ChopDawg.com

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO and founder of a company that's in the process of creating a mobile real estate app that automates the purchasing and selling for individuals without the need of a real estate agent.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

My partners, advisers, and I tried to create an app, but didn't have the technical expertise to create a usable platform, so we were looking for a developer to help us bring our idea to life.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg is designing a mobile app on iOS, including both front end and back end development. Once that version is completed, we plan to work with them to build an Android version a well.

What is the team composition?

We work with two full-time dedicated staff on their team and a project manager. We've also been in touch a lot with Joshua (Founder, ChopDawg.com).

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

We looked for top mobile app developers in the local area, from Philadelphia to Boston and Washington, DC. After a lot of research, we narrowed our list down to 10 firms and starting calling and meeting with each one. Out of the five proposals we received, we were most impressed by ChopDawg's approach. They weren't the cheapest vendor, but they did the best job of taking the knowledge of what I shared with them about our business and model, incorporating it into a scope of work that was above and beyond what I expected.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested $100,000 in the iOS version of the app.

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed an agreement with ChopDawg in March 2018 and started working on the app in early April.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

ChopDawg's team provides invaluable feedback that's significantly improved the overall design of the app. They contributed greatly to the design and flow of platform, incorporating features that we never would've thought of.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

The team's level of openness in communication has been excellent. Their approach is very collaborative and proactive. Our project manager has been great about managing deadlines, arranging weekly calls, and sending follow up emails to make sure everyone's on top of tasks.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Everything's been fantastic thus far. I can't think of anything they could improve upon.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of Niche Sports Connect. I am building a social network for niche sport enthusiasts all around the world to connect together in virtual tournaments and schedule in-person competitions.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg?

I needed to develop and design and iOS application and website that focused on membership and communication.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg developed the iOS application and used Wordpress to build and design the website.

What is the team composition?

A project manager led three developers and two designers.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg?

I found them through their blog and loved their article about how to best work with agencies.

How much have you invested with them?

I have invested around $75,000 for everything.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in Jan 2018. The project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thus far, the designs have been incredible. What I loved about this whole process is that they have turned everything I envisioned into one large picture, and I am very happy with the progress.

How did ChopDawg perform from a project management standpoint?

At the beginning, they mapped out the project plan from start to finish, setting up deadlines that they have consistently met.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I feel like I’m not working with an agency, I am working with good friends. The project management is both fluid and timely, and they have been very respectful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I can think of, I have been very impressed with everything so far.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My business is the Crypto Currency Database (CCDB). We educate people how to invest cryptocurrencies, understand the relevant technologies, and follow the latest news.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We needed a vendor to develop web and mobile applications.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed native iOS and Android apps in React. The team built the web app with Laravel and helped design the UI. ChopDawg.com also provided branding services. Work completed in early 2018, but we’re not launching the apps while the cryptocurrency space is in a downturn.

What is the team composition?

The team included one project manager, a developer, and two designers. I interfaced with the CEO on a monthly basis.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I found them in a Google search for app development firms with cryptocurrency experience. I spoke with a few agencies, but found them the most personable and detailed. They were familiar with cryptocurrencies and submitted the best project proposal.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent approximately $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in June 2017 and ended in January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They helped me piece the project together. Since I didn’t have app development expertise, I relied on them to implement my ideas. Their attentive service made me feel like their only client.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated via Google Hangouts, texts, and email. They were also available 24/7 via phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their comprehensive services included design, programming, and support; the team also helped me with the servers. They even taught me a few things about app development.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I was very satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing manager for an award-winning home remodeling company that specializes in kitchens and bathrooms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We wanted to create a CRM system to help with day-to-day operations.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We wanted the application to include a number of features to help us stay in touch with our clients. It needed to include a scheduling function so we could coordinate consultations between our clients and designers. Additionally, it needed to assist with 3D modeling throughout the course of any given project. We’ve worked closely with ChopDawg’s designers and developers to outline the look and feel of the system.

What is the team composition?

