WDG - Web Development Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the director of digital strategy for a national nonprofit. It was a national nonprofit membership organization that focused on municipal government. I covered everything from the website to social media strategy.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

My organization went through a website rebuild about three years before I got there. They didn’t have the internal capacity to manage it, and everything that went wrong, went wrong. They ended up going a year longer than expected and $100,000 over budget. So they launched a site that didn’t suite our needs. It was inflexible and continued to deteriorate. For example, when we tried to add a paragraph, we accidentally deleted ¼ of the site. It was a mess and everyone was unhappy with it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Soup to nuts, it was a complete website redevelopment. We moved from Drupal to WordPress. Everything was completely different,—design, UI/UX— they redid all of that. They’re now in the content and development page.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, a strategist, design, and a developer. It was a full team.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

We went out with a limited RFP and spoke to several local firms. From there, we went with WDG – Web Development Group.

Their proposal was very good and very sharp. They clearly understood what we were trying to accomplish. They were very professional throughout the engagement as well .We brought in the two finalists, and WDG – Web Development Group stood out and appeared very cohesive. In every way, they were head and shoulders above the other agencies we were considering.

How much have you invested with them?

The total contract amount was $220,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We brought them on in August 2019 and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unlike our previous partners, WDG – Web Development Group was super proactive about managing timeline, scope, and budget. The organization felt very secure, informed, and confident throughout the process. I’m no longer on the team, but I’ve heard from the grapevine that they’re pleased with how the project is progressing.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a weekly meeting with their team. Led by our project manager, we discussed what skillsets were required for each phase. Then that teammate would roll onto the weekly calls.

Overall, project management was excellent. If we ever needed to have an additional meeting, our project manager was available to us. If anything came up that might threaten the timeline, they gave us ample notice and were very communicative about it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their entire team was full of very talented people. It was clear that they came to our meetings very prepared, and they did a lot to understand our organization so they could bring forward recommendations that suited our needs. They thought critically about what we needed.  

They were thoughtful partners and it was easy to have an honest dialog with them if there was a challenge or concern.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They were quite expensive. We also spoke regularly with Ab (Founder) during the pitching process, and then we didn’t communicate with him as much during the project, and that felt a little jarring.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

What helped make our relationship successful was that we did a lot internally to project manage ourselves. We were able to really shield WDG – Web Development Group by having strong internal management. That helped us get into the weeds with WDG – Web Development Group and our internal stakeholders. It’s easier once you have all your ducks in a row internally.

 Quality-5

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the director of communications for an alternative protein nonprofit, so that’s plant-based, clean meat or cultivated meat products as well as fermented foods.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

Our previous website was done pro bono by another nonprofit and they were taking down their own site and taking it to a WordPress environment, which meant we were going to lose the service and backend support for the website they helped us build on. Ultimately we needed to completely redo the website using a technology that would allow us to bring on plug and play contractors, vendors, etc. The site previously was entirely custom coded.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The work that WDG - Web Development Group does for us includes information architecture, UX, content, strategy, design, and quality assurance. The new site they built for us is a WordPress site.

We’re actually doing a brand refresh now. We were so impressed with WDG during the bid process, that we decided to change the order of our brand refresh and put them in the driver’s seat of the design. We currently have a font family, color scheme, and patterns that we’re going to be using going forward. From the bare building blocks we provide, they’re leading the execution with the website.

What is the team composition?

We work with Vajaah Parker (Director of Strategy), Emily Gallt (Senior Lead Strategist), Jacob Reid (Senior UX Strategist), and a project manager.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

We did a national search and to some extent partially international to folks who wouldn’t have too cumbersome of a time zone difference. We were completely sold with WDG’s approach to pillar content and the use of strong taxonomies. The universal winner among three finalists, we found them through an RFP process.

How much have you invested with them?

The initial size of the project was about $150,000, which I believe represents a little of the pro bono pricing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in October 2019 and the collaboration is currently ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our company is in a unique position because we’re in a space that is filled with disruptive tech entrepreneurs and big-name investors. There’s an appearance on our surface that we’re not a nonprofit but we absolutely are. WDG did an incredible job of helping us reflect the tension points with our own brand storytelling. The US workshop we went through with Vajaan was very foundational in getting us clarity, which was really needed.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Having never built a website ourselves, we caused a delay due to our decision-making process and WDG was really good at managing internally on our side to support the project. They’re hands-on and very helpful. They use JIRA and Confluence to run the project on our side, and we also translated JIRA into Asana.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We really like their expertise in and commitment to WordPress. We also really like their partnership getting through the RFP. They showed up with a partnership model to help us win where other providers didn’t show up in quite the same way. They helped us see in some cases where what we thought we wanted wasn’t actually what we wanted. Partnering with us, they educated us throughout the entire process. The team is constantly learning and evolving, which is good.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have your ducks in a row and trust the agency to do what they do. Remember why you’re hiring an agency to do the work and why you’re not doing it yourself and then let them lead.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the digital technology manager for a city advocacy association. We advocate for cities, towns, and villages

