RainCastle Communications, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are an engineering and environmental consulting firm for the solid waste industry. We were purchased by another company after we worked with RainCastle, but still operate the site they built for us. At the time, I was the acting marketing director and currently act as a regional vice president for the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We wanted to increase our visibility within our market space. The first thing we wanted to do was update our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially focused on changing our logo and updating the website. We wanted to modernize our visibility and the industry’s perception of us. We also wanted to change the way we marketed our services on the site.

This was our first experience working with an agency and the process was very interactive. In our initial meeting, they asked what we wanted to achieve, what we wanted to change, and how much we were willing to spend. They came back with a plan and set up a schedule. We chose to generate most of the content for the site ourselves to save money and reduce the number of meetings. Once we had a draft of the site—which I think they built in WordPress—we had a webinar that included our management team. RainCastle walked us through all the pages and showed us how the final product would look. After that, we tested it and went live.

They set up visuals and features that we liked, including a carousel effect on a landing page. They wanted to entice visitors and encourage them to click through the site to find out more. To showcase our people, we focused on our About Us page and added pictures of our staff. We had other action items we wanted them to do and initiated a second phase.

Before we hired a permanent staff member, they did SEO for us for the first year or two after we launched. They reviewed our content to make sure our word choices were optimal for search visibility.

What is the team composition?

We had a project manager who drove the schedule and set up meetings. Paul (Owner, RainCastle Communications Inc.) was our creative lead, and we also had a technology lead.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

I met Paul at a marketing and business development conference. We had a number of conversations and he educated me on websites. When I pitched the idea of updating our site, we requested bids from RainCastle and a few other companies. They spent time to help me understand what the industry was doing. We appreciated their creativity, suggestions, and their ability to review materials and build good relationships.

How much have you invested with them?

Our total investment was near $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2012 and launched about a year later. We elected to save money by writing our own content, but that extended the process.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The analytical data showed an increase in traffic to our site. We also made a much more concerted effort to keep the site current and involved people within the company to enrich our content. I’m not sure the exact impact they had on bringing us new clientele, but the data speaks for itself.

How did RainCastle Communications, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They communicated well, had great ideas, and met all our expectations. We enjoyed working with them and were happy with the product. They were patient with us and told us whenever something was going to cost extra. We were pleased with their professionalism.

We had phone calls or meetings every couple of weeks, depending on what was going on. There was no hesitancy if we had a question or needed a follow-up. They made themselves available and were very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ideas, creativity, and execution are all really valuable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Their process allows you to get to know them and get their insight. Have a face-to-face meeting to discuss your ideas. Look at their past projects and ask about the stories behind them. Paul remembers the details behind each project in their portfolio. They’re good storytellers and want to know your background.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a principal at an architecture and planning firm based in Boston, Mass. We work with colleges, universities, and municipal clients across the Eastern U.S.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle?

Our website was about 10 years old at the time, so we needed to rebuild and update it. We were looking for a Boston-based firm with somewhat of an understanding of our business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RainCastle designed and developed our website from scratch, working with content we provided and some content from our previous site. Initially, they spent several months learning about our firm, our culture, and what differentiates us from others, asking lots of questions and meeting with our senior staff in the process.

After this brand clarification exercise, they started designing the site. They presented us with various options to choose from and we provided feedback and iterated from there. They also designed a new logo and identity program that included graphics, letterhead, email signatures, etc.

They updated everything from the website's navigation to its responsiveness on mobile devices. Likely built on WordPress, we've been able to maintain and update the site on our end since it launched.

What is the team composition?

We worked with their creative director, a project manager, a writer, and a couple of designers. They were all pleasant to work with.

How did you come to work with RainCastle?

We sent out requests for qualifications and interviewed about four or five vendors. Ultimately, we chose RainCastle because they seemed to take a genuine interest in our business. They impressed us with their approach and how they seemed to really want to get to know us more than just superficially. We also received glowing references from other firms that had worked with them.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested around $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them in 2013 for about a year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've been happy with the website—it's professional, distinctive, and represents us well.

How did RainCastle perform from a project management standpoint?

