Wood Street, Inc.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

The Summit Foundation is a private family foundation that seeks to promote the health and well-being of the planet by achieving gender equality, protecting the earth’s biodiversity, and making cities livable. I’m the office manager, and one of my tasks is managing the website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We hired Wood Street to refresh our website. Our previous site was outdated and disorganized.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to present content on our site in a more digestible manner for our readers while still maintaining our essence as an organization.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We researched and spoke with several web developers. Of those, three met our needs and budget, but Wood Street provided the clearest project timeline and the best understanding of our values. Wood Street was the obvious choice.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Wood Street built a new site from scratch. We worked with their team to create a color palette, homepage, and content layout. Our team decided on a blog format for program updates and announcements. Each of our programs has a landing page detailing the purpose, and then another page with in-depth information. We also worked on site navigation by connecting all parts of our site with fewer clicks between pages.

What was the team composition?

We had two points of contact: a project manager and head designer. There were three additional designers as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We had little expertise in web development, but Wood Street and their team were patient with us. There was a clear idea of what we wanted, but we didn’t know how to accomplish our goal. Wood Street delivered in getting our foundation the right look and feel for the website.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management was effective and efficient. We had in-person meetings when needed and had conversations over conference calls. There was a quick turnaround for edits. If there were any delays, it wasn’t by much. We used Basecamp to exchange materials.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

What I found most impressive was their passion. Wood Street also worked well with their team and knew how to manage expectations and deadlines.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, not at this time.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a partner with Talon Construction, a home design and build remodeling company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

Our company website was out of date and not mobile-friendly, and we’d seen a decline in web traffic in recent years. We needed to add photos and other content, so we decided to invest in a web redesign and rebuild.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed a mobile-friendly site that could host new content easily. We wanted our traffic to double by the end of the year, and we wanted to increase the number of inquiries received through our website contacts.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with them on our initial website, and we were highly satisfied with their work and their customer service.

Describe the project in detail.

We initially met several times to discuss our company goals and what we needed to be able to do with the new website. We established the design and layout early in the process and laid the groundwork for the rest of the pages. They developed a program to enter new content and photos.

What was the team composition?

We initially met with Jon (President, Wood Street, Inc.) Jason (Vice President) and Jamie (Creative Director) guided us through content input, and Derek (Web Development Manager) assisted with QA.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our site hasn’t launched yet, but the program used to enter new content and photos was easy to use and critical to the success of the final product.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Their project management was outstanding. They kept us informed of what they needed from us and where the process was headed. Their dashboard helped manage the workflow and it was easy to use.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We learned so much about web design, UX, and optimization. They provided a platform to reach our goals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, we’re completely satisfied.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Executive Director of the Grand Challenges for Social Work, an initiative launched within the University of Maryland’s School of Social Work. Nationwide, 26 universities serve as partners in the Grand Challenges.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We engaged Wood Street, Inc. to build two websites. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a professional and user-friendly web presence that showcases our work and content.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We issued a request for proposal (RFP) for web development services. Wood Street, Inc.’s bid stood out from the competition.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Wood Street, Inc. developed two websites for our initiative. They now support us by building site modifications and plug-ins. They also advise us on communications and other areas of consulting.

What was the team composition?

We work with several members of the Wood Street, Inc. team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We now have a robust web presence thanks to Wood Street, Inc.’s work on our websites and communications. We’re highly satisfied with their talented team.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The team leads a productive workflow. They excel at coordinating timelines, deliverables, and task assignments. We have scheduled calls to check in on progress and address immediate action items.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Wood Street, Inc. leads a kind and highly knowledgeable team. Their high-quality work and valuable insights come at an excellent value. We truly enjoy our collaboration.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a national transportation consultant aimed at modernization and optimization. Our services include traffic engineering, transportation planning, and sustainability improvement services for developers, property owners, and commuters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We hired them to create a new WordPress site for our firm, one with the latest technical and SEO improvements.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted our site to sit on a user-friendly platform, one where we could easily respond to strategic marketing needs. We also wanted a site that would help us express our expertise and help future clients find us more easily as we refresh our brand with an eye toward digital marketing.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They impressed us not only as web developers and designers who were technically savvy and experienced but also as digital creatives who understand how digital marketing works.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We conducted an initial round of planning and selected a design, then they implemented the design on web pages that met our marketing needs. We worked on the visual customization with our in-house designer, then they worked with our IT team to launch the WordPress site on our platform.

