JVM Design

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Respondent 1: Our company is KBM Consulting. We do consulting for firms that sell life insurance and estate planning for high net-worth clients. I’m the business manager, and my partner is the operations and marketing associate.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JVM Design?

R1: We needed to develop a clear message about what we do and who we serve to elevate the brand and mirror our high net-worth clients.

Respondent 2: Basically, we needed to put out a clear and concise website to impress people and allow them to understand what we do.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

R1: JVM Design took the reigns and provided the format and structure for the website. First, we communicated the messaging our branding agency had created. From that point on, we collaborated, going back and forth and making tweaks as we developed the visuals and what we wanted for the site.

They currently monitor and update the WordPress website, keeping track of the spam, comments, and blog. Any kind of update is included within our monthly maintenance package.

What is the team composition?

R1: We’ve primarily worked with Sherry (Creative Director). At the very end of development, one person on her staff helped.

How did you come to work with JVM Design?

R1: We started working with a branding agency, and they referred us to Sherry. We inquired with her about availability, pricing structure, and services time frame. Sherry’s online presence allowed us to see her responsiveness and willingness to collaborate.

How much have you invested with them?

R2: The website was around $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

R1: We started communicating with her in October 2020. The overall design was completed in July 2021, but we continue to use JVM Design for monthly maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

R1: Everyone that has seen the website has been completely blown away by its usability and functionality. They’ve all commented on it, and it loads faster. Also, I believe a few firms that we’ve worked with have been jealous of what we’ve created. We’ve been trendsetters, and some other firms are now changing their websites.

How did JVM Design perform from a project management standpoint?

R2: Communication has been fantastic. We don’t even have to wait more than 24 hours for a response. They worry about meeting our deadlines, and they’ve been on board to make it happen.

R1: We use Basecamp to communicate, and a lot of the requests are written. Additionally, Sherry is always willing to work with whatever idea we have. Even on the day of the launch, she was open to tweaks and revisions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

R1: I’m blown away by how they’re able to take what we’ve written and turn it into something visual. Getting someone to understand what you’re saying is one of the biggest challenges when you start to develop an online brand.

R2: JVM Design has really understood where we’re trying to go with things.

Are there any areas they could improve?

R2: I can’t think of anything. They’ve provided excellent service all the way around.

R1: Also, they’ve never tried to sell us on any features or anything else. They’ve stayed within the scope that they initially quoted, and we’ve chosen to pick up a handful of services outside that quote. However, we haven’t been blindsided by additional fees, and they’ve stuck to the confines of our budget.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

R1: Communication is vital, so make sure you share your vision.

R2: If you want to collaborate successfully with a designer, you need to have your ideas fleshed out so you don’t send them on a wild goose chase through 40 iterations. In our case, we had a leg up because we’d worked with a branding agency to get our message out before working with JVM Design. We didn’t have much of that because we’d shared our vision clearly.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My company is a manufacturer's representative and authorized distributor for companies producing gas control and measurement equipment. We serve commercial, industrial and utility company customers throughout the Northwestern quarter of the United States.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

Our company website was created over 10 years ago with the primary purpose of providing product information and specifications. Our challenge was to make the site graphics and UI more current, but also to maintain ease of navigation. Our biggest challenge was that we now had customers belonging to two distinct groups, so we needed to create a structure that would allow members of each group to easily navigate to products relevant to their group.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals: 1. Update overall look and feel of the site to make it more current. 2. Update/evolve our logo to a more current design, but maintain recognizable elements. 3. Create a navigation structure so that each distinct group of customers can find the specific products and content relevant to their group.

SOLUTION

How did you select JVM Design?

We searched online reviews and the work product of other designers. Ultimately, we partnered with Sherry Holub and JVM Design for a number of reasons, JVM understood our goal and provided a reasonable plan and roadmap, JVM was willing to work with us in developing our design concept

. Design nuances are hard to articulate. Sherry provided direction and patience in helping us develop and create our design, JVM provided a full complement of services including graphical design, image Photoshop, website maintenance and marketing support, and Last but not least, Sherry was very patient, flexible and skilled at managing the process.

Describe the project in detail.

JVM created a roadmap with a sequence of steps for accomplishing our goals. JVM created an online site for us to view progress and design drafts. We held regular meetings to discuss progress and deliverables. With the additional challenges presented by 2020, JVM was very flexible with schedules, yet kept us on track.

What was the team composition?

