Transfuture

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Basically, we’re an entertainment broker and we handle contracts for our clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We wanted to develop a website that would create a seamless experience for our clients, and improve our conversion rate.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

 They built the website from scratch using WordPress. We wanted to move away completely from our previous design and just provided an outline of what we thought was important. Suggesting different ways to display information, they brought all the pieces together to make our vision happen and create an easy-to-use site. As a catalog of entertainers, users can easily find different acts using the search and filter features.

Another key feature they worked on was the contact form that auto-populates so users don’t need to manually input their information to request details on an act.

What is the team composition?

 We worked directly with a project manager and head of the digital team, who they passed on project details to a development team.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

We created a vast list of companies that had the technical chops to create the platform we needed. However, we were also looking to grow into new markets, and Transfuture really paid attention to that during our initial call. Their focus on our growth made them stand out because they weren’t just building the bare bones of the site, they were helping us plan down the line so we could adapt the site for new markets.  

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000– $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project lasted from November. 2018– July 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Although we don’t have any metrics, clients and new leads have commented on the site’s improvement and their experience. We definitely achieved our project’s key requirements, building a site that’s easy to navigate. We’re very pleased with the project’s outcome.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a fantastic job with project management, and their timelines were very thorough. Our project was delayed because of a hold-up on our end, but they remained flexible. Once we gave them what they needed, they provided us with updated timelines and met the new deadline we set.

While we regularly communicated via email and phone, we also used a platform that we could use to comment on the site during development. By being able to provide quick and clear feedback, they were always very helpful.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They had a great grasp of the business goals we had for this project and checked all our boxes. They provided thoughtful feedback on things other than design to help us grow our business beyond the digital space.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Truthfully, I don’t have anything they need to improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about your desired outcome during the development phase. By sharing your primary goals with them, they will be able to provide great feedback and create ideas for design implementation along the way.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the founder and CEO of a consultancy. We work with large healthcare companies to help them connect with the people they serve. We provide digital strategy, work with advocacy groups, create content, and manage content marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We needed to create a brand-new website from scratch for a public awareness campaign for a client.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The project focused on childhood myopia. We built the community and developed the digital strategy, but we aren't experts in website development. They developed a site completely from scratch. We all met to discuss the needs of the client, then they helped us decide the technologies we would use. The project started as a public awareness campaign, but that will transform into an e-commerce site over time. They helped us develop something that would grow with the client's needs.

The site functions for two very different key audiences—patients on the one side, and healthcare professionals on the other. We wanted a resource center with available downloads, and a call to action to sign up for a newsletter. The site itself is built in WordPress.

What is the team composition?

We interfaced with two people from their team, though I know there were a few other people who worked on the project behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

My office is about two blocks away from theirs. I did a Google search for local companies, and I sent a form through their website. I was impressed by their website, and we met about a week after I sent that request form.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $25,000 on their work.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in April 2019, and we completed the project in August 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It's too early to cite any hard data, but our client was incredibly happy. Their executives and board feel it really embodies their mission. Leaders in the field provided overwhelmingly positive feedback on the look and feel of the site.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked well together, and they're very responsive. They interfaced well with our client, and we were a united front throughout the process. We met in person a handful of times, but most of our interactions were virtual. We used Slack, Asana, phone, and email to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They truly partnered with us to develop our vision, and they were more supportive than any other design firm.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Everything went smoothly, and I really don't have any constructive criticism for them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a kickoff meeting and provide as much information as possible. Don't hold back, as they might provide feedback or support in unexpected ways.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I work as a coffee trader.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Transfuture?

We needed a website redesign.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to incorporate content that we sourced independently into a website redesign that was more modern and appealing to our customers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I found them on Google Maps.

Describe the project in detail.

We hired them to design our website. We provided the content and edited it following their presentation of an initial draft.

What was the team composition?

