New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Executive Director of Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Story & Song celebrates and supports the literary, culinary, visual, and performing arts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency to accomplish?

• To fix a website that had been poorly built by another company
• To expand the website's capabilities
• To train our staff and assist with troubleshooting

SOLUTION

How did you find New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency?

Had used them twice before at other companies

Why did you select New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• excellent previous experiences

How many teammates from New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

New Target started by doing an assessment of a site that was under construction and identified issues that needed to be fixed. They also made some additional recommendations to optimize our use of e-commerce. After they repaired and tested the site, they trained our staff on how to update content and make design changes. After launch, they assisted with troubleshooting and provided additional training to new staff.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They repaired the existing site, made significant improvements to the original design, recommended and added new capabilities, and provided training--all within a very tight timeframe while maintaining the highest quality and responsiveness.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They responded to our issues and questions immediately, usually within the hour. They exceeded our expectations on turnaround times. They  communicated clearly with all members of our team, who had varying levels of knowledge and experience. All members of the New Target team were professional, personable, knowledgeable, and very responsive. 

What was your primary form of communication with New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

The team brought on expert-level website design and development skills and top-notch customer service. Their expertise and efficiency translates into affordable project costs. They quality control systems ensure that nothing slips through, even on tight schedules. 

Are there any areas for improvement or something New Target, Inc. - The Digital Agency could have done differently?

Not a thing. They responded instantly when we needed help with an emergency situation and created a website that we are proud of, and they structured it in a way that will enable us to expand it as we grow and evolve. Their recommendations were spot-on and took our online presence to a new level. Everyone on our staff enjoyed working with them and learned new skills throughout the process.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Web Manager 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Satellite communications company

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire new target, inc. - the digital agency to accomplish?

• Web development and support
• Digital marketing and analytics

SOLUTION

How did you find new target, inc. - the digital agency?

Referral

Why did you select new target, inc. - the digital agency over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from new target, inc. - the digital agency were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

New Target were hired to manage an existing WordPress site, make content updates, ensure a secure and reliable hosting environment and report on web analytics. This ongoing project pivoted to a fullscale site redesign where New Target were tasked with template and design block development in WordPress. All development tasks and page conversions were delivered on time with widespread positive reviews througout the company, from the CEO down.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The redesigned site was developed perfectly to match the brand design submitted to New Target from the partner creative agency. Site launch was completed seamlessly without downtime or performance issues. Usability KPIs being met with a clearer, easier to read site with users spending more time on page.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

On time. Very responsive, easy to communicate with despite challenges being thrown their way from the client side.

What was your primary form of communication with new target, inc. - the digital agency?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Always willing to go the extra step to understand the ever-changing needs of the client and company. Proactive about maintenance and best practices. Flexible with deliverables and budget needs.

Are there any areas for improvement or something new target, inc. - the digital agency could have done differently?

I don't think so

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Web Services and Event Production of IBTTA

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

The International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association (IBTTA) is the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve them. Founded in 1932, IBTTA has members in 23 countries on six continents.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire new target, inc. - the digital agency to accomplish?

• Web Development

SOLUTION

How did you find new target, inc. - the digital agency?

Online Search

Why did you select new target, inc. - the digital agency over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit

How many teammates from new target, inc. - the digital agency were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

IBTTA began working with New Target in 2017 to save us after our original Drupal Developer closed shop. At the time we immediately needed a partner in hosting and maintenance support and this eventually led to a full redesign of our home page and other key pages within our website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Successful Integration with Netforum/Protech 
• Improved editing experience 
• Improved security in the site with standard drupal best practices

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

New Target has consistently delivered quality work on time and budget since 2017. I've had the same developer (Drupal) and project manager, Akira, for the duration of my partnership. The team is knowledgeable and incredibly skilled, tackling projects of varying scales while maintaining a small shop feel. All my interactions with them feel as if I am their only client.

Moreover, the educational aspect of this partnership has been invaluable because they take time to educate and empower me to manage my site successfully. In summary, their combination of reliability, expertise, and client care made them stand out in the industry. I would recommend them for your next project.
What was your primary form of communication with new target, inc. - the digital agency?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Drupal expertise; reliability, small shop feel

Are there any areas for improvement or something new target, inc. - the digital agency could have done differently?

I don't have any at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Department Director of SAIC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® technology integrator driving our nation's digital transformation. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets includes secure high-end solutions in engineering, IT modernization and mission solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire new target, inc. - the digital agency to accomplish?

• Site Maintenance Support and Development

SOLUTION

How did you find new target, inc. - the digital agency?