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

We had recently launched a product, and the product was developed in a quick manner by another development group. It wasn’t quite working as expected or how we initially scoped out, but we had to launch it quickly. It was for a high-profile partner, so we needed to bring someone else to come in and migrate the existing server from the developer’s environment, to our own server. Then, they made a few updates and addressed critical bugs.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The initial product was buggy and had a lot of issues, we scoped out the critical bugs that needed to be addressed in addition to the migration. The migration was the most critical part. In collaboration with WDG - Web Development Group, we set up the new environment and servers for the product. They were able to complete the migration over a weekend. They were very flexible with us knowing that we had a short timeframe to get this done. The developer got everything set up on our environments. Once that was done, we did some testing to make sure it was stable. They also addressed the bugs that prevented us from going live. They even added additional security to the hosting and BMS.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with one developer and a project manager.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

WDG – Web Development was already a partner for us, and we knew if we needed someone to save the day, they could complete the scope in the time frame we needed.  

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The entire project was completed in a week and a half in April 2020, but we’re already working with them on another project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

 I’m extremely helpful with the end result. They addressed what needed to be addressed, and as a result, the product works as expected. We haven’t had any issues with the migration and the work that they did. I really liked working with the developer. They didn’t come up with a super costly solution, they gave us the right solution. They went above and beyond.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

I was pleasantly surprised how quickly they completed the project because the previous engagement was out of scope and over a week and a half late, so our partner wasn’t happy. WDG -Web Development Group really set us up for success.

I was happy that the developer was collaborative, was communicative, and was offering solutions that were cost-effective.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I love how methodical and thorough they are. They’re intentional about how and why they do things. They’re smart, dedicated folks. It felt like a collaborative partnership, so I enjoy working with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not on this project.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Being transparent and providing as much information about a project helps the WDG - Web Development Group understand how they can help.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior art director of a branding agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

We had reached out to a few developers to broaden our set of partners, and WDG was one of them. This was our first time working with them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They worked with us on a splash page or microsite for our client. WDG did all of the development and made sure that the backend was editable.

What is the team composition?

Ab (Founder) was our main contact.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

We did some research online, and we found them on a ratings platform where they had good ratings. We liked their website so we reached out and they responded swiftly. 

What is the status of this engagement?

They worked with us on this project in April 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our client was really happy and so were we, especially because it’s always a risk working with a new partner. WDG did a good job and delivered the product early. The backend was easy to use, which gave us the choice to make updates after the website launched. 

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We had a strict deadline with our client and they told us how long it would take them. We worked backward from that date and made sure we had the design files on time. WDG kept us updated throughout the entire process.

We had specific milestones for our client to provide feedback. It was a seamless process, and the team was available whenever we had questions. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

There’s always a risk when you hand off your designs that they won’t be developed exactly the way you designed them. But that wasn’t the case with WDG. I was really impressed because everything looked exactly like the designs and the backend was easy to use. 

It made the whole process easy. I’ve had experiences in the past where it was more difficult or we needed to do a lot more work, but this was the opposite. We gave them the designs and they ran with it and knocked it out.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, no that I can think of. I really liked working with their team. We don’t get website projects all the time, but WDG is definitely a partner I would want on the team.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They are able to scale up or down based on your needs. This worked well for us because we can handle the designs, we just don’t have the development skills in-house. Additionally, they were prompt in responding when I reached out to them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of Homesavey, a local real estate brokerage that helps buyers save money on closing costs when they purchase a home.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

We hired them to help with strategy, positioning, and consulting. I’ve been in real estate for some time now and one thing I’ve always had an issue with is building an audience or clientele through a website, so that’s what I brought WDG on for.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided consulting when it came to the strategy and positioning. WDG did a lot of research on our audience, and then made content for a new website in line with the audience they found. Additionally, they made strategic recommendations.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Ab (Partnership Director), who serves as the main consultant. I’ve also worked with two senior digital consultants and a project manager.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

I was introduced to them by a trusted source who had worked with them before.

How much have you invested with them?