Sherry Holub was the primary contact at JVM and she was assisted by other members of her team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We accomplished our goals of launching a site with up to date graphics, navigation and logo. Our site serves as the basis for our current branding.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The workflow was very effective particularly since Sherry was involved in every aspect of the project and she was always reachable by email and telephone.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

JVM Design made it easy to work through design concepts and creations that are normally difficult to articulate. Sherry displayed infinite patience and skilled guidance in helping us to develop our vision. She also understood the challenges of schedules and planning. Sherry and JVM have been a pleasure to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

We were very satisfied with the outcome. One challenge was finding an online collaboration platform which would allow for simultaneous realtime edits, ie an online whiteboard. While these exist for documents and spreadsheets through Google Docs or Office365, we did not find an equivalent product for our use. Sherry did come up with a platform which worked well enough for our purpose.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a Sales Rep as well as the marketing manager for Haussmann Stone. We are a limestone importer who distribute materials to dealers nationwide. We also work on extensive cut to size projects for both high-end residential and commercial clientele.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

Our original website was built about 10 years ago and while our company has grown and made a lot of changes, the website was not one of those changes.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted our website to be easier to use, look more modern, and also be able to easily add and remove new products and projects as needed.

SOLUTION

How did you select JVM Design?

Our team spent weeks looking for a design company that was willing to work with all our needs and stay within our website redesign budget. After many phone calls and and research, we found JVM design and was able to scheduling a phone meeting right away. Not only were they able to meet our budget, they made it very easy to understand the entire process and able to meet all of our expectations and more.

Describe the project in detail.

Being a distributor for many stone dealers nationwide, we needed a website that is easy to use and be able to show all of our products and product options. We wanted to create a website that our vendors can use as a tool to find any stone specs, images, or project references to help sell our materials. With each of our products having multiple size and finish options, JVM Design was responsible for making sure each product page was easy to use and also show all of the options available for all products.

What was the team composition?

We mainly worked with the project manager, Sherry, however the whole JVM Design team was involved in the entire redesign project. Sherry and I worked together to provide all product specifications as well as all the new images for the website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within the first week of the website launch, we received a lot of compliments about the new website. We were able to meet our goal of creating a tool for our dealers to help them find knowledge about all our products and services.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Sherry and the whole team made the whole process very easy. Most of the communication was done through email, but they were always available for phone or zoom calls for more urgent matters. A shared DropBox folder was made from their end to make all file transfers quick and easy.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Although our final website redesign might look very simple, there was a lot of coding and editing involved in the backend side. What was most impressive about JVM Design was that we did not have to tell them a lot about what we wanted. By looking at our old website and having a quick discussion about how we wanted the new one to look, they were able to quickly understand exactly what changes were needed to meet our goals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Everything was always done on time. We were very satisfied with their service. This project was something we wanted to take our time on to make sure we showcase our products well.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Breakfast Cure. I'm a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and Breakfast Cure makes gourmet slow-cooker meals based on congee, a traditional Asian meal.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

I hirred JVM to build a new Wordpress website integrated with WooCommerce to sell subscriptions and one time purchases of our overnight gourmet meal packets, starter kits with slow cooker, etc.

What were your goals for this project?

Due to the complications of over a dozen flavors and the need for customers to update their flavor selection each month, our goal was to create a beautiful yet simple, clear, and hightly functional and fast website. Before hiring JVM our website was massively slowing our sales due to customer confusion. We needed someone who could bring us up to industry standards and design a website that everyone could navigate without hestiation or complication.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended and then interviewed and compared with a few other options. They were clearly experienced, easy to work with and communicate with, and offered a reasonable price for the work. Right away I could tell that great care would be taken with my brand quickly understood it's unique nature.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Designed and organized the site. Set up Stripe with Woo. Created the shop and menu. Created all the pages with provided content. Set up systems for custom orders and forms for selecting new flavors for subscription renewals. Set up forms for newsletter sign up, entering professional credentials, etc.

What was the team composition?

I have one main contact who is excellent. She works with a few other people as well, but I didn't meet the team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

My sales are clearing increased and increasing with a site that functions so beautifully. The bottom line is the great feedback from customers old and new who love the new site. I'm not getting contact from confused, frustrated potential customers who had given up due to the poor quality of the site. The best part is that the stress and responsability of running a website is gone. Now it just works and the sales are coming in a steady stream.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We used Basecamp which kept all communications and file sharing very clear, organized, and easy to search.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Responsiveness and the high quality of the work. So easy to work with and results that were above and beyond my expecations every time.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Actually, I had an event come up that caused us to rush the job at the end right at the launch, and they were amazing!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the executive director of Affirmative Couch, LLC, an online training platform that provides continuing education for therapists working with sexual, gender, and relationship expansive communities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

JVM Design designed and currently manages our website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to create a visually appealing, user-friendly website to provide online courses.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We wanted an LGBTQ+ affirmative vendor that understood the needs of a website catering to psychotherapists working with these communities.

