Planet Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of myKidzDay. We offer a childcare app.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.?

We hired them to improve our mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is a knowledge sharing platform that tracks child activity and facilitates active communication between childcare providers and parents. It also benefits childcare service administrators as a recordkeeping tool that can run report analyses and track attendance.

We previously worked with another development firm, so the first stage of this project was knowledge transition. We gave Planet Web our code base and explained how the app works within its general architecture. Then, we communicated our business and technology challenges regarding compatibility with newer versions of Android. We also talked through some features we wanted to add to both the mobile and web app.

The plan was for Planet Web to stabilize the app so we could relaunch it on iOS, Android, and Kindle. Once that was accomplished, they began to program enhancements by restructuring the backend and updating the API’s. They also worked on our web app to implement features tailored to education professionals and administrators. The project continues as they extend those features through our mobile apps and deliver regular updates.

What is the team composition?

We have a lead project manager but also work with other managers and staff interchangeably depending on the current needs of the project.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd.?

We weren’t overly pleased with our previous provider and decided to find a vendor better suited for our needs. We were apart of an accelerator program and heard good things about Planet Web. We also worked with a previous client of theirs who recommended them. We began to heavily consider them and checked a few more references. Everything came back positive, so we decided to move forward with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’re on pace to spend $25,000–$27,000 for the total project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2017 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Planet Web resolved the bugs left by our previous provider and stabilized the app. That was a big success because we were starting to get negative reviews due to the app’s prior iteration frequently crashing. More recently, we’ve been able to implement some of the new features they’ve built and have received positive feedback so far. As a result, we’re confident in the success of their future developments.

How did Planet Web Solutions Pvt. Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

They use Zoho, but we speak with the project manager at least twice daily to get progress updates. They’re located in India, so our calls take place at 6 a.m. EST and then again around 10 a.m. EST. It’s been a smooth process.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’ve worked with other firms for mobile app development and Planet Web is among the best. Their project management skills and technical expertise are remarkable. Other companies we’ve worked with required us to direct them through every step of the process and be the driving force of the project. Planet Web comes to us with new ideas that benefit the product in ways we’ve never considered. They’re collaboration and ability contribute to the process has been phenomenal.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We’re ecstatic with the work they’ve done so far. They’ve completed tasks in a few days that other companies described as not feasible.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We initially engaged them with a fixed fee model, but later switched to a committed resource model. This worked better for us because the committed resource model is cheaper and enabled the same developer to work on our system for over two months. This familiarity allowed the developer to provide solutions to problems we weren’t previously aware existed in the system. Therefore, I’d suggest new clients work with the project manager to figure it out which pricing model is best suited for their project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of an education technology startup called Nactus. Our web-based platform and mobile app target educational institutions to engage with both students and teachers. It facilitates student-information management, helping users find tutors and share study materials.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

We conceived an idea for a comprehensive network that connected educators with their institutions through a single platform. We wanted to create a smooth experience for both web and mobile users, ensuring that they could access all our of platform’s functions and services. As a result, we needed resources to develop our platform, which involved building a site as well as an app for iOS and Android. We also wanted resources to manage our system.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our web-based interface from scratch, providing front- and backend development services. They also developed a fully-functional site, in addition to our app. Since our product launch two years ago, they’ve managed our database and offered support for all of our system’s service operations. This includes daily administration duties, server-load maintenance, and technical customer support. Currently, we continue to add new features and are discussing future developments.

What is the team composition?

I primarily worked with their owner, though our internal technical staff typically collaborates with their IT team to operate our backend. They’ve also assigned a technical consultant who oversees the project.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

Initially, we researched the market to get a sense of the different agencies. Rather than looking for just a developer, we sought a partner who could manage our platform as well. Compared to other companies that only focused on building the software, Plant Web Solutions understood our project needs and knew how to build it with a long-term vision in mind. This made it easy for us to explain our specifications, so we went with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $100,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work began in September 2015 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The fact that we’ve continued to work with Planet Web Solutions for over two and a half years proves that we’re satisfied with their performance. Their technical expertise played a crucial role in growing our company.

