Squareball Studios

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and CEO of Harmonee, a technology platform for life insurance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

We were trying to build a clickable model of our platform, so we needed UI/UX design services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Squareball Studios helped us build a high-quality clickable prototype of our platform on Figma. For this project, we needed to separate customer flows, one for our B2C clients and one for our B2B clients.

They did some customer research around how those flows would look, and they helped us think through those processes using a flow chart. We didn’t provide them with any specific requirements other than how we wanted it to look from a visual perspective, so they spent a lot of time walking us through everything else related to the design of that piece.

What is the team composition?

I had contact with two people from Squareball Studios. One was a customer success person, and the other was the lead UI/UX designer.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

I found them on Clutch. I’m in the Dallas area, so I was looking for the top UI/UX studios in Dallas. I interviewed a few other agencies, but I liked Squareball Studios the most, and they had the capacity to meet our deadline as well.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $7,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2021, and they finished the model in September 2021. However, we hope to work with them again on other projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My partner and I have a technology background, and both of us liked Squareball Studios UI/UX designs. Now, we’re going to send out the model, and we expect to get great customer feedback.

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

Squareball Studios' project management was good. They always kept us updated as the project progressed. We also asked a lot of questions along the way, and they were always ready to go as we worked.

We initially provided them with a very basic flow chart of what we were expecting to get, and they were able to bring it to life. Additionally, Squareball Studios offered quick turnaround times. We were trying to have the demo done quickly to apply to a couple of business accelerators, and they were able to meet that timeline.

Whenever Squareball Studios faced some technical issues, especially when using Figma, they quickly communicated them. That was one of their strengths; they were very communicative throughout the process. We communicated mainly via email, and we also met a couple of times via Zoom.

What did you find most impressive about them?

For us, Squareball Studios' communication was their more impressive asset. This was helpful because we were able to plan on other things that we needed to get done. They communicated with us even if something would take longer than expected, which was helpful as well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

In the beginning, the project was like a black box for us. After we had a conversation about the flow chart and answered the follow-up questions, we had a couple of days where we didn’t see anything, and we were just trying to figure out how it would look like. However, we know they were working on it, and when they delivered the first draft, it was well done.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

What helped us the most was that we came to this project with a vision of where we wanted the model to go. Doing your homework in the beginning and having a clear vision of what you want is helpful, especially when you’re answering their initial questions.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Founder and CEO of Happie Help based outside Dallas, Texas. Happie Help is a P2P (peer-to-peer) social advertising platform where users can post positive and helpful experiences in real-time with followers and other users around their current location.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Squareball Studios?

We were looking for a cutting edge design and execution team to take the concept from paper to device.

What were your goals for this project?

Instead of just being another project at a large firm, our team at Happie Help wanted to work with a firm that we considered more than just someone for hire; we wanted to develop a relationship through design meetings, a market evaluation and then through the actual build phase.

We now have become more than just business associates, we have become a tech family.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I spent months researching development options from outsourcing to India, to major high-profile firms and everything in between. To be honest- I was so put off by how the larger firms would treat new app design teams (assuming they would even give me the time of day), that once I found Squareball and had a chance to meet with them, I knew I had found the team suited for me.

I felt confident with their skills and expertise, and we were on the exact same page on the design from the start.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Happie Help is a platform where users can set up a profile and follow their friends and like-minded users. Users post what they discover that makes them smile and “Happie” but what sets Happie Help apart, (without giving away too much), is that Happie Help prohibits any negativity. 

The app actually prohibits user from posting anything negative. That being said, I knew we had our work cut out for us to achieve this and knew after many meetings that Squareball was up to the challenge to achieve this.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a customer support, the actual designers/coders, and project managers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?

The design, function, and ease-of-use of the mobile app are awesome! We are getting ready to launch later in 2020 and are already getting amazingly positive user experience feedback.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had a great workflow. Like any design process there is and will always be bumps in the road along the way, but we figured them out and kept our eyes on the final goal to get this app developed.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

You have to appreciate the smaller development firm idea. They were great at bouncing ideas back and forth and finding the best solutions to problems that arose. They did their due diligence on their end to get the best possible product outcome.

