Firescript

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner of Zzone Homes Inc. We are a custom home renovation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firescript?

We wanted to get our name out there and brand ourselves in the local market for design and building cabinetry. Our main goal was to be the premier service provider in our area.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

This was the first time we hired an outside service provider, and when we first sat down with Firescript it was less about the design and more about the goals and what we wanted to do in the future. They came back to us a couple of weeks later with a plan, and we got to work from there. 

The first two things that we worked on with them were a primary website for our company, and then a secondary flier site for a specific portion of our business. Firescript custom-built everything, and we worked together on keywords to improve SEO and optimize the traffic we were getting. 

Firescript is offering continual maintenance on the main website, and we revamped it more recently. We normally let Firescript know about the changes we want to make, and they take over from there. Just recently they added a scheduling system for clients where they can go on the website and book an appointment with us. 

Firescript also built the website so that we could go in and make modifications to some things like photo galleries and other updates that we need to make on our end. We wanted to link our social media to our website, and they figured out a way for us to do that so that everything is automatic. 

They are constantly updating the website and bringing new ideas and fixes for us. 

What is the team composition?

We work with three people. This group is comprised of Ryan (Founder, Web Application Developer, Designer) who is our main point of contact, a person that works on the SEO, and one other person. 

How did you come to work with Firescript?

A mutual friend recommended them to us. We tried a couple of other companies but didn’t get that far into the process because they were template-based, and we wanted to do a more custom-based design. When we explained to Firescript what we were looking for, they really understood it and were as excited as we were about the opportunities we could create.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $20,000 on our primary website so far. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Firescript in September 2015 and launched our website in February 2016.

We have continued to work with them on other projects, and that work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've had so much success with what they have done so far, that we've had to stop marketing some services because we have too many jobs and are booked out a year in advance. 

One example of this was when our company was trying to market for load-bearing wall removal. Most of the business that we were getting for this specific service came from larger jobs where this was just part of the project. 

Within a week of Firescript advertising and building a landing page for us, we were getting calls specifically for this service, which in turn helped us to get some of those bigger jobs. We were getting so many calls about this service that we had to stop advertising it.     

We also get a lot of compliments from customers on the website. When they walk in the door they mention the website and how they decided to come in because of what they saw on it, which tells us that it's working. 

Our goal was to become the primary service provider in our area, and Firescript has helped us achieve that. 

How did Firescript perform from a project management standpoint?

The communication is outstanding, and there is never an issue with timelines or deadlines on their end. Some things have taken a little longer than we thought they would, but it's never been their fault. The hold-up has been on our end. 

They are accountable when it comes to deadlines, and transparent about the things that they need from us, and when they need everything. 

We use Asana for project management and to see the progress of the work. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Every time we have a problem, we call them, and there's a solution. There are no limitations, and Firescript completely customizes things in the way that we want. They don't just add stickers to pages that are already there, they make them interactive and incorporate things into the site for us. 

They are very transparent about timelines and when things are going to be finished. We're really focused on making sure that everything we put out is high quality, but they get things back to us pretty quickly. They deliver on everything from start to finish with a great product. 

They're also very flexible and accommodating with everything that they do. We need certain access on our website to do things like update photos, and they've figured out how to make that happen. 

Firescript is very goal-oriented, and they are always planning for the future. They aren't just focused on the things they can do right now, they want to know how they can help you get to your goals in the future.

We were also very impressed with how they approached the project at the beginning of the process. They took the time to sit down with us and take us through the work that they had done in the past and how they had created previous websites. They were very upfront and honest about what they were doing and the things that they were excited about. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There's nothing that they could do differently for us. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a plan and articulate that as clearly as possible. You need to let them know not only the goals that you're starting with, but where you want to get to. Have a good budget, a contingency, and a really good plan because it is a custom website. They're a great company to use if you are looking for a higher-end, customizable website.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of H2GO Mobile Wash. We provide commercial, industrial, and residential power washing, clean-up, and sanitization services. Our company has been in business for over ten years and operates primarily in Ontario.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Firescript?

We’ve done business with them for over 10 years now, since the inception of our company. Initially, we hired them to help build our online presence, create content and systems, and do research for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Firescript has done a vast number of projects for us. They’ve set up our online presence, including developing our website and setting up SEO and search engine marketing (SEM). The team has also run campaigns and created blog content. Additionally, they’ve been heavily involved in building systems for us, such as a CRM system. The team also does research for various projects. 

We also use them for marketing; they’ve created our SEO and SEM marketing presence. They manage our monthly advertising budget and do market research to determine target demographics. Firescript developed an SEO and advertising platform to help us manage these activities from the backend. 