Their team primarily communicated with us through two points of contact.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have had positive feedback from our clients focused on the design and content.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their process was smooth and seamless. We mostly communicated by email and phone.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They were quick to respond to our inquiry, they were professional, and they were competitively priced.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can't think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a managing partner for Match Point Partners. We’re a healthcare-focused investment bank that specializes in working with startups.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We originally launched a WordPress site in 2012 but wanted to update its look and feel. Transfuture joined the project to modernize our site from front to back.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Using our initial concepts and legacy content as a base, they modernized our WordPress site, transforming a series of static pages into an interactive scrolling interface. Since then, they’ve also helped us redesign a new logo.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two resources.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

One of my colleagues researched websites that we liked, and we interviewed the designers who created them. Out of that process, we chose Transfuture.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the website in 2017, and it took around three months to complete. In January 2018, we contracted them again to design a logo, and they delivered within the week.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The new site functions as expected, and the scrolling frontpage is more artistic and startup-friendly compared to our previous site.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They did a good job. Since we’re fast-moving bankers who travel all the time, it can be hard to coordinate with our schedules. Regardless, Transfuture operated well within our timeframe and met with us whenever we were in town. We communicated by phone and email, and they responded quickly to our inquiries.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a client-oriented group, and I appreciate that they completed the website with minimal intervention on our part. We didn’t have to hold their hands throughout the process nor go step by step. We just had the initial conversation, and then they delivered as expected.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not that I can recall. They operated well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

As long as you’re able to communicate clearly, they’re able to help no matter where you are in the ideation process. We had a semi-formed idea of what we wanted for the site, so they were flexible enough to work with us. But, if you go in with no ideas, they’re sure to have suggestions to help. Once you settle on your objective, they’re good at executing your vision.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder and COO of a real estate technology company focused on the NYC market. The platform connects all the stakeholders in NYC residential transactions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We needed a brand new website. The original site was built before our product launched, and it was more of a brochure than a functioning website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Transfuture served as a creative partner. We needed fresh ideas for how to stand out from the crowd. Even though we’re a niche platform, there are so many NYC property real estate websites. From a creative standpoint, the brief to Transfuture was that our site couldn’t look the same as those other sites. We gave them some rough ideas of what we liked and some references. They came in and gave us new ideas and things we hadn't seen before. They did all of the programming work to build the site and did the design work as well.

What is the team composition?

I dealt directly with the two principals. Our creative services manager was the lead on the project and worked with their team.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

We’d crossed paths a number of years ago, and I've just been waiting for the right opportunity to work with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project took place between August–November 2017.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our audience looks at many real estate websites and their feedback has been uniformly positive. Everyone remarks on how bright, sophisticated, and different our new site is compared to others. Transfuture came up with a creative way to make the website look dynamic. Now it's one of the key selling points of the site, and one of the major contributions to its success.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

The team was great. We gave them a tight timeline and they delivered. Their office is very close to ours, which allowed us to have regular meetings to look at designs or discuss the project’s status. In terms of the client-vendor relationship, it's not like we just told them what we wanted and they delivered. It was a true collaboration. They listened to what we wanted and then gave us something that we didn't even think was possible.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I wanted a partner that was willing to push the envelope and not just rehash other people's ideas. Transfuture were willing collaborators. They helped push us beyond the normal. The results and feedback from our audience speaks for themselves.

Any advice for potential customers?

Come prepared with a general direction for your project. In our case, we explicitly told them that we didn't want them to deliver exactly what we were asking for. Rather, we wanted them to challenge us. If you want something different and are open to being challenged, Transfuture is the right firm for you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of creative technology for a digital-out-of-home advertising company. We operate a large network of digital billboards in shopping malls across the United States.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

Our website was gigantic and messy. We needed a partner to recommend a new platform and then lead that re-development. We also wanted assistance with web design and UI enhancement.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve worked with Transfuture on two separate projects. The first engagement focused on communicating our business in a simple, one-page redeveloped website with easy navigability for our clients. Transfuture recommended and developed a custom WordPress template in a collaborative design process with mutual input. The team produced wireframes but modified their platform and design approaches to the marketing goals we communicated. They also added features such as scrolling client logos and video popups.

The second project aimed to make the site modern and more attractive to potential customers. There were no wireframes because we already had concrete ideas. They helped us refine our proposed designs, which culminated in the current version.

What is the team composition?

They had three people including the two co-owners; the owners traded responsibilities as we progressed through different items.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

We searched web development firms in the New York City area because we wanted the ability to meet in person. Transfuture's portfolio aligned with our needs and limited budget.

What is the status of this engagement?

The first project started in June 2015 and ended in September 2015. For the redesign, work started in January 2017 and ended in August 2017.