They stayed on budget and on schedule, except for the times that we held them up. Any additional services they needed to perform were justified and reasonably priced. I definitely think we got our money's worth. We communicated with their team weekly, with the majority of the year-long project taking place within a six-month period.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Although it's been many years since we worked together, I remember them as being thought-leaders in their industry. They created thoughtful content and it felt like they were more than just web designers or brand creators.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It's been too long since I've worked with them to remember, but nothing stands out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

When it comes to any vendor, it's important to evaluate their skills and make sure the relationship is a good cultural fit. Make sure the team is listening to you and creating something appropriate and not a website or brand that looks like someone else's.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president and CEO of Feldman Surveyors, a surveying firm in Boston. We help launch commercial real estate projects and our clients include developers, owners, construction managers, architects, and engineers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We wanted a new website to accurately reflect our brand and highlight the services we provide. The designer of our previous site wasn’t always responsive, so we needed a reliable vendor to support our business as needed.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had a series of meetings so RainCastle could learn about our business. They listened to our needs, took notes, and laid out a schedule. They then produced templates with a range of design options. After we fine–tuned and finalized the design, they coordinated with our content providers.

Our previous website was largely informational and didn’t draw people in, so RainCastle advised us on call to action buttons. They included places for users to click to learn more about our company or contact us directly. They also included keywords to improve our SEO rankings.

Now that the website is complete, we continue to hire RainCastle whenever we need new marketing materials. This includes the creation of print ads.

What is the team composition?

I worked with a team of five. We communicated weekly, depending on the phase, and they were incredibly responsive. Someone was always available to help.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

I did an online search for local firms. The SEO work they did for their own site clearly drew me to their page, and I was impressed by their previous work. On top of this, I asked a friend with marketing experience to provide a recommendation and he suggested RainCastle. That cemented my decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$30,000 for the website and spent an additional $12,000 on marketing materials.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on the website between June 2016–January 2017. They could have completed the job sooner, but I adjusted the timeline because I was also involved in the acquisition of a new headquarters at the time.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The goal was to make a website I could finally be proud of. They exceeded my expectations. RainCastle provided a beautiful design that tells the story of our company in a visually appealing way. Users respond positively to our new site and we’re attracting new talent, as our professional website highlights our position as high-quality firm.

How did RainCastle Communications, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a great job. We weren’t able to give our full attention to the website due to our building acquisition, but RainCastle was very accommodating in allowing me to adjust the schedule as needed. Their team also played a key role in coordinating with the content providers, allowing me to focus on my business priorities

I'm a fairly low-tech person, so we primarily communicated through phone calls and email. I also visited their office for in-person meetings. They were very responsive to feedback, especially when we requested minor changes toward the end of the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They provide a quality creative service. They created a beautiful web design that reflects our professional brand. Even those unfamiliar with our business or industry would agree that our site features an eye-pleasing layout.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. They took care of everything we needed.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sit down with them in person and teach them about your company. As great listeners, they’re able to identify your priorities and work independently, allowing you to focus on your business.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I worked with RainCastle when I was CMO with AirStrip Technologies, a healthcare mobility company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications?

We were in the process of repositioning the company from one that provided healthcare mobility applications to one that managed a platform. That decision was made 90 days before a major tradeshow that we had to prepare for. Our objective was to reposition the company and make sure everyone was ready to support the new strategy.

I was the first CMO. AirStrip had used in-house support previously but we needed to work at a new level of maturity overall in terms of sales and marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Over that 90-day period, RainCastle managed the repositioning process to prepare us for the tradeshow, including the strategic thought, the creative, the backend, and the project management. They developed our website, designed the tradeshow booth, and developed the collateral materials we needed to go along with that.

They walked us through a process at the beginning of the 90 days to make sure that everybody signed off on the positioning and messaging that were required for the strategic shift so that we were all on the same page. Once we had articulated the strategy, they kept us all on it, whether internally or with, for example, external content writers that we used to write material and website copy.

They developed a new website for us with illustrated graphics, infographics, and video. Those elements made it cutting edge for the time in 2012. They replaced a WordPress site with a more sophisticated Drupal one so we could more easily and quickly update content. They connected the backend to marketing automation systems and CRM.

For the rest of that year, following the tradeshow, we went through a major overhaul. They helped us update the website with additional content like case studies and sales tools. We needed to retrain some of the sales team so they developed materials and slide decks. They even helped with some direct mail.

What is the team composition?

The president and creative director was our lead. He had a program manager we worked with as well as a contract writer, a developer, and a designer. They brought in whatever help we needed.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications?

They were partnered with my PR firm, who introduced RainCastle to me. We looked at a couple of other firms but they didn’t seem to be as flexible as RainCastle. I wasn’t confident they could get us through the 90-day period as smoothly. We didn’t have much time to think about it so I took the recommendation and we dived right in.

How much have you invested with them?

I can't remember at this point but would guess that the whole engagement was in the six figures.

What is the status of this engagement?

We probably started in November 2012 because the trade show was in mid to late February.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I left AirStrip in 2014 but I do know that based on their work—not just the tradeshow but also the activities afterward—AirStrip was able to achieve $2 million of new qualified leads. Some of that success resulted from internal efforts but they contributed to it.