Moreover, they have an excellent customer service team. Users praise them for their responsiveness, yielding greater customer confidence in our platform. Customers know that they won’t have any challenges with our systems, and if they do, there’s always someone to support them.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re responsive and work efficiently to address any concerns with product specs and requirements. I speak with their CEO once a week to go over status updates and potential development plans, while our technical team communicates with their team on a daily basis. In terms of meeting deadlines, their timely delivery has been crucial for us to launch our platform.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate the breadth of their involvement and their strong internal collaboration. From the beginning, their senior developers worked with us to establish our objectives before talking to their coders. This has fostered a holistic understanding of the project requirements from the junior to the senior level members, allowing for a more efficient delivery. I also value their unrelenting commitment to our timelines. They met all of our established deadlines and helped us stay on track as a company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Beyond just a rigid, short-term project idea, customers should have a medium- and long-term vision in mind when approaching Planet Web Solutions. Many people only want to address their immediate needs without considering how they will scale up or build over time. They need to spend time conducting in-depth discussions about the product design and requirements. This helps Planet Web Solutions’ team understand their customers’ goals, executing their vision efficiently and accurately.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Dar Scrubs. Our company sells medical uniforms and accessories.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

I needed an external source to audit the e-commerce site I’d personally built. SSL certificate issues meant it wasn’t a trusted site. The domain was hosted in Kuwait, which didn’t match the WordPress packaged according to GoDaddy. I wanted to identify specific improvements to increase sales. Security is a major concern, since the platform includes payment functions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Planet Web Solutions formulated a strategy to fix major security and speed issues on my site. They even uncovered and resolved issues I wasn’t aware existed. I had the option to fix everything within the current platform, but that would have been a temporary solution.  They told me that transitioning to Magento would help the site handle more traffic. Site migration was inevitable if I wanted to grow my business, so I trusted their evaluation.

The team standardized image sizes to make the design more aesthetically pleasing. Customers shopping for medical scrubs on my site can choose from an array of designs and colors. A plug-in lets consumer design custom products. Along with the critical search feature, they improved all the main page categories and built a search function. Since the launch, they’ve followed up with ongoing technical maintenance.  They’re currently auditing my other sites and finding ways to expand my business to new regions.

What is the team composition?

After starting off with one resource, they expanded the team to three people.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

I contacted 10 companies from different countries that I found on Freelancer.com. Planet Web Solutions was listed as a top 100 company internationally in their field, so I requested an audit.  That analysis took two weeks, but their response and quoted price were amazing. They covered my main criteria and gave all the right answers. In particular, their customer service made them stand out. They offered the maximum value for the price I could afford.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost so far has been between $6,000 - $8,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with Planet Web Solutions in February 2018. The project took 5–6 weeks to complete. The initial negotiation and analysis stage might have taken longer. They continue to provide support and I plan to develop an app using their team. We’re currently discussing a quote and potential Key Performances Indicators (KPIs) for their marketing and SEO services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new site only launched 3–4 days ago, so I really can’t compare it to the previous version. One they implement Google Analytics, I’ll have clearer traffic metrics. This team did a much better job that other IT teams and freelancers I’ve worked with. I’ve been lucky so far and don’t feel taken advantage of, which often happens in the development space.

