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Unlocking the potential of the digital world

4.6
9 reviews

Bonsai Media Group is a digital advertising agency headquartered in Seattle. But our reach is worldwide.

 

We develop intuitive websites and apps for some of the largest and smallest companies in the world. And digital marketing done the same way. Smart design and data informed decisions iterated over and over until it surrenders every penny of value.

 

We do it the way you would do it, if you have about a thousand more hours a day. 

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$25,000+
 
$150 - $199 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2006
Show all +
Seattle, WA
headquarters
  • 1700 Westlake Ave N Ste 200
    Seattle, WA 98109
    United States
    206.528.2515

Portfolio

PLAN Washington

When PLAN Washington came to us, they had four different sites and inconsistent customer experiences. We worked with PLAN Washington to evaluate various platforms and engineer a solution that streamlined their business so that the management of membership, payments, events, and content could all happen in the same place.

Membership Organization | Non-profit Organization | Founded 2010 | Statewide Operation | 50

…
Employees

http://planwashington.org/

 

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Amazon Careers

Amazon came to Bonsai looking for an Umbraco website to provide Amazon employee’s with a roadmap to growing their career within Amazon. The site is only accessible within the Amazon network and is the default page for their work stations. Security and performance were of the utmost concern, as there is a lot of information they did not want the general public to have access to.

Tech | Publicly Traded | Global

…
Operations | Multilingual Capabilities | Business Offerings Across Multiple Markets and Industries | 550,000+ Employees
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Impinj

Impinj came to Bonsai looking for an Umbraco website that better reflected their offering and brand, is better optimized for search engines, had better social integrations, and converted more traffic into customers. In addition, Impinj needed the ability to dynamically present content specific to the users interests while having the ability to pin featured content while also automating and scheduling their content publishing

…
needs. Bonsai worked with Impinj from ideation (discovery) to implementation creating an impressive and intuitive web presence.

Software Industry | Publicly Traded | Global Operations | Multilingual Capabilities | Business Offerings Across Multiple Markets and Industries | 300+ Employees

https://www.impinj.com/

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Cascade Environmental

Bonsai refreshed Cascade’s website to match the scope of their business. Given the extensive nature of Cascade’s services, technologies, and subsidiaries, the main priority revolved around simplicity, ease-of-use, and digital marketing domination.

Energy Industry | Founded 2000 | Global Operations | Business Offerings Across Multiple Markets | 500 Employees

https://www.cascade-env.com/

Doublechekk

 The Doublechekk app is currently in beta, ready to launch in 2020.

Oakpointe Communities

https://www.oakpointe.com/

BarTender Software

https://www.bartendersoftware.com/

University of Washington

https://www.law.uw.edu/

Holy Names Academy

https://www.holynames-sea.org/

Kramer Leather

https://www.kramerleather.com/

Dragon Bicycles

https://dragonbicycles.com/

Chain Electric

https://www.chainelectric.com/

Union Gospel Mission

https://www.ugm.org/

Cyrene Apartments

https://cyreneseattle.com/

Reviews

4.6
9 reviews
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Web Dev for Religious Organization

"They can understand our needs and desires for our web presence sometimes before we even know what we want."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Apr. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group updated a 10-year-old website for a religious organization. They designed multiple templates and presented each mockup for rounds of feedback. The project is ongoing.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Seattle, Washington
Alex Henning
Digital Marketing Manager, Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The upgraded site has launched and met praise from users and stakeholders, leading to more work for Bonsai Media Group. Experienced and detail-oriented, the team delivers high-quality design and development work. They lead a smooth workflow thanks to their frequent communication and dedication.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Seattle's Union Gospel Mission is a passionate community of people who follow Christ in his relentless, redeeming love for all people. Our mission is to serve, rescue, and transform those in greatest need through the grace of Jesus Christ. I am the Digital Marketing Manager and I am responsible for the entire online footprint of the organization.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bonsai Media Group?

Our website was over 10 years old and on a clunky platform with limited abilities to customize and update. Bonsai listened to what we said was important to us and they presented a website that met all of our needs and even anticipated future needs.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to accurately communicate the heart of the Mission and the powerful stories of life-transformation that we get to see every day.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We sent out an RFP to multiple vendors and assessed things like time, cost, expertise in the area, market reputation, and understanding of who we are as an organization.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They designed mock up versions of each template involved and consulted with us on the thoughts and strategies behind every detail. We wanted a place that would make the changed lives of those walking out of homelessness and addiction easily available.

