Los Angeles Web Design

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an e-commerce boutique site.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Los Angeles Web Design?

I needed help with web design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They reached out and got to know me and my overall idea. I told them what I wanted, and I gave them images of the products I’d be selling. The team came back with a possible layout. Once we refined that design, they completed the whole web store for me, including the home, category, and checkout pages.

What is the team composition?

I dealt with two people from their team, including Louise (VP) and one programmer. 

How did you come to work with Los Angeles Web Design?

I found them on Google. I chose them because I wanted to stay domestic in the United States to help out our economy. We got along right away.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $15,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2020, and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I only launched recently, and we still have to work on social media. I’m very pleased with the site aesthetically. I really enjoyed the relationship with Los Angeles Web Design.

They’re the third web designer I’ve worked with, and I’m happy it came to fruition. The site they created has definitely set me up for success. It’s professional and engaging.

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very professional. We spoke via email and phone, as well as Join.me to share screens.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Louise is wonderful. She listens, and she’s very professional. It was easy to talk to her if anything was wrong. She was always receptive to any changes I needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I was happy with their work. I wish I had more of a budget to do more. I plan to use them once I have more of a budget.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to give them a call. Many companies don’t do consultations, so it definitely makes them stand out.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a fashion blogger.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Los Angeles Web Design?

I started a fashion website with their team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They build the website from scratch, handling the design and development work. Their team made sure that we had a high-quality website that will generate income for my business. Before I decided on the final site, we went over a few mockups and drafts to ensure that the end product matched up to my vision for the site.  

What is the team composition?

I worked with Louise (VP, Los Angeles Web Design) and Alan (CEO & President, Los Angeles Web Design).

How did you come to work with Los Angeles Web Design?

I did a Google search, and they were the first company to pop up. After calling them and discussing my project, I was sold.

How much have you invested with them?

In total, I’ve spent just under $10,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together at the end of 2018, and our collaboration is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They created a very successful platform with their 25-years of industry experience. They’re very honest, thorough, and have a great work ethic.  

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform from a project management standpoint? 

Louise was great at teaching me about how to run my own blog. She was patient, helpful and knowledgeable. They made sure I had all the information I needed regarding SEO. They were always available to me whenever I called or emailed them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I trust them, so I intend to partner with them for a very long time. They’re amazing at teaching me about the industry. The team was very experienced. I’ve never looked for another company besides them. Their energy was great. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’re doing an excellent job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Do your part in the project and have good communication skills. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I founded a company to help early college students through the first difficult math class, Linear Algebra. This class is a pain point for students who want to pursue STEM in their coursework or career.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Los Angeles Web Design?

I first needed to recover my website which was hacked, probably by my last web services provider. After we recovered the website, we worked on web marketing including SEO and social media. I think the end goal is for me to become an influencer in my business focus.

What were your goals for this project?

1. Recover website from hacking and harden 2. Maximize exposure through web marketing, SEO, and social media marketing

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Referral from another company that I work for.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Website recovery Updating of old plugins SEO strategy Social media strategy working towards becoming an influencer

What was the team composition?

Owner, implementor/tester, SEO specialist

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It is too early to tell. I have some data on web traffic, and I have generated a larger group on social media. We have not had time to use the data, and enough time has not transpired to get results from social media.

I am now thinking in the right mindset, and I've taken what I've learned and figured out how to increase the impact by changing my business model slightly.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

All the work was done over the phone with multiple stages of project management.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their knowledge and experience were impressive.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Some of the minor project objectives fell off the radar. Some of these objective may be because of project creep, but some are not.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the office manager of a construction company in Southern California.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Los Angeles Web Design?

We had a cookie-cutter Flash website that had not been updated to the newest technology or mobile viewing capability. Being a small business, we all wear many hats, however, building a robust website was not something we could provide. So, we decided to work with Los Angeles Web Design.

What were your goals for this project?

We desired a platform to inform customers in the construction industry about our services and capabilities.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We selected Los Angeles Web Design after receiving a referral through one of our networks. Additionally, after speaking with their team, we felt confident they could provide the service we desired.

Describe the project in detail.

Building a website was definitely more than we imagined. That being said, their team was much more ready than we were! Initial brainstorming sessions were informative and allowed us to visualize the many options for our site. We reviewed our competitors, as our service is unique, to give them a better understanding of what our site flow should encompass. The feedback and suggestions were valuable.