Planet Web Solutions delivered a site that’s faster and more secure than its problematic predecessor. There’s still room for improvement, but I understand that results require marketing and inventory work.  I was especially impressed by their fast response times previously. They fixed brief issues with the payment and Facebook login immediately.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re highly professional. Whenever I reported a problem, they started solving it within six hours.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I admire their focus on customer satisfaction rather than financial motives. I’ve dealt with a lot of online companies, and Planet Web Solutions is doing a great job in comparison.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are always areas for improvement, but I can’t think of anything specific.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Convey exactly what you want to be included on your website. It’s impossible for Planet Web Solutions to read a client’s mind. Our project worked well because I gave them clear requirements and they had the skills to accomplish my requests.  It was a very easy process for us. It would have been more difficult if I’d had a vague idea. It was an easy process for us. I recently recommended them to someone I know.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing and general process manager for CKB Limited. We offer multiple retail websites for customers around the world and trade on sites like Amazon and eBay.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

I had been working with another agency for quite some time. The service was slowly declining so I started to look for alternatives. The first project I needed help with was converting a website from HTTP to HTTPS. The checkout phase was secure but not the full site and users on Chrome were getting warning messages. We needed to ensure security so we could keep up with our competitors.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the initial project, they switched our sites from HTTP to HTTPS. They started by walking me through the process. After they’d explained their approach, we planned out the project. They worked on each website independently, starting with the first one. When we found some glitches during our testing, they fixed them, even responding after hours to fix a live site.

After that, the engagement turned into a constant development project. They manage an ongoing overhaul of visual updates on the sites as well as improvements to functionality and SEO. For example, one of our sites targets four countries so is translated into Dutch, English, French, and German. When they assessed the site’s SEO, they found that it was only in place for the English version. They updated the onsite SEO to address this for the other language sites. They also fully integrated Google Analytics into the websites so everything is tracked. Their current project is to integrate weight-based shipping metrics for international deliveries. At the moment, we’ve uploaded all the weights to Magento and they’re mapping my requirements for each country.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with three people including a primary contact.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

I found them on Upwork. I did my research and read reviews about them. They seemed pretty good. I contacted them via Skype and spoke with a salesperson. I was clear with him about how important the task was to us. He was very reassuring and to the point. They connected me with a team and I’m still working with those same people now.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between £12,000– £15,000 ($16,670–$20,830).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around the middle of last year. It’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our daily turnover has increased by 20%–25%. They’re not fully responsible for that but they’ve played a part in it.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

We do everything via Skype chat and email, and sometimes a Skype call. We have a Skype group chat with all the developers who deal with me for different tasks. I don’t have to email certain people or find out who is working on what. I speak to them at least three times a week, sometimes multiple times a day. There’s probably not a week that goes by that I don’t speak to them about something.

They easily accommodate all my requests. I can request something via the chat, share a screenshot, and the action is taken forward. It’s easier and faster for me. I don’t have to spend time writing out requirements. For a family business like ours, where I’m dealing with multiple things all the time, it’s good for me to be able to know something is being done.

I appreciate their responsiveness. They get back to me quickly. There are times when, if we’ve encountered problems, they’ve responded to me outside of business hours to resolve the matter. They really went above and beyond.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attention to detail on the design side is a genuine strong point. I’ve had so many experiences with developers who may complete a task but don’t understand the visual design side. With them, if I need to make a part of the checkout larger, for example, they’ll make it larger—but they’ll also make it look good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I wish they'd be more forthcoming in using their experiences with other projects to upsell more. They’ve made a few suggestions but primarily they wait for my requests. They implement professionally and successfully but they haven’t innovated my site. I wish they’d be braver in approaching me with proposals for what they think would work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you know what you want and you want someone who will deliver exactly to your requirements, they're the right company for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of TalEng, an outsourcing platform for engineering industries.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

My business is an entirely online system. We launched this out of another business but didn’t have a website. We needed to build the entire online system, frontend and backend. We needed to get the site up and running, and able to integrate with other company websites, so that we could go out and start selling.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built the website from scratch using PHP and Laravel. I wrote a brief specification and did a rough design of what I wanted it to look like. They took it from there and I let them completely manage it. They added to the design and specifications where it was needed. They corrected things I had put in that would have been difficult to do or wouldn’t have worked properly. They’d give me designs or ideas and I’d give them my opinions on them with some small changes.