What was the team composition?

We worked with our project manager directly with consults occasionally directly from Jason, the owner of Bonsai Media Group.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The anecdotal feedback alone has been huge. Everyone from staff, volunteers, donors, to those in need have made numerous comments about the ease of our website. And that's in addition to our increased conversion rates and average site visit time.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

We set up a service level agreement with Bonsai to clarify expectations for communications right away. That included roles on both sides, who to include in emails and when, and an outline of our ongoing maintenance contract. We utilize video conferencing calls every other week for a check in, email for all account management communication, and teamwork for all tasks.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They can understand our needs and desires for our web presence sometimes before we even know what we want. They have also gone above and beyond as a vendor to get to know us as a client and our programs by spending time volunteering with us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

There is very little I would ask for them to improve upon. Some of their developers are working in different time zones, which can be difficult during business hours when we want to move things forward. But has been exponentially beneficial when things have gone awry on weekends or late in the evening.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Website & Digital Marketing for Gun Holster Manufacturer

“They’ve opened our eyes to new ways of doing business, especially with regard to digital marketing.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
July 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group built a website using Shopify and trained in-house staff on how to maintain it. They also provide ongoing digital marketing support and manage PPC campaigns.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Tacoma, Washington
Kimmy Kramer
COO, Kramer Leather
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They’re friendly, communicative, and dedicated. They took over an unsuccessful project from a previous vendor and delivered a new site within a month. Being highly specialized, Bonsai took the time to research the client’s industry and customer base to gain a greater understanding of what they do.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the COO of Kramer Leather. We’re a custom gun holster manufacturer with customers ranging from government agencies and police departments to everyday gun enthusiasts.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bonsai Media Group?

We had a mandatory performance upgrade that our previous vendor couldn’t comply with. We needed to find a company that could accomplish an entire website rebuild in a very short amount of time. They’ve also helped us with digital marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They began by building the website. We were looking for an end product that members of our team could update on the backend without it being too complicated because not everyone is tech-savvy. Desiring a user-friendly interface, they recommended using the Shopify platform. Once that was settled, they built out and launched the site for us in approximately one month.

After the site was live, we continued to work with them on some online marketing, which was fairly new to us as we were familiar with print ads. We launched several PPC campaigns and have worked on our social media promotion. In a short few months, we’ve noticed a steady increase in sales.

What is the team composition?

We had a team with a designated manager for the site redesign, as well as a small team with a representative who helps us with digital marketing.​

​​​​​​How did you come to work with Bonsai Media Group?

They were the first company I came across when I searched for local companies online. We also reached out to several other vendors, but it was clear from our initial phone call that they were a good fit and would make good partners for us. They understood the urgency of our initial project and made us feel confident that they could get it done.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $30,000–$35,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in July 2018 and they continue to work with us on marketing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our old site was outdated and limiting our growth. Just being mobile friendly has had a significant impact on our business because customers are able to clearly view the website. Our numbers have steadily increased, and we’re seeing that the majority of our business traffic is coming via mobile devices.

Not only is the layout more user-friendly, but also more attractive and offers a better experience for customers. We’ve received a lot of comments from users about how much they appreciate the new look and feel. We continue to see steady increases in contacts and sales, and it’s all due to the work of Bonsai Media Group.

How did Bonsai Media Group perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate up to three or four times per week by email in order to resolve any questions or requests. They’re very responsive, even replying late at night or on weekends. The team does a great job of explaining technical processes for people like me who aren’t familiar with how to manage the more complex components of a website, and have gone out of their way to send video tutorials so I could confidently train myself.

For marketing, we have video conferences once a month with an easy to understand breakdown of analytics.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The majority of their staff is young and up to date on the newest technologies in regard to web design and marketing. The members of Bonsai Media Group’s team work well together, and their communication skills are excellent.

Beyond that, they’re incredibly welcoming and invested in us. We even had a team member drop by on Christmas Eve to deliver a gift from their entire team. They clearly care about each individual client and are eager to help us find success.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m sure every company can improve on something, but everything they did for us was great and the pricing was fair.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a try! They have the expertise to help, and that was made clear from looking at their previous work. Everything that we’ve experienced with them has been hassle-free and yielded great results.

5.0
Overall Score They’ve made us feel like we’re part of their team.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    I was highly impressed that they built our new site and had it running smoothly in less than a month.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    There are cheaper companies available, but the quality they deliver is worth the extra cost.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They went above and beyond for us. They’ve opened our eyes to new ways of doing business, especially with regard to digital marketing.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve already recommended them.