What was the team composition?

I worked with the frontend developer to put a concept, words, and flow to our site. After this was developed, there was a team of programmers who made our site come to life. We had several reviews after the programmers completed the site prior to going live.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our site was amazing. Although we have it for informational purposes, it is robust and provides great interaction with site visitors. This is all part of the suggestions by the development team.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their team was eager and attentive with follow-up, conference calls with recordings, and deadlines. I can assure that they waited on us, and I appreciated the patience they showed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The decades of experience reassured us that we made the correct decision. There are so many behind-the-scenes analytics that I never imagined, but I never had to worry about missing anything with their team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

For my experience, there was no area that required improvement. I believe the team was efficient and effective.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CEO of World Oak Pictures, LLC, a startup company founded in October 2010. We wanted to implement a new digital media project concerning the film entertainment industry funding and production.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Los Angeles Web Design?

We needed to set up a new digital media network, including a deal-making platform, generative earnings, and success stories.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, they reviewed my business plan and we had in-depth consultations to completely outline my goals. Next, we worked on a website navigation flow diagram, an assessment of content on each page, then a completed storyboard and requirements document. This enabled us to move on to designing the UI and UX.

Los Angeles Web Design did graphic design work, including art direction, layout, typesetting, and pre-production of website pages. They also provided rounds of stock photos that were confirmed by clients, and then a final concept with high-res photos before going into production. They also prepared web graphics and kept us in touch with their team leader to discuss all changes as they were needed to produce the desired result.

We had three phases, and the first involved the creation and implementation of UI graphics, design and creation of database structure, development of UI framework, and programming of all site pages. Also, they created a database and login system, including membership levels, set up e-commerce, and set up a system for renewals and subscriptions. A screenwriter's page for the upload and storage based on allotted limits was also implemented, along with a script management page. A CMS, along with subsequent testing and troubleshooting were also provided by Los Angeles Web Design.

During phase two, they built out all membership pages, added forms for uploading screens, uploaded video pages with forms for related data, and implemented project and screenplay search capabilities for higher level memberships. A project dashboard for viewing and managing projects and documents, video and DVD document handling, order forms for various site package options, and a fees page were also provided.

Phase three involved the implementation of discussion forums in member areas, as well as more testing and troubleshooting.

During the final phase, they provided a complete process view, which including document navigation funnel visualization and autoresponders. This also included document specifics of vetting processes from user perspectives, admin specifics, and database functions with back-end processing consideration. Los Angeles Web Design also created Members Greetings and Home pages, vetting processes for producers, distributors, and investors, and provided multiple Terms of Use Agreement forms for various purposes.

Los Angeles Web Design provided organic SEO, client consultations, keyword analysis, comprehensive website review, and site submissions for the marketing stage. They also monitored Google PPC ad campaigns, budget recommendations, tracking, landing pages, bid management, and accounts.

What is the team dynamic?

There has been a positive collaboration between World Oak Pictures and Los Angeles Web Design for every part of the project.

How did you come to work with Los Angeles Web Design?

Los Angeles Web Design was recommended by a PR firm in Los Angeles. After being introduced to their business and meeting Louise Manfe [Vice President, Los Angeles Web Design] and Alan Dale [CEO, Los Angeles Web Design], they exceeded my expectations with their seriousness and capability to make the project a success.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in June 2010, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project was developed as a proof of concept to engage a suitable investor, and we are currently conducting meetings to find a suitable one. We hope to have the project fully funded this year to continue our work.

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed well, and I have been very satisfied

What did you find most impressive about them?

This is a highly complex project, and I interviewed many companies prior to hiring Los Angeles Web Design. They listened to my needs and read hundreds of pages of business planning for overall ideas. This ultimately allowed for the design and development of requirements documentation and consequential UI platform that we needed.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish they could have been my funding partner, but that’s probably out of their scope. They performed admirably, and I would be happy to continue working with them in the future.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

MissDirection Entertainment, LLC is an entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California. I’m the co-owner and a member.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Los Angeles Web Design?