So far we’ve spent between $75,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in January 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve been getting a lot of leads through the website now, which I was hoping for. Before, I would create the websites on my own and didn’t know how to bring people to them. With WDG’s help, we’ve had a lot of people looking to purchase houses. Additionally, our internal team loves it.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very responsive. We have weekly status calls and the team checks in frequently. We communicate via Slack.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like their approach. I’ve worked with other developers, designers, and marketers before, but WDG has a very unique approach when it comes to building a website, finding an audience, and creating a strategy. 

The team thinks out of the box. I’m more hands-on with real estate, so I was only seeing things from that point of view at first. The team sees everything from the consumer’s point of view and helped me do the same.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I have no suggestions.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ask a lot of questions. The team is very proactive and gives a lot of information upfront. If you don’t understand anything, ask them because they’re more than willing to help.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I was the VP of product for a startup. Our product is SaaS delivered through a security platform.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

The product was designed for expert use. As we began thinking about providing our service to end-users and customers, we needed to figure out how to evolve the product visually and the information being presented. So, we had to figure out the user journey and how to best present all of the information.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

It started with a mind sharing exercise. We sat down and tried to understand the problem we were trying to solve. Based on what we were trying to accomplish, they helped us create a UX/UI design for our web-based platform. They broke the project into smaller chunks so it was easier to manage.

What is the team composition?

We met with Daario and there were a few other team members who worked on our project.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

I heard of them through personal connections. They became the clear choice after I met with their CEO. The CEO was very involved in the business and they had a fantastic portfolio of customers. We knew they were the perfect fit for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $50,000–$200,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2017 and we wrapped up in May 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were an integral part of our business. The product sells itself, and the UX/UI is the differentiator of our product in a very crowded space. They service hundreds of customers now. I’ve recommended them to 4–5 people already.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We were very clear on timelines, and we always knew what was going on. We had regular check-ins and in-person meetings in their offices. We hit all of our targets and timelines.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I felt like we were their only customer. Their upfront design process was really solid. It didn’t feel like an assembly line; they were creative and thought about what we needed. At the end, they were able to deliver.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Honestly, nothing stands out.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Let them do their part. Give them a problem and let them come up with the solution.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of marketing and communications at the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP). Our mission is to help expand the commercial real estate portfolio for the city of Alexandria.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

We had two websites and neither of them looked good. Our legacy website was at least 10 years old and it was built on a Drupal platform, which isn’t the most non-developer friendly platform. If you’re not a technical developer, it’s very difficult to manipulate. 

So, it was challenging for us to put content on it and update it. Because of that, it was extremely outdated. The look of it was old and the UI/UX wasn’t that great. It was also difficult to find information. 

In 2016, we hired a communications firm that did website development who built a second website on WordPress, since we didn’t have the funds to redo our other website. That website was easier to manipulate and looked better, but it didn’t have much content on it. 

We then decided to have another website because these issues were hindering our work. Neither of the websites was a good depiction of our organization. We went to WDG with a problem but with no solution because we didn’t know what we needed. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team audited both of our websites and came up with lots of recommendations and ultimately helped us to create a new website. WDG helped us to create the sitemaps and decided on the different functionalities. They then built the website from scratch. A lot of the content is the same as that on the old website. 

We had an emergency because of the Coronavirus pandemic, and we knew that we needed to create content on the old website. The team built out the webpage so that we could have that information until our new website launched, which wasn’t in their original scope of work.

Throughout this project, we were also going through a rebranding process with the communications firm we have on contract. WDG worked with that firm and with us to make sure that all of the new branding was implemented. 

What is the team composition?

At first, we had one project manager. As the process went on, we got to work with leads from different teams including UX designers and developers. From each of those teams, we had one lead person, but there were more teammates working on the project behind the scenes. 

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

We conducted an interview process. We settled on WDG because we were impressed with their pitch and the way they approached website design. This was important for us because we don’t have lots of resources. 

We appreciated the fact that they were going to solve our problem in a way that worked for our organization. It didn’t feel like a one-size-fits-all solution. They made us feel like we were going to be our own project and they were going to help us create elements that worked for our needs. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent about $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in August 2019 and we just launched the website in April 2020. The project is contract-based and the contract will end in May 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As I said earlier, we recently launched the website, WDG created a functioning, easy-to-use, beautiful website that accurately showcases us as an organization. This is important because it also showcases the city of Alexandria, which is going to help us with our work. 

With our old website, we had a little less than 1,000 per month. Since we launched the new website, this week alone, we’ve had 364 users. We’re already seeing that this is a much more active website and the amount of time spent on the website is much longer. 