The site functionality allows different people to sign up and create profiles. Companies can also sign up and post projects to the system for people to bid on. The companies then select them. There are messaging and search functionalities. There are different levels of access for companies.

What is the team composition?

I have a project manager that I primarily speak with. There are 4-5 other people working on it at different times, depending on the needs.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

They were recommended to me by someone. I was looking at 3 companies – one in the UK, one in Poland, and Planet Web Solutions. The company in the UK are very good but very expensive. The company in Poland had similar pricing to Planet Web Solutions but weren’t as helpful while I was putting the proposal together.

I don’t have a technical background so it’s not easy for me to understand things to put quotes together. The person from Planet Web Solutions was understanding of that and helped me write the quote as well as telling me how much it would cost. He helped me a lot while I was making the decision by walking me through the steps I needed to take.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $9,000-10,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2017 and our work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Website traffic and engagement are increasing all the time. I have clients who have commented on how easy the system is to use and that it's better than the alternatives that are out there – which are both good things. A lot of people say it's a well-designed website, which they've done a good job of.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate via emails and Skype. When we first started developing it, we were speaking a couple of times a week. During testing we spoke more frequently.

They've delivered what they said they'd deliver. Most of it's been better than I expected and all of it's been on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The fact that they've helped me set things up properly. Like I said, I don’t have a tech background. They were able to explain things to me and basically walk me through the process without ripping me off as they did so. It would have been quite easy for them to build something that would have required adapting but they built something that worked, based on my original budget, and which was definitely better than what I had in mind.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. To be honest, there's not much more they could do. They're based in India. Sometimes that's annoying because there is a time difference but there's nothing they can do about that.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You can trust them to work with you as a partner instead of as a company that’s working for you. They certainly work like that with me and they’ve helped me out a lot. You can trust them to take responsibility for a project and deliver at the end of it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a project manager for a digital consultancy company. I work on digital products with websites, e-commerce sites, and institutional sites.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web?

We needed help building our e-commerce sites. We wanted to sell products and promote more traffic.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I’ve worked with Planet Web for every e-commerce site I’ve been involved with. For this specific project, they used Magento to build a website. We wanted images and features like wish lists, cart selling, additional selling, videos, PDF uploading, and sales tools. There are also filters for size and color.

What is the team dynamic?

They have WordPress and Magento specialists, and I’ve worked with around 10 people total. I have 1 point of contact, but I don’t have contact with the designer. They offer comprehensive development and design, but we only use the resources we need for any given project. Sometimes, we have a graphic designer from Planet Web, and other times, we use our internal resources.

How did you come to work with Planet Web?

I found Planet Web through my previous company who had worked with them. I decided to work with them again with my current company.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $50,000 on all projects.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2012, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They previously worked on SEO, and it resulted in more site traffic. Since adding the e-commerce side to our business, we’ve also seen more catalog and institutional sales.

How did Planet Web perform from a project management standpoint?

I speak with the project manager every week, and they do a good job. I’m really satisfied with their service, and they’ve never delayed a project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're quick workers who always have solutions to our problems. I’m really happy with work with them. They also offer good advice.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could benefit from improving their design. They could also offer more advice to their clients without being asked.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a task project manager at an Australian company. We have two main products. One is an e-commerce application and the other is a classified application. Both of these products have been developed by Planet Web Solutions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

The first application was built by another company and that company wrote most very poor code. Planet Web Solutions was onboarded and they fixed it. They made my iOS and Android mobile applications for that first product. The second product they are working is a classified application.  They made a web version and native iOS and Android mobile applications.