We were assigned a project manager, two interface designers, and developers.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

Choosing a developer is not a decision to be made lightly, especially when part of the project will be done remotely. We conducted extensive research, finding ChopDawg and a few other companies through Google.

After meeting with Josh Winkles [Chief of Staff, ChopDawg.com] and his team, our decision was easy. They seemed to be on a completely different level than the other vendors we’d spoken to.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2017 and our relationship is ongoing. We’re on schedule to complete the project in the fourth quarter of 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

On our end, one of the biggest challenges has been staying within the scope. When building a CRM, there are a lot of moving parts to keep track of, on top of the fact that I still have to run my business. ChopDawg has played a crucial role in keeping the project on schedule and ensuring that we focus only on features we really need. They’re a reliable resource.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

We have the contact information for everyone on our team and communicate through phone, email, and text messages. They’re also available at all times through Slack. Our project manager is always very responsive. They keep us updated throughout the week and we’re able to provide feedback as needed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really care about the success of our application, which is important when investing the time and money necessary to build a complex system. You can hear their passion when they talk about the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re doing an excellent job. Thanks to them, we’ve even adopted Slack for our own internal use, as we found it to be more efficient than our previous project management tool. They’re a great option if you’re seeking development work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Think carefully about the features you need to include. ChopDawg helped us scale back so that we focused on the necessities, but the more prepared you are, the better the outcome will be.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO and founder of Sprouts Investments. We help clients move their government currency into cryptocurrencies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We were looking to develop a mobile app for our financial services business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed my prototype on InVision. The mobile app links multiple banks to one source of funding. I can use an algorithm to determine what investments the people would like to invest into and what infrastructure development to use off of a few variables. The crypto market can be broken down into different segments. In the crypto market, there are people that want to focus on energy development or educational development. Depending on a few questions, it will resource their fiat dollars into an escrow system that turns them into crypto and into a fund that they will be able to access within six months. It is similar to Vanguard.

What is the team composition?

We have had four people working on the MVP. Two of them are designers. One is the CEO who is working with me through the process of how to develop the app from start to finish. The other person is the programming head who is not involved yet but is staying in touch with the progress of the product. When we switch over from the non-functioning to the functioning, he will start developing.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I went to four or five different consultancy firms on how to start a business and used some resources I have. ChopDawg was recommended to me by a colleague. I tried out about four businesses and am still working with two of them. ChopDawg is one, but since they have not completed my project yet, I still have another group working on the product in case they do not succeed.

How much have you invested in them?

I have spent $15,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in October of 2017 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They created the non-functioning prototype for four different theories that they could do for the applications. The workflow that it goes through is very intuitive, and I can definitely see my customers using this and being able to make it through the process, as well as having a good understanding of what they are doing.

They have helped me refine and develop the business model that I want to use for this app. Since this is a financial app, there are a lot of logistical and legal ramifications that they have brought to light for me that I can now take into consideration as we move on through this project.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

We have mainly communicated through email and Google Hangouts. It works pretty well, but the only problem is that my schedule changes often and they were not too flexible. I have two or three other team members that are also in different parts of the world, and it was very hard for our schedules to meet up. We now have it ironed out to where the communication is a lot better, but it took a few months to get it right.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They don’t move too fast or too slow. They do a very good job of looking at the scaling of the product from a 3,000-foot view and a 3-meter view. They see what I want to accomplish on the large scale and then see where adjustments need to be made to make it work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just do it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a real estate company. I built an ecosystem that will make the buying and selling of real estate a lot easier and the cycle time quicker.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Chopdawg?

We wanted to develop an ecosystem to combine everything into one platform, tying in seamless communication. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed an app for us using React Native. I’m not in tune with some of the technical language, but they do a good job of explaining it. They built APIs for the app and make it possible to connect to other sources of data. 

Now, I have a non-functioning prototype, which was the first step. We built that to put a roadmap together for when it got into actual development. I funded that phase of it, but to get it out to market, it was going to cost significantly more.

What is the team composition? 

There are 5 developers. 

How did you come to work with Chopdawg?