Domain Migration for Property Company

“There was no downtime involved.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
May - Nov. 2018
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group provided domain migration services, transferring a web platform from Embraco to Azure.

The Reviewer
 
1,001-5,000 Employees
 
Spokane, Washington
Philip Poindexter
IT Director, Davenport Hotels Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The migration task was completed quickly and efficiently, with any downtime avoided and any last-minute changes handled smoothly. The team was organized, dedicated, and effectively managed the work within the tight timeframe and budget.

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We’re a multi-property company with five locations. I’m the director of IT systems for the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bonsai Media Group?

We needed the migration of domains from another firm using the Embraco platform to Azure, and to retain Bonsai Media.

What were your goals for this project?

To achieve seamless migration from Embraco to Azure platforms for one of our primary domains. We wanted to avoid any downtime.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Our due diligence made us aware that they have a successful track record in web migrations, with a high level of expertize and professionalism.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

They moved the site from its existing provider to be hosted on Azure. After that, they addressed any issues that arose as a direct result of the transition.

What was the team composition?

There were five members from Bonsai Media—a coordinator, one main sales contact, and some technical experts. On our side, there were three members from our IT team.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There was no downtime involved which was our primary goal, while several last-minute changes on our end were handled in an efficient and timely manner.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

The Bonsai group we worked with were extremely well organized and talented. From start to finish, their team coordinated all of the steps and tasks needed, and delivered on time and within the budget. They were a delight to work with.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They took control of the project immediately, setting up all the required conferences and meetings, which resulted in little work on our side.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Not that I can see. I’m impressed with this firm and their talented staff, so we’ll definitely be working with them on future projects.

5.0
Overall Score Based on the criteria, they delivered a five-star experience.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They were very efficient.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Their costs were in line with other firms.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    There were no issues—it was a seamless transition with successful results in the mandated time period.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I already have, and will continue to promote them.

Website & Digital Marketing for Environmental Services Firm

"Bonsai is a responsive agency that takes pride in what they do."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
July 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group revamped a website to fit the scope of a business. Their team also assists with digital marketing and branding. They now provide maintenance and help with additional development when needed.

The Reviewer
 
201-500 Employees
 
Washington
CIO, National Environmental Services Firm
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Bonsai’s work has significantly improved specific areas. Their dedication to understanding their clients and working as a partner benefits their engagements. Their team continues to grow and face any challenge head-on. Their proactiveness has spurred further involvement.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CIO of a national environmental firm. We deal with drilling and groundwater remediation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bonsai Media Group?

We wanted to address our internet presence, including SEO and social media reach.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bonsai refreshed our website to match the scope of our business. The main priority revolved around simplicity and ease-of-use. We place content on the CMS platform, but occasionally we outsource some of the work to their team.

Their team services all of our internet media. They perform monthly reviews of our web analytics, and we’ve optimized our SEO and social media campaigns around those results. Bonsai also assisted us with rebranding around 16 acquired companies and have consolidated them into a single brand.

Bonsai continues to provide web maintenance and reviewing our SEO metrics. Sometimes we seek their assistance when running specific campaigns.

What is the team composition?

My marketing team has worked with several project managers. My primary contact is Jason (CEO, Bonsai Media Group).

How did you come to work with Bonsai Media Group?

I had worked with Bonsai before working here and recommended that they interview them as a potential vendor for the website. Bonsai was selected for a variety of reasons, and they’ve been working with the firm ever since.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Bonsai in July 2015, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before working with Bonsai, we didn’t have SEO, and our search engine rankings were poor. We achieved all our goals. The firm is in the top one to three of different areas that we’ve optimized our rankings around. We’ve generated a significant number of website quotes.

There’s been a noticeable improvement in reach. We have a tool on our site where the public can report safety issues, and there’s been a substantial improvement in company safety. Bonsai has helped us become who we are today.

How did Bonsai Media Group perform from a project management standpoint?

It varies as we’ve worked with different project managers. When challenges arose, their team resolved them. Bonsai is a responsive agency that takes pride in what they do. This pride reflects in the work they produced.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bonsai’s willingness to learn our business and understand our goals and then pivot that understanding to developing our vision for us stands out. It is not a cookie cutter approach, but more of a partnership. Their team doesn’t need support from ours, which is a testament to their talent. They want to be partners, not only a vendor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If you asked me this two years ago, I would’ve commented on their communication. Their team has gotten better at pacing regular contact. Bonsai could transfer more knowledge on what the analytics mean and how they can improve to our team.

