with MRA pushed the project to its completion.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Omar was very attentive to our needs and made multiple adjustments to his schedule to accommodate issues on our end. This flexibility was an important factor to the successful completion of this Web Design Project.

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

Creative Decisions based on inputs from all parties at MRA were implemented quickly within the Teammra website by Bower Web Solutions. Review meeting(s) would then be held and Omar would give his design opinion which in turn would adjust things within the website. This Creative Design implementation was very impressive and was done in a manner MRA could digest and make informed decisions.

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

Due to the Covid Pandemic, the web design ended up taking a very long time. This is not the fault of Bower Web Solutions as they kept quality a top priority over speed of completion.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing partner at a law firm. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

We hired Bower to design and host our website. For context, we were using another provider to host our website but were looking for a change. The provider was good, but they didn’t have the personal touch we wanted. Besides that, when we called them up, they routed us to somebody different each time. Sometimes we got somebody helpful, and sometimes they weren’t so helpful. As a result, we switched to another team. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bower has designed and hosted our website for years. We mainly use the site as a static placeholder, where people can look us up along with our services. Bower and our tea update it once a year or every 18 months. It’s not a highly interactive website, and that’s by design. 

What is the team composition?

Our main point of contact is Omar (Creative Director), and we’ve interfaced with Dan (Owner). 

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

One person from our law firm used Bower before; he ran for a political position and used the team’s services for his election website. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $10,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2017, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We don’t track any site metrics since we’re not pushing people to our website — we did that before, but we received too many calls from people that weren’t serious clients. The most important thing for us is that the site looks good and professional and accurately represents our bios and practice areas. This way, when we receive referrals, the clients see a beautiful website. 

Overall, the site serves as an online validation of our experience. Bower can track metrics for us, but we haven’t felt it necessary to do that. Nonetheless, the team has done a great job of designing our website. 

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They manage the engagement excellently. Their fees are reasonable, and the team has stayed within budget for all our major products. We typically communicate through emails and phone calls. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bower has personal accountability. We’re a small firm and pride ourselves on our services. On top of that, we appreciate their responsiveness. For us, even if a vendor is wrong, I prefer they be responsive — we can figure out the right answer together. If we send Bower an email, they get back to us; if we make a phone call, they pick up the phone. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be involved. Explain what you want, and Bower will make it happen. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president of a manufacturer's representative firm that works for a number of mechanical components manufacturers in the New York City Metropolitan area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bower Web Solutions?

Bower Web Solutions has built and maintained our website since its inception. The current project was to freshen the site.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We selected BWS because of their excellent service, prompt delivery of a finish product, and exceptional customer service. Their pricing is competitive, but we were not looking for lowest cost, instead we wanted a local company that we could speak with that we knew would understand what our objectives were with the website.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

As this was a refresh of an existing site, and the parameters of what we try to achieve with the site had not changed, this was a fairly simple process. I contacted BWS, we discussed possible options, and they recommended a few solutions that we in line with what I was looking for. They were awarded the job, established a timeline and completed the project within the timeframe promised.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked primarily with BWS' president and chief design consultant.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website is designed to be informational in nature. It was reviewed by the companies we represent, and the clean look of the site was commended.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have a long relationship with the BWS team, but in genral our requests are acknowledged within 12 hours (if not sooner) and if there are any questions, they are happy to get on the phone to discuss.

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

I have good ideas about how things should look, but little capacity to execute those thoughts. I am always impressed with how I can describe my thoughts to the BWS team and how the finished product is as good if not better than what I had envisioned.

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

Their billing portal is a little complicated, but that would be the only minor issue I could bring up.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an entertainer and a Frank Sinatra impersonator for an entertainment group. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

I hired Omar (Creative Director) to create a website to promote my business as an entertainer. I also worked with a group, so I needed something flashy that people could navigate to contact me or inquire about hiring the group or me.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I gave Omar an idea of what I wanted through photos, and then they developed the website. 

At present, Bower Web Solutions takes care of updating the website. If I need assistance or want to change anything, I can reach out to them. 

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Omar; he continues to provide maintenance services. 

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

A friend of mine referred me to Omar. I was impressed by the website they created for that friend, so I reached out and engaged them for this project. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $5,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

The partnership started in January 2007, and it’s ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Omar has exceeded my expectations. He’s come up with things I wouldn’t even think of, which says a lot about his skills because I’m a creative person, too. I’m thrilled with their work. 

Moreover, we receive plenty of good comments about the website. This is great because there are a lot of Sinatra impersonators in our area. I’ve been working steadily since the website launched. Most of my work comes from it, and many people contact me there to hire me. 

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I haven’t had any problem with their project management. I’ve been happy with their timelines and pricing, and the engagement has worked well for me over the years. To communicate, we use phone calls and emails. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bower Web Solutions' product is exceptional; the website exceeds my expectations. On top of that, the team is reliable — they’re always there when I need them. They also keep up to date with technological changes, which is truly helpful. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide Bower Web Solutions with the necessary information, and trust them to be creative and come up with something that will knock your socks off. They’ll run with the project; you don’t have to know a lot because they know a lot, so put your trust in their hands.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a specialized wine shop.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bower Web Solutions?

We needed someone to provide us with web development and design services to increase our online sales.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bower Web Solutions provided us with WordPress web development solutions, and they delivered a secure online shopping site with features that include local delivery and pick-up.

Moreover, the team also implemented hosting and maintenance support post-development.

What is the team composition?

We mainly interfaced with Daniel (Owner) and Omar (Creative Director).

How did you come to work with Bower Web Solutions?

Bower Web Solutions was referred to us by a former colleague.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $4,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from August 2020–January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve increased our sales to about 30% but since then, the business has subsided when things started going back to normal. 

How did Bower Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed excellently from a project management perspective as they strictly adhere to our deadlines and budget.

We typically communicated through email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with their web hosting capabilities and design prowess.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything they need to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would advise you to be upfront with your requirements to make the most out of your engagement.