The e-commerce site, the first application, has a multi-vendor platform marketplace model.  A buyer and seller can both interact on the site. Planet Web Solutions also built some features which are specific to our own product.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The previous company began developing the app in 2013. The previous developer before delivery trashed all the shopping cart, all the invoicing, the multi-vendor platform ordering system, and the rating system. There are a lot of things which were broken. That company left in July 2015, and I gave it to Planet Web Solutions in September. Their first job was to fix the web application. They did phase one of bug fixing by cleaning antiquated or redundant files. They even rewrote a few of those functions which were critical for the application. Afterwards, we opened phase two where we worked on the iOS and Android mobile applications. I asked them to change the design to make it more responsive. They are still working on the first project.

The second project which Planet Web did from scratch was the Laravel application. First, we quickly proceeded through the business requirement and gathering phases. Then, we defined the sprints which included the QA phase.  Subsequently, they started the mobile application. They pushed all of the code onto my server and managed the deployment of the application. They took this second project from initiation all the way to delivery.

What is the team dynamic?

In the first project, there were two project managers Shefali [BA] and Satish [CTO]. One was managing from the business perspective and the other, from a technical perspective. There were two guys for the PHP development and one guy each for iOS and Android; they had one QA. For some phases, they added one extra guy to complete it on the timeline.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

I found them on Elance. We interviewed a lot of companies and Planet Web was one of them. I chose them based on the experience they have with building e-commerce stores. After a meeting with the CTO regarding the PHP,  tools and project management, I concluded they were the right firm for me.  

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $28,000 for the first project. The second was $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working on the first project in September 2015.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They fixed all the application. It was completely broken and I was left with nothing. All of my investment in 2013 through 2015 was gone. The biggest impact I can say right now is I have a functional application. We haven’t properly launched our application. From their development work, we have saved plenty of costs by using them to fix the bugs. 

From a stability point of view, the site has fewer bugs now. It’s more dynamic and the pages are fine, the converse from the previous one. 

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

I had daily stand-up meetings with both of my contacts. The timeline changed multiple times. I needed to launch it sooner than the initial time. They completed the e-commerce app on my deadline.

There were some points where they needed to pay more attention, but otherwise, overall, they performed well. I would say from the customer service perspective, the way they were interacting with me, the way they were answering my inquiries throughout the whole development process.

The first application was an uncertain application. They fixed it although my budget increased as they started digging in the code and finding more and more issues in the application. It was my as per my initial budget, so it was justifiable. For my second application, they fixed everything and they built it within my intial budget.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The way they communicate and the way they attend to their customers is impressive. Right now, I’m in direct communication with the CEO and the CTO, so as soon as I have any problems, it gets resolved quickly. That’s a pretty good thing for me. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have been with them two years and I have seen them improve. Initially, they had some issue specific to their QA department, but that has been solved after my feedback. Right now, I don’t have any constructive criticisms of them. 

Do you have any advice for potential clients?

For the people who are newcomers, I would tell them to communicate with them but have their requirements ready. Spend some time in the requirements phase,  chatting with them; these guys will come up with some pretty good ideas. To work with any development company, you should have a game plan in hand. Specific to Planet Web Solutions, give them a shot with e-commerce, Magento or PHP based products. They have experience, and they can deliver.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

My name is Pooja Kudesia, and I’ve been in the development business for four or five years.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

Initially, we wanted to develop an e-commerce website using WordPress without using a premium team. We then wanted to develop mobile apps for some of our clients. Planet Web was the first company we’d worked with.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Planet Web initially created our e-commerce site. I explained the requirements to the team, and they came up with a statement of work before development started. Planet Web developed a custom catalog feature for us in Magento. We wanted to have a brand catalog as a base, while keeping the previous website images.

After completing our development projects, they built mobile apps on behalf of some of our clients. These projects weren’t purely e-commerce, and they involved fully custom development.

Some of the more complex features they developed included timebound videos for people to like, comment on, or follow and a plug-in for online medical appointments with automatic calling and encrypted chat features. Planet web also provided a seamless e-commerce solution for a Taiwan-based bulk electronic components company and an Indian gateway for luxury products from the U.S. and U.K.

What is the team dynamic?