Referral

Why did you select new target, inc. - the digital agency over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from new target, inc. - the digital agency were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

New Target offers a comprehensive range of digital services to support SAIC in refining and adapting their digital presence. This includes conducting a thorough Drupal Web Audit to assess performance, security, and optimization of the SAIC website. New Target's specialists review the code, infrastructure, front-end performance, and custom modules to identify any issues and provide detailed recommendations for resolution. 

Additionally, New Target provides ad hoc Drupal development and design support, ensuring SAIC can adapt to changing needs and target new goals effectively. Overall, New Target's services help to optimize SAIC's website performance, security, and functionality, enabling them to maintain a robust digital presence that aligns with their evolving goals and priorities.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

SAIC has experienced increased website performance, enhanced our security, improved our user experience, and had an increase in web traffic and visibility through our partnership with New Target.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

New Target's project management demonstrated a commitment to delivering items on time, ensuring timely completion of tasks and milestones. They were responsive to our needs, addressing any concerns or requests promptly and effectively.

What was your primary form of communication with new target, inc. - the digital agency?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

What I found most impressive and unique about New Target was their ability to provide a comprehensive range of digital services, from Drupal web support to design, development, integration, and training. Their expertise spans multiple areas of digital strategy and technology, allowing them to deliver integrated solutions that meet the SAIC's evolving needs. Additionally, their long-term partnership approach and dedication to understanding the big picture sets them apart, ensuring sustained success and a personalized experience for their clients.

Are there any areas for improvement or something new target, inc. - the digital agency could have done differently?

Nothing notable at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Communications Manager of Daughters of the American Revolution

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

DAR is a non-profit women's service organization. In addition to being a membership org, we are also a genealogy library, museum and a concert hall.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire new target, inc. - the digital agency to accomplish?

• Redesign our website look and feel
• Improve the website functionality and clunky processes

SOLUTION

How did you find new target, inc. - the digital agency?

• Online Search
• Other

Why did you select new target, inc. - the digital agency over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from new target, inc. - the digital agency were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Updating our 2016 website to bring it more current in terms of look and feel. Updating a lot of back end functionality to improve usability. Upgrading front end functionality to better user experience. Making the website ADA accessible. The DAR website is incredibly large, improving navigation to improve usability.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Launching an attractive, well-received website.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Incredibly responsive, listened to needs and came up with great solution, always on time and helpful.

What was your primary form of communication with new target, inc. - the digital agency?

Virtual Meeting

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

DAR is incredibly unique, and new target, inc. is helpful, patient, and listens to all our needs. Always willing to go at our sometimes slower speed.

Are there any areas for improvement or something new target, inc. - the digital agency could have done differently?

There's nothing they need to improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director Web Strategy & Digital Marketing at a connectivity solutions company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Our company is a provider of technology-driven connectivity solutions to primarily maritime customers globally.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire new target, inc. to accomplish?

• Redesign website
• Improve customer journey
• Improve user experience

SOLUTION

How did you find new target, inc.?

Referral

Why did you select new target, inc. over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

How many teammates from new target, inc. were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

New Target was hired to migrate our company's website from an outdated CMS to WordPress. Our company was looking for a new website that would be easy to update and make changes internally. The website contained extensive product and service information as well as a document library, hosted in Salesforce. 

The deliverables included a new website design encompassing a scalable design system, 10-12 page templates, and a Salesforce integration to create a searchable document library within WordPress.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Our site speed increased by 100%, the site search and document library accurately returns search results, there are fewer clicks involved to get visitors to product information. Overall, the user experience has improved, and engagement has increased across the site.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

New Target's project plan included an extensive strategic planning and discovery period. This included site map designs, requirements gathering and style tile creation and feedback. There was clear communication regarding deliverable dates and feedback expectations. New Target responded promptly to all questions and if there was any confusion regarding anything, they were quick to jump on a call to make sure we were on the same page and that they had a thorough grasp of our requirements. 

We had a firm launch date deadline so we were quick to provide necessary client feedback. New Target, in turn, was quick to turn around their next deliverable and we were able to launch on time.

What was your primary form of communication with new target, inc.?

Virtual Meeting

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

We were very impressed by new target, inc.'s thorough and extensive requirements-gathering phase and the project manager and developer's constant questions, which demonstrated how carefully they were listening in our meetings. The solutions architect assigned to our project was outstanding. He went out of his way to accommodate our requests and customizations and proactively communicated if a request was not realistic or practical.

Are there any areas for improvement or something new target, inc. could have done differently?

