Lift Interactive Inc.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Telus World of Science is a not-for-profit science center. About 500,000 people come through our doors every year to see the various attractions and exhibits and IMAX films we offer. As the VP of marketing and communications, I head up the team that's responsible for getting visitors to come through the doors. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

Our website hadn't been updated since the beginning of the 90s, I believe, so it wasn't mobile friendly. Graphically, it was very out of date. The structure made it difficult to find virtually anything on the website. It included miscellaneous page links that led nowhere. In a nutshell, our site was beyond repair, and we needed a new one. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our project with Lift Interactive was intensive and all-encompassing. We worked through every aspect of the website, from wireframes to design elements and functionality. During our full team meetings, we covered many tasks for employees from different departments that had buy-in. 

Two key people were responsible for moving everything forward, including inputting content. Once we launched, we focused on resolutions for problems and making tweaks to anything that needed to be adjusted. 

What is the team composition? 

The team size varied depending on which part of the website we were focused on. Having one main point of contact for us made our life much easier. Through that one person, we could communicate with any individual from the design or tech team. About six people total had a hand in creating the website. 

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

We sent out an RFP and brought in about seven firms that responded for an interview. Lift Interactive's proposal was comprehensive, thoughtful, and far above any other. They immediately stood out from the competition.
 
We were also familiar with some of their previous work. I'd especially liked a website they had built for a tourism company. The first time we talked was about a year and a half before actually moving forward with our engagement. We held a couple of meetings prior to engaging so we could review our expectations, their process, and the timelines for project completion.

How much have you invested with them?

The RFP went out for $80,000, and that's the price we spent. 

What is the status of this engagement?

After a delay from our end, we started the project in February 2018. We launched the new site in November 2018. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've had extensive positive feedback on the website. Our school teachers now find it much easier to book field trips than they did before. Everyone from average public guests to our organization's members alike seems to be responding very well to the update. Becoming mobile friendly was a huge achievement for us. 

We've seen a massive spike in the number of users who visit our site via mobile devices. Similarly, following through to conversion, the number of customers who purchase tickets online has increased dramatically. These results are exactly what we were hoping to see. 

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Lift Interactive was extremely responsive in their correspondence with us. If anybody was a little on the slow side, it was us. We worked together through a software program called Active Collab. They put everything we needed to respond to on that site for our team to access. When needed, they gently nudged us to provide the answers they needed to move ahead. They were always right on top of the project. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

There are so many things I've thoroughly enjoyed about working with Lift Interactive. We have an ongoing relationship for them to provide additional website work. They're highly responsive and always there for us during emergencies to address our concerns.

The key was communication.  Even if there's a misunderstanding in our back and forth, they're always professional and find a solution for us. Lift Interactive has been an absolute joy to work with. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I honestly can't think of anything. We knew what we were going to pay ahead of time and were comfortable with that amount. They delivered fantastic work on deadline, just as we expected. There's nothing I wish they'd handled differently. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Go ahead and hire them—you won't regret the decision.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a general manager at Cycle Works Motorsports. We're a group of local motorcycle and motorsports dealerships.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We wanted to start an online division of our brick-and-mortar store. We needed a vendor to develop an e-commerce website for us.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we discussed our needs and came up with a name. Lift Interactive did a lot of research to identify the best platform for us and recommended that we use Shopify on the backend. Then, they helped us build the frontend of the platform. Our in-house team created the spreadsheets with the information on different products we sell and Lift Interactive added that information to the new website. They’ve also helped us with Google Ads, Google reviews, and reputation management.

What is the team composition?

We have two main points of contact, but there are about six or seven people working on our project.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

We're part of one professional association, so we met them at one of the meetings. We interviewed about six different companies, and we liked Lift Interactive's vibe and approach. They seemed to understand the mentality of our customer, so we decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $80,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2018, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our online division has taken off successfully, and I attribute that to the work Lift Interactive has done for us. The website is becoming very popular and we're getting more referrals. Our conversion rate is right around 1.2, which is quite good for a new store, and the bounce rate is low. Also, our revenue has almost doubled.

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very responsive and get back to me immediately, even if I'm working late at night. We can log into a project management tool anytime to see the status of the project. Also, we have one project manager whom we can contact if we have a question, which is very convenient.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very energetic and passionate about what they do. We haven't seen that kind of vibe with any other company. Also, they really took their time to get to the bottom of things and learn about our business. They went above and beyond to do the research they needed to make the project a success.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only challenge we had was when the head of our account didn't communicate with us as much as we would have liked. But they fixed the problem as soon as we brought it to their attention, and we haven't had any issues ever since.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust them. Also, it's very helpful if you sit down with them at the beginning to learn about their company and discuss your needs.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the web manager for the Alberta Medical Association. I oversee and approve user-facing web development and content for our public website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Lift Interactive Inc.?

