Direction.com

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the principal owner of a boutique interior design firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction, Inc.?

I wanted a new and updated website. I also needed help with rebranding, changing my name, and adding new pictures.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed and developed my new website using WordPress, as well as trained me so that I could go in and make any changes I desired in the future. 
Independently I worked with an outside logo designer, and Direction, Inc. has perfectly incorporated their design into the website. With my desire to create the perfect logo that best reflected my brand, Direction was patient and understanding with the changes in fonts and design to ensure that I would be satisfied with the end result.

Their goal is to make sure the client is happy, even with the many corrections and changes I made they worked with me until the end result was as I wanted it. 

What is the team composition?

The person I worked with originally moved on from the company about halfway through the project. I was initially very concerned because I wasn’t sure if the new person I would be working with would understand what I was seeking, my brand, and audience. I began working with Alina (Digital Designer, Direction, Inc.) and much to my delight had an even better connection with her. David (Digital Marketing Executive, Direction, Inc.) is another person that has worked with who is also great. He’s very understanding, patient and professional and has been overseeing the process and design.

How did you come to work with Direction, Inc.?

I started interviewing companies both locally and out of state. We started a little bit of the project with one company, but I realized there wasn’t a connection. We weren’t on the same page and I realized just how incredibly important that dynamic is, so I decided to go with someone local.

I did another Google search, but none of the companies had ever done an interior designer’s website. I knew it would be a new industry for any of them, which was good in a way because I didn’t want my website to look like anyone else. I interviewed three companies of varying sizes and selected Direction, Inc. because I felt they understood me. Being a designer, I’m detail-oriented and didn’t want a templated site, so I’m not the easiest client. I didn’t want what other people had. I wanted my own creative vision. They totally got that and were willing to work with me in a way I was comfortable with.

I met the team and was really happy with them. They were young, energetic, creative, and visionaries. I felt comfortable signing on with them. One of their processes was to fill out a form that was very long, but it helped them understand me and get on the same page. They’re willing to work with their clients and individualize them rather than just making it a commodity thing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2019, and the work is ongoing. The website launched in mid-December 2019. I have retained them to work on blogging and updates to my site as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I like having the ability and freedom to make changes that I want. They don’t try to control everything. They enable me to control it myself or accept their help. If they feel one of my ideas doesn’t work well, they gave me the reason why. I love knowing the "why."

How did Direction, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

I love working with Alina. If there is ever a time I am concerned about something and send her a text, but she’ll respond immediately. She handles it and or takes it to the developers. They’re immediately responsive and have great customer service.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve created my vision and haven’t forced me in a box. That was different from the other companies who promoted and sold their packages.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Once UI started working directly with only Alina, it was seamless. There was nothing lost in translation.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would say to do your research beforehand and figure out exactly what website you want. I was fixated on two examples in the beginning and then changed my mind. That caused delays and frustrations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CMO for CMI studios, an agency based out of South Florida with offices in New York and Los Angeles. We specialize in and create assets for lifestyle marketing campaigns.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction Inc?

We were looking to increase our online visibility, particularly across unique industries and niche markets. We wanted to generate leads, increase call volume, and raise awareness about our campaigns.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Direction Inc worked with us to delineate our target customer. This process helped us determine which keywords to use and guided us towards a coherent content strategy.

In particular, we worked with them on YouTube growth: stimulating organic traffic to our YouTube channel. They analyzed our current viewers and numbers before developing a marketing plan for it.

They’re continuing to manage our SEO and actively send us content trees for blog publication. They developed a system for distinguishing cold calls from lead conversions to track their progress.

What is the team composition?

I worked closely with Chris (President, Direction Inc.), Eddie (COO, Direction Inc.) and a project manager.

How did you come to work with Direction Inc.?

Chris and I met a few years back when he was in town for a convention near our studio. He stopped into our coffee shop and told us about his work. We’ve gotten really close over the years; they’ve even leased office space from us when they worked out of South Florida.