We had a crappy website, and we actually were in production when we first put our website up, so we just had a friend of a friend put the site up. We knew to get our business functioning well, we needed a professionally designed website. We needed to build a custom website from the ground up.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We worked directly with Alan Dale. He’s the owner of the company, and he coordinates the process from the beginning to end. He was our first point of contact, and we spoke with him extensively. He’s the one that explained the process, what we needed to do and what to expect from them. He’s the one that drafted our contract that we entered into. He’s also a point of contact if we had technical questions about how to transition over to the new website. I can still contact him if I have any questions. Louise Manfe [vice president of marketing] helped us with the graphic design and designing the layout. The first phase was storyboarding, which is what Louise worked on. We went through the details with Alan and he drafted the contract. He gave us an idea of what we would need to provide to them. We gave graphic designs and copy to Louise. We all looked at websites to get examples of things that we liked, why we liked them. The storyboarding took six weeks. We were in touch with them on a regular basis that whole time.

Because this is a production company, we have a current project that’s a web series that is still in post-production. LA Web Design created something that was a really good feature.We have one show that we’re focusing on right now, but we have other upcoming projects, so we wanted to be able to do a layout where you could easily navigate and look at the various different projects and have a player, as well as information, come up with each description, and have it neatly organized, have it easy to navigate. We also needed a mobile-friendly and laptop-friendly site. That was actually one thing that we were really pleased with. It wasn’t just so that we had a page where we would just describe what we do and throw up a few laurels. LA Web solved an issue where users can scroll down and show various pictures without overcrowding a page or making it difficult to scroll through. And when we put up the laurels, we wanted them to be subtle. We had a bunch of different images and things that we wanted to put on the site. We were on WordPress before; now we’re on Drupal, which is more expensive.

We wanted to show clips of the one show we’re focused on. We also have a page that’s the cast page, and we wanted to show that we had laurels from film festivals. They helped us create a design where it wasn’t too many things in your face, or difficult to find those things. We showed them an example of a site we liked, and they were able to take that and create a cast page that was similar. They helped us problem solve and encouraged us to go look at some really top-quality sites and help us adapt those to our needs. It’s actually a pretty in-depth process to get it done and get it so that it’s your unique site. I thought they were really helpful in getting something designed. It was a unique problem for them to solve, but they helped us solve it in a very professional way, and we are really happy with it.

How did you come to work with Los Angeles Web Design?

I did a lot of research online. I did see some other companies on Clutch. We knew we wanted to work with somebody who was local, so we didn’t really look outside of southern California. We looked at online reviews from clients, professional reviewing companies. We went to each individual site to see the designs created for people’s website and see what that looked like. Most of those sites have examples of clients’ work.

What set LA Web Design apart was that they not only had terrific reviews, but when we contacted them, they were very helpful and accessible. Alan explained the whole process. I was really impressed that he just took the time to answer all my questions, and even the questions I didn’t know I had. He explained what to expect and some of the things that set them apart from other companies. If it’s your first foray into doing a professional website, it’s great to have someone to advise you. I spoke to him for more than an hour, and I hadn’t even committed to working with them yet. I contacted three other companies that were basically about the same as far as quality of design and reputation. One of those companies barely gave me the time of day. A couple of them took time to talk, but it wasn’t in-depth.

We wanted something that we could update ourselves later. There were other parts of the process, where Alan would give us advice that if we don’t do something a certain way, we’ll have problems later. LA Web Design is definitely on the cutting-edge. You want something that is comfortable for people to navigate. One of the things that really set them apart was that they cared about their clients. Alan will take the time to answer your questions.  There was another company that had really good quality design examples and told me just to look at their site. I had questions and I wondered if they would give the personal service I was looking for. I wanted the process to be a collaborative process.

How much have you invested with Los Angeles Web Design?

Originally, we had thought we might do a simpler design, but then we decided that we wanted to do a video player. We ended up working with them longer than we thought. The original cost would have been around $7,000 or $8,000. We wanted to add some features that we knew were going to need more programming. We wanted a more sophisticated design where we can add other projects to it, rather than doing individual projects. We spent $16,000, and now we can add and expand.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our relationship in July 2016. It took us a while to go live, not because they’re incredibly slow or anything like that but because we changed direction. It was in the fall when we decided to change into a different direction. We would have been done sooner with the original design had we not changed our direction. It took us probably longer than some other companies would have to get finished because of the type of business we have. We launched the site in January 2017. I know it doesn’t take them that long usually, and we did get things to them in a timely manner sometimes and but as I mentioned before, switched the direction of what we wanted to do.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Our old one got no business. We’re still actually doing the SEO optimization for the new site, but I don’t have any analytics yet. We used to be almost embarrassed to give out our business cards before. People at film festivals have been very impressed with the site. We’ve gotten emails from people that are enthusiastic about our projects. It’s definitely a professional calling card. We’ve seen a difference in the number of people that contact through email. Any kind of correspondence we got on the old site was usually just bots or trolls. Now, we actually get real interaction.