We needed to move our member magazine from a bi-monthly print publication to a purely digital publication, while avoiding loss of member interest, maintaining advertising revenue, and teaching staff to use a new CMS. We hired Lift Interactive Inc. for their CMS expertise, recommendations about web design, and help with the transition to digital advertising.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We received quotes from several vendors, but they understood the project and its goals best. They explained how their methods and technologies would meet our needs. Their bid was highly competitive, and several reference checks returned positive results.

Describe the project in detail.

They provided design, project management, technological implementation, R&D, UX design, documentation, and technical support. This saved costs substantially by eliminating mail and print costs, and also offered a more flexible schedule and real-time analytics.

What was the team composition?

We typically worked with the project manager and two resources. Depending on the tasks at hand and position of the project, between three and six team members worked on our project. They ran a tight ship, focused resources effectively, and kept the project moving.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project succeeded. The transition, which we expected to be rocky, was fairly seamless. Other associations, who thought we were crazy for switching to a digital approach, praised the new site and sought our advice to make their own transition. Many members have praised the magazine as well.

We obtain better insights on our audience and readership, and we can produce and edit articles more quickly and efficiently than before. The CMS is easy to use, and hasn't negatively affected advertising revenue. While we're still working through the transition, the project has been a total success. It's reduced our costs by nearly 90% and provided a more versatile, valuable product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

They managed the project well using Active Collab. They were always available and did all the work locally. It was easy to connect through phone calls or face-to-face conversations. There were few language barriers, but they solved our single misunderstanding both reasonably and professionally.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were easy to work with. The team gave lots of good advice: they knew their tools and system, understood our problems, and found solutions. Their friendly, knowledgeable staff made us feel like we were in capable hands. They delivered a product that met our needs and will serve us as the magazine grows.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They ran a pretty tight ship and pulled everything off. However, a tight budget doesn't offer much wiggle room when unexpected changes or misunderstandings creep in. Approaching the ceiling of their quote put pressure on the project. That's common in projects like this, but the initial quote was too tight.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the sales and marketing executive of a ski resort in Alberta, Canada, and the summer Jasper Skytram attraction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We needed some assistance with our digital advertising, since we couldn’t do it all in-house.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have regular calls to plan our strategy for the next three months. On our side, we share details of our marketing perspective and areas in which we need their assistance. They execute and implement all our digital campaigns, which include landing pages, digital ads, some of our display ads, and a little bit of social media work.

We brainstorm some campaigns together, while others are more straightforward. We keep in regular contact since digital issues often need immediate action. We often change the scope quite quickly, and they are able to respond very well. We have two properties: one operates in the winter, and the other operates in the summer. Both properties market year-round.

What is the team composition?

We work with Claire Devaney [Strategist, Lift Interactive], Sarah Kobasiuk [Account Manager, Lift Interactive], and Ellie Mcfarlane [Web Analytics Specialist, Lift Interactive], Cody Hiar [Developer, Lift Interactive], as well as the owners, Thorren Koopmans and Micah Slavens. We work with a good group of people.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

Over the years, we have worked with many providers. Another company designed and built our website, and we have worked with a few others in between. We tried Lift because they were working with a partner of ours who reported that they were great to work with.

They’re also based in our closest major city and were very excited about the idea of working with a ski resort. A lot of people on their team are passionate about skiing and snowboarding. We liked the idea of working with a team of people who not only understood our business, but were also excited about it. Marketing is really important for a ski resort.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in September of 2016 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When requested, we receive reporting on campaigns they have executed. The results have all been positive, and we appreciate the reports when we get them.

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They are easy to deal with. Once they are tasked with a project, they manage it quite efficiently and follow up with us to ensure they get the information that they need. They have always executed within the timeframes allocated to them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really enjoy working with the team. They’re an excellent group of people who are passionate about what they do. They are also very professional, and our results so far have been strong. I recommend them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re charged for reporting, which is a minor frustration, but this is also an industry-wide issue I believe. Being charged to get results of a campaign, so we know if the work they are doing is successful or not is a challenging concept from our perspective. We pay for digital advertising, and then have to pay more to get the results of that advertising?

We aren't prepared to purchase the big reports we would really like to see. However, they have been flexible enough to create some smaller versions to share with us monthly, which has been great. This certainly won't stop me from working with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Capitol Security sells home security and automation systems, commercial access control systems, and video systems. I'm the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We were looking for a company to build a new website for us and to provide SEO and general marketing services. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We met several times to discuss our needs and they put together a pricing structure for us. Based on how creative I wanted to get with the website, they offered different pricing options and timelines. They made it clear what we can get for what cost, so there were no unforeseen expenses. 