We had a project manager change during the project which was not ideal. However, I don't think it could have been avoided and did not impact the outcome of the project.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am part of the digital marketing team in my travel company. We work with New Target to supplement our workforce in Drupal support and webs projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire new target, inc., and what were your goals?

We've hired New Target as our digital support team, focusing on Drupal and strategy in web projects.

SOLUTION

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

I inherited the agency when I joined the company in March 2021. After a few months, I worked internally to make sure we created long-term engagements w/ New Target. For me, the agency is working at a senior level in digital strategy and Drupal web development. We benefit from their accrued knowledge from other clients and are the gold standard for me in digtial best practices.

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

We depend on the agency during our 2week software sprints and releases. They have tickets, we handle tickets. However, I look to them for the definitive answers. If they say go w/ Option C, we go w/ Option C.

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

We work heavily w/ 2 people (project manager, lead developer) and a host of people we don't see (additional developers, research, analytics, and QA). We are especially impressed w/ the level of detail from the QA team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've had two large successes in 2022:

1. Google Data Studio. NT set us up - w/ our own Google Analytics feeds - so Marketers can run their own analytics, using GDS. It's been a bonus for staff to get their analytics Just In Time. On our staff, we don't have the expertise to implement GDS.
2. Home page makeover. In December, we brought to NT the combined work of web designers, writers, creatives, - and me. We had a pretty good 2do list of requirements for a responsive design that needed to do a lot of things in a short amount of time. NT met the challenge , we launched on time, and the project looks great - especially on the back end.

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

We hold two weekly meetings and a joint sprint release every 2 weeks. The first is a meeting of the two teams (our digital team and NT's project manager and lead developer). We review open tickets and discuss next actions and roadmaps for projects. It's a good exchange of information.

The second meeting is for the project manger/I to discuss budget, available hours, high-level strategy, and planning.

The third meeting is the sprint release. Over 45 minutes, we push code and - together - test updates and new modules on the PROD server. It's a breeze, because we find all the errors during testing in the lower servers. Our sprint releases are nearly relaxing :)

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

The can-do attitude from the back-end developers was most impressive. We're asking for a lot of reporting and database synchronization w/ other proprietary servers on our end. Sometimes we're creating new solutions. Most often, we're reaching into their deep knowledge to make a project work based on work they've done before.

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

According to our monthly support contract, we would run out of hours. We'd either have to stop work on the 25th of each month, or pay overage fees. I worked it w/ OUR accounting team to expand our support hours by 50% so we could make much better use of the agency.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of an autism research organization. We operate a job board for autistic jobseekers and employers across the United States.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with new target, inc.?

We were looking for a vendor that would understand our community and help us revamp our website, which we were rolling out on a localized level. Obviously, as we grew, the needs of and demands on our website would change, so the site had to be flexible and scalable as well.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We began by having numerous conversations with new target, as we’d already provided a document outline of what we were looking for and what needed to be on the site. Through our conversations, we tweaked and worked down what we had.

What is the team composition?

They took a team-based approach with us. We met with their people early on, right as we were compiling our requirements, including a solutions architect, a project manager, a design resource, and a marketing specialist. It was a very collaborative engagement; we even worked with someone in their leadership. Moving forward, into the technical and nitty-gritty details, we worked a lot with the project manager and the solutions architect.

There were probably a dozen or so people in total, a lot of them helping us with testing and revamping the website.

How did you come to work with new target, inc.?

When we began soliciting vendors, we reached out to people who had been with different development companies. My supervisor had worked with new target and spoke very highly of them, as did one other person who wasn’t related to our company. We were very intrigued, and therefore had a couple of calls with them to make sure they fully understood what we were looking for and that they would be a good fit for us.

We were considering other vendors as well, but when push came to shove, new target was leaps and bounds ahead of all of them. We spoke to several of new target’s former clients, and everything they’ve said has been true. I’m so glad we went with them, and I can’t sing their praises enough.  

How much have you invested with them?

The initial estimate was $86,000, and we ended up spending a bit more on a few changes that weren’t in the original scope. The total was around $87,000–$88,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since July 2021. The website has been completed, but we continue to work with new target for hosting and other things. They do testing on our site at certain intervals as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s a bit hard for me to document metrics, as our site doesn’t operate in a way that’s conducive to gathering them, but on the anecdotal front, job seekers say that the site is much easier to use and much more aesthetically pleasing than it was. I’ve received a lot of positive feedback from job seekers and employers about how amazed they are. This is unsolicited praise; we’ve had clients contact us out of the blue and say that they love our site.

We had very specific needs, and new target did a lot of research, including into our clients, to address them. They were able to understand our clients, and that has resulted in a large increase in the number of job seekers building out their profiles.