How did RainCastle Communications perform from a project management standpoint?

Because we were on such a short timeframe, we had weekly status calls. I could reach out to their lead anytime I wanted. We worked as a tightly-knit team in terms of sticking together and making sure things were going well.

From a project management standpoint, they were very good at making sure everybody knew what the deadlines were, like when our executives needed to review materials and turn them around. They stayed on time and within budget.

There were a lot of people in the company with strong opinions who felt they needed to review things. RainCastle did a great job of making sure that, on one hand, people were satisfied by providing their inputs while, on the other hand, we kept to the tight timeframe. They found a good balance—which was a delicate task given that some of those providing inputs were company founders and the new CEO. People were able to give their input without slowing down the process. The tradeshow deadline helped drive things.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The seamless integration of their processes across strategy, creative execution, and project management. You’ll find agencies that are good strategically or creatively or that can drive a schedule. It’s rare to find an agency who balances three. They do really good work, on budget, and according to strategy.

They were able to accomplish a lot in a very short period of time because they made sure we all agreed on the strategy, positioning, and messaging. They ensured everyone was on the same page strategically, from signoff throughout the project. They get high marks for making sure the strategy is well articulated so that everybody can march in parallel and get things done.

They're very good creatively. Technologically speaking, they also use more sophisticated tools. Beyond the good creative resources and solid project managers, they’re very adept at the backend web work.

They were very attentive to what we needed to be done. Some people will cut corners, especially if you go with the cheapest option. RainCastle made sure to do a thorough, well thought-out job with everything.

I've recommended them several times and, to me, that's the ultimate compliment. I would absolutely use them again.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really. The only problem we ran into was managing timeframes when our executives traveled. But that was more on our side than a result of their project management.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be prepared for a good deal of rigor because, not only are they a very strong creative agency, they're strong strategically as well. They’ll make sure that your strategy is well articulated and that everyone can agree to it—because that keeps everything on track. Otherwise, they're very easy to work with.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief fiduciary officer (CFO) of Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge, a company that provides personalized wealth management and financial planning services. We help clients address tax, inflation, legacy planning, and philanthropic goals to achieve long-term financial objectives.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We needed a complete refresh of our website, including the incorporation of a separate site set up for our sustainable investing group into the general website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RainCastle Communications, Inc. designed and developed our website. The team was responsible for all the work, including the integration of our sustainable investing group's website into our general website. RainCastle Communications, Inc. delivered a beautiful website that perfectly captured who we are, who our clients are, what our service model is, and how we invest.

What is the team composition?

We worked with 2–5 teammates from RainCastle Communications, Inc.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We had worked with RainCastle Communications, Inc. on prior projects. We chose them because they were close to my geographic location, had a great culture fit, and their company values aligned with ours.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from January 2025 to April 2026.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

RainCastle Communications, Inc.'s progress was shown throughout the process, and the success of the project was our beautiful new website. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

How did RainCastle Communications, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

RainCastle Communications, Inc. was very orderly and liked to keep on pace. We fell behind a few times solely due to how our office was set up, but RainCastle Communications, Inc. delivered right on time. We communicated via virtual meetings, emails, and messaging apps.

What did you find most impressive about them?

RainCastle Communications, Inc.'s ability to understand a business, even one as unique as we are, was impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could have pushed us a bit more, but again, they understood how we functioned and didn't want to disturb the flow.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was published on May 11, 2020
Louise Nankiinga
ESG Analyst, Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust
Financial services
Boston, Massachusetts
51-200
Apr 2019 - Dec 2019
$10,000 to $49,999
Verified
Project summary
RainCastle Communications Inc. revamped the website of a sustainability-focused trust group. The team reconstructed user flows, executed SEO-mapping, and even redesigned the client’s presentation decks.

Feedback summary
RainCastle Communications Inc. delivered a refreshed platform that received phenomenal internal feedback. The site now effectively conveys the client’s brand and character. The team was exceptionally flexible, and their understanding of the nuances of the business helped them address specific needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, LLC is a sustainability-focused trust company that manages funds and portfolios on behalf of their clients. I’m an environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) analyst.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications Inc.?

I was overseeing our website refresh. Our site was quite dated, so we wanted to revamp it to reflect the brand and character of our firm. We wanted to redesign our platform so that it would differentiate us from other sustainability-focused investing companies.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They re-designed our website and delivered the copy on it. The team handled everything related to the UX/UI of the platform. They produced the non-photograph graphics on the site — like diagrams and icons. They also executed SEO-mapping for the platform. In addition to web development, they refreshed our PowerPoint deck format.

