Make Waves Design

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-owner of DIRDIY Performance, an automotive shop. We specialize in general repair, performance automotive, and DIY bay rentals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Make Waves Design?

We needed a website for our business, so I contacted Make Waves Design.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Make Waves Design has helped us design and build our website. Initially, we provided them with information about our company, a general idea of what we wanted, and some pictures to use. From there, they built the website from scratch.

Using our website, clients can schedule appointments, enter their car vehicle information, and describe the issues they have and the services they need. Then, I get the request via email so that I can respond to those clients.

Make Waves Design also offers a wide range of maintenance services, although we’re not investing a lot of money in that aspect. Every couple of weeks, we exchange ideas for further improvements, and they’ve also run some ads for us. In the next couple of months, I’ll have them start running our social media to keep our Instagram and Facebook accounts up to date.

What is the team composition?

I’ve been mainly in touch with Jennifer (Founder & Creator), but I’ve also worked with a web developer who helps solve technical issues whenever needed.

How did you come to work with Make Waves Design?

I found out about Make Waves Design from multiple avenues. I had heard good things about them through a company that I’m affiliated with, and a friend of mine referred them as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent a couple of thousand dollars on the project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2021, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Make Waves Design created an awesome website, and its contact form has been very convenient for converting potential customers into clients. Since we launched it, our phones have started ringing a lot more. I ask around three out of every 10 callers how they found us, and the majority have told me that they found our website online.

How did Make Waves Design perform from a project management standpoint?

Make Waves Design constantly meets deadlines and stays on budget. At first, I was a bit nervous about this project, but they quickly demonstrated open communication, 100% transparency, and a great ability to bring excellent ideas to the table. I’m not very tech-savvy, so having a professional partner take care of the digital aspect of our business has been great. We usually communicate via phone calls because it’s easier for me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Make Waves Design’s personal approach is impressive. I’ve never felt like I’m dealing with a strict organization; I’m always dealing with personable individuals. Additionally, they’re very accommodating and patient in walking me through the technical aspects I need help with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Whenever I’ve needed something from them, I’ve communicated with them, and they’ve always responded.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Tell them exactly what you want and what you’re looking for, and allow them to do their job.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We own a beverage wholesale business in which we distributor in Northern California and also do online sales. I'm the president of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Make Waves Design?

Our previous website was in need of major change. It was outdated and it just wasn't a nice site to look at. Jennifer assisted in creating a whole new website from scratch. She used no content or images from the previous site.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

After reviewing her references and was able to check out some of her previous websites she had created, we knew immediately she was the person we needed to work with.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Found her in google and reached out via email. Within a timely manner she reached out to discuss over the phone. In detail, we went over the current website I had then. She proceeded with emailing a quote of the new website cost. Once I approved and paid my deposit, she sent over a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of very detailed questions of what we desired in our new site. We submitted the questionnaire and any other file she requested (images, pricing, etc), she confirmed with an estimated time completion. As she continued to develop, she would send us previews of her work for our feedback. The process took about less than 2 months.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked with Jennifer only.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were extremely happy with our website that we decided to continue to work with Make Waves Designs. Jennifer currently continues to manage our website and also all our social media platform. Our social media presence has increased from 12k followers to about 20k followers. We have doubles our online sales from last year. She has been an amazing person to work with and our results shows how dedicated and devoted she is to her business.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Her communications and attentiveness to assisting us is always outstanding. We are in constant communication. Almost daily. Jennifer also schedules monthly meeting to go over website sales, social analytics, markerting funds results, etc.

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

Their knowledge of website design and creativity stood out the most to us. Jennifer is always ready to assist and her efficiency in every situation is always something we admire about her.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing! She is great to work with.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Lodi Sandhill Crane Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support for the preservation of Sandhill Cranes in the San Joaquin/Sacramento Delta region. I am on the Board and am the tour coordinator for our annual fall festival. I am the one who supervised the development of our new website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Make Waves Design, and what were your goals?

Our 20 year old website had outlived its usefulness and function. In addition, our Board had committed to increasing the scope of our mission. Our goal was to develop a website that provided a more interactive experience for our customers, and allowed us to better manage revenue, to create a membership component, to promote an educational program and expand our outreach to a larger audience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We did an online search for vendors in the Lodi, Stockton, and Elk Grove area. There were only a couple of companies that had the experience and capability to create the complex website we were looking for. In the end, there were only two that met our expectations. Our decision was made based on the fact that Make Waves Design was local and a close friend of mine had used them and gave MWD a strong recommendation.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The Lodi Sandhill Crane Association leadership is mostly comprised of people who have little knowledge about websites and technology in general. I agreed to take the lead on this project because I have had some limited experience with technology based projects and because my son is the director of engineering at his start-up company.

With his guidance I first explored creating my own website through a company that provided a templates based product. Quickly it became apparent that the web design we wanted would require far more expertise than I had. After discussing our needs with Make Waves Design, I was convinced we should work with them. I made this recommendation and the LSCA Board voted to contract for their services.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

I worked almost entirely with Jennifer, the Make Waves Design owner, but a few issues we're handled by a couple of her employees. Her graphics design person helped us with developing a logo and one of her techs took care of a couple of things that required specialized coding.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Because of the pandemic, many of our association's projects were shut down or were very limited over the past two years. Because of our new website, though, we were able to begin a membership component, we conducted a few socially distanced tours, and we were able to have a website based art show. None of these would have happened without our new website.

The result can be measured in increased revenue, a growing membership, and good participation by local artists.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

During this project, Jennifer and I talked on the phone, sent emails, used text messages, and met in person as needed. We communicated almost every day during the design and development period and at least every week during content creation, testing and revisions.

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

At first I was most impressed by Jennifer's competence and professionalism. As we developed a working relationship, I was taken by her friendliness, patience, and willingness to go above and beyond. Through her encouragement, I have become reasonably proficient in using Word Press, which is amazing because I knew nothing about it to begin with.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

The stumbling blocks we encountered, the challenges we faced, and the issues that slowed development were almost entirely the result of the pandemic. I don't think anything could have been done better, considering the circumstances. Jennifer did a great job of juggling a great many balls in the air at once. I also encountered challenges in coordinating decisions by our association members. Again this was largely the result of the world we currently live in.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am part owner and CFO for a Heating and Air Company. We are a small business in a town of many other heating businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Make Waves Design?

We were looking to work with someone more local to us as the last company we were with had constant turn over. Not only were we looking to revamp our website but to build a relationship with the people doing it.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

Make Waves Design was highly recommended to us but trusting friends and a bonus they are local! They sent us many examples of their work and communication was simple.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

After a couple phone meetings and emails, Jennifer understood what we were looking to accomplish and set me up with a plan to reach our goals. She walked me through what I needed to do to move our website and emails over. From there she took the drivers seat and called/emailed with any questions.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

On the front end we only worked with Jennifer, the owner of Make Waves Design.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

For the first time in 6 years, I feel that we are getting the quality service that we hoped for. Jennifer is checking in and following up, leaving me without worry. She keeps our website, Google and Facebook accounts running smoothly.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Make Waves Design has a quick response time, if anything they waited on me to get them what was needed to build our site.

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

I was and am so impressed by the knowledge Jennifer has with Google, she has tremendously helped our ranking in just a few short weeks!

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Nothing that comes to mind..