How did new target, inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They were extremely efficient, accommodating, and understanding throughout the process. They didn’t miss deadlines, and they even kept us on track. Availability was a given and ongoing, with them keeping us updated through both meetings and emails.

The project lead has done a fantastic job throughout the duration of the project, always responding to our questions, which not a lot of companies do. They don’t take the time to explain how certain components interact on the backend of the site or with different plugins.

They were able to deal with any changes we requested as well. For example, we put in the requirements that we wanted to launch the site in January, but as we approached that date we realized that we wanted to a soft-launch to our current employer partner so they could get signed up. This didn’t require a whole lot from new target, but they made it happen within our scope for the project. They made it so the required emails that were triggered would be different from the emails that would go out during the actual launch.

What did you find most impressive about them?

new target has had a lot of positive energy throughout the project, which they insert to help us find ways of doing things that we weren’t aware of.  Their receptiveness to feedback stands out from that of other web developers that my organization has used in the past as well. Most firms aren’t as flexible and adaptive to what we need, and new target absolutely rolled with us and makes everything happen for us.

They were frequent in their communication and made us feel like we were a part of the development process. Both of these characteristics also stood out to us, because they both take time and energy.

I can’t speak highly enough of new target and have thoroughly enjoyed working with them. They’re certainly recommended to anyone I meet that’s looking for any sort of website development work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

This is very tough. There’s not much that they need to do differently, but providing more documentation about the mechanics of the backend would be helpful. This is a minimal point at best because they did cover this topic during our training session. It’s hard to say anything truly negative about my experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear as to what you’re looking for in your requirements. Being clear on that and then taking time to read through it will allow them to fully understand what the site is going to become and evolve into.

I’m not a web developer, so I didn’t understand everything in the requirement document regarding the terminology, so take advantage of their knowledge.

Giving feedback to new target is also very important throughout the process to ensure that you receive a functional and usable end product. You’ll be able to tell them if you don’t like an aspect of the design.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of earned and owned media relations at the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). We’re a national nonprofit working in the identity theft and identity crime space to empower and guide consumers, victims, businesses, and governments and mitigate identity compromises in crime.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with new target, inc.?

We hired them for a website audit.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve had a few projects with new target. First, they did a website audit and gave us a review. From there, they redeveloped our website from scratch using WordPress. We also had a separate site that was Salesforce integrated, and for our latest project, new target moved that site to the new WordPress site. 

This project involved migrating all the data from the Salesforce site over to our new website and a complete rebrand of its pieces. They had to migrate over 16,000 records from Salesforce into WordPress. The team also redesigned our logo to give it a cleaner, more modern look while still holding our bookmarked identity. They’ve also updated our reports’ design, letterhead, and PowerPoint presentations to be consistent with our new website. 

We have a contact center to help victims of identity crime, so the biggest part of our website involves giving people access to a chat where people can talk to our advisors. For this, the team integrated a chat bubble. new target also added a toll-free clickable phone number and many educational resources. We have scam alerts, blogs, analyses, and reports on the site to help people prevent or recover from identity theft and protect their businesses. Currently, new target still provides monthly maintenance for our website. 

What is the team composition?

I work with around 4–5 people from new target regularly. Along with a project manager, there’s a solutions architect, head of design, and someone higher up. They also have teams within the company doing work for us that I don’t interact with.

How did you come to work with new target, inc.?

At the time we hired them, I wasn’t managing the website. However, I believe that we put out an RFP for an audit, and new target came in with a proposal. We had an onboarding call with them that went well, and we brought them on. 

How much have you invested with them?

The website project was $100,000, and the migration project cost $30,000. So far, we’ve invested at least $150,000, including the audit and the maintenance contract. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around April 2020, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since new target revamped our website, we’ve had close to 260,000 new users and 300,000 sessions with an average duration of 61 seconds, which is good. The improved session time is partly due to the redesign and some recommendations new target gave us about keeping users more engaged in our content. 

We’re also very happy with our time-on-page. Our page views are over 430,000, and page sessions have a duration of 1.46 seconds. The number of sessions per user is 1.14 since new target took over. Additionally, we’ve seen a lot of engagement with the chat function on our site, which is one of the things new target helped redesign. The chat had over 700 clicks in both January and February, 1,400 in March, and 1,000 in April. 

We’ve seen an initial dip in our traffic that we expected with a new website. However, we’re on an upward trajectory that we’re happy about, getting closer to our previous numbers. Overall, all of us are happy with new target’s work, starting from the audit through our latest project. 

