WhatArmy

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior communications manager at a nonprofit medical organization. Our goal is to determine fair prices for drugs that are coming into the US healthcare system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WhatArmy?

We needed their team to offer us web hosting services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

WhatArmy helps us host our organization’s website through a WordPress engine. They’re in charge of addressing all our hosting concerns, as well as site maintenance. We send them one-off requests about the parts of the website that we want them to tweak or new fixes that we need them to implement on our newly redesigned website. More specifically, they align spaces on our web pages, decrease the white space, and rotate or enlarge images on our site’s homepage. 

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is Nancy (Director of Client Relations). She relays all my requests to their team’s developers.

How did you come to work with WhatArmy?

Our relationship with WhatArmy began prior to my start date at our organization, so I don’t really know how they originally came in contact with the team. We just renewed the partnership when we needed the team to do web hosting and site maintenance for us.

How much have you invested with them?

We started in February 2014, and our engagement is ongoing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We spend around $500–$1,000 for their monthly web hosting and maintenance services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

WhatArmy’s team is very good at coding — they easily integrate the functionalities that we want without any difficulties on their end. They’re also very good at handling all tasks concerning web hosting. Their team is an expert in all the challenging aspects of web work, such as coding and hosting. We have a separate communications agency that we work with in terms of web design, so it’s good enough for us to know that WhatArmy delivers what we need from them.

How did WhatArmy perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicate via email. WhatArmy is a very responsive team — they always keep us in the loop about progress updates, and we can always expect to receive responses from their team within 24 hours. From a project management standpoint, they’re really on top of the game.

What did you find most impressive about them?

WhatArmy is highly transparent when it comes to pricing. I’ve tried asking other agencies for their own quotations, and the range they’ve given was at a minimum of $5,000, which is unreasonable if we only need them to do minor tweaks. We really get what we pay for with WhatArmy’s team — apart from their honest pricing, they also have fast turnaround times.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Overall, we’re happy with what they deliver. There were just some previous requests from our end that were out of their wheelhouse. For instance, there was a time when we needed a more dynamic solution, and they weren’t able to deliver that. However, their team was really honest about it — they instead made some suggestions that we could follow to work on that aspect. In the future, they could focus on refining their customized solutions for their clients.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

If you’re looking for a reliable group with reasonably priced services, then you should definitely consider hiring WhatArmy.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re a connected fitness company that offers a rowing exercise product. With our solution, the home user can connect with experts around the world to go through beginner to advanced courses while experiencing a realistic outdoor experience through modern tech.

As the director of marketing, I manage everything from our website and digital advertising to our social, email, and connected TV.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WhatArmy?

We’d just gotten out of a successful crowdfunding campaign to fund our product and were looking for a development partner to help us scale. At the time, we only had a basic marketing sales site, so WhatArmy built a more effective solution.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

WhatArmy developed a direct-to-consumer e-commerce store to secure pre-orders for our rowing product. Once we launched, the site switched over to a live-order model so that we could start shipping.

We knew early on that we wanted to use Shopify as one of our platforms because I had some experience with it in the past. Because WhatArmy was equally proficient at WordPress, we ended up going with a combination of the two. They built the e-commerce portion of our site (e.g., panel store, regular store) on Shopify and hosted our main site on WordPress.

Since then, we’re still working with them on various projects. They’ve expanded their influence into building additional satellite sites, landing pages, and more. Recently, we’ve completed a redesign and deployment for our rebrand, which we’re very proud of.

What is the team composition? 

We’ve worked with 3–7 people in total. My main point of contact is Nicole (Project Manager) who is phenomenal. She organizes tasks to keep us on track, which was a big help in the early days when I was the only one on my team. I’ve also worked with Chad (Director of Operations) and a few of their developers directly.

How did you come to work with WhatArmy?

We wanted to find a small, agile team of hardworking developers and designers in the Boston area. After throwing around a couple of references and discussing internally about potential partners, we quickly saw that WhatArmy was the best option.

During the initial exploration call, it was apparent that they could provide the kind of white-glove service that we needed. We saw that they could help us manage our growth period as we scaled up while also supplementing some of the design work from our creative agency.  

How much have you invested with them?

It’s at least $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

They’ve been our main web development partner for nearly two years, now. We started back in December 2018, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The best example of their work and success is the current version of our website. They led the development while working closely with our creative team, and I was impressed that they could meet our aggressive timelines.

The final site has drastically improved loading times. Not to mention, their team created a far more interactive and engaging web experience compared to our previous version.

