Cogo Interactive

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CMO of a zero trust cybersecurity company in the commercial and public sector.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

We were looking to accelerate our online presence, so we needed help with web development and content marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cogo Interactive worked with us to relaunch our website. After they designed and developed the site, they helped us choose where to host it. They also integrated it with Salesforce. 

We continue to work with the team on digital marketing. Another vendor creates the content, which Cogo Interactive then uploads to our site and distributes across various platforms.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 2–4 teammates.

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

One of my coworkers had previously worked with them. I looked at some other agencies, but Cogo Interactive was the best fit in terms of culture.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in January 2021, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re happy with the site — it’s well-designed and has all the functionality we need. The Cogo Interactive team has made it easy for us to track web analytics. Furthermore, they’re proactive and quickly adapt when something isn’t working.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They work pretty closely with our team. We communicate daily, and we also have a weekly call to talk about their progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Cogo Interactive is a highly capable team that’s surpassed our expectations. Their strategic approach has helped us devise new plans for the project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The team could be more proactive in terms of identifying new opportunities for us to grow.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more you engage with them, the better the outcome will be. Treat Cogo Interactive like an extension of your team and create a relationship with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the business manager for an energy consulting company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

We had a website, but we weren’t happy with it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cogo Interactive has designed and developed our website based on our specifications. They also maintain the site, and we keep adding changes to it.

Right now, they’re developing another website for a new product we’re launching. It’s still under our main company, so it needs to carry some of the characteristics of our existing page. However, it’s an independent website with a different color scheme and some of the functionality.

What is the team composition?

We mainly work with Peg (President), and she has more people on her team. We currently have two people working with us.

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

It was a referral from someone that used to work for the company. We interviewed other providers, but when someone comes highly recommended, that helps in the decision process.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in 2018, and it’s an ongoing relationship.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’re very pleased with the website’s look and feel. We haven’t had any issues with functionality. If we find something, they fix it quickly. Overall, development wasn’t a long, tedious process.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been outstanding. COVID-19 changed a lot of things, but we kept working together. Our communication has been through Zoom or other meeting tools. The team is always available for us, and they’re professional and pleasant.

What did you find most impressive about them?

If they say they’re going to do it, they do it. We can count on them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t have something specific.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Having constant teamwork and feedback going both ways is essential. That’s helped in our success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Executive Director for I-ASC, the International Association for Spelling to Communicate. Our mission is to advance communication access for nonspeaking people, globally, through training, education, advocacy, and research.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cogo Interactive?

We hired COGO to help build our brand, website, and digital marketing.

SOLUTION

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

We hired Peg and her team at COGO because they are industry leaders and work to the highest standards in terms of quality, support, and customer service.

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

COGO met with us to understand the vision, direction, and goals of our newly forming nonprofit organization. They developed branding that perfectly meshed with the "personality" of our organization. From there, they created a website that fit the look and feel of our brand.

The website is our interface with our international community. As such, it is a growing and constantly changing entity that COGO ensures is fresh and adapts to meet the needs of our stakeholders.

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

We have worked with several members of the COGO team, at least 5, to date to meet our varying needs. All have been highly professional and informative.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website traffice continues to grow every month. We have over 1000 indexed pages of content. COGO ensures that this information is accessible and quickly available to our users.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent. Peg and the COGO team meet with us regularly, share their project management flow and communication effectively.

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

Cogo Interactive is incredibly diverse, knowledgeable, and abreast of the latest tools and trends in the digital media space.

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

We are quite pleased with the quality service from COGO.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

CEO of an off-premise catering and event management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cogo Interactive, and what were your goals?

We enlisted the service of Cogo Interactive to help us refresh our web site with new content and layout, SEO, blog content and social media strategy.

SOLUTION

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

We searched for digital marketing agencies in the area and found Cogo Interactive to be the most responsive and committed to getting to know our business needs before providing a proposal for their services. Their experience, knowledge and professionalism was quite evident from our first interaction. It just seemed like a good fit from the beginning.

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

Through our initial discovery phase we looked at our web site, some collateral materials, graphic design needs, SEO weaknesses and overall social media strategy. Peg and her team quickly came back to us with a roadmap for improving the layout of our web site, content need to improve our SEO and a complete plan for improving our social media presence.

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

We worked with 4 or 5 Cogo Interactive staff and found them all to be proficient in their respective roles including graphic design, copy writing, SEO specialist and social media specialist.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within a few weeks/months we started seeing increased web traffic which led to increased inquiries. We also saw better results on the search engines with improved rankings. Our social media engagement also increased based on modifying our postings at Cogo Interactive's suggestions.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow, primarily using BaseCamp, was seamless and efficient.

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

Their collaborative approach to all projects was a key factor in meeting our expectations. Before jumping to conclusions, they asked questions and presented creative ideas before making suggestions or delivering on projects. Their team was very responsive and worked quickly to hit deadlines.

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

Not that I can think of at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the Principal Owner of Lifson Law, a solo practice where I offer legal services related to families, estates and trusts, and mediation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Cogo Interactive?