Describe the project in detail.

I had a few meetings with their creative director to discuss the form and flow of the website. She sent an amazing mockup soon afterward. It only needed a few minor tweaks, such as changing a few images. She also suggested technical elements and supplemental services that made the website and business work better.

What was the team composition?

I only work with the creative director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I was amazed at the speed with which JVM Design created such a quality website. They have transformed an abstract idea into a fantastic platform.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Working with JVM Design is a dream. Their responsive team uses Basecamp effectively to keep everyone on the same page.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I'm blown away by the website they created and the quality of their ongoing support.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can normally find areas for improvement easily, but I have nothing to suggest to JVM Design. Working with them is amazing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the executive director of Umpqua Watersheds and I was tasked with significantly updating the organization's website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

We wanted a customized redesign of our website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to create a cutting-edge website that would provide a great presentation of our mission and the many activities we are engaged in to support it.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We really wanted to stay local, but we especially wanted to find a company that would help us create a look for our website that would stand out in relation to other environmental nonprofits in Oregon. Another significant factor was our budget. We are a small nonprofit and wanted to get the biggest "bang for our buck" that we could.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Sherry (Creative Director, JVM Design) and her crew dug right in. They thoroughly reviewed our old website, gathered more information from our people in our organization and created a new website.

What was the team composition?

Sherry was our primary contact and she worked very closely with us to develop content for the various pages on our website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

We featured our new website at our annual banquet and we received many comments praising its fresh, invigorating look. We also have noticed a significant spike in activity on the website and we are very proud that our members, potential members, and prospective donors can go to our website and find what they need and much more.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Being a small and nearly-all volunteer nonprofit, it was not easy to gather information and to put it into each page. It was a long and cumbersome process for us, but Sherry and her team were extremely patient with us.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re very professional, yet personable and genuine. They helped us when we had a question or when we had a problem. Not only were they a great partner in developing our new website, but they continue to help us and give us ideas on how to continue to improve and develop our website and social marketing platform.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we couldn't be happier.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Institute for Relational Well-Being is a startup clinic that offers competent, culturally responsive care to individuals experiencing trauma from oppression. I am the clinical director and owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

It is difficult to set yourself apart in the saturated mental health market. I hired JVM Design to target our goals, our unique client population, and encapsulate the warmth and care that clients will find at our clinic. JVM Design designed our website, interviewing our staff

They select our goals and ambitions, but also what we visioned to become in the next three to five years.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a sleek, professional, multi-level website that highlighted our staff and services and implemented online scheduling and payment modules. We also wanted next-level graphics that represented the quality of our services. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We received quotes from and interviewed several firms. JVM Design clearly had a deep knowledge of and passion for the work. They respectfully, responsibly represented how they could craft a website aimed at LGBTQ individuals without using stereotypes. That was our biggest deciding factor. At the end of the day, the people at JVM Design sealed the deal with their amazing professionalism.

Describe the project in detail.

Once we selected JVM Design, we held several phone meetings. In cloud-based meetings, they used a creative brainstorming approach in which they placed images, mockups, and editorial conceptualizations on a virtual whiteboard. At every step of the project, they provided links so we could see what our site would look like. We considered a web-based platform and a form optimized for mobile browsers. The team communicated every week until they completed the project.

What was the team composition?

One coordinator handled all communication and decisions. This resulted in clear, concise communication. Others worked on coding, editing, and design. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While it's still early, all the feedback to our website and its design has been overwhelmingly positive. Since the launch, we've had a steady stream of new clients who appreciate its small details and interactivity. We have 100% connectivity and no performance issues. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

JVM Design was always professional. All their communication and workflow was efficient and timely. I can't commend their process more.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

It's hard to find a company with a genuine interest in promoting the health of another company. JVM Design truly cared about our process, our success, and our people. Their personal touch separated them from the rest, and their pride showed that their work wasn't just business. They cared about what they put into the world. They proved that focusing on the client creates a self-sustaining synergy of outcomes. I refer everyone I know to them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I noticed no areas for improvement since everything was top-notch!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work for a small company that manufactures a paneling system used by retail stores. I oversee all of our sales and marketing efforts for the West Coast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

We hired JVM Design to build a new website.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to improve our existing website so that it was easier to navigate and understand.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Another vendor referred JVM Design. After discussing the project three potential bidders, I selected JVM because they seemed so easy to work with. They understood what I was trying to do.

