RivalMind

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the chief impact officer at Axis, a content creation organization. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

We needed a company that could improve our site’s user experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RivalMind not only helped us with the site’s redesign but also with its build and wireframing. We also had them handle our SEO and do temporary fixes to the site to help make it better in the interim before we launched the improved site.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Matt (CEO & SEO Consultant) and Rob (Senior Producer).

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

I had worked with RivalMind before in a previous organization, so I knew that they could solve our problems at that time.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent somewhere north of $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2021, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The look and feel and the intuitive nature of the updates that RivalMind did made the website so much easier to navigate. The look and feel were much cleaner and more professional.

We were blown away by the juxtaposition between the old and new website designs. 

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

RivalMind performed well in terms of project management. They were always on time or ahead of schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We were impressed with RivalMind’s trustworthiness and attention to detail and quality. Whenever they said they were going to do something, they didn’t stop until they exceeded our expectations. I knew that once I handed something off to them, I didn’t have to worry about it anymore.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no complaints. RivalMind exceeded our expectations.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Being honest about what you can and can't do will help them understand what kind of team they need to assemble to be the best partner for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a property and casualty insurance agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

We needed to improve our social media and website visibility so that we could be found in the community.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, RivalMind reviewed my website, identifying issues and concerns. We then had a long call where they walked us through the site and the issues they found. After that, they presented what they would do to fix and improve it, explaining how they would do it.

After the discovery process, RivalMind started improving my site, working on my SEO ranking by ensuring we were using the right keywords and that the site was correctly set up for Google. Since then, we’ve slowly built our efforts.

Now, RivalMind also creates and manages our Google Ads continuously. They monitor our ad campaigns, work on keyword research, and stay on top of the metrics every month. Additionally, they’re in charge of our blogs.

What is the team composition?

I usually work with 2–3 people from RivalMind, including George (Account Strategist, SEO & Google Ads), who is our main point of contact, and a couple of people in charge of our blogs.

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

RivalMind reached out to me. They did an initial review of my site and came to us with suggestions. Unlike other SEO companies that just email promising to improve our site, they asked us to meet on a call and review their ideas and what they could do for us. It was more of a consultative approach than a sales call.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $35,000–$36,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2020, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When I was running my site on my own, we were being found once a month, at best. Now 7–10 people contact us through our site every month. We’ve also gone from 30–40 monthly visits to over 1,000, reaching 1,048 visits last month. As for Google Ads, our click-through rate has also increased, going from 20 clicks per month to hundreds of clicks. Overall, it has been an exceptional improvement all the way around.

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

RivalMind’s project management has been top-notch; they’re exceptional to work with. They’re very responsive, open to ideas and suggestions, and very good at explaining how everything works. Additionally, they quickly return calls, follow up on those calls, and reach out to provide monthly reports. From day one, they’ve been phenomenal; I can’t recommend them enough.

Any time RivalMind has set a timeline, they’ve beat that timeline by getting things done quickly. They always outline how they will walk through the process, and they follow through. So far, I’ve never seen them miss a delivery or be behind schedule.

What did you find most impressive about them?

RivalMind’s customer services and focus are impressive; they make us feel like we’re their only clients. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would be great if RivalMind updated us more regularly on our numbers and could produce documents with our monthly trends for us to see our progress over time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have that initial meeting and let them evaluate your site. Once you start working with them, it is all about open communication. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them and question what they’re doing.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a video production company specializing in promotional videos, event videos, and other similar projects.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

I wanted to reach more people to get my company known in the market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RivalMind built my website and provided me with SEO services to help me get it known. They were in charge of designing and developing the site from scratch, and I was in charge of writing the content. Still, they helped me proofread it. They also designed my logo, as well as some content they posted on Facebook, which then I reutilized for LinkedIn.

What is the team composition?

I worked with three people from RivalMind, not counting Matt (SEO Consultant & CEO), who was involved on and off in the project.

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

I met Matt because we used to go to the same church. I got to know what he did, and I later hired him.