What is the team composition? 

We worked mostly through our account manager, but I had some interaction with almost everyone in a team.

How did you come to work with them?

I worked with them at my previous company.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We worked with them in February – May 2017. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We use Google Analytics, so we noticed that website hits and interaction on our website increased five times.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint? 

We had no problems with them. We mostly communicated via email, but also had in-person meetings when needed. All the information was accessible online through a web template, and we could review the pages before the launch. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very familiar with web-based marketing and their web designers are very experienced.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We're in the process of doing a retainer with them for our online marketing. My only concern is that their pricing is a bit high.

BACKGROUND

I'm the president of Yardsticks, which provides professional services and technology solutions to organizations that provide licensure certification exams to test centers, content publishers, and to companies that sell training and testing online.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive Inc.?

We needed to take our new technology product called LearnerVerified and Learnerverified.com to market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Lift Interactive started from the ground up and ran the full gamut in terms of marketing and branding our product. Their process allowed us to consider our target customers and demographics.

We talked about customer user stories and how patrons would use our product. They then developed and designed brand and marketplace messages, websites, trade show booths, collateral development, product storytelling, and product pitch decks.

They created our Yardstick brand and helped kick off getyardstick.com.

What is the team dynamic?

We got to work with everyone, from interacting with Micah [Owner, Lift Interactive] to utilizing a whole team. Our primary project manager was Thorren Koopmans [Director of Strategy, Lift Interactive], and the three main people we worked with were Joel Verhagen [Designer, Lift Interactive Inc.], Claire Devaney [Strategist, Lift Interactive Inc.], and Jordan Yeo [Product Designer, Lift Interactive Inc.]. There were times where we had 10 people from Lift in our boardroom.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive Inc.?

We’ve known Lift and Micah for a long time. We needed to change the name of our company about seven or eight years ago, and they helped us with the name Yardstick and the early artistic branding. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We got off to the races in December 2016 and the project finished in August 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We used the DevLearn conference in Las Vegas as the launch of our product. Thanks to Lift’s branding, we were presented as a professional company. People were impressed to find out that LearnerVerified was only a startup product. We walked away from that expo with over 100 qualified leads.

How did Lift Interactive Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They used several project management tools to keep us on track and focused. I learned a lot from them thanks to their step-by-step process with customers. This was a big project and they kept us on the rails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Two things were most impressive. First is the quality of their output, which is driven by their understanding of formal branding and marketing. Second, they have talented people committed to their culture and clients.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was contracted to create a new website for a realtor partnership. I oversee design and marketing for them and represented them in meetings with Lift Interactive.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We wanted make a new site that incorporated information from both the realtors’ previous sites, and offered a more refined user experience than other realtor services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They oversaw all aspects of the website development process, from planning through implementation. We went through a discovery process, identified major goals, and mapped out the site. One of the partners had a larger following going into the project, and Lift went through its analytics to see what was working well and what needed changes in moving forward. I sent them examples of site designs and user interfaces that reflected what we were looking for, and we ended up settling on WordPress for a CMS. From there, we started with content creation and built up the site step by step.

What is the team dynamic?

I worked mostly with Matt Remley [Account Manager, Lift Interactive], but also interacted with their director of strategy, a communications strategist, a designer, and a programmer.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

I’ve done contracting for them in the past, and knew that they are a great company. They’ve also won awards for the quality of their services.

How much have you invested with them?

Between $20,000 and $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2017, and the project concluded in October with a site launch in early September.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While I don't have metrics on hand, we've gotten a lot of compliments on the look and feel of the site.

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Very smoothly. When things weren’t moving fast enough, they took a lead on keeping the pace up. They knew when to give things a push and send a few extra emails. As for PM software, they used activeCollab to track their progress.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I really enjoyed working with Matt, and I felt like I got what we were promised. The final product was exactly what we were looking for.

It also seemed like a very positive work environment. The people involved had a lot of energy and enthusiasm for our project. From top to bottom, we were well taken care of.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They had a lot of tools to streamline the development process, but I felt that I was signing up for too many additional services. Although they were meant to make things easier, the number of tools we were using seemed excessive at times.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of marketing for a trade and investment team responsible for driving economic development in our city. I'm responsible for campaigns, web, and communications support.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive Inc.?

We needed to create a business expression of our identity and the services that we offer, but we didn’t have a website or web presence for the trade and investment services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Lift Interactive provided strategy and suggestions for what platform we should use. Once we selected one, Lift both developed and designed the website. It’s set up to visually focus on and differentiate between our two most likely users: visitors wanting to expand their business, and visitors wanting to invest their marketing dollars in our city. There’s also a page to learn about our team and another explaining how to further access our data center.

