BusinessApps

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a law firm specializing exclusively in counseling on alcohol and gambling licensing. We are the largest licensing law firm in the UK. I am the head of marketing and business development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BusinessApps?

When I joined the firm, we already had an app in place which had been developed by a very expensive firm in London but it simply wasn’t fit for our purpose. The customer experience wasn’t very nice; it was clunky and didn’t work well. There wasn’t much photography on the app, so it had a flat and uninteresting look. The fonts were very small, and there hadn’t been much thought put into the interface itself. The app also had no interactive tools, nor did it allow us to send push notifications, so we couldn’t send any direct messaging to users. This showed in our numbers; the app had been live for 18 months to two years and had been pushed to clients, but we only had 150–200 regular users. It was poor and needed fixing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When I first came into this business, the app was almost an extension of the website and didn’t do a great deal outside of providing a lot of information about the laws surrounding alcohol licensing. It also updated itself with new stories published on our website.

I showed our app to BusinessApps and explained the problem we perceived. They revolutionized it for us, changing the user interface and experience completely. The layout became more image-based, colorful, and vibrant. Our fonts were changed, becoming easier and more enjoyable to read. BusinessApps has also installed several tools within our app, helping people plan events around bars and restaurants in the UK. It helps users work out several tax implications of their licensing, and it can also store photos of those licenses for later use. The app has a range of reminders for certain legal processes which reoccur each year, such as fees and reviews. Not only does it look better and has a far superior user experience, but it also has a range of tools which make it a more useful app as opposed to just a repository for information.

BusinessApps has also integrated something called Urban Airship into the app. It allows us to make push notifications, which has proved very helpful. We use it for any special events, training, or breaking news. We have Flurry Analytics integrated into the app as well, but we haven’t used it very much.

BusinessApps built screens for first-time downloaders. When someone first used our app, there was no tutorial for them, so they didn’t know what it could do. The new version has a five-page, easy-swipe intro which looks very good. Lots of people have commented on how useful it is.

How did you come to work with BusinessApps?

Our London-based developers were charging us a lot of money, and it no longer made sense to me to use an agency based in the capital. I work in a trendy, fashionable part of Nottingham, and there are many design agencies around working in converted warehouses. I went out during lunch, looking at the businesses in the area, and noticed a load of stickers on the windows of one office which said “We develop apps”. I knocked on their door and spoke to the owner. My initial reaction to BusinessApps was very positive. Their owner saw me even though he didn’t know who I was and I hadn’t set up an appointment. I was impressed with the offices and the client testimonials on BusinessApps's walls. I also looked at their website, client reviews, and the apps they had developed and was very impressed.

How much have you invested with BusinessApps?

The cost of BusinessApps' work was around £8,000 [US $10,300].

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with BusinessApps on the 16^th of September, 2016. The project ended in October of the same year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve sent an email to quite a few of our clients and partners asking for their opinion on the app and have them test drive it for us. We received nothing but positive comments. People have liked it and have said very nice things.

From a hard numbers point of view, the app also performed well. In the 18 months since it’s been launched, we went from having only 150–180 users to just under 1,500. That’s a huge increase in users compared to where we were.

How did BusinessApps perform from a project management standpoint?

I worked with a project manager from their team. I had only worked with one other app company, so I don’t know if this was normal but most of our communication was done over Basecamp, where I could input information, comment on visuals, and receive replies. We could see an audit trail of the entire project. The whole process was easy, and it was delivered on time and within budget. Since the project ended, whenever I identify something which needs changing or if there’s an update in the law, BusinessApps has been responsive in addressing it.

What did you find most impressive about BusinessApps?

They understood my brief, which was great. I’ve not worked with many app agencies, but I have worked with tons of web development and design firms. From a design point of view, I was impressed with the visuals that BusinessApps put together.

Are there any areas BusinessApps could improve?

It may not be an improvement, but I do like communicating over the phone at times. I’m quite a visual and verbal person, so there have been occasions when I wanted to phone BusinessApps' team and ask them a question, but everything was done via Basecamp.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I had an idea to develop a new app.

What is your position?

I am an entrepreneur.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with BusinessApps?

I had an idea for a horse racing game that I needed someone to develop. I found BusinessApps and saw that they’re really professional. They got back with me almost immediately, and I decided they would be a good fit.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

They helped develop my app for mobile devices using iOS. We maintained regular contact on a daily basis through an email feature called Basecamp. They always responded to me very quickly and approached communication in a friendly way that made me very comfortable.