How much have you invested with them?

I paid around $8,000 for the site and $1,000 per month for SEO for the next year and a half.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around March 2019. RivalMind took around three months to develop the site, and we stopped our SEO engagement in 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Immediately after launching my site, I saw a constant increase in my web traffic, which turned into phone calls. On average, I saw 30-35 visitors coming daily to my site, and my calls more than tripled, ultimately bringing more business to my company. I also liked RivalMind’s designs; my site looks aesthetically pleasing.

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

RivalMind’s project management was on point. We established a timeline for the project beforehand, and they were always on time. On occasions, they were ahead of schedule, and although I don’t remember them being late, they would communicate any delay.

What did you find most impressive about them?

RivalMind’s communication puts them above other companies. They were constantly communicating and keeping me up to date on everything. Their open line of communication made the project a lot better.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind. I was happy with everything they did.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be very clear about what you want and ensure that your level of communication meets theirs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a residential garage door installation and repair company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

We needed a website and some SEO services for exposure.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially came to RivalMind to build our website from scratch. Since then, they’ve proposed updates for the website. For example, they’ve categorized different towns and the service we provide. They also write blogs to get us more exposure online and on Google.

Recently, we moved the business to Aurora, Illinois. They’ve taken care of the My Google Business account and gotten us to rank locally. 

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with 3–5 people, including Matt (Chief Strategist), Harley (Lead SEO Strategist & Account Manager), Andrew (Senior Account Manager), and a graphic designer.

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

I’ve known Matt for many years. I came to them because I knew he was good at what he did. I proposed the project to him, and they agreed to help us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2017, and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve noticed more calls,  visits, and traffic. We’re getting many requests from all over the country, which tells us we’re getting a lot of exposure. Moreover, our phone traffic and visits have increased about 75% in the last year.

Also, the website turned out nicely; we’re happy with it. Our ROI is between 70%–80%. With other companies, we’ve just thrown our money down the drain.

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great. The team is responsive and timely. They’re easy to reach and easy to work with. Also, they keep us updated on various parts of our SEO tracking and blogs. RivalMind asks for input and responds quickly to it. They’re very engaged.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re just energetic, positive, and transparent. Their ability to deliver is outstanding.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any complaints so far. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Contact them. They’re very professional, and their customer service is fantastic.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’ve bootstrapped two companies from the ground up as the founder, one is an escape room business and the other is an offroad van rental company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

I hired RivalMind to put together my website and do continuing SEO for each business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had them build websites for both of my companies. Both industries were young when I started my companies, so RivalMind had to do a lot of research to find my core audience and learn how to reach them. This is the largest part of the SEO work that they’ve done.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Matt (SEO Consultant & CEO) initially, and then another individual built the website out for us. There was then a third resource who was brought in to do the SEO. This was the same team make up for the second website as well.

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

My older brother was acquainted with Matt and recommended him. After talking with RivalMind, it was a no-brainer. Matt knew a lot about the industry and was able to teach me things from day one that I didn’t know existed.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $35,000–$40,000 with him.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from November 2014–August 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With an untested business, people don’t understand what they see, even if you serve it to them on a plate. Starting to get calls is the toughest part, but I was getting calls and seeing people come to the website within the first few weeks thanks to RivalMind.

We’ve grown exponentially since the SEO picked up. Within one month, I was overwhelmed by the people coming to the site. I expected it would take me a month or two to get any bookings, but spots were filling up so fast that I had to expand about a year-and-a-half before I was expecting to. I didn’t have to do much marketing separate from what I was getting through RivalMind, either. They allowed me to add an entirely new floor and two new rooms. I had to turn customers away because I was so busy. By 15 months, I was making $1 million in revenue.

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

At first, we had weekly or bi-weekly meetings with them, and those eventually turned into monthly meetings. Everybody communicated flawlessly, especially during the website build; no one dropped the project management ball at all.