It’s a new, beautiful website so I know that visitors are going to spend more time on it because the visuals and layout are great. That said, I know that this website is going to have a lot more traffic and will give visitors a much better experience.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Our project manager was the central point for everything. Working with one project manager or one team lead meant that we weren’t confused about who we needed to talk to. If I had a specific technical question, I knew who I needed to talk to. 

If I had a general question, our project manager was always there. She was available on weekends and after-hours. I can’t say enough about how incredibly helpful they were and how they went above and beyond. I learned a lot and I’m extremely pleased with the product that we ended up with and the way we got there.

WDG used a CMS called Confluence where they kept all of the information about our project. That’s the main way we tracked the project, shared content, and where the tickets system is for the website. We also communicated with the team via email and phone, and we had weekly meetings in-person or virtually. Additionally, we created a Slack channel. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team was collaborative and flexible, and they also solved problems. We were involved in every part of the process and they listened to what we needed. When we didn’t know how to fix certain aspects, or when we wanted to change our project needs, they constantly and consistently solved those problems for us in ways that we never would’ve thought of by ourselves.

When something else affected the website in terms of timeline, look, or functionality, the team didn’t complain or quit; they just rolled with it. They figured it out and made it happen, which was great. They were an incredible extension of our staff. 

We’re not a big organization, so we lean on our partners. WDG was a true partner throughout this process. They cared as much as we did about coming up with a great website. They were as proud as we were that the website launched and as excited about it and what it’s going to do for us, which meant a lot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Confluence wasn't the best tool. It’s a complex CMS and isn’t the easiest to navigate. Sometimes as a client, I missed certain elements because they were updated in Confluence but I didn’t know where they were or how to find them. We eventually figured it out, so it wasn’t too much of a big deal.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be open. WDG can’t solve a problem they don’t know exists, and they can’t give you the best product if they don’t know the full picture so share as much as you can. Give them insight into as many resources as possible. 

If you give them everything they need and a clear goal, you’re going to be impressed with the creative solutions they come up with, the way they problem-solve, and the product they build.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior director of the education and alumni program. We’re a membership organization founded to dispel the mounting belief that the American dream was no longer attainable. Every year, we induct new members that embody the concept that through hard work, perseverance, and determination, you can go from humble beginnings to success. Since 1984, we’ve awarded scholarships to support education and it’s role in achieving the American dream.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG - Web Development Group?

We had one person in charge of our IT, website, and hardware, but as we expanded, we thought we needed an organization to support us. We needed experts in our field to support all three of our websites.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They took over our existing sites, which is integrated with Salesforce, and it was an entire mess. We didn’t want to redesign, so they worked with what we have. They’ve ensured that the site is working the way we want, and is capable of pulling information from Salesforce.

Now, we’re looking into redesigning the site in the future.

What is the team composition?

I’ve had one point of contact, who is our program manager, and he makes sure that everything gets funneled appropriately. However, I’ve also worked directly with a few developers.

How did you come to work with WDG - Web Development Group?

We initially worked with another organization that was a jack of all trades, master of none. It clearly didn’t work for us, so we started looking at other agencies. We liked that WDG – Web Development Group is local. It was helpful so we can meet with them in person if needed. They also have such a high caliber profile of clients. On top of that, I really enjoyed working with everyone on their team.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in November 2017 and we’re still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

When I’ve expressed what we need, they’ve been able to translate that so it works well together. One of the biggest impacts this project has had on our business is how much interaction our site has with Salesforce information.

On top of that, I don’t have to worry about who is updating our site, we have all the patches, and I never have to worry about security issues. I just see the updates that show they’ve dealt with everything already.

How did WDG - Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been able to manage the chaos behind the scenes to ensure that we achieve our goals. At this point, they’ve been pretty good. We use an online portal, so I just input my requests, and then they’re reviewed. Sometimes, if something is really urgent, I will send an email to my project. Manager as well to let them know that there is something for them to work on.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve been able to translate what we need, and really build that connection to Salesforce. They’re capable and have great technical expertise, that stands out in comparison to the other vendors we’ve worked with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Early on in our partnership, they were setting up different teams and were trying to change how they interacted with clients, so their response wasn’t super-fast. But in the last year, they’ve changed for the better.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be clear about what you want. They’re willing to customize to whatever you need, and they’ll do it as long as you can tell them what you want clearly.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a manager of an industry association for insurance brokers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG – Web Development Group?