Describe the project in detail.

JVM Design provided mock-ups of several different home pages. Once I selected one, we moved forward with the content and pages required. Since then, we’ve asked them to work on other projects, including flyers and publications.

What was the team composition?

I’m in touch with Sherry (Creative Director, JVM Design).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The JVM tagline is something along the line of “We have fans.” Once you work with them, you completely get that. For a nontechnical person like me who just wants the project done, they provided just the right amount of information. Sherry understands that not all of us are proficient in the building blocks of a website, so she explains what can and can't be done in very understandable terms.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They have a nifty system of providing feedback during the building process that made it easy for me to see progress and ask questions. We haven’t had any issues.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed with the simplicity of the web development process. It probably wasn't that simple, but they made it seem that way. Plus, their customer service is outstanding. JVM has gone above and beyond to create an ongoing relationship with our company. Once our site was complete, the follow-up didn't stop. I am extremely happy with this company and the relationship and would highly recommend them.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None. I am completely happy with the services I received.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the creator and CEO of Drag Off. We provide a waterless makeup remover designed to quickly and effortlessly clear away stage makeup while leaving your skin clean and moisturized.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire JVM Design?

I needed a development agency to build a new e-commerce website for my product.

What were your goals for this project?

I wanted to quickly develop and launch my website within a very tight time frame.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Because of the nature of my product, I conducted a Google search for LGBT friendly website designers. After reviewing each result, I chose JVM based on the quality of their website. I was impressed by the information included in their company e-book and they offered a competitive pricing agreement. They were prompt in their response to my inquiry, and we quickly moved forward with the project. I met with a representative for a free consultation and she was extremely approachable and knowledge in the field of web design.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

JVM listened to my vision for both my completed product and its e-commerce website. We discussed the basic needs and collaborated to establish a project timeline. The team timely designed each element to reflect my standards then began developing the site. In addition to web services, they also helped create a complimentary design for the product’s packaging.

What was the team composition?

I worked with one representative from JVM. The collaboration process was effortless.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

JVM’s website’s flawless and accessible design allow for easy management and smooth company operations. My business continues to grow and gain public recognition, including praise from RuPaul. I could not be more pleased with my experience.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We organized project communication on BaseCamp. JVM stuck to our established timeline and quickly addressed any of my questions or concerns.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was most impressed by their ability to break down the e-commerce development process into understandable terms. It was truly a stress-free project, I have never worked with such effective communicators.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I believe there is always room for improvement in any business, but because I have little experience in the arena of web design, I can’t name a specific area. It is obvious that JVM takes pride in their company and their work.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a voice teacher at The Singers Workshop. I teach singing mostly to pop stars, and it’s a one-person business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with JV Media Design?

I needed a website, but didn’t know how to do it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I reached out to JV Media to develop the design, pages, and all the thinking behind the website. She also developed a shopping cart for me.

I write articles for singers, and I needed something to organize them to make them more readable. She showed me that they needed to be in categories, and went through all of the articles and organized them by topic. She used all of this to develop what she called the “singer’s handbook.” She put it on a series of pages on the website, all of which were very accessible. Users can see a list of articles with a one-sentence synopsis underneath each title, scroll through, and click things they find interesting.

The initial website took four--five months. She has redesigned the look and organization of the site three--four times since then. We do a redesign about every four years. It’s now a WordPress website.

What is the team composition?

I interact with Sherry [Creative Director, JV Media Design] directly, and she has others who do things for her.

How did you come to work with JV Media Design?

I had a student who was friends with her. It was the beginning of her work. We talked, and decided to move forward.

How much have you invested with them?

I’m spent over $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 1997, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

She’s sent me some Google Analytics reports that show how well we’ve been doing over the years. I’m not interested in it, so I don’t follow it.

How did JV Media Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Her project management is excellent. She’s always responsive right away and on time. She solves problems immediately, and if she can’t, she puts in a ticket and responds to it. She’s fixed little things that I’ve had go wrong over the years.

She bills me for big projects, and every now and then, I have to tell her not to forget to send me a bill. She’s terrific. We communicate only when I need something. I have to email her occasionally when I have a technical problem.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with one–two other web people who were very nice, but I always come back to Sherry due to her design and thought processes. She’s also really good at problem-solving.

I really like working with them. They’re efficient, good with deadlines, and nice to talk to. They’re very responsive. The price is good, and I like that Sherry has a good eye for design.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t know what else is out there. I don’t look for how my site could be different or better.