Currently, Transfuture does support and ad hoc development when we have special requests, such as WordPress and update fixes. The website's content doesn’t change often. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There’s minimal visitor feedback because it’s a low-traffic B2B site. However, our salespeople and internal teams are very happy with the WordPress version because it was as simple as possible. The latest redesign makes our company look very modern.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They performed okay. We had to push them to meet our expectations for deliverables and timelines. Although their performance wasn’t a deal breaker, there were times we were wondering about the status of the latest wireframe or code.

We communicated primarily through e-mail because it’s a timesaver for development projects. We did kickoffs in person, holding an additional in-person meeting mid-project to make sure we were all on the same page. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re nice people and responsive communicators. Quick replies to our questions made us feel heard.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Transfuture required additional emailing and check-ins to meet our expectations. However, this was not a huge deal. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the editor and owner of Outer Borough Media Group, which does business at The Bridge, a Brooklyn-based website and podcast.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We wanted to create a sophisticated-looking and user-friendly site that was also flexible in what could be added to it. We decided a WordPress site would be best, because we wanted something stable and reliable, so we began searching for a partner.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Transfuture helped conceive the layout and artistic design of the site, and they took care of the underlying functionality. Basically, they did all of the development. They found a hosting site (WP Engine) and provide continual maintenance and improvements.

I showed them examples of sites I liked and other types of media, and they created a site that reflected that. They even added specific features that I wanted. For example, they installed a plug-in for a comment function and found the vendor to make it. Transfuture created a dynamic story page, so every story is a sort of home page with a scrolling Twitter feed that continuously updates on the news. The site also has a good podcast presentation, which is a big part of our organization.

What is the team composition?

I worked with the two principals, but they also have a larger circle of people they relied on for other services. For example, Transfuture does SEO but not other digital outreach, so they connected me with another organization that could provide those services.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

I found them through an online search. I sent emails to numerous different development companies in Brooklyn, but I liked the work Transfuture had done. They responded promptly, so I met with them and thought they were approachable and media-aware; they understood what I wanted to do and good examples to follow.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $20,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began in November 2016, and the site launched in February 2017. Now, Transfuture provides maintenance and updates.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Readers generally say the site looks terrific. They like the content too, but the overall presentation seems like a much bigger site than it actually is; it’s impressively sophisticated-looking for a small operation that just started.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They were efficient and timely without being overly obsessed with doing things a certain way. I've worked with project managers at big companies who were all about the timetable and not about the product. Transfuture is much more balanced and delivers high-quality products within a reasonable timeframe.

We mainly use phone, email, or in-person conversations to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their personal touch is impressive. They’re both friendly and forgiving. If I don’t provide something by a certain time, or if I change my mind, they don’t get upset. They’re efficient and flexible when I want to take the project in a different direction.

They’re also opinionated in a good way. They don’t try to overrule you, but they’ll offer their feedback,  which is always useful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not everything was done correctly or exactly how I wanted, partly because my own vision changed as we went along, but they were prompt in smoothing out any wrinkles. And they never charged extra for simple fixes.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Give them as much information as you can about what you're trying to do. I probably contacted them too early, but they were okay with that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the Executive Director of the Bavarian U.S. Offices for Economic Development. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We needed to build a new website and present ourselves in a modern and more engaging way.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Transfuture provided web development and designed our new site, updating the site they built for us over 10 years ago in WordPress. They presented us with multiple designs to choose from and we provided all the necessary written content. They built out new features like a calendar of events and a news section. They also designed a website for one of our events, an investor conference.

In addition to web work, they've produced print collateral as well, such as posters.

What is the team composition?

We've primarily worked with two people over the last 11 years, Erin and Joe.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

We found them through a Google search and liked the fact that they had experience working with nonprofits.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested between $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since 2006. Our most recent project started in 2016. We continue to collaborate on various projects.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I think of their team as part of ours. Sometimes, I have to remind my colleagues that we pay them by the hour because we're used to calling them up so frequently. They've gotten us out of a bind by providing additional graphics support, as we lack the capacity for producing those types of materials in house.