Our website was built around 2010 and it was awful. I had to hand-code most of it. The CMS essentially didn’t exist anymore, so it wasn’t functional. We needed to overhaul our website to bring it into the modern age with a better look and feel. We had a goal of increasing our engagement and becoming a digital-first organization to keep us moving forward.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

WDG built us a WordPress website soup to nuts. They looked into our organization and content to create a UX for all of our users. Their team did user personas, journey mapping, and audience segmentation.

They gave us a new look and put in a solid foundation to function as a 10-year infrastructure theoretically. Their team upgraded the information architecture, backend CMS, and the design. They found a CMS that wasn’t niche so that it wouldn’t go away. It was also accessible, so any team can use it and put content on it.

WDG continues to support us. They make fixes and help us with updates. Their team also works on ongoing development for the site. They add new features and sections as well as make design changes.

What is the team composition?

We worked with a team of folks including a project manager who was my point of contact throughout the entire process. We also worked with really smart people for journey mapping, user segmentation, and the information architecture side of the project. We then transitioned to working with another teammate throughout the design process. We worked with another person during the development phase.

How did you come to work with WDG – Web Development Group?

I wasn’t part of the RFP process because I came on board around the same time as them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $200,000–$1 million on their services. We’ve done three support contracts with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

The contract started in January 2016 and the partnership continues today.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve driven a 34% increase in our unique user base year over year since 2016. That’s largely due to the website overhaul and having a hub for all of our information where we publish all of our content that helps our member firms. We have somewhere to send people when we push out content and all of that traffic’s sent to our website. Their work was critical to increase all of our engagement.

How did WDG – Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re there when we need them. Their team understands who we are and how we work, so they don’t push projects that don’t fit us or wouldn’t happen on a timeline that’s comfortable for us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their understanding of how people use the web and their natural curiosity to find the best new tools are bar-none. There are many different firms that have great designers. What separates WDG is their user segmentation, journey mapping, and thoughtfulness about information architecture. I’ve been impressed on that front since day one.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re not as proactive with project updates as I’ve been as a project manager. I have to push the project managers to check-in sometimes.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a good understanding of your own organization and goals to help direct their creativity and strategic thinking. The world’s their oyster and can see different directions to take a project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a nonprofit dedicated to serving boards of directors and CEOs. We work to improve nonprofit leadership.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WDG – Web Development Group?

We had an initiative focused on advocacy for board members. It was focused on explaining the importance of advocacy and ensuring that board members understood the best paths to help their nonprofits and enhance their standing in the community.

We had a separate website for that initiative that was designed by another web development firm a while ago. The site was hardcoded with specific styling, which made it difficult for us to make changes. It needed a refresh, so we brought in WDG.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

WDG overhauled the entire site to be more flexible. Their team redesigned the product so that it’s easier for us to manage on the backend. Now, we can add new sections on pages, create pages from scratch, and add different images. They kept it on WordPress but added a different theme and CMS for the backend.

WDG used the branding that we established but also gave us suggestions to make the site more modern and easier for us to manage on the backend. We had a long training session before we launched the site so that I felt comfortable making changes to the site.

What is the team composition?

I mostly worked with Homiera (Director of Client Services) and one other person. Homiera was the project manager and the other team member managed the website development.

How did you come to work with WDG – Web Development Group?

WDG worked to redesign our website previously.

How much have you invested with them?

This project probably cost less than $10,000. It was built into our retainer with WDG, meaning that we added in extra hours.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in 2018 and we launched the website in September 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work definitely improved our web traffic. A few weeks after launching the redesigned version, we had at least 15 people who used the site previously to tell us about how great the new design looked and how much easier it was to navigate. The redesign made an impression on the community that we serve.

How did WDG – Web Development Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We used a few different project management tools but mostly used JIRA. We had issues on our end with prioritizing the project, which threw WDG off because we didn't follow the initial timeline. As soon as we were ready to pick up the project in earnest, their team jumped in to help us and figure out a new timeline. At the end of the project, we were under pressure by our organization to complete the site. Their team was kind in dealing with frantic emails and calls to get the project done quickly.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with WDG is great. Of the companies that I’ve been able to work with, they’ve been one of my favorite companies. Their team was receptive to our needs and was always willing to take the time to walk us through a product. I asked a million questions and they took the time to answer them to make sure that I understood.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We put them in a difficult position by being behind the eight-ball. It was difficult to restart the project after it had been dormant for a few months. We had a few bumps when we restarted conversations but once we were on the same page, the collaboration went well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Ask for what you need and make sure that you’re prepared when you go into conversations with them. Their team will listen and reflect your requests in their work. They’re receptive to discussions and feedback. As long as you know what you’re looking for, they’re a great partner.