What is the team composition?

We had a main point of contact, but the team size fluctuated around ten people.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications Inc.?

I know that the company had a pre-existing relationship with RainCastle. We still put out an RFP for this project, and their proposal outshone the others. It helped that they were familiar with our firm and idiosyncrasies.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent somewhere between $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project began in April 2019 and the project wrapped up in December of that year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our team loved the new website. I work for a subset of a larger organization and was asked to present the new website to the entire firm. It received phenomenal internal feedback because there was the consensus that it really distinguishes us from other companies. It successfully communicates our values to our clients.

How did RainCastle Communications Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. They were communicative, and even Paul (Owner) checked in with us at numerous points. They met deadlines no problem and were very flexible throughout the engagement. I know they used SmartSheet as a project management tool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their customer service is excellent. They really understand the client, and they’re great at addressing the client’s specific needs. We’re a little old-school in how we operate, and they were very accommodating of that.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not really. The team is very receptive to feedback.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to give feedback. Be vocal about what you want, and tell them what constraints you’re working with. They’re very flexible and will give you a great result.

STAR RATINGS

Overall rating: 5.0

Quality: 5.0

Cost: 5.0

Schedule: 5.0

Willing to refer: 5.0

This review was published on March 20, 2018
Tom Francione
Manager of Trust Administration, Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge
Financial services
Boston, Massachusetts
11-50
Aug 2015 - Jun 2016
$50,000 to $199,999
Verified
Project summary
RainCastle Communications, Inc. redesigned a website as part of a larger rebranding project. They refreshed the design and made it mobile-friendly, rewrote copy, and added new visual media.

Feedback summary
Their team was consistently on top of communication and delivered all project components successfully. They devoted time to understanding the organization and modernizing its site in a way that still felt comfortable and consistent with its traditional image.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the manager of trust and estate administration at Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge, which is a wealth management firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We hired them to help us relaunch our website as part of a larger rebranding project.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They updated our site to reflect the changes in our branding and also rebuilt it to be mobile-friendly. In terms of content, they worked with us to write our new copy, chose new stock photos for us, and incorporated additional in-house images onto the correct pages.

What is the team composition?

We primarily worked with our project manager, but the creative director was also highly involved.

How did you come to work with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

We’d worked with them before, in the early 2000s, to modernize our site. It was such a good experience that we decided to bring them in again for this project. They’re really willing to get involved in understanding our culture, which is quirky in comparison to other financial management firms. Instead of pushing trendy styles or features on us, they made sure to understand our needs and follow our lead.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent somewhere between $60,000–$70,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked on this project from August 2015–June 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our site looks cleaner and has gotten more compliments from clients who appreciate the update. We’re a traditional institution, so it was nice to see people respond positively and change their perception of us as being set in our ways or maybe a bit out of touch with the digital era.

How did RainCastle Communications, Inc. perform from a project management standpoint?

They reply promptly to emails. When it came to calls or in-person meetings, they were consistently on schedule. We had a great working relationship.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They make a point to get to know you and adapt to be the right fit for your organization. For us, that meant they were able to work within our comfort zone as far as the site’s look and feel, while at the same time making our brand come across as current and in touch with a modern audience. I think it’s a bit atypical for web developers to embrace a company’s culture so thoroughly, make time to understand who we are and work within our comfort zone.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There's nothing from my perspective.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Before you get started, be open about what you want, what you value, and who you’re trying to reach with your project.

STAR RATINGS

Overall rating: 5.0

Quality: 5.0

Cost: 5.0

Schedule: 5.0

Willing to refer: 5.0

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Marketing of a chemicals & biotechnology company.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a biotech focused on saving lives and reducing the socio-economic burdens of cancer through the development and commercialization of innovative cancer early-detection tests.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RainCastle Communications, Inc. to accomplish?

• Develop New Website
• Create Iconography and Graphics

SOLUTION

How did you find RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

• Clutch Site
• previous client

Why did you select RainCastle Communications, Inc. over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from RainCastle Communications, Inc. were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Website design and development
• graphic design services, including iconography and design elements
• copywriting 
• brand messaging

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Website delivered
• copywriting delivered
• banners and tradeshow booth delivered
• graphic design elements delivered

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

Raincastle is great to work with and has a project manager who helps move things along and organize clear deadlines for each deliverable. Any changes to the deliverable deadlines were communicated in advance.

What was your primary form of communication with RainCastle Communications, Inc.?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

This company continually delivers an outstanding product for incredible value.

Are there any areas for improvement or something RainCastle Communications, Inc. could have done differently?

N/A