The team size varies by project; when I worked with them on our e-commerce platform, I interacted with one project manager and one business analyst. I typically had a single point of contact, possibly their CTO. We worked remotely via Skype and phone meetings.

Once we finalized requirements and the scope of work, Planet Web introduced a designer and a frontend developer, who created an interactive prototype for clients. After that, they assigned a development team.

Our projects were not huge, but they weren’t tiny either. Development teams were always between four and five developers at a time. I’ve been to Planet Web’s office, and they have a huge team of developers.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

We contracted Planet Web to develop our e-commerce site. I was skeptical about how this first project would go, but they launched the site efficiently. Everything worked fine, giving me confidence to engage them on a client project.

The initial requirements weren’t very clear, and the client kept changing their mind, but the team was able to deliver in time. We’ve established a good rapport with the team and want to keep working with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost of their services has been under $50,000. Projects have ranged from $1,500 to $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Planet Web in late 2013. We worked on the e-commerce project until August or September 2016. I am no longer in that same business, but I am focusing on my own products: one for school management, and another for doctor appointments. Planet Web is still working with me on those.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They completed everything to our satisfaction.

We aren’t working with the U.S. clients Planet Web developed mobile apps for now, but the e-commerce website for our Taiwanese client is performing well. While the luxury goods site changed its design and focus—it’s not selling luxury products any longer—it’s still using Planet Web’s Magento platform.

Planet Web’s team continues to help me with SEO for my scheduling platform, in order to attract organic users.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

We have regular Skype calls, after which Planet Web takes our requirements in detail, and creates an SOW [statement of work]. Upon SOW approval, they move to wireframing and visual design, in the case of more complicated products. For smaller projects, they start on visual design directly. When it’s ready, I decide on technology—Magento, WordPress, or custom development. Once everything is finalized, Planet Web starts development.

We have clearly defined milestones. I’m comfortable with a WBS [work breakdown structure] in an Excel format. Planet Web sends me weekly or monthly sheets, depending on the project, and they’ve never missed a milestone. Once the product is ready, QA is completed, and we’ve approved it, we report any bugs we find, and they fix them. We’ve always launched on time.

The process is streamlined. This is one company I can trust to follow the project milestones completely. I am very satisfied with their quality of development, communication and general project management process. Their communication has never been a problem for me, which is one of the biggest contributors to a project’s success.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their development—coming from the design industry, I find that Planet Web does an amazing job.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It was difficult for them to manage milestones when we made changes to the development requirements, but it would be for any team.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

If you’re looking for a great team that is open to suggestions for development, no matter how silly, Planet Web will definitely work toward a satisfactory solution. Their deliverables are technically very sound. We had some challenging requirements, but they didn’t mind going the extra mile to do the work.

However, Planet Web won’t sacrifice functionality for a quick fix. In my eagerness to launch an app, I requested a simple chat function. But they pointed out potential legal complications and conflicts with cross-platform apps and helped me understand the technical challenges of using a free server. Planet Web wants products to function efficiently long-term, rather than focusing on the launch alone.

If a company is looking for a long-term collaboration with a team they can rely on, Planet Web is the clear choice.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are a home furniture, textile, decorative accessories, and rugs manufacturing company based in Jaipur, India. We export all over the world, especially to the US, Australia, and Europe. The company is close to 40 years old.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

We have worked on several projects with Planet Web Solutions, one of the main ones being the development of our company website, manglam.com. We have also developed a website which is specific to the trade shows we hold in the US. We had been using a very old-fashioned PHP website and had no e-commerce solution at all.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After meeting with Planet Web Solutions and getting their feedback, we made the decision to move forward to a Magento e-commerce website.

The website is a showcase for our products, which customers can add to their wishlists, customize, and so on. A particularly difficult feature we wanted was around customer groups. We work with the biggest discount stores as well as individuals, each with different price points. One very important feature on our website was giving customers login credentials, and selecting which group they belong on the backend for our internal records. They can be retailers, importers, designers, or individual customers, each with their own pricing. Planet Web Solutions implemented this feature, eliminating any confusion regarding pricing. There is much more standardization in our company because of this.