The owner and founder lives in our neighborhood and we met while dog walking. We struck up a conversation about what we each do. When I learned he had his own app design studio, I told him I had a great idea for an app. 

How much have you invested with them?

$60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2017 and the work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The prototype is something I can present to show how the application will function, which is very powerful. We’re now programming and getting it ready for download from app stores. They took my ideas and dug deep in their research, along with my due diligence. They brought their perspective on how things are going to function and they offered us ideas to make it successful. They’re a great sounding board and the collaboration environment is very strong. 

How did Chopdawg perform from a project management standpoint?

We met weekly and have follow-up communication such as meeting minutes. We have visibility into the project status via a mutually stored platform. At all times, we know where the project is. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re working around the clock all the time. It’s nice to know that if I had a fire, they would jump in and put it out. They’re on top of their game, always on, always connected, and always available to deal with any new ideas or things I feel are challenges and they help outside the app. They interface with lawyers about certain pregnable items. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

So far, so good. This is my first experience with this type of initiative. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re approachable. If you communicate something that you like or don’t like, or would like to see, they’ll go above and beyond to make sure that you’re comfortable. I have the unique advantage of living close to the owner so we formed a relationship first. My project has been hands-on from the top down and I would assume any new clients would get that same treatment. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of a Freightliner international truck stop with fourteen dealerships stretched along the east coast, providing parts, services, and sales.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Chop Dawg?

We wanted to update an Automatic Data Processing (ADP) system to a mobile-based system that would improve efficiency across all our departments.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Chop Dawg built an Android and iOS application that keeps track of all of the data we need for the processing, services, and sales related to our business. The app utilizes something called Service Daily Log (SDL) which tracks trucks through all of our departments and keeps everyone on the same page. SDL does essentially what our old system did, but extends it to the mobile applications and thus can be updated from anywhere.

What is the team dynamic?

The team consisted of four developers and two designers.

How did you come to work with Chop Dawg?

I was doing research into development firms and when I found Chop Dawg I was impressed by their portfolio and felt that they would be a good fit for our company, which itself is young and innovative.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested about $500,000 with Chop Dawg.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project went from January to July 2016, and we may work with them again in the future.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Every dealership of ours has seen an increase in the throughput of trucks each month, with one example being a Maryland dealership that jumped from 450 to 600. The application removes the need for workers to leave their stations, and that is huge for efficiency. The app has been flawless and we're still beside ourselves at how great the project has been for us.

How did Chop Dawg perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communications are great and they are always available by phone, text, or email. We've never had issues getting in touch. Josh [Founder, Chop Dawg] would check in monthly to see if there was room for improvement, and their excellent tech support enabled us to transition into the new system with no downtime.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their passion and motivation for the project were outstanding, and that really means a lot to us. Throughout the project, their attention to detail was on point and they consistently performed above my expectations.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was updated on June 25, 2019, by the client. The original star ratings were: Overall – 5, Quality – 5, Schedule – 5, Cost – 5, NPS – 5. New content is below:

SOLUTION

What is the status of this engagement?

The project went from January to July 2016, and we will not work with them in the future.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did your relationship with the vendor evolve?

The relationship, unfortunately, has come to an end due to discrepancies I do not wish to share.

How did Chop Dawg address the challenges that arose?

The issue at hand is the fact that Chop Dawg does not address challenges in a professional manner.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

Business is always striving and on a constant incline. Chop Dawg has acted with assistance, not as a factor to our business’s success.

How did the team perform from a project management standpoint?

Under the command of leaders, they performed poorly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unfortunately, Chop Dawg has been a letdown.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would like to see more loyalty and dedication toward project completion and success. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Double check all terms and conditions to protect your project as well as finances.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of Plan Life on Time [PLOT]. What we’ve created is a digital marketplace for the funeral services industry. We have two employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg?

I needed my ideas into something tangible and something that can be created into a digital marketplace.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The built a huge web application. They used WordPress. There may have been some Java.

What is the team dynamic?

My point person is Brandon [VP of Development, ChopDawg], who is a developer. I’m not sure how many others there were.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg?