I was looking to update my website and to understand better the options available to me to improve my digital marketing.

What were your goals for this project?

To improve my website so that more potential clients could find me online, and to provide a clear overview of the services I offer to those who found it. I also wanted to encourage potential clients to call me and set up an in-person appointment.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I received a referral from a previous customer of theirs.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

They evaluated my current website presence, offering recommendations for updates and SEO. In later phases of the work, they developed additional recommendations to be implemented.

What was the team composition?

I worked closely with my assistant and with Peg (Owner, Cogo Interactive).

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

I’ve not yet received a significant amount of telephone calls from people who have seen my website. However, I am aware that more people are finding me online and clicking on the site. I anticipate that I will get more telephone calls as it continues to develop.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

I’ve been pleased with the workflow between my office and Cogo Interactive. Peg was timely and very considerate if any adjustments to our schedule were required. We were given appropriate direction in managing our tasks for the project.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I decided to continue my engagement with Cogo Interactive to monitor my website and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Two days before a brief vacation, I had an issue with the website, but when I got in touch with Peg, she immediately came to my rescue to fix the problem. I’m so grateful and appreciative of her competence and care for my business.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I am hopeful that the work done with Cogo Interactive will yield more conversions to actual clients in the future.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder and CEO of a CPA firm. We provide outsource accounting for small businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

I wanted a complete redesign of my website. I wanted to present myself better in cyberspace and take advantage of SEO to attract and retain new clientele and employees.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We took some content from our previous website, but otherwise, it was a fresh start online. And aside from their SEO work, they also designed a trade show banner. We continue to engage when the site needs updates.

What is the team composition?

I generally work directly with the president. They have a team for the services, but I don’t interact with them much.

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

I met the president several years before we started working together. At that time, I wasn’t ready in the life cycle of my business to engage someone for a project of this size. We stayed in touch, and when I was finally ready to get a more professional website, Cogo Interactive was my first call. I didn’t look for anybody else because I trusted that they would be right for the job.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began in February 2016 and continue working together on updates when necessary.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new site has received generous reviews. As a result of the SEO, I’ve had significantly more contact with people searching for our services. It has brought us more paying customers.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team was quick to respond to any questions I had. We communicated mostly through Basecamp and secondarily through email. Basecamp was easy to use, and it kept everything organized in one place.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The breadth of their skills is impressive. They don’t just know web design or SEO. They are well-versed in graphic design and are able to advise content decisions.

Any advice for potential customers?

Anybody unfamiliar with online project management tools will need to embrace Basecamp and trust that the system will work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an executive assistant at Annandale Millwork and Allied Systems Corporation. We supply building materials for production builders as well as multifamily construction jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

Our website was about a decade old and needed updating. We wanted a company to modernize the site content and design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They did a complete overhaul of the site. Peggy (President & Founder, Cogo Interactive) presented us with a plethora of available themes and made recommendations for options that would suit us. She really shaped how our website would display our core strengths and what we supply.

What is the team composition?

We mostly work directly with Peggy.

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

Peggy gave a talk at the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce discussing how to optimize your website for exposure and lead development.  Peggy also spoke about social media and its importance in our marketplace. We were intrigued and started the conversation with her.

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed a contract with them in summer 2016. We couldn’t dedicate all our focus to the site, so it took about a year to complete. Peggy still sends quarterly reports and keeps the site updated and current. The reports show organic and deliberate site visits and our search engine rankings in comparison to our competitors.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were established in 1952, so we’re well known in the industry in our area. Numerous individuals comment on how beautiful the new site is. The images are bright and clean and the updated content really encompasses what we do. Our employees and customers all give us favorable feedback.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They kept the process moving steadily and stayed in touch. They understood that the site wasn’t always our highest priority and were okay with a flexible schedule. They extracted all the information they needed to create the site and make our content relevant. Their management skills throughout the build were great.

We had a tracking system and an email solution. They kept track of our meetings and we took time to compare notes and talk about the needs that needed to be met.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They never tired of the almost unending stream of questions from us. We had weekly meetings to make sure the progress continued and didn’t stagnate. They never let us go too long before they established the next steps. They’re great organizationally and know what products and services work best.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think so. I relied on their expertise to get the project done.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be ready to work. They will do everything you need them to but be prepared to be committed and put the work in. You are the expert for your company, use your knowledge to drive the project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio. We offer massage and skincare services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

We needed to hire a team for our social media marketing. I didn’t have the desire to do this work in-house, nor did I have necessary writing or creative abilities.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cogo Interactive writes and manages our company’s blog. For our social media channels, they create and post content on our Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus accounts. When I sat down with their president for our first meeting, she asked lots of thoughtful questions about my business. After the whole team was adequately informed, they started taking action on the plans we’d made for our digital campaigns. 

What is the team composition?

Initially, Peg (President, Cogo Interactive) was my main point of contact. A content creator produces all our copywriting.  

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

I met their president through Business Networking International (BNI) group.  Since I didn’t even know where to start, I needed an informed expert. At the time, I was overwhelmed by how much work I had ahead of me.  Based on our first discussion, she seemed to know what exactly she’s doing. 