Creating a wishlist was another important feature. Every customer who goes on our website can input the changes he or she would like to have for a particular product in the form of a wishlist. As they create and submit these wishlists, we will receive the exact format of a proforma invoice. This process is completely automatic, whereas it used to be done manually on Excel. It has reduced the time spent by merchandisers and our marketing people.

We have also developed a sales application connected to the same backend, which helps us take orders during tradeshows.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

I am based in Jaipur, the same city where Planet Web Solutions is located. I was searching for the top website developers in India and found some good options. I spoke to all of them, but working with a developer from the same city would make for a more comfortable relationship. I booked an appointment with Planet Web Solutions and went from there.

How much have you invested with Planet Web Solutions?

The cost of Planet Web Solutions’ work has been $15,000–$16,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Planet Web Solutions in March 2015. We have created two websites which are live at the moment, and are working on two other pages as well as an iPad application. They will all be integrated with our Magento backend.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before, we were not searchable on Google, which was a very big problem since there were many competitors with similar names to ours who had top positions, whereas we didn’t exist on Google. It was essential to gain visibility, which Planet Web Solutions was able to do.

Because of the way in which our website had been designed, it required a lot of manual work. We have been able to eliminate one job completely from our merchandising team, so the new site was a very big shift for us.

We have 100% more sales than before. Customers are using the site extensively for selecting products. We receive 20–25 selections per month through the website. People aren’t buying online, but they are sending us screenshots, adding wishlists, and selecting products from our website. We are able to get almost 50 new leads per month through it.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Their service and backend coding are both exceptional. There used to be delays on our team’s side in delivering information, but Planet Web Solutions followed up with everything we needed to do. Planet Web Solutions’ team even visited us a few times and got all the required information from us. The communication is very good. None of my emails went unanswered.

What did you find most impressive about Planet Web Solutions?

I’ve never considered switching to another company due to the quality and pricing that Planet Web Solutions delivers. They’re very strong in terms of coding, can make anything happen quickly, and they respect our requirements, not taking anything lightly. Not having to remind Planet Web Solutions of the same issue again and again is a very big thing.

There have been a few very urgent projects, including an e-commerce website we built for a particular trade show. We needed to develop it within a week, not the usual two or three months. I explained everything to Planet Web Solutions’ team, and they literally developed the site in four working days. It was functional during launch, but we continued to improve it every day.

Are there any areas Planet Web Solutions could improve?

They could provide some aesthetic design services and work more on the look of the website.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Planet Web Solutions?

I simply think that customers should start working with Planet Web Solutions. They are very professional when it comes to communication, and are responsive and good coders. Whatever the person needs, they should be clear about it. It can often happen that, after starting the project, the client will want a big switch. This creates a problem for the development company, because they may have already chosen the backend and other technology. If there’s a huge sudden shift, then everything could be in vain. My advice is to make a roadmap for the website and take recommendations from Planet Web Solution. They can mention things that the client doesn’t know, and make technological upgrades.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CFO of an investment firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Planet Web Solutions?

We wanted to get a website for our firm. Our preference was to have it done on WordPress. This way, any minor changes or wording differences that we wanted on the site could be adjusted by our personnel.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had Planet Web Solutions do two different phases of the website for us. I had contact with mainly one person who was the project manager. It did seem like he had other people helping him out when we staged the site up because I was adding two or three other authorized users to have access to the site to build.

How did you come to work with Planet Web Solutions?