Are there any areas for improvement?​​​​​​​

Nothing specific.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I serve as a development manager for The Family Place, a family violence nonprofit in Dallas, TX. We serve those impacted by family violence with shelter, counseling, education, and other programs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Squareball Studios?

We needed to hire an external partner to develop, manage, and update our Partners Card mobile app.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to update, improve, and streamline the Partners Card mobile app in order to more successfully fundraise for The Family Place. The Partners Card mobile app allows participants to access a digital Partners Card and also provides many other supporting features.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We interviewed two companies to take over our mobile app. After talking to and meeting with the team at Squareball Studios, we felt confident they had the specific skills and expertise required for the project.

Describe the project in detail.

The Partners Card mobile app had many facets that needed updating and managing. Squareball Studios started by analyzing all the existing code and data from the original app. They reported their findings, suggested updates, and provided a timeline. They worked with us to understand the project and usage of the app, and implemented appropriate changes. They went through a few phases of updates until we reached an improved final project.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a customer support team and a project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The design, function, and ease-of-use of the mobile app are significantly improved. Customers report positive experiences using the updated app.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their workflow and communication was top notch. The team was very responsive and kept us updated along the way, which made progression of the project very effective. The project manager served as our main go-to and expert for the mobile app. The customer support team facilitated quick answers and solutions whenever an issue came up.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Squareball Studios was willing to learn the project and adapt to new challenges with our mobile app. Their communication skills were great, especially with someone not familiar with the intricacies of mobile app technology.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing specific.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Simply Kristina Leigh, an architectural design firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

Disorganization was a burden to my communication efforts. Clients would waste billable hours scrolling through their phones to find pictures of design styles that they wanted to mimic. Meanwhile, our builders would misplace crucial documents and delay the construction process. Developing an app was the best solution to keep everyone on track.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I sent Squareball digital sketches of design concepts I wanted to implement on the app, and they transformed my vision into a practical tool that surpassed my original idea. They developed the app for iOS, and plan to build an Android app if results are positive.

We’re able to manage remodeling projects and new construction jobs within the app. Every room and building fixture has its own tab and users can upload design styles and link the images to the desired items. Users can also generate spec sheets instantly and share them with our builders via email or cloud-sharing platforms.

What is the team composition?

Their owners assumed the role of project managers, but we also had direct access to the developers that were working on the app.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

I was looking for a local company that does good work, and Squareball fit my criteria.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $70,000--$80,000 developing the app, and maintenance and hosting fees are $12,000--$13,000 each month. Altogether, we’ve paid between $85,000--$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

They started building the app in January 2016, and we launched the app in January 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t done any SEO or advertising campaigns to promote the app yet, so there hasn’t been a large volume of people purchasing the app for their construction projects. However, I have been actively using the app for months, and I don’t know how I survived so long without it. There are a few standard bugs, such as cameras not responding, but they’re always able to resolve issues after I submit a problem ticket.

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

They were available to meet in-person if necessary, but they mainly used digital platforms to correspond with us. During development, we were able to test the app in a limited environment and submit work tickets if we had questions or concerns. There were a few delays when they got overwhelmed with work, but they always sent follow-up emails to confirm that they received our requests.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I have a limited understanding of technical information, but they were excellent at simplifying complex information to accommodate me. Squareball is very prompt when responding to us and they go above and beyond to satisfy our demands.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It would have been nice for the project to move along faster, but I’ve never worked with an app developer to know if my scheduling expectations are realistic.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We went to them with specific functionalities that we wanted to see in the app, which prevented back-and-forth because they knew what we needed. Go in with clear expectations and they will develop accordingly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are MYX Blend Bar, a custom lipstick and lip gloss provider. We also provide shade replication of lipstick shades.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

I needed a custom website with a database to archive our client’s custom lipstick designs.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their president and VP first met with us to develop our ideas. They interviewed us for the requirements and features we needed and created a plan for the site.