They were very organized in their process, moving from developing the website to figuring out the backend analytics as they related to SEO. I always knew where we were in the process and never had to reach out to them to figure out what was happening or what was coming next.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their personalized approach stands out. Whenever I had a question or had something I was wondering about, I knew whom to talk to, and they were only a phone call away. I didn’t have to wait three days for a response. I know other people who’ve worked with providers that bounce them around between different people, which leads to one hand not knowing what the other is doing. This wasn’t the case with RivalMind. Everyone knew what was going on.  

I felt like they actually cared about my businesses and how they grew, rather than just earning a paycheck for themselves.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t know that they could have done anything differently. I was so impressed with them that I used them for both my companies.

They were just starting to do social media marketing when I joined with them, so I was kind of the testing ground for them. It worked, though, and it worked well. It could have worked a bit better in the beginning.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bring your ideas to the table. RivalMind is great at coming up with ideas and pushing the creative envelope, but it’s good to give them everything you possibly can, no matter how minuscule or trivial it feels. Just wait and see what they can do with it. They always come up with new ways of reaching people and expanding their clients’ presence. RivalMind will take all your ideas into consideration; it’s truly a partnership with them.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a technology company that provides content regulation for the media and entertainment industry, and I’m responsible for managing our digital and content marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

We needed to create a content-driven website to represent our brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RivalMind has helped us build a website on Duda, a new platform they recommended. They also taught us how to make updates and changes to the site for us to be able to do the maintenance ourselves. In addition to web development, we signed an SEO contract with RivalMind, so they provide us with SEO services continuously. Of course, if we have any issues or questions, they help us solve them. The website outlines our technology and solutions, and it has a section to aggregate data from an outside source.

What is the team composition?

During the web development process, I worked with 3–4 people from RivalMind. Now, I check in infrequently with an account manager and have regular contact with the SEO team.

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

We shortlisted RivalMind by Identifying web development companies. The process of elimination was based on some parameters important to us.

What is the status of this engagement?

After the website launch, RivalMind has continued to provide SEO services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Throughout development, RivalMind was very responsive to our changes as we learned more about the Duda platform. The team has also been accommodating post-launch, addressing issues that arise very quickly and competently; they’re always exploring new ways to solve challenges.

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

RivalMind’s project management is effective. We use Basecamp and email to communicate and track inquiries and project status. During the development and launch stages, we had weekly meetings via Zoom. We now hold monthly SEO reporting meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

When working with a partner, it comes down to the chemistry between the parties, their culture, and the workflow synergy. Initially, RivalMind stood out for its experience and knowledge, but having a great connection and a similar work style benefits our engagement. Additionally, they’re not afraid of complex challenges and always strive to collaborate with us and get us where we want to be.

Are there any areas they could improve?

RivalMind is currently working on improvements. We have a niche business, so we’re in a unique situation regarding our SEO. Ours is a B2B company, and many common keywords searched are either B2C or direct-to-consumer. While we haven’t made progress as quickly as we would like, RivalMind continues working to overcome those challenges.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president and founder of a tools manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with RivalMind?

We were about to launch our first product via a Kickstarter campaign, and we needed to create a website that explained our product and answered FAQs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

RivalMind has designed our website using Duda. Initially, we discussed our content structure with RivalMind and provided our company’s background, images, and videos. Then, RivalMind created media content and adjusted the videos’ format to work on different devices. Having a video of our product’s operation was crucial to explain to users how it works. RivalMind has also worked on fine-tuning and creating the website’s imagery.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked closely with three teammates from RivalMind, including Jessica (Director of Creative Services) and Linnea (Primary Graphic Designer).

How did you come to work with RivalMind?

I found RivalMind through a Google search. I was looking for highly recommended web design companies and came across an impressive Clutch review, so I reached out to RivalMind and immediately liked their approach.