It was a match made in heaven; Cogo Interactive offers precisely what I need, right when I need it most. I didn’t feel compelled to do much research to compare and contrast other vendors. The president seemed enthusiastic about working with me, so we hired them. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $500 a month on our partnership with Cogo Interactive.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2013, and our project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Cogo Interactive helped me establish the online visibility I was after. Rather than dramatic results, my real goal was to have a substantial brand presence on Facebook to help customers find us. I don’t know if I’ve gotten any business from their fantastic posts yet, but their content definitely keeps me relevant. 

The team’s copywriter has gotten to know both me and my business pretty well at this point. Even though I’ve never met him, he seems to get the gist of the creative we need. Cogo Interactive writes excellent posts for our blog and social channels, and I’m satisfied with the work they’re doing for me.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

I’ve never had any issues with their management style. They regularly send emails for me to review and make any corrections I need.  Their whole method works very smoothly. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Even though I don't provide any ideas for them to work from, Cogo Interactive always manages to conceptualize great posts and content.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a CPA firm called Gilliland & Associates. We provide traditional services, including bookkeeping, payroll, taxes, and accounting.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

With the advent of digital marketing, we needed to update our advertising channels. Previously, we posted in phonebooks but weren’t getting a good ROI. As a result, we wanted to find a new way to generate leads and expand our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve mainly focused on developing and implementing SEO strategies to increase our search rankings. Their approach involved tweaking our site to target certain keywords, incorporating videos, starting a blog, transitioning from a paper to digital newsletter, and sending a monthly email blast. They also established our digital presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to open new channels. Currently, they continue to track our Google Analytics and provide suggestions to improve our visibility.

What is the team composition?

We primarily worked with Peg (President, Cogo Interactive).

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

I met their president at a BNI group where participants meet once a week to pitch their businesses and hear testimonials. After seeing her presentation, I felt like she could help my business and hired her team.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $42,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Their work began in December 2009 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Over time, we’ve built a strong online presence with consistently high rankings for our key terms. Their strategic recommendations have generated a steady stream of leads with a third of all new clients coming from our digital channels.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

In general, they’re responsive and keep us on task. If we encounter any issues, they’re quick to address them and offer good suggestions. Once a month, we review a Google Analytics report and discuss any changes that need to be made, which they help to implement. In terms of communication, they respond promptly and are generally available. We speak via phone and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

In addition to their reasonable pricing, I appreciate that they go over our analytics with me and check on everything as opposed to doing all the work behind the scenes. This ensures that everyone remains up to date and understands any changes. They consistently stay on top of new strategies to make sure we’re well equipped to maintain our rankings.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I had to give a criticism, there were times when they could have responded faster about our analytics, but nobody’s perfect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Customers should have a clear way of tracking their results to see the ROI. This is the best way to gauge Cogo Interactive’s value and shows just how much they can grow a business.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Pond Roofing Company. We do exterior remodeling on homes, including roofing, siding, windows, doors, and gutters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cogo Interactive?

We had an outdated website and our SEO was poorly managed. We were working with another company and wanted to find a new team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started out by redesigning our website and taking over our SEO. We’ve gone through a couple redesigns with them now and they’ve taken over our social media campaigns as well. They write content for our blogs and daily social media posts. Once we approve the content, they manage the whole process. They help improve our Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts through Hootsuite.

We recently added a payment system to the website. They designed a page that integrated with our credit card processor and allowed customers to securely enter their information and make payments online.

What is the team composition?

We generally deal with Peg (President, Cogo Interactive). There are times when we talk every day and others when we don’t need to speak for a couple of months. We scale back and forth depending on our need, but always go through Peg.

How did you come to work with Cogo Interactive?

Our previous owner met Peg through Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce. They developed a good rapport right away, so we invited her to meet with us. She was knowledgeable and responsive and we decided to work with her team.

How much have you invested with them?

Over the years we’ve worked with them, we’ve definitely spent more than $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around May 2012. It’s an ongoing engagement.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have more followers and engagement on our social media accounts, which drives customers to our website. Their work on our SEO and social media brings enough traffic to our site and we don’t need to spend money on PPC campaigns.

The site redesign is clean, informative, easy to use, and mobile-friendly. It’s easy to make changes with Cogo. Recently, we were inundated with calls after a windstorm and couldn’t keep up with the voicemails. We asked Peg to post a notice on the site for customers to email us. Within hours, she posted a message to our homepage that explained the situation and directed customers to an estimate request form. It streamlined the process and helped us build a queue.

How did Cogo Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They respond quickly and always with the right results. They’re top-notch. We usually start each project with a phone call or email to Peg, then we move to a project management messaging tool to collaborate on each piece.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like that I’m dealing directly with an expert owner. She knows what she’s doing and can hand pieces over to her team when she needs to. She gives the process her personal touch.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. Sometimes, it might be easier to deal directly with a graphic designer for some of the web design. As an owner, I appreciate going through the proper channels and letting the project manager keep things on track. Our arrangement works well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t go in with too many preconceived notions of how the process should work. They are experts and will tailor a service to fit your needs.