Using that plan, Squareball developed a client portal which allows clients to create accounts to blend and save their custom colors. They integrated a custom backend database into our point of sale (POS) system to enable archiving of clients' custom color blends. They also created the website’s frontend, including all its UX/UI.

Then, their team developed a reservation system which allows our clients to pick our service packages, pick a mixologist, and a date for their appointment. Finally, they connected our site to our Instagram account and created a blog which drives traffic back to our site.

What is the team composition?

We worked primarily with the president and VP of Squareball.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

We were recommended to them by a friend.

What is the status of this engagement?

We engaged with them February 2017 through April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our employees really appreciate the database. It’s user-friendly and easy to service our clients. Squareball configured it to a tee and it’s almost impossible to make an error on an order.

We have not launched the reservation system or the client portal yet, but expect both features to further optimize our services once they are released.

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

Squareball conducted regular meetings through Skype. They responded to emails and phone calls extremely quickly. Their team was very knowledgeable and delivered various beta versions throughout the project. They made sure we understood why certain parts needed to be more user-friendly. Working efficiently, they made sure to solve issues as quickly as possible. They were very upfront with timeframes and always met our deadlines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The first website I created was very shallow and didn’t have any advanced features. In comparison, the website Squareball developed is amazing. Working very hard, they always communicated to tailor solutions to our needs. Their team was brilliant at converting our ideas into a functional website, and they were very personable. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I’ve been really pleased.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re not sure of your idea, take it to Squareball Studios and let them create it for you. They're really a creative team and have a lot of great ideas. Squareball will be invested in your project and always deliver within the timeframe that you need.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We have an app that takes worldwide analytics and assigns figurative scores and monetary values to that data.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

We wanted help with the algorithms that collect data and the API that links to social media.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The product is a mobile app for iOS and Android. We’re currently finishing the last phase. Once the skins, colors, and functionality are complete, we will launch it on the app stores and they will continue to host it for us.

They came up with the algorithm that culls posts, comments, and retweets from our fanbase on Twitter. They broke down the scoring mechanics we use to assign monetary values. In today’s market, who you know matters. They found ways to weight brand ambassadors and important Instagram accounts that sell merchant services while ignoring fake likes, profile sharing, and accounts. We can now determine users’ real social media reach.

What is the team composition?

We mostly interface with a project manager and Andrew (Co-Founder/Senior Creative Director, Squareball Studios). There is also a younger staff member who helps us. Together, they coordinate meetings and set deadlines.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

My business partner found them. We were shopping for a company to help with this app and liked their work history, price index, and quality of service.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested about $100,000 in the app itself.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started at the end of December 2017 and hope to launch mid-July 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched yet, but we hope to have some clear metrics later this year. Our experience with them is wonderful. They’re very prompt and always respond quickly.

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

We generally communicate through phone, text message, or email. They deliver everything on time and are very communicative. They always respond quickly to my questions.

What did you find most impressive about them?

This is our first endeavor in app development. They provide a personalized service and are punctual, friendly, and professional. It’s a small studio of individuals and they’re very good at what they do and they get the job done.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any criticisms for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They are very particular about their accounting. They have very short grace periods and want to be paid within a few days of billing. Make sure your budgets are in place before you approach them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I founded a smartphone app called SmartCart. My role was on the product side. I met with customers in order to understand the pain points, then relayed those needs back to Squareball.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

We originally hired another company to build the app, but they didn't deliver what we were looking for. They essentially gave us a clickable prototype. We were in a bind because we had customers waiting to sign up. We needed to find a new partner that could quickly get a working app to market.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

SmartCart is an app to order food and beverages from anywhere on a golf course. GPS functionality allows the course to track your phone and deliver the order out to you. Squareball came in and built everything for us. They created a web-based backend with a map to show where the golfer is on the course at all times. Each course could customize the app with menu offerings, hours of operations, and photos.