How did WhatArmy perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management and communication skills are top-notch. They use Slack to respond to us and share their work in Google Sheets and Jira. That ensures that we’re in the loop on what’s being prioritized and how long a task will take.

What did you find most impressive about them?

There hasn’t been a negative moment throughout our partnership. WhatArmy is incredibly responsive and feel like a part of our team. That’s especially important during this pandemic environment.

They’re just great people who have a strong capacity for understanding our business needs, which is pretty rare in web development teams. They definitely push us to create new, different things.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think so. They’ve addressed any small feedback we’ve had along the way. More often than not, those were due to growing pains between the partnership. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I encourage any business to give them a call to get a feel for how they operate. It’s hard to evaluate web development partnerships these days, so you need to make sure their style is a good fit for you. They’re able to work with most small- to mid-sized companies. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the creative director of a company that develops headphones that incorporate touch panels and AI to create a visual and audio experience.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WhatArmy?

We were rebranding, so we brought in WhatArmy to build our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We created an aesthetic for our brand and developed templates, but then WhatArmy was able to develop it. Using Shopify, they created a seamless shopping experience for our customers. The platform is very interactive an includes videos that engage users.

What is the team composition?

Sarah (Director of Operations, WhatArmy) was my main point of contact, so I’m not sure who else worked on the project.

How did you come to work with WhatArmy?

The person who hired me had worked with WhatArmy before, and he recommended them. I trusted that WhatArmy could deliver a quality product in the time allotted.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $50,000–$100,000 with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working on the project in May 2019, and they were able to launch the site in six weeks. However, they continue to add new features and manage the site.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Their work has been great. They developed a functioning site that is easy to use and is very elegant. I was impressed that they were able to work from a template because they were a bit limited. However, they developed some very creative solutions.

How did WhatArmy perform from a project management standpoint?

Sarah was wonderful to work with. She was very responsive and made sure everything was completed on time. We had a pretty firm date for the soft release, and they were able to finish the project in a month rather than the typical 3-4 months. Obviously, it’s more difficult to work on a time crunch like that, but they always delivered.

What did you find most impressive about them?

 In addition to their execution, they’re great at developing working relationships. They work well under pressure and will do whatever needs to be done. When faced with a challenge, they come up with solutions.

Are there any areas they could improve?

From my experience, they don’t need to improve anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Just hire them.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the co-owner and CTO of a diabetes supply and management company. Our service allows diabetic consumers to sell their extra supplies or buy directly from us.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire WhatArmy?

We've worked with WhatArmy on numerous projects, including a complete rebuild of our original website.

What were your goals for this project?

Our main goal was to roll out a fully automated, optimized website on a custom e-procurement platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We were originally referred to WhatArmy by a company that managed our original website but didn't meet our needs. 

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They migrated our WordPress site onto a custom platform built with PHP and Javascript. They managed and maintained the website, developed the API, and designed its integration with the website. 

What was the team composition?

The core team included our account manager and our programmer. We worked closely with three or four representatives from other businesses as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We only rolled out the website a month ago, but its impact has been immediate and enormous. Our processes for receiving orders, making payments, and communicating with customers are optimized so well that we've cut work times in half.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

WhatArmy assigned a team to design, build, launch, and manage the website. The only thing about the arrangement that didn't work for me was not being able to interact directly with the programmer.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I appreciated their reliability and problem-solving skills. Every step required complex customization and integration, mostly without precedent. Sometimes we adjusted or changed course, but we never got stuck. Even more importantly, I knew we wouldn't get stuck.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There's always room for improvement, but nothing stands out to me. They have been, and continue to be, exemplary.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the development and marketing manager at Youth Renewal Fund.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WhatArmy?

We were going through a brand refresh, so we were looking for a vendor to update our website.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They updated the backend of our WordPress website, creating new pages and features. They also helped us with the design. We're working on an anniversary campaign right now, so they're helping me with monthly content rollouts.

What is the team composition?

We mostly work with our account manager.

How did you come to work with WhatArmy?

We reached out to them on WeWork and they responded. After we talked to them on the phone, we decided they'd be a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $7,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in August 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We love the UX design and the functionality of the website. They're extremely responsive and resolve issues quickly.

How did WhatArmy perform from a project management standpoint?

They're good at taking my direction and they've met all of our deadlines. If our account manager is not available, there is always someone who can jump in and help us. We mostly use email and phone to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very attentive and check in on us regularly. Also, they're transparent and always let us know if they're not going to be in the office.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It'd be great if they could give us a little more direction and suggestions. They have a lot of experience, so we'd appreciate their recommendations.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the owner of Fresh Start Contracting Corp, a residential general contractor who specializes in renovations, additions, and new home construction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire WhatArmy?