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform from a project management standpoint?

They were very easy to get in touch with. We dealt with Alan and Louise on different stages of the project, and they were very on top of it. We never felt like we were on the back burner. We spent untold hours going over things in detail to make sure that we were happy, going through the suggestions, knowing how things would piece together, and even just brainstorming problems and issues in the design. I would rate them extremely highly. They’re very hands-on, very in touch with their clients, and accessible. They’re always very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about Los Angeles Web Design?

Caring, accessible customer service was one of the things we were impressed by. We really felt like we were part of the process. We felt comfortable asking questions and having our questions answered. They cared about us as individual customers. They did respect our creative input. We were very happy with them. Louise seemed like she was going out of her way on the creative part of trying to help us make improvements and suggestions. Alan is very approachable. If he’s busy, he’ll set up a time to call you back and take the time to just answer your questions. You never feel like you’re rushed or you’re bothering him. It’s nice to work with a company where your project is very important to them. They want to make sure you’re happy with everything, and it’s great to feel a part of the process. Your website is your business and is a huge investment for your reputation, money, time, etc. It’s nice to feel valued, and you understand what’s happening. Otherwise, it could be a scary process and the product may not be as good. We were creating something from scratch and it’s not something that you can see as you’re holding it in front of you. A website is something that’s in your mind. We saw the end product and were really happy with it. They got our feedback on every stage along the way.

Are there any areas Los Angeles Web Design could improve?

Not really. I’m expecting the same high-quality customer service while we work on SEO. We had a conference for that with Louise last week, and I’m actually looking to revise copy now, based on that. They know their stuff, and we’re really happy with their work. We knew there would be price changes as we switched directions, so there were no surprises there. I would use them again. I would highly recommend them. I don’t have any tangible reasons why I wouldn’t highly recommend them.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Los Angeles Web Design?

One thing that will help on the client’s end is having examples of what they want to do with their website, as well as if they happen to have some graphics ready to go. Louise can do graphic design, so that’s not necessarily something you have to build from the ground up. Some companies might want to save some money and do their own designs. Before you contact them, it could save you some time if you have some specific examples that they can walk you through and give feedback on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

Just Scent is a wholesale fragrance oil company, and we've been in business for almost 13 years. We sell candle supplies and soap supplies to crafters.

What is your position?

I am the owner.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Los Angeles Web Design?

My biggest goal was to create a website that was not confusing. I have so many products and so many pages that my customers found it daunting to try to find something. When you're in the world of wholesalers, it's typically not a pretty site. I wanted it to be aesthetically pretty as well as very functional.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in greater detail.

Los Angeles Web Design completely rebuilt my site, including the logo and theme. They helped with everything from the design, the development, third-party integrations, and the SEO [search engine optimization] side as well. They changed the structure and design of every single page. They also changed the back-end so it would be easier for me to add and edit products.

How did you come to work with Los Angeles Web Design?

I was on my shop host site looking to see who they recommended, and there were 10 website designers who worked with Lexicon. I actually called a couple of people and when I spoke to Alan [Dale, CEO at Los Angeles Web Design] and Louise [Manfe, vice president of marketing at Los Angeles Web Design], I just knew they were the right fit.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

It cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

It's an ongoing engagement, and I'm still working with them mostly on SEO

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We have doubled our business since we launched the site in September without changing any other part of the business.

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Los Angeles Web Design listened to what I had to say. They were sympathetic to my needs and very nice. They talked in terms that I could understand because I'm not a web person. They told me what they could do. They explained everything to me, and they had weekly drawings and updates of everything that they had been working on. I got little storyboards for every step. They were awesome.

What distinguishes Los Angeles Web Design from other providers?

They have such a great eye for all the details, not just making it aesthetically pretty, but the details in the functionality of the site. The details that I would never even have thought about. The color or fonts, the size of the pictures – they go into great detail about things that you would never even think to look at.