For each project, we work closely with them to make sure they understand what direction we want to go. There’s thinking and planning involved since we own franchises that need to advertise themselves. Aside from setting up our corporate side, we’ve also used Firescript to help from the franchise site. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, there were many system changes and growth in different directions. We worked closely with them to develop a strategy to better serve us during and after the pandemic. They continuously update our website and create or update systems. 

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Ryan (Founder & Web Application Developer) and Megan (Strategy & Content Lead). Outside of that, they have a team that handles content and 3D renderings. 

How did you come to work with Firescript?

We were dealing with another developer we knew, and we got to a point where our business was leveling up, and they became out of their element. They introduced us to Ryan because they’d worked with him and trusted him, so they felt we would be in good hands with Firescript as we grew. Over the years, we’ve continued to work with them because of the success we’ve had with them. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent $500,000–$1 million CAD (approximately $392,000–$783,000 USD) with them. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around May 2011, and our partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve seen tremendous results in our sales by implementing Firescript’s systems. This year, we’ve had to hire three new sales representatives and 12 new field techs and brought six new vehicles online to accommodate the growth. Last month we were up over 500% in sales revenue from the previous year. While these results are due to our system’s growth and development, Firescript is a big part of how that came to be.

Firescript has played a massive part in organizing us at an office level, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform they’ve helped set up has been very successful. We’ve been completely blown away by what they’ve done for us. Every time we work with them, they’re on the leading edge and looking to get ahead of the curve, which is a huge asset to us. 

We’ve also seen positive results from their work with the franchises. The franchisees that have used their systems have seen an excellent bang for their buck. The team is also adaptable in terms of technology. When there’s a tool we need that they’re unfamiliar with, they become knowledgeable in a week. They’re so engaged in what they do that they’re not blocked from any technology. 

Our business is unique, and Firescript wasn’t familiar with it when we started. However, they understood their role very quickly and where they fit in. As we’ve grown, they’ve found a home here; they’re part of our team, and we even have a yearly budget for them. Beyond their ability to help with strategies, they’re very good at business planning on the tech level. 

On a personal level, Ryan is fantastic to deal with. He constantly works in the background after hours — always with his eye on the bill. There have been times when we’ve asked him to negotiate costs to get over a hump, and he’s been willing to do that. He’s been patient when we pause projects for internal or financial reasons. Overall, we trust Firescript, and I don’t say that lightly; they never let us down, lie to us, or overcharge us. At this point, I couldn’t picture using any other agency.

How did Firescript perform from a project management standpoint?

The management and structure that they bring to the table are bar none. They stand out from other providers and give value in this area. Working with them is very impressive because we’re the ones that need to keep up. They’re very intelligent in their approach and organizational skills. They not only keep themselves organized; they use Asana to show us what their tasks are at any given time. As a result, we’re never in the dark or wondering what they’re doing — they’re very transparent. 

They stay on top of things and never fall behind. With our new systems coming online and our team expanding, Firescript designated Megan to work in our office part-time to help us get the system hammered out. We’re lucky that they’ve dedicated her to us to help us handle the organization and management needed. 

Since we’ve worked through the COVID-19 pandemic and before, we’ve communicated in every possible way outside of carrier pigeons by now! We use phone calls and text messages, and we’re at the point where anyone on our team can text them if they have questions. We sometimes have Zoom calls or Microsoft Teams meetings. Recently, we’ve brought them back to the boardroom with us for presentations. Overall, communication has never been an issue. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Aside from their absolute professionalism and expertise, their services and the value they bring stand out. Firescript is unlike any other company I’ve worked with. Throughout our partnership, we’ve tried other providers for side tasks and have found companies that are complete rip-offs. Meanwhile, Firescript brings value, is there when we need them, and delivers returns — that’s what we’re looking for. 

Although we’ve dealt with other companies in the area, we always default back to Firescript. They treat us properly, and their results are incomparable to anyone else we’ve used. We’ve worked with other teams that are triple their size, only to have Firescript come in and undo the damage that those other companies have done. That instance has happened a few times, so we don’t even waste our time looking for alternatives these days. 

Firescript isn’t just looking to profit off their customers. Ryan and his team work around the clock and throw extra value on the back end they don’t charge us for. They do this because they want their reputation to be strong and the service to be good; it’s built into who they are. We’ve developed a great relationship with them. If anyone comes to me looking for recommendations, I never hesitate to refer them to Firescript. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of an instance where we’ve had a problem with them. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Strap on because you’re about to grow faster than ever! You need to have a system and team in place because the growth happens very quickly with Firescript. Therefore, my advice is to take the time to set things up properly so that you’re prepared to handle the influx of sales. 

As great as it is to have increased sales, it reflects poorly on your business if you can’t manage that properly. I would suggest having a serious conversation with Ryan and his team to understand what you need to bring to the table. This type of project takes a lot of work as a business owner, and they can help you set up your system to get it to the point you need. Firescript doesn’t mess around; once they start, it will work.