How did you come to work with BusinessApps?

I searched the internet and they really stood out to me. Their team, including their CEO [chief executive officer], always made themselves available to talk and this was before I decided to use them. I chose them for a number of reasons, and their close proximity to me was one of them. I could tell the CEO was a genuine guy. I had never developed an app before and the whole team at BusinessApps made me feel very comfortable.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

When it’s fully complete, it’ll be about $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

They started developing it earlier this year in January [2016], and should be done very soon.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did BusinessApps perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a fantastic job. I’ve been working alongside one of App Institute’s employees and they have always been in constant communication. If I ever have a question, they respond within 24 hours. They listen to my opinions and make changes where I think necessary.

What distinguishes BusinessApps from other providers?

They have given really good advice from day one. App Institute has been up front about timelines and cost of the project, which I really appreciate.

Is there anything BusinessApps could have improved or done differently?

I can’t think of anything. We are in contact every day and as a result, everything has gone really smoothly.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

My company developed an app for the beauty industry that helps with last-minute cancellations and bookings. It is also an advertising tool that salons can use.

What is your position?

I am one of three directors.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with BusinessApps​​​​​​?

The business challenge was that we wanted two apps to work together and interact. We wanted an app for the merchant and an app for the user. The apps would connect with each other. For example, the merchant would have an availability they could send to the user. If the user wants to book a haircut or a nail appointment, they would send their requests to the merchant that would then be confirmed. Justin [Ashurst, chief operating officer] advised us that it would be better to have app-to-app technology rather than just one app that does everything, which I agreed with.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

They've developed everything from the in-house picture services, the messaging from user to merchant, all of the details that come with ping notifications, and everything that comes from bookings, to the map view, the location services – everything. I'd go to them with an idea, and we'd work it out together. Obviously, they helped us tweak out what needed to be done.

I only have good things to say about BusinessApps. They actually helped me develop the app farther than what I originally had planned it to be. It's due to be released in a couple of months [late summer 2016], and it will only be available on the iPhone. Depending on the metrics, we'll be going ahead with development on Android. I will be doing that with BusinessApps again.

How did you come to work with BusinessApps?

I chose them because a couple of my friends have made applications with them. I got in touch with and spoke with various other companies as well. Some companies, I didn't think they were professional or innovative. Before I went to see these app developers, I looked at previous apps that were made, ones I was impressed by. Then came BusinessApps. I had a chat with Ian [Naylor, founder and chief executive officer] and Justin, and they understood my idea. I had a Skype meeting with them. I liked them they were quite cool, creative, and modern but, at the same time, quite professional. That's what made me choose them. I feel like we've received a fair and good deal, which I was quite happy with. I've been nothing but pleased with the results they've given me.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

It's around about ₤50,000 [approximately $68,000] so far, to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

Like I said, the apps are due to release in two months. We do have prototypes that we've been going back and forth with.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

I kind of drive Justin mad a little bit, to be honest. I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. I'm asking questions and things like that constantly. Justin's the COO. He's not just your average, run-of-the-mill app designer there. He's near the top of the ladder. He's always available to answer the phone. He is a good chap. I like Justin. I'm happy with the results.

How did BusinessApps perform from a project management standpoint?

We do use an app called Basecamp, which offers access to all of the app designers. We have a separate design team that helps with pictures and our logo. It's very transparent. I'm very happy with everything that they've done for us.

What distinguishes BusinessApps from other providers?

What's best about BusinessApps is the mixture of them being professional yet down to earth at the same time. You have one side of the scale where someone is just too down to earth or too relaxed, and then you have the other side where someone's just too pumped up, too corporate, and too professional. There's a good mixture with BusinessApps where they're transparent but, at the same time, they've got that professionalism as well, which is obviously one of the reasons why I chose them. They've been that way throughout, and I've been working with them for more than a year and a half.

Is there anything BusinessApps could have improved or done differently?

This is the first app I've developed and made myself with the help of BusinessApps. I've not come across many problems. We have had developments that we've added to the app, and that has cost us extra money. They've helped us out with costs and then put some certain tweaks, as we call them, to the sidelines. There will be further upgrades that BusinessApps has advised me not to pay for right now because after the app is launched, possibly once we've had feedback, that tweak might not be needed.