How much have you invested with them?

While the monthly price fluctuates depending on what initiatives we’re launching, we’ve spent roughly $75,000 over the years.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2017 and the partnership is ongoing. They’re still running active SEO campaigns for us.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw both inbound calls and email leads skyrocket, only a month and a half into our engagement. We’ve maintained first-page rankings for our core services for over a year, and their lead conversion tracker indicates that our lead-gen has increased by two- to three-fold.

How did Direction Inc perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re extremely responsive, and their customer service is top-notch. Whenever I have an issue—even something like a broken link—they’re very quick in resolving it. They’d even get it fixed over the weekends. Their project management decorum is phenomenal.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They say what they say they’ll do. They consistently deliver, and they don’t forget about you. When a company is on a retainer, it’s easy to start receiving stale service, but that hasn’t been the case with them at all.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing that really stands out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be honest with them and tell them what your goals and metrics are. That’ll help them help you succeed.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of Limitless Paving & Concrete.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction?

I needed a vendor to help me develop and optimize my website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They build a multipage website for me and managed SEO for it. They continue to help me boost Google rankings and oversee my social media marketing.

What is the team composition?

I work with 3–4 members of their team.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I generated about $750,000–$1 million in sales last month, which by far exceeds my normal revenue. The website is easy to use and I can edit it myself.

How did Direction perform from a project management standpoint?

We usually use phone to stay in touch and they do a great job keeping the project on track. They have an online tool where I can see my daily rankings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have exceptional quality of service and communication skills.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They're a great team.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let them do their job.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own MD Paving Pros, an asphalt paving and concrete services business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction Inc.?

I wanted to get more business leads online, so I engaged Direction Inc. for SEO and web design services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Direction Inc. provided web design and development services, and continues to maintain the site and provide SEO services as needed.

What is the team composition?

I mostly work three people on their team, including the President and COO.

How did you come to work with Direction Inc.?

They were recommended to me by a friend and, after meeting with them, I thought they were great.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since 2017 for about a year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Thanks to Direction Inc.'s efforts, my phone rings every day with new business leads. They deliver on their promises, and have provided results that have exceeded our expectations.

How did Direction Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They're excellent communicators. They engage me for any information they need and work autonomously to get everything done in a timely manner. We mostly communicate by phone and through text messages.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They keep to their word compared to other vendors I've worked with. They also offer a great value for their services and are transparent in their approach.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of SADOS, a managed business solutions company. We replace in-house IT departments for small-to-enterprise companies with on-site and remote IT solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction, Inc.?

We’re a technology company, but we’re not experts in every industry field. We don’t know SEO well, so we needed a partner who specialized in that area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Direction improves our SEO by managing backlinking and providing content. They build links, write quality articles, and optimize the speed and efficiency of our website. We compiled a list of keywords we wanted to rank on Google, and they changed our website to climb up in those rankings.

What is the team composition?

We work with a sales and marketing director.

How did you come to work with Direction, Inc.?

We share a mutual friend. Direction reached out to us, we had a meeting, and it went well, so we hired them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $3,000 a month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Direction helped us increase our leads through our website and social media outlets. We’ve been receiving lots of calls lately, which proves that their work is paying off. I’m extremely happy with what they’ve done.

How did Direction, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They provide a report about every month, and they answer any questions we may have.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re honest and accurate about the goals they can achieve. We’re a results-oriented company and so are they, which we like. It’s hard to find people who know what they’re doing when it comes to SEO, and we couldn’t be happier with Direction’s work. They’re a perfect fit.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Keep on keepin' on. (Keep growing)

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the president of Daro Management Services, a property management company based in Washington, D.C.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction, Inc.?

Washington DC is a highly competitive rental market, and with thousands of new apartments coming online daily we found it had become more difficult to stay visible to prospects. Our main goal was traffic generation and brand awareness. After reviewing the results from Internet Listing Services it became evident that our return on investment from ILS’s wasn’t great, and we felt our advertising dollars would be better spent highlighting the uniqueness of our product and brand.  