What was the team composition?

We communicated with senior management and their design and technical team members.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We installed all SEO-related tools and content management tools we needed on the backend of the site, and that allowed us to implement our strategic marketing goals. We’ve also heard feedback that clients have discovered us more easily due to our content marketing.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We communicated mostly through Basecamp, and we found that straightforward and easy to use. At times, we emailed with them or talked on the phone. No communication method was off limits, which we appreciated.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They understood that our goal that our goal was to create something that was going to help us improve our marketing. We got the sense that they wanted us to be happy. There were never technical issues that were beyond their capability to solve. For example, they were flexible about making some coding tweaks on the homepage of our site.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can’t think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the managing partner at Dr. Backup, LLC. We’re an online company that provides computer backups to small and mid-sized businesses across the US and Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We needed a vendor to assist with web design and development and provide custom programming services to integrate those web functions with our internal operations.

What were your goals for this project?

We were looking to completely revamp our decade-old website with a new interface and updated marketing strategies. Additionally, we wanted to integrate a customer-facing portal and order-processing screens directly into the platform.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Wood Street, Inc. is a long-time member of our local chamber of commerce, and they’ve been speaking at gatherings for many years, so we approached them. We were impressed with their personal integrity and interest in establishing a long-term relationship.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

We provided hand-drawn sketches and copies of our legacy website, and Wood Street, Inc. translated them into a custom WordPress platform with extensive PHP programming in the backend. They implemented improved design elements and features, making sure each screen was responsive on all devices. The finished site fulfilled all of our requests. The team also helped us create a suite of print materials. Their services are ongoing.

What was the team composition?

We started the engagement working with senior staff to discuss the project and plan the scope. Then, we spoke with a graphic artist to create mock-ups and a programmer to code the backend functionality. We’ve interacted with a few other staff members throughout our partnership as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website’s facelift completely modernized our image from our customer’s perspective. The customized modules that Wood Street, Inc. helped us implement increased our efficiency, allowing both staff and customers to easily generate online documentation in minutes. The suite of marketing materials has helped us drive traffic to our website, which has really boosted business.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We began with a single point of contact, but we gradually started communicating with a variety of resources. We established a shared message-board system on Basecamp to facilitate team-wide interactions and archive every step of the design and development process. A professional and responsible team, Wood Street, Inc. also devised an efficient testing mechanism to help us launch the site. They continue to handle minor issues quickly, which saves me time. I can count on them to take care of my website; the team shows an unwavering level of commitment.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’ve been extremely responsive not only during the design and development phases but after we launched the initial site as well. We’ve completed several changes and iterations over the past couple of years, and they’ve been consistently great.

The Wood Street, Inc. team is also very candid. They provide honest advice on all aspects of our partnership, including both project management and technical elements. They’re very clear about what’s working and what’s not.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Basecamp is a functional project management tool, but it’s not completely intuitive in our use case. I think Wood Street, Inc. should look into leveraging some newer collaboration tools.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We’re a national nonprofit members' association serving foundations and funders with few or no staff. I run the membership, marketing, and communications teams.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We needed a completely refreshed website that synced with our database, provided a robust search function, and had better UX elements overall. There was a lot of information that needed to be presented in various formats, while still being clear and accessible, and quickly communicating who we are.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to increase user satisfaction with our website and see an increase in our number of web visits and the level of engagement with our content.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended to us, so we had them fill out an RFP. It met all our needs, budget restrictions, and timeline expectations. Upon meeting Jon-Mikel (President, Wood Street, Inc.), we knew they would be a good fit.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They designed and implemented an entirely new website for us. They began by mocking up designs, and then they gave feedback on our information architecture. After that, they worked with our SalesForce developer to integrate a single sign-on process, helped with our hosting options, and uploaded content and graphics.

What was the team composition?