Although RivalMind was our first pick, they weren’t available at the time, and I started working with a different company. However, it immediately became clear that this company wouldn’t work for us. I ended my relationship with the other vendor and went back to RivalMind, who freed some of their designers and developers to work on our project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $8,500 with RivalMind.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with RivalMind in April 2023, and our engagement is ongoing. Our website has been launched, and RivalMind is still working on an additional page. I will continue to work with RivalMind for projects of other companies I own.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m very happy with RivalMind’s work — they provide great web design and ongoing QA support. I had a vision of how I wanted the website to look, and RivalMind has been very adaptable in helping me get to that point.

RivalMind launched our website four weeks ago, and we already have over 1,500 signed users and have spent a minimal amount on advertising. RivalMind delivers high-quality work and pays attention to detail. RivalMind works considering SEO strategies even though they don’t provide that service for us. 

How did RivalMind perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m delighted with the project management provided by Jessica. RivalMind meets deadlines and stays on budget. We communicate mainly through virtual meetings, and since the team is local, I can go and meet with them in person, too. 

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to Jessica’s work, which has been outstanding. I’m also happy with Linnea’s support, who has provided training for the content management software they use. She also performs all our content’s QA. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed by RivalMind’s adaptability and willingness to listen to my vision. A lot of creative teams have their own vision and are quite rigid. RivalMind isn’t like that; they’re flexible and adaptable. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything for RivalMind to improve — I’m satisfied with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend preparing as much guidance as possible for RivalMind before engaging with them; showing other websites for design references is really helpful and provides a good starting point. I also recommend getting all your content together before starting with web design because that will give RivalMind the advantage of overseeing everything before they begin designing, which is important for the successful implementation of the website design.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the President of a healthcare company 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Sells Hormone Pellet Procedure Kits

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RivalMind to accomplish?

• Create website
• grow online presence

SOLUTION

How did you find RivalMind?

Online Search

Why did you select RivalMind over others?

High ratings

How many teammates from RivalMind were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Build website. 
• Grow through PPc and SEO

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

• Sales growth

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

They were fanstastic and continue to be. They always help with watever i need and complete it in a timley manor.

What was your primary form of communication with RivalMind?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

They care about my company as if it was their own.

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

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Digital Marketing of North Castle Hardwoods

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

North Castle Hardwoods supplies premium hardwood lumber to contractors and craftsmen.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RivalMind to accomplish?

• Rebuild the North Castle Hardwoods ecommerce storefront.
• Bring increased organic search traffic to the North Castle Hardwoods Shopify storefront.

SOLUTION

How did you find RivalMind?

facebook group

Why did you select RivalMind over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from RivalMind were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

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

RivalMind evaluated our current Shopify eCommerce website and developed a new eCommerce storefront for us on Shopify 2.0. They developed a custom product selection experience for our products with unique specifications. They helped us with site architecture and layout to streamline the customer experience.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The impressions and clicks that our website received from Google Search improved 40% or more after RivalMind's work. The site health score as measured by Ahrefs increased from low 60s to 99. Our new ecommerce system is much easier to use, since filters and selections work properly, and we believe it communicates clearly to our customers what to expect from our products.

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

We can't say enough good things about RivalMind's project management. They are responsive to every request and spend lots of time answering our questions thoroughly. They are very transparent about the time needed to complete a project and all that's involved in it, and they deliver as promised.

What was your primary form of communication with RivalMind?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

RivalMind's team members bring outstanding relatability, professionalism, intuition, and intelligence to the project. They quickly grasp our needs as a customer and offer solutions; they seem to know what we're thinking before we say it. They invest in thoroughly getting to know our company so they can serve our needs. They are fun people to work with but take the work seriously.

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

I am 100% honest when I say we couldn't be happier with RivalMind's work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Benefits brokerage firm and I head the sales/marketing department.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire RivalMind, and what were your goals?

To increase SEO efforts and they've done so.

SOLUTION

How did you select RivalMind and what were the deciding factors?

Relationship fit

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

Work in tandem to create keywords to go after. Lot of project has been spearheaded by RivalMind with me watching it grow.

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

2-3

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

A lot more website visitors than before RivalMind's involvement

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

Very communicative, lot of detailed reports/ideas

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

Close relationship, They are always available every time we need them.

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

Nope