We didn’t just want a company who focused solely on SEO we wanted a partner who was able to provide comprehensive digital advertising services to include content marketing, SEO, PPC campaigns, Social Media Marketing, Copywriting and Web Design and Development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The initial contract was primarily focused on organic SEO. During my initial conversations with Chris and his team at Direction they pointed deficiencies within our digital marketing campaigns such as broken links, issues with mixed content, low text-HTML ratios, and overall website performance.  I was blown away by the amount of time Direction spent reviewing our website.

During the first 30 days of our collaboration with Direction, we focused our efforts on correcting the deficiencies put in place by other web agencies we’d used in the past.  They also implemented a blog for each community and added additional copy to the site which significantly increased our overall rankings.

We implemented AdWords campaigns for four of our 10 buildings, and we set performance goals. While our main goal was overall traffic generation and brand awareness, we also wanted to monitor how our site compared to our closest competitors. Not only was Direction was able to provide detailed reports showing overall site improvement, but they were also able to provide detailed ranking reports showing how our performance compared to our competitive set, and together based on this information we were able to make additional modifications to internet marketing campaigns to further improve rankings and overall results.

The results achieved within a very short period of time were amazing and about sixty-days into our initial agreement we engaged Direction to begin managing our social media platform,  primarily Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This has been and will continue to be a very collaborative effort. Content for our social platform is determined by both Daro and Direction.  Information is shared quickly and easily through Google docs and all postings completed by Direction are beautifully branded. We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of likes and followers on those platforms since Direction began managing our social media.

How did you come to work with Direction, Inc.?

I found Direction like most people find anything today…Google.  Over the years I have worked with a number of advertising agencies who focus on digital marketing as well as print and branding, and while I have had great experiences with a number of these firms I wanted to establish a new relationship with a firm that did not specialize in multi-family.  I wanted a fresh set of eyes and new ideas because I wanted our brand to stand out.  

I bid the project out to four different companies, all of whom were highly qualified but chose to partner with Direction they had the most aggressive strategy for overall improvement.,  It’s sometimes very difficult to accept criticisms of your site, but if the goal is to improve and generate additional traffic, it’s important for owners and advertisers to take a hard look at themselves and see how they can do better.

Direction, Inc. was kind and polite, but they made it clear that we had a lot of work to do. We didn’t have a terrible site, but we didn’t have a great one either. We didn’t have a good presence, and we needed to improve many things. In the 18 years I have been in Property Management, I have never worked with a digital marketing agency which has been this results driven and is so passionate about their client’s success.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost of their work is $10,000–$50,000 a year. They weren't the least expensive, but they blew me out of the water with all the additional services they offered. The blog posting is part of my monthly fee, or don't have time to do in WordPress.

They go above and beyond companies that focus solely on SEO and AdWords. Those services are typically charged separately, but Direction does not do that.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Direction in January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our organic rankings began to significantly increase almost immediately, and our rankings have already improved because of the blog. Because it’s so content-rich, it will continue to improve our online presence and rankings.

Comparing the January–May 2017 period to January–May 2018, our all-time users have increased by 2,072.36%. This year, I had 26,959 users, versus 1,241 in 2017. It’s an amazing growth. Organic traffic has increased by 2,250%, going from 732 in 2017 to 17,206 in 2018.

Across our traffic sources for 2017, we had a total of 22 applications received through the property-specific websites. We also had a total of 367 leads across calls, walk-ins, and email. This is a low conversion ratio of around 5.99%.

Since using Direction, we have received 50 applications between January and May 2018. The increase in our total leads and number of applications is significant. We’ve doubled our overall closing ratio, specifically for the Daro website source.

How did Direction, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

We have specific project managers for a variety of services, depending on what our clients need and want. We have someone specifically assigned to the blog, the social media accounts, the AdWords PPC campaigns, and organic SEO. Everyone cross-pollinates with each other. They work together well, but also have individual areas of specialization and expertise.