With the audit, they provided some great information that led us to rethink the material we were putting on our website. We changed our writing style to be more effective and digestible, and these changes have been successful for us. The website's revamping has been a huge success, too. They had great ideas, did a great job in the execution, and met the deadline. 

Everyone is thrilled with the new site and the way it looks. The site looks better, and we get great comments from others outside the organization that see our content and our branding. Additionally, they have great people that really care about us and our success. We’ve built friendships with them beyond work, and that’s part of the reason why we work so well with them. I can’t say enough good things about new target and the work they’ve done for us. 

How did new target, inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

new target does a tremendous job with project management; they communicate really well, meet all their deadlines, and are flexible. We use Zoho, where we manage all the tickets and projects. We also email frequently and have Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls, especially during projects. They’re always open to communicating with us; if I ever email them with a question, they’ll jump on a call with me. 

When we were doing the website, we had weekly meetings. Close to the end of the project, we switched to daily meetings to go over everything and make sure we were all on the same page. For the migration project, we gave them a tight deadline because we had to get it done within three months, even though it should have been a five-month project. new target found a way to make it work and met this aggressive timeline, working 24/7. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed by new target’s design skills. The functionality of our website is way better and more user-friendly, as are the design and the look and feel. This all came from their recommendations; they’re the experts, so we give them the range to do what they think will be best. Their expertise is noticeable in our logo, design, and website — they’ve excelled and exceeded our expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any major constructive feedback for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communicate what you want effectively. The more you can tell them, the better their idea and the more likely you will get what you want. I’m on the side that overcommunicating is better than under-communicating. This works for us with new target because we always get exactly what we want. Don’t be afraid to reach out because they want to help you and hear what you have to say.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the VP of sales and marketing at a startup called Higher Education Skincare. We’re an emerging skincare brand that targets consumers between the ages of 17–29, which is when a person’s skin starts to see a lot of changes.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with new target, inc.?

We were looking for resources to develop a robust e-commerce website with additional bells and whistles.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

new target, inc. developed a secure e-commerce platform in Magento, integrating reporting tools such as QuickBooks to help us manage our operation. The site features product pages, video content, an Instagram feed, and a blog, all of which we’re able to easily edit ourselves.

In addition to the standard shop components, the team built several modules to make the check-out process as smooth as possible. They designed a BI-compliant (business intelligence) backend, which allows customers to place an order through our site, even if we sell the item through a separate retailer. 

One of our unique features is a youth advisory board that showcases popular products among our users. People can then share these items by linking their social media accounts. Registered members can also participate in a rewards program, track purchases, and view order logs.

What is the team composition? 

I mostly interacted with about four key resources, including a phenomenal project manager. But, in total, there are approximately 13 resources assigned to our account.

How did you come to work with new target, inc.?

I had worked with one of their partners before while we were both at different companies, so it made sense to reach out to them for this project. They were technically well-versed with Magento, and we knew they could build a highly secure platform. 

How much have you invested with them? 

We spent about $275,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

They started working on the site in November 2017 and completed it in time for our launch in November 2018.
 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our executive board and the internal team have given a lot of positive feedback on the site’s aesthetics. From a functionality standpoint, it’s easy to click through to our Instagram page or read a blog post, and the reward points are refreshing, too. We’re confident that the site’s easy-to-use function will keep our customers coming back.

How did new target, inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

Despite being on opposite ends of the country, we never had an issue communicating with them. They were organized and efficient, keeping us up to date with weekly meetings and project management tools. We used GoToMeeting during development to share screens, which allowed us to see what they were doing and provide feedback.

Once we launched the site, we used Zoho Desk to report bugs or request enhancements. We would create a ticket, and the project manager would assign it to a resource. From there, we could monitor the task progress in real time, which was extremely efficient. Overall, their level of professionalism and communication was outstanding. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

I was impressed that new target, inc. had worked with numerous government agencies in the past because it meant that they had a good eye for detail. When working for a branch of the government, it’s important to produce thorough, quality work that’s also highly secure. This was a critical priority for us, and new target, inc. definitely delivered on that front.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

The details on their monthly invoices can be somewhat confusing. While I understand why they organize it that way, it would be nice if they could refine the details on the bills to be clearer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
 
You should know exactly what your requirements are before starting development and understand that you’ll likely have changes or additions as you go along. For us, we spent three hours going back and forth on our requirements, and new target, inc. worked with us to go over the cost of each item.

We ended up dividing the project into two phases, accomplishing as much of the core functions as we could in the first implementation to launch the site, then going back in to build additional features. Even during development, we would have ongoing conversations on ways to improve the site and the logistics behind them.