Any advice for potential customers?

When working with Bonsai, I would suggest looking over a communication schedule, which would be useful for both teams. If your company is looking to expand their internal team, they are a fantastic partner. But if you aren’t looking for that, you’d want to see how they will fit with your company.

5.0
Overall Score Bonsai is flexible, and the key to their success is striving to understand our business.
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    During our engagement, their team's communication has improved.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Bonsai is not inexpensive, but they provide great value for the money. I’d like to see more flexibility in their pricing structure.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I have recommended them in the past and will continue in the future. Bonsai has had successful projects with those customers.

Website Redesign for Commercial Interiors Company

“Bonsai Media was able to understand our business goals and become part of our team.”

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Apr. 2017 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group worked collaboratively with an in-house team to redesign an outdated website. They developed an interactive hero for the homepage to help users understand the main services.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Seattle, Washington
Matt Watson
Owner & CMO, Apex Facility Resources
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The website is very user-friendly and the interactive hero has increased the time customers spend on the site. Excellent communicators, Bonsai Media Group went above and beyond to meet all needs, while their expertise and ability to guide the process made them a reliable partner.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and CMO of Apex Facility Resources. We're a commercial services and furnishing company that helps customers manage the total life cycle of their workspace.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bonsai Media Group?

We wanted to update and refresh our website. We began working with another company but we were not satisfied, so we started looking for a new vendor.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, we met with Jason and discussed the design for our website. The online industry is changing very quickly, so we wanted to have a design that would be relevant for at least a couple of years. Then, they learnt about our company, our target audience, and what we were trying to achieve. They transformed our old website and developed an interactive hero for the homepage. The interactive hero provides users with a quick and engaging way to understand our main services.

What is the team composition?

I mostly work with Jason (CEO, Bonsai Media Group).

How did you come to work with Bonsai Media Group?

We knew Jason through networking.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent about $40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

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

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The website is attractive and user-friendly. It helps us better communicate our key messages, while the interactive hero has increased the amount of time users spend on the homepage.

It's a been a very productive engagement and we have a sense of working towards a common goal. They also have a very positive relationship with our marketing team.

How did Bonsai Media Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They have very strong communication skills. Also, they're very responsive and flexible.

What did you find most impressive about them?

As a workspace design and delivery service, we're always trying to understand what our customers want. Bonsai Media was able to understand our business goals and become part of our team.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. Anytime we get out of communication with them, we get back on track very quickly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They're very knowledgeable, so let them educate you. I learnt so much during our meetings with Jason.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They're doing a great job, but we can always do something more.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Dev & Design for Utility Services Company

"They go through a strenuous QA process so that the product matches your objectives."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
June 2015 - Dec. 2016
Project summary: 

Bonsai Media Group designed and developed the website and printed collateral for an emerging utility services company. They provided similar services for subsidiary properties and coordinated SEO efforts.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Seattle, Washington
Jack Story
CIO, Primeline Utility Services
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Bonsai Media Group exhibited a thorough and attentive project management approach, which yielded a successful engagement and a long-term partnership. The team’s eagerness to fully understand the industry raised the caliber of their work and resulted in valuable deliverables.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the CIO and CTO of Primeline Utility Services. We specialize in utility construction services. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bonsai Media Group?

Our company is only about four years old. When we were first starting, we engaged Bonsai Media Group to help us develop our website and all elements of our brand.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We relied on Bonsai Media Group to develop our website, our digital properties, and the print collateral that we bring to trade shows and conferences. Their team produced those deliverables for our corporate office and our seven subsidiaries. Once our website was live, Bonsai Media Group properly optimized it so that we ranked highly in online searches.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked closely with Jason (Co-founder/CEO, Bonsai Media Group) and Maria (Creative Director, Bonsai Media Group). Maria has served as our overall account manager, but she initially also coordinated the development and creative work. She now oversees a team of developers.

How did you come to work with Bonsai Media Group?

In my search, Bonsai Media Group was mentioned several times by several people in my network. My vendor selection traditionally comes down to trust in the partnership. We’re headquartered in Seattle, so there are a lot of companies that offer similar services. Bonsai Media Group won my business when Jason and his team spent 6–8 hours in several meetings to understand our industry before we even talked about a brand and a website. They entrenched themselves in our business. We had four different agencies vying for the project, but none of them did the extra work to truly understand our operation.