Their owner Chris is ever present and oversees the entire operation. it is not uncommon for the Direction team to respond to a late night or weekend e-mail which is not common with larger agencies who assign a single account representative. The team at Direction has become a true partner. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate the ease and speed with which they make updates, their tireless efforts to improve results, and in their words "dominate the apartment industry in Washington, D.C.,"". When something needs to be done, it happens very quickly. I'm driven by results, like most business owners, and we get results. 

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Direction provides far more than most SEO companies, so it’s important to make apples-to-apples comparisons when choosing them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of My Wireless Cell Phone Repair Augusta. We provide cell phone service, repair, and accessories.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Direction, Inc.?

We wanted to improve our web presence and Google ranking.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Direction developed and designed our website to efficiently utilize an SEO keyword list we collaborated on. They added images to the site and continue to update it whenever necessary. They also listed the business on Google. To expand our reach on social media, they’ve provided content for us to post on Facebook.

What is the team composition?

Their owner acted as our primary point of contact.

How did you come to work with Direction, Inc.?

We weren’t happy with our previous vendor or the results they produced. I was apprehensive about using another company, but meeting with Direction changed my mind. They offered a hands-on approach and put me at ease to do business with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw a significant improvement in web traffic and in-store calls after only 3-4 months of working with them. They communicated realistic expectations and increased our search engine ranking as fast as possible. Direction did a great job.

How did Direction, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication is a big factor and they always respond quickly. I call when the website needs updating and they send back a screenshot once the task is complete.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The previous company we used wasn’t attentive and their content was durative. Conversely, Direction is proactive and creates content that drives customer interaction. I can run my business hands-free as far as social media goes. They execute it well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. I can’t think of any suggestions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder of The Reynal Law Firm

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a boutique law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Direction.com to accomplish?

• Reputational Management

SOLUTION

How did you find Direction.com?

Referral

Why did you select Direction.com over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from Direction.com were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Direction task was to ensure that people searching for our business would encounter positive websites.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

A great Google page 1

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Direction.com did an amazing job. They turned in the project on schedule and exceeded my expectations. 

What was your primary form of communication with Direction.com?

Virtual Meeting

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

Direction.com's technical knowledge and customer service were impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Direction.com could have done differently?

They did a great job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Elevate Holistics

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We help patients get medical cards, online, in 18+ states

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Direction.com to accomplish?

• Increase traffic
• Make site changes efficiently
• Increase SEO

SOLUTION

How did you find Direction.com?

Referral

Why did you select Direction.com over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me

How many teammates from Direction.com were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Direction has done a lot of work for us over the years. Our goal was and is to increase SEO ranking, increase traffic, reduce canabilization, and easily implement change. With fast reponse times and up-to-date expertise, we're able to make these things happen. Our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We're able to push mass content to our site quickly and correctly

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their response is always friendly, timely, and solution-seeking

What was your primary form of communication with Direction.com?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The flexibility of incoming requests and changes we want to make are met with a can-do mentality

Are there any areas for improvement or something Direction.com could have done differently?

Not that I can think of!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Astoria Advertising Company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a full service digital marketing agency specializing in email, SMS, data visualization, design and analytics.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Direction.com to accomplish?

• Assist with Local Citations
• Assist with Local Visibility
• Assist with Local Rankings

SOLUTION

How did you find Direction.com?

Referral

Why did you select Direction.com over others?

• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Direction.com were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Assist in helping clients businesses rank locally to increase visibility, awareness, engagement, clicks and ultimately conversions.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We've only recently started, but we are thrilled with the level of customer service to this point.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They've been responsive when we've had questions.

What was your primary form of communication with Direction.com?

Virtual Meeting

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

We're impressed with their customer service and account management capabilities.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Direction.com could have done differently?

We'd like to see more insight to local rankings compared to other alike businesses in the area.