We needed our website to be redone. It was outdated and couldn't support our new videos and photos that demonstrated our recent work. We wanted to give our clients confidence in our quality and to show our personality and professionalism.

What were your goals for this project?

We hoped to showcase our projects, educate clients about our company and our services, and allow clients to schedule estimates and contact us through the site. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We knew Chris (Founder, WhatArmy) and scheduled a meeting. We liked his expertise and enthusiasm, so we decided to move forward with them.

Describe the project in detail.

They worked with us to complete several pages, including the home page, portfolio, video tips, our list of services, and a contact page. They helped us incorporate social media blogs and pictures into the site, which allow clients to follow our work in real time.

What was the team composition?

We had one point of contact who acted as our project manager and liaison with the design team. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website is beautiful and shows off our work very nicely. Our clients and our team are all very impressed by how well the site came out.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management was very good, and their turnaround times were quick. The process was never tedious. They understood all our goals and were very easy to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their understanding of our goals and vision were exactly what we needed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They have a good system. We would have liked more updates on the budget, but they ultimately stayed within range, so that wasn't really a problem. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

JBarrows is focused on sales training. I am the COO of the company. I handle a lot behind the scenes and support our owner's client training.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with WhatArmy?

Our first challenge was to develop the website we had at the time. We wanted a clean, crisp, easy-to-navigate site for potential and existing clients to learn more about our services. We needed a company to put that vision into play.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our owner outlined guidelines for the desired feel. WhatArmy used them for the site design, development, and launch. They made sure everything was on-brand and made our vision a reality.

They organized existing content and resources, and made suggestions to fill gaps with new content. We had a plan for putting those together and anticipating future needs. We made sure that the website could handle those additional things.

The final element was understanding integrations. We use HubSpot for marketing and Salesforce as our CRM, so we set up those integrations. We also needed to plan for the future and consider issues that may arise. The site was built using WordPress.

We explained our strategy and vision to them, and they figured out how to make it a reality. This was also true for the additional work we did with WhatArmy. We used the same strategy of conveying our vision to a few people, who brought in the team and delivered the work.

We also worked on other web-based projects, including an online portal that delivered a version of our training. Another project determined goals and created designs for an asset management repository.

What is the team composition?

We worked with four to six people from their team on various parts of the project. We worked with one or two project managers, mostly for design and development tasks. The team went deeper depending on what we were working on, but we had one or two go-to people.

How did you come to work with WhatArmy?

We knew their owner from prior interactions. Being able to turn our principal’s vision into a reality was critically important. We were impressed that WhatArmy showed how they would do this for our company website. I wasn’t part of the initial discovery process, so I’m not sure about the additional steps. I’m sure that their proposal was thorough.

How much have you invested with them?

The website project cost $50,000–$70,000. The portal was a much larger project, in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our most recent engagement, looking at whether we should build a platform or buy one, was more consultative.

What is the status of this engagement?

The initial project with WhatArmy ran from February to June 2016. Over the years, we’ve tweaked it as needed. We redesigned some elements in the summer of 2017. It was a smaller project, but WhatArmy was still a trusted advisor in our technology space. Our company doesn’t have this expertise in-house.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We always hear that the website is clean and concise. It’s easy to navigate, without a lot of extras. This is partly by design, since we wanted it to be streamlined and straightforward. Navigating through the resources is fairly intuitive and simple. These elements are consistent with our goals for the site. The feedback has been consistent with our requests, so we consider it a big success.

How did WhatArmy perform from a project management standpoint?

They kept us in the loop about expectations. If they had any timing issues, tasks contingent on other tasks, or requirements even slightly outside the scope, they communicated well through the project manager. I had no complaints.

We communicated using phone and email. Our principal isn’t often in one place for a long time because of his travel schedule, so we handled most collaboration remotely. We had a couple meetings to walk through some things, but 95% of our interactions were email and phone conversations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re innovative and they did an excellent job. Any group can provide good services, but WhatArmy turned our vision into a reality rather than just doing what they’re good at. I can't say that about every technology partner I've had. They definitely get many gold stars.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s no truer testament than consistently using the same company for technology services. If we had any concerns or reasons to not work with them, we probably wouldn’t have continued to do so. We have a lot of options, but we've been very happy with their services.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be honest and open with them, and set expectations accordingly. If you don’t set appropriate expectations, or if those expectations change without being reset, it can be a challenge for everyone. Being straightforward and having a good relationship with the project manager are key.