They've always exceeded my expectations and have been easy to work with. There's never been a single misunderstanding between us regarding pricing; I've always felt they've been fair. Their shop in Brooklyn is modest and efficient, which likely helps keep their costs down. They make sure that added value is transferred to clients like me. I've come back to them many times over the years.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very transparent with us. We mostly communicate through phone calls and email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They are just super-nice and talented people who understand our business.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Provide them with as much information and feedback as possible from the beginning.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive assistant at AMA Capital Partners. We're a boutique investment firm based in New York City focused on the transportation industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

We had a very outdated website. It needed a total overhaul—not the content, but the overall look and feel.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We laid out the challenges, needs, and expectations for the site. They took a lot of time to learn about the business, including researching our competitors’ sites. They set up a timeline and then began work on the redesign.

The site is built on WordPress. It's an informational site without a lot of bells and whistles. The project kept the structure of the site the same, but improved the design to bring it up to modern standards.

A year or so after the site was completed, they reached out to us to see if we wanted any additional updates. That conversation led to them helping us redesign our marketing material to complement the look and feel of the site.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Joe [Managing Partner, Transfuture] and Erin [Creative Director, Transfuture].

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

Since this was the first time I was involved in a web redesign, I did a lot of research on how to vet a design firm. I found them through a basic Google search. I liked that they were were a small firm based in New York—just like us.

How much have you invested with them?

Including the marketing materials, I believe we’ve spent $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2015, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve heard from employees who’ve received compliments from clients. It’s all been positive feedback: the site is a huge improvement and looks really good.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They were really good in terms of leading the project. There were specific deadlines and they met them. They were very patient with us and good about sending gentle reminders to keep us on top of things.

They made the process really easy—especially for me as a novice. They're thoughtful, thorough, and answered any questions we had.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re responsive, very friendly, and easy to deal with. They’re also understanding when things get busy on our end.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing stands out in my mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the vice president of Mansueto Ventures. We publish Inc. Magazine and Fast Company Magazine, as well as our website, Inc.com.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Transfuture?

Our core website is the main source of marketing projects we've worked on with Transfuture throughout the years. The process of developing marketing collateral, specifically our press kit, involves a lot of to and fro between our various business units. They helped us streamline this process, and coordinate with our sponsors to create ad units. We lacked the in-house expertise to develop the special functionalities required for some of these projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Transfuture has been involved in developing our marketing materials since the very beginning. To kickoff this endeavor, they took the scope of the project and wireframed initial designs. The team recommended useful ideas for branding, logos, and colors. As we build out the final site, they added selective copy and photos to the pages. Working with our design director, they tweaked the layout in line with our brand guidelines, and she approved the final version. Our marketing site is built on WordPress, and their developers trained our team on how to update that site.

What is the team composition?

I've worked directly with their principals, Joe and Erin. My team has also worked with some of their WordPress engineers.

How did you come to work with Transfuture?

I've worked with Transfuture for about 15 years total at various companies prior to my position here. I appreciated their timeliness and the energy they'd put into those projects, so I brought them on as a vendor at Mansueto Ventures.

How much have you invested with them?

For smaller, ongoing projects, we spend around $1,000 a month. The larger project cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project began in January 2015, and development work on the marketing site is ongoing. Once that's completed, we'll likely be engaging with them again sometime in the second quarter of this year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As planned, we've been able to maintain and update the site for the last couple of years since it launched. It has actually lived beyond its shelf life, which is great. We had intended to relaunch long before now, but it's lasted just fine, and we've been able to make our own updates. They delivered the project on time, and handled challenges we experienced with various stakeholders.

How did Transfuture perform from a project management standpoint?

They have a good process in place, and it’s a real strength of theirs. We spoke mostly through phone and e-mail, and they used our internal Basecamp account for the design approval rounds. I’m not sure how difficult we are compared to other clients, but we have a nice rhythm for ongoing work. The bigger media kit project involved several different stakeholders, so their ability to manage the communication process was really valuable.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate their flexibility to move with us as projects change. That's very valuable to me; they're not rigid, which is almost always a great thing. They're a small agency, so I know they must be working arduously to keep everything moving along. A larger agency might push us down to junior staff who don't really know what we’re doing. I can always reach the principals at Transfuture, and they make sure that we've got good people working with us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

When we work on a compressed timeline, it can be difficult for them to make super last-minute changes on time. They have no problems with predefined deadlines, though, nor with projects that are running smoothly. Sometimes we needed resources a bigger agency could have potentially pulled in on short notice.