Is there anything Los Angeles Web Design could have improved or done differently?

I don't think they could have done anything to make it more successful, truly. I am 100% happy.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a consumer products goods company that specializes in natural cleaning products.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the president and company founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with Los Angeles Web Design?

We wanted to do a minor upgrade to our website, as well as test some URLs and Google AdWords for our marketing.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

L.A. Web Design did Web development and SEO [search engine optimization]. There was some training. It was about 50 percent design and development, about 40 percent SEO, and about 10 percent training.

What was your process for selecting Los Angeles Web Design with which to work?

I had researched them online and interviewed quite a few companies. My major concern was associated with the cost-benefit analysis and metrics. We were just doing a minor update, but we ended up selecting L.A. Web Design based on the return on investment and the actual capital resources we had to put out.

We have an e-commerce site, which is ShopSite.

Can you provide a sense of the size of the initiative?

It took about eight to 12 weeks between the actual development, testing, and marketing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you assess Los Angeles Web Design’s performance?

L.A. Web Design's performance was exceptional. They switched us to a new Internet service provider that was more secure, and we’ve stayed there. They didn’t do any security audits and just took it upon themselves to suggest that provider. They were more economical and secure. That was a major plus.

As far as the programming was concerned, they delivered on it. We implemented Google Analytics at the time, which was a little fuzzy on the metrics at first. We had some ups and downs, and it took about four weeks to get it resolved, but they got it done. They didn’t take no for an answer. I used them prior to the first big project. If they don’t have the answer, they’ll find it. I find them to be highly motivated as far as customer service and problem solving for the customer.

Do you have an online sales function, or is it geared toward lead generation?

It's e-commerce, but it's not our major function. It serves as a stopgap if the consumer can't find it at retail, either online or brick and mortar. It also allows us to gather data as it relates to customer service feedback, whether we can do better on the product. We hear the good, the bad, and the ugly on the results and performance of the product.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

Accessibility and project management, which is unusual. Most of these companies tend to be driven by email. L.A. Web Design is very focused. If I have an issue, I'll either get a call back within four hours or an email setting up a time to talk. They were always available. When you’re doing a project like this, accessibility is always critical.

The other factor is that they listen and are into problem solving. What I want to do, and what is best for me, may not always be the same. They do a good job of understanding that. If they don’t know the answer, they'll find it. They always find a way to make it work.

I find that a lot of Web design and implementation agencies tend to be pretty proud of their work from a cost standpoint, which they're entitled to do. L.A. Web Design was cost effective, and we got a great return on our investment. They didn’t try to sell us a bigger project. We told them the scope of the work, they figured out how to get it done, and they did it. We had some companies try to sell us a Microsoft product that was five to 10 times more expensive from a resources standpoint.

I compared the cost to agencies all around the country since ShopSite is not a common site. The minute I called them, L.A. Web Design was extremely engaging. I'm big on not sugar coating things, and they don’t do that.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

Not that I can think of. We use ShopSite, which a lot of other companies don’t use. L.A. Web Design understands it thoroughly. The only thing I could have done differently was regarding the scope of work. I could have overhauled the whole website.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are a digital advertising firm based in California. We are a boutique agency that specializes in digital media campaigns. We have around 10 employees with an office in Los Angeles.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the president and responsible for business development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for the work with Los Angeles Web Design?

We generate most of our business through our Web presence, and we needed a fresh new look to our site with updated content for SEO. We also needed fresh content for SEO purposes. We asked them for an updated service list and a new graphic interface.

SOLUTION

Can you tell me about the scope of the project?

They were responsible for content development, design, and HTML programming for the website.

What was your process for selecting Los Angeles Web Design?

They had the best options and flexible pricing. They also had the knowledge and patience to provide work that was effective for us at a fair price point.

Can you provide a sense of the size of the initiative with a general cost range?

The cost was about $10,000 and four people worked on the project.

When was the project completed?

In 2012.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of the project?

The sales staff like it because it is a great source for new leads and has strong revenue potential. They are able to prequalify clients before they contact us. However, we have decided to move to Drupal later this year. Drupal seems to offer more control over content and should work better for our company.

How did Los Angeles Web Design perform?

Everything was successful. It was on time and on budget. The project wrapped up smoothly.

Looking back on the project, is there anything that you think Los Angeles Web Design could improve upon, or something that you might do differently?

No.