I have a good friend of mine who is big into email and web marketing. He’s a pretty well-known professional in the field. He has a lot of websites built, so I initially asked him if he could build me a website for my company. He said that he didn’t have the time, but he used these guys on Upwork that were really good on projects they had done for him and that I should give them a try. When you get a referral from someone who’s knowledgeable in business, you usually go with it. I also saw Planet Web Solutions' portfolio on Upwork and saw that they had experience and had done a bunch of work too. To me, this is what they do for a living, and they’re very good at it. He provided me Planet Web Solutions' contact information, and I gave them an outline of what I was looking to do on my website. We negotiated and agreed on a price and timeline.

How much have you invested with Planet Web Solutions?

We agreed on a fixed price of under $10,000. When we paid them, we put the money into escrow on Upwork and then released it in certain milestones. Planet Web Solutions completed the first phase for us in two or three weeks. After the first month, they asked if we could release half the money since more than half the website was done. I thought it was fair and released the rest of the money upon completion.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the first part at the beginning of November 2016. We finished the second part yesterday (March 2, 2017). The project got delayed on our end, not on their end whatsoever. Planet Web Solutions would have had everything done per the schedule, but we got held back with other things.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since we just finished the project yesterday, we haven’t worked on SEO [search engine optimization] to get recognized online yet. The main reason we built the website was so that investors had a website that they could go to to look at us because you need that in this day and age.

Since we are an investment firm and run a hedge fund, we’re not allowed to advertise. However, if someone comes across our website through searching, that’s fair game. That’s why we haven’t shown it to many people. The only people that have seen it are our attorneys to make sure everything was legally correct in there, our family members, and our investors. It’s all been positive feedback from everyone regarding how professional the website looks. The biggest compliment I can give Planet Web Solutions is that I had a vision of what I wanted to be done, and they executed that vision perfectly. I left creative things up to them. I said, “I don’t have an idea of what I want to do with this, so why don’t you put something together and see if I like it?” Even on the things that I asked them to use their creativity on, they did it to my expectations or exceeded them.

How did Planet Web Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

For Planet Web Solutions being over in India, their communication was very good. They spoke English almost natively and understood everything I was saying. There was no communication barrier. We had a time difference, but we were able to work around that pretty easily. We primarily talked to each other by messaging and uploading documents through Upwork’s platform. If I had ideas or changes of what I wanted to be done on the website, I would create videos of my screen showing them what I wanted. I would also send a Word document with an outline of what I was discussing in the video. I did all this because there is a time difference of 10 ½ hours between us. I would put that together at night. The next morning when I would come to work, they would tell me that they had the changes made for me to review. We would then go back and forth that way. There were a couple of times where we spoke on Skype and had a screen sharing session for things we were trying to bounce ideas off or with something I wasn’t 100% sure about.

What did you find most impressive about Planet Web Solutions?

The most impressive thing was the quality of the work for the price that we got it for. Planet Web Solutions was customer oriented. For example, I already paid them out on everything two days ago. I emailed them through Upwork the other day about one or two minor changes I wanted, and they went ahead and made them. When you contact them, they usually get back to you right away. Changes never take longer than a day or two. They’re on point. I deal with a lot of vendors in the US, and I’m constantly waiting, or they’re too backed up and busy. Planet Web Solutions offered the best customer experience I have had, and they’re not even in the US.

Everything I wanted to be done, they did it exactly the way I wanted it. Anything that I gave them freedom or creativity to do, they produced something that was very professional looking that went with the theme of the website. That’s exactly why I wanted them to do that.

Are there any areas Planet Web Solutions could improve?

I don’t have anything bad to say or anything that Planet Web Solutions could improve upon. I am honestly happy with their work, especially for the price, so I can’t really nitpick and say there are one or two bad things I would say about it. Again, I’ve only worked with them on one website; it’s not like I’ve worked with them on a hundred things where I can then say they lack in this department. For me, I haven’t had one problem with Planet Web Solutions whatsoever.

I didn’t have any problems or hiccups in the process. Going through this process, I wouldn’t have expected it to come out exactly the way I wanted it with no problems, but that’s exactly what happened. It’s very rare to have this happen.