The was one main project lead who did the work. Other team members were pulled in as needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were amazing strategic partners at every step in the process. We’re continually receiving positive feedback on our site, and other consultants in our industry have been using it as a good example to their clients. Overall, we’re thrilled with the results.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We had regular phone calls and used Basecamp to communicate about the project between calls. They were able to meet a very tight deadline for us, too.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The good relationship they built with us made it easy to work with their entire team.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, I can't name anything specific.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a digital marketing executive at Vizion Interactive. We’re a digital marketing company that specializes in paid and organic search marketing. We also have experience with all digital marketing channels as well as website design and optimization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We needed a partner with whom we could build several enterprise-level websites.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to build social promotion websites that had a clean, presentable design and an index- and SEO-friendly structure. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We’d worked with them on a couple of previous projects, including our own corporate website redesign. So, when a large entertainment firm contacted us to develop sites for their movie launches, we immediately talked to Wood Street. They have an immense work ethic and are able to deliver quality work under pressure.

Can you go into detail about the services they provided and the scope of the project?

In the past, Wood Street has designed, implemented, and handled entire website builds, including any and all front- and backend modifications our clients requested. They also cover the technical and artistic work for every project.

Because this current project is for an active client with several NDAs in place, I can't go into specific details. The project consists of three parts. First, WOOD Street has to design a template that accommodates all promotional aspects of the movie as it goes through various releases (e.g., in theatres, on DVD). Second, they must incorporate the individual design elements that were approved via our client’s legal negotiations with various stakeholders related to the movie. Finally, they need to launch the sites and update them with news and highlights as they arise.

What was the team composition?

We work with their president and one of their co-founders.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

With the Wood Street team’s immense help, we're able to accomplish all of our builds and regularly receive praise from our clients. Our current client is ecstatic about Wood Street’s work and both enjoys and respects their input. They’re looking to become a long-term client with us and Wood Street.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Project management is handled in a primary (me) and secondary (Wood Street’s president and co-founder) structure. We work together to provide the best possible project flow and outcome for our joint client. The client is extremely happy with our ability to always be available when something comes up.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I honestly can’t say enough about them. They’ve never been stuck in a rut, and they consistently over-deliver, efficiently producing beautiful work. The team at Wood Street is thorough and consistent, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who needs website design and development help.

Are there any areas where they can improve?

I can’t think of any areas we've run into that need improvement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the fourth generation owner of a retail jewelry store in historic downtown Frederick.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We needed to revamp our current website with a clean, appealing vibe that stayed approachable while conveying the luxury of our merchandise. 

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a user-friendly, beautiful design that was also easy to maintain. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We had hired Wood Street, Inc. to develop previous versions of our website, and were always beyond happy.

Describe the project in detail.

They conceptualized and redesigned our complete website. 

What was the team composition?

We met with multiple staff members. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We got a lot of positive feedback on the design and its ease of use. We're beyond happy with the product. 

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Everything worked great. We didn't have any communication issues, and everyone was responsive. 

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They produced beautiful designs and showed vast technical knowledge. Most companies excel in one of those areas, but not both. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

I can't think of anything. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a co-owner of a branding studio for small and mid-sized businesses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Wood Street, Inc.?

We hired Wood Street, Inc. to transfer our website hosting to another server and to arrange an SSL certificate.

What were your goals for this project?

We needed to transfer our website to a new hosting service with as little interruption of service as possible.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We have worked with them in the past on projects for our clients. Wood Street, Inc. has always been responsive, and they deliver excellent work. We chose them because we trust them and are familiar with their abilities.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They managed the project from start to finish. They switched our hosting accounts and migrated our files from one hosting company to the other rather seamlessly—ensuring that the new company was compatible with WordPress. They also procured an SSL certificate.

What was the team composition?

We worked primarily with Jon (President, Wood Street, Inc.) and Derek (Web Development Manager, Wood Street, Inc.).

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

This has been a critical move for our business. We are now able to help our clients in a faster and more efficient way.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Their management of this project, and all of our past projects, was very efficient. They are constant communicators, and they responded quickly to all of our questions.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The timeliness of their work certainly stands out, but we also appreciate their knowledge of their craft and the industry. They aim to accomplish every task correctly the first time.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, they have met all of our requirements.