How much have you invested with them?

When considering the work they’ve completed for us and all of our subsidiaries, it’s totaled around $130,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The website and collateral development project spanned June 2015–December 2016. However, they provide occasional maintenance services for our site. We will also engage them to make the required changes when we make an acquisition or when something drastic changes about our business or our service offerings.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Not only did they help us develop our brand and our messaging, but their SEO work has also helped us become more visible on a national scale. Bonsai Media Group excelled in building our website and our brand and making sure that our services are recognized.

How did Bonsai Media Group perform from a project management standpoint?

They were outstanding in this regard, and they proved it early on. Bonsai Media Group submitted a proposal that detailed their daily and weekly project plans. They walked us through the life cycle of their development—from concept to design to engineering to QA to customer’s approval.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team takes the time up front to understand your industry regardless of the project size. Further, with how often developers in Seattle move jobs, Bonsai Media Group operates in a way that makes it easy for new developers to enter and quickly pick up the project. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and there are no surprises at the end.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve been great. I have no complaints.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Bonsai Media Group is capable of delivering on all expectations, but they are also well-equipped to recommend and provide ancillary services that can further help your business. I’d suggest giving their ideas honest consideration.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They go through a strenuous QA process so that the product matches your objectives.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design and Social Media Marketing for Restaurant Chain

“I appreciated Bonsai Media Group's organization and workflow.”

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
Confidential
Project summary: 

Bonsai developed a website with user credentials, custom accounts, and social media integration. The objective was to generate an increase in user engagement, brand awareness, and presence on social networks.

The Reviewer
 
United States
Marketing Manager, Restaurant Chain
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

After the site’s launch, fan growth on several social networks has increased by up to 20%, while the new site itself saw an 8% increase in traffic and a 13% increase in time on site. Bonsai’s expertise in project management and web development allowed them to deliver excellent results.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We are a quick service restaurant chain in the Pacific Northwest. 

What is your role at the company?

I am the marketing manager.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was the business challenge that you were trying to address with Bonsai Media Group?

To create an engaging web platform for a brand-centric, social media-rooted consumer contest. We wanted to increase sales and guest counts, educate consumers on brand values, engage in the social media space, and increase fan and follower counts on relevant brand social media channels.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

Bonsai created a website that proved to be the heart of our Fan Challenge social media contest. The site featured user credentials, custom accounts, and social sharing in addition to being the home of challenges themselves – five levels of centric challenges that allowed users to gain points upon challenge completions. The site also featured a leaderboard for contestants to gauge their standing regularly in relation to other participants.

How did you come to work with Bonsai Media Group?

Bonsai was selected by our social media partner. 

When was the project completed?

It ended in November 2012.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

We got great results from the work they did for us. It was a very positive engagement. Our social media growth was 12 percent Facebook fan growth, 20 percent Foursquare growth, and 6 percent Twitter growth. Our restaurant website growth had an 8 percent increase in traffic for the same period month prior. The average time onsite had a 13 percent increase in time on page for the same period month prior. The traveler landing page saw a 120 percent increase in traffic in the same period month prior and a 99 percent increase in time spent on page in the same period month prior. Our Health Coach saw a 647 percent increase in traffic for the same period month prior and a 59 percent increase in time spent on page during the same period month prior. The app saw a 49 percent increase in traffic during the same period month prior and an 8 percent decrease in time spent on page for the same period month prior.

How did Bonsai Media Group perform?

I appreciated Bonsai Media Group's organization and workflow. They met all expectations for the project. They were also very communicative.

Are there areas in which they could improve?

I can't think of any.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design for Health Organization

“It's been a very difficult process for our team.”

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2.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
3.0
Willing to refer: 
1.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
Feb. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai develops a website to showcase information about a health care initiative. The team took the concept — which was unprecedented — and is performing the design and coding of the website.

The Reviewer
Manager, Health Organization
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The website — which was just released — has been received with positive remarks by the users. The development process, however, requires a third-party to manage the team. Bonsai, while knowledgeable, could improve in customer relations.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I work for a child health system.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with the Bonsai Media Group?

We needed to build out a whole new website for our initiative.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of Bonsai's involvement in detail.

We had a new idea to help child health systems reform health care. We're asking those systems to think more about prevention care as opposed to chronic care models. Because both the concept and the project were so new, we needed Bonsai Media Group for their web design services, but they also provided a