Now that the site’s live, they’re setting up tracking so we can get a regular monthly report on how the site is being used, what’s effective, and what our SEO baseline is. We want to do future campaigns to drive more traffic to the site, but those are still in the planning stage.

What is the team dynamic?

We have a project manager, but we also have access to the whole team, from the organization’s leadership to the creative side. Most of our communication goes through the project manager, though.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive Inc.?

We did a web RFP [Request For Proposal], a few companies submitted proposals, and we chose Lift Interactive. We’d worked with them before, and their costs were competitive; plus, they had relevant experience.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $70,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We partnered in the fall of last year, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

At this stage, results are subjective, but Lift Interactive has achieved all the goals we set. We wanted a platform that showcased our services and resulted in lead generation, and that’s exactly what we got. All of the stakeholders involved in the project are highly impressed with the work.

How did Lift Interactive Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They always communicate and keep us updated. They meet their timelines as agreed, and they continually push the project forward to make sure we accomplish all deliverables on time and on budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team is knowledgeable and versed, not just in the digital side of things, but also in traditional marketing and communication perspectives. They’re good at collaborating and working with the client, which can be hard to find. I’ve worked with other agencies that just take the scope of work, go away, and come back later with a finished product. But Lift Interactive kept us engaged throughout the entire project and consistently asked for our input, making it a true partnership.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would have been nice to get their recommendations for the next steps. We would’ve appreciated them being more proactive on what we should do in phases two and three.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am part-owner of a neighborhood pub. We opened in August 2017, with a focus on German beer, craft cocktails, and German street food.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We wanted help with our brand identity, logo and menu creation, and other design elements.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our menu and our logo.

What is the team dynamic?

We worked with Chris Provins [Director of Brand, Lift Interactive] and Joel Verhagen [Designer, Lift Interactive]. We met with them to discuss our goals, and exchanged mood boards and other examples to make sure they were on the right track.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

We have a personal relationship with Chris Provins, and had seen his previous work. We knew we wanted to work with him.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $6,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in June or July 2016. We still work with them on ad creation and changes to our menu.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We get great feedback on their design, and logo recognition is higher than our name recognition in our market.

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

This could use the most improvement. We tried to use a platform at first, but ended up communicating mostly by phone, email, and text.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their product is far superior to the output I’ve seen from other design firms.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could communicate their timeline more clearly. A detailed breakdown of deliverables, delivery dates, and what they needed from us would have helped solidify our expectations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an analyst in the Marketing Support Services department of a large real estate company. I work in a project management capacity to help guide our subsidiaries through digital projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Lift Interactive?

We wanted to modernize the website for one of real estate companies by enhancing UX and centralizing editorial control.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The original website was built on a proprietary CMS that required us to contact the developers to make any changes. Lift created a WordPress-based CMS that allows us to make edits in-house.

They completely redesigned the site to provide an exceptional user experience, and also added a number of custom features. Their search functionality, for instance, allows users to modify results in real-time, and they built in a mortgage calculator.

What is the team dynamic?

Matt Remley [Account Manager, Lift Interactive] was our main point of contact throughout the entire project, but we also worked with Laura [Salter, Communications Strategist, Lift] on design consulting. Thorren Koopmans [Director of Strategy, Lift] helped us specify our needs and organize timelines during the planning phase. Kalob [Taulien, Developer, Lift] provided technical support after launch.

How did you come to work with Lift Interactive?

They worked with another one of our subsidiaries in the past, and when I was considering developers for this project, they submitted the most compelling RFP. I wanted an agency that could offer more than simple cost and scheduling estimates, and Lift provided insight and ideas before they even officially signed on.

They also offered a competitive price, which always helps.

How much have you invested with them?

Around $35,000. They stayed on budget, which was a first for me. Most developers I've worked with go over their cost estimates.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started in March 2017 and launched the new site in September 2017. We originally planned to launch in July, but there were delays on our end in providing content.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any metrics available, but the site operates exactly as we wanted. I've also heard positive reviews from within our organization, with our other subsidiaries referencing the site as a model for enhancing their own platforms.

How did Lift Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

As someone who frequently works with web developers, my biggest complaint is that communication and attentiveness tends to decline as the project advances. This was not my experience with Lift. From a project management standpoint, they’re one of the best. We used Active Collab to coordinate and they kept us updated regularly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a keen sense for the overall package. Most developers seem to excel at either the technical aspects or the design aspects, but not both. Lift, however, handles both at an expert level.

They also have a unique business culture. Their office has a laid-back atmosphere, with bikes on the wall and a welcoming pet policy for staff. This may seem like a small thing, but it tells me this is a company filled with people who love what they do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There were no glaring mistakes, but there were occasional instances in which it would have been easier to communicate via phone. Still, we were in constant communication through Active Collab and email.