I spoke with a couple people from a Google search. I was looking at third party engineers who were available for outsourcing and building applications. After speaking with several, I spoke to ChopDawg finally. I spoke with the founder, Josh [CEO, ChopDawg], and he made me feel really comfortable. We talked about everything from how they help you get started to the things that they’ve done in the past. They weren’t even afraid to tell me some of my ideas were not as good as I thought they would be. I valued that honesty. I didn’t want somebody to just build something for me just to get my money. With that honesty, it seemed like he cared about I was looking to build and my vision. ChopDawg had an awesome portfolio and after talking with them, they sounded like they knew what they were doing.

How much have you invested with them?

About $75,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2016 and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re still in the development phase. There’s not a lot of functionality I can test yet. In terms of working with ChopDawg, there’s a lot of things in my vision that changed for the better as I worked with them. It’s going to be a positive result.

How did ChopDawg perform from a project management standpoint?

They were pretty much spot on and I have no complaints. They were more on top of things than I was at times. I needed that since I’m doing this on the side. Everything was done over Gmail and they kept a sense of open door communication. Josh [CEO, ChopDawg] was always readily available to me and the point person I was working with at Chopdawg was also very available. If I was in the product phase and I’m working with the product manager, I had their cell phone and I could call them anytime. It was awesome!

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re the only ones I’ve ever worked with, but I have no regrets working with them. I don’t have any thoughts of trying another company. These guys have been spot on all the way.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, everything that they’ve done has been really good. I can’t think of anything to improve.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re located in Philadelphia, and we discover new artists to introduce them to listeners. We’re also putting people on our platform who didn’t have opportunities before. I’m the founder, and we have seven employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg?

I needed help with multiple developments for my music platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They developed an iOS, Android, and web application for me. They also developed my website, established branding, set up a server, and created an administrative panel.

What is the team dynamic?

There were six developers.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg?

I was attracted to them because of their price. I also looked at their previous work, which was pretty good, but the price is really what convinced me. I sent bids out to three other people, and ChopDawg came back with the lowest. Their work ended up surpassing all the others by far, and they also came with a good recommendation from a friend of mine.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $1.5 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2017, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched yet, but so far, I’m blown away. We’re a month ahead of schedule, and everything is coming together wonderfully. I’m really grateful.

How did ChopDawg perform from a project management standpoint?

They stay on top of everything. The team meets with me weekly, and Josh [CEO, ChopDawg.com] meets with me monthly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re so much more involved than others I’ve worked with. Josh [CEO, ChopDawg.com] really cared about me. They provide personalized customer service.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I founded and am the CEO of Open Silo. We built a fast enterprise chat tool. It’s like Slack meets Quora. We’re based in San Francisco, California with 15 full-time employees.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg?

Our business goal was to produce quick iterations of our initial product as we continued to do product research. We needed help with our frontend design. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had an in-house backend team and had ChopDawg’s team to do the frontend design. They worked with our backend team to connect and iterate the product efficiently. They used HTML, CSS3, and we use the Angular framework. They were connecting to our backend, which was built on Django, Mongo, and Python.

What is the team dynamic? 

We rotated between one and two resources, depending on our need. 

How did you come to work with ChopDawg?

One of my friends referred me to ChopDawg. We had a few initial calls where they gave us a proposal. The price was low enough for us at our development stage, and was balanced in terms of quality and price. They beat out some of the others who were local to this area. Price was a huge consideration, but also ability to deliver and the quality of their work. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2013 and finished the product in November 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The current UI we have is just a new iteration of what we built with them. It hasn't needed a full overhaul because we built it with great longevity. It’s something our customers like. It’s almost three years later and we’re still iterating and using that same version. 

How did ChopDawg perform from a project management standpoint?

We collaborated on HipChat and Jira. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

There was good communication. Communication is very key in a small team in terms of hitting project deadlines and communicating properly. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing I can think of. At the time, our requirements perhaps weren’t stringent enough. We were in the early stages of our company, so I don’t think we hit the top end of what they were capable of. We didn’t see any red flags or problems.