Squareball started by building an iOS app and a backend because iPhone had by far the biggest market share. As Android gained traction, they scaled up quickly and got an Android app out as well. The app eventually evolved into a cloud-based point of sale system for the golf industry. They did all of the UX/UI design, as well hosting the app.

What is the team composition?

We worked with both co-founders of the company.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

I was referred to them by a friend.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $600,000–$700,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with Squareball from July 2011–September 2014.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The functionality they created was good. There were some bugs here and there, but nothing significant. At the app’s peak, we had around 265 participating golf courses with 100,000 active users.

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

One of the co-founders was our main project manager while we were doing updates and bug fixes. The other co-founder took over later in the life cycle of the product. We kept track of the whole roadmap in Jira. They were always reliable during high-stress times.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They may not be the fastest, but they deliver excellent quality work. There weren't a lot of bugs or functionality gaps, and they're very attentive to customers’ needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Speed of delivery was sometimes an issue. The lines of communication could have been better, especially around deadlines. Their response times could improve, in general.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They do the research to understand the market because they want you to do well and be successful. They want your brand to evolve and gain traction as much as you do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

It is a service that allows valet companies and clients easier communication and transactions when it comes to the valet system. I’m the president and creator.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

I wanted to bring the idea of my app to reality. I went to them with a full layout and they took it from there.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I came to them with a page by page screen layout and they created everything else, including the wireframe. The app is operable on both iPhone and Android platforms with a Web interface for companies to use. The functions include parking spot reservations, push notifications to valet companies with information about their client’s arrival time, client identifiers, push notifications to the client about their car’s whereabouts, timecards for employees, and payments transactions for clients.

What is the team composition?

There were only a few guys, one of them being a project manager, that I communicated with. I had meetings with them to go over the design and aesthetics, then they would take the work to their other team members. 

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

I searched “app creation design” via Google and they popped up. They were a company close enough for me to have face-to-face personable and interactive meetings with.

How much have you invested with them?

I invested $70,000 with Squareball Studios.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started December 2016 and finished December 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m still in the marketing stage of the app but the hope is to eventually get more companies onboard.  

How did Squareball Studios perform from a project management standpoint?

They had a cloud I could access if I wanted to check the progress of the project. But on the personal aspect side, I would shoot them emails and they were able to respond.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are a smaller company so they’re more invested in what they’re doing and what their team is putting out. Even though the projected completion date was missed, the quality of the project was representative of what I wanted.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sit down with them and lay out your expectations in the beginning. Set up those guidelines of how often you want to have recurring phone calls or meetings, instead of just having an expectation that wasn’t vocalized.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of Koobel Networks, a company that partners with local companies to digitize value-added content such as coupons and advertisements.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Squareball Studios?

We wanted to develop a website with third partying hosting. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We first scheduled meetings to discuss our ideas and we blueprinted the initial designs and functionalities of the site. They developed an alpha model and they provided support for our issues and feedback. Their team integrated administrative and individual user account portals and features such as uploading, organizing, distributing, and deleting content. Their developers designed UX/UI and architecture for third-party hosting.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the owner and logistics manager.

How did you come to work with Squareball Studios?

I used to work with an India-based developer, but they didn’t deliver what I wanted. I wanted to find someone local and found Squareball.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in April 2017 through September 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project launched two weeks ago, and we have not had enough time to gather qualitative or quantitative metrics.  

How did perform from a project management standpoint?

We used Basecamp which allowed us to review the web pages being generated throughout the project. The technology also allowed us to see the developer’s comments and suggestions. They scheduled several emails, phone calls, meetings as needed. They were always available for any requests or issues and communicated any questions they might have on specific details.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They gave instant feedback and were ready to meet in-person 20 minutes after I called them. They made the project stress-free and had high energy throughout. I’ve never worked with a more solid company.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I see no areas they can improve as everything was perfect.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would say to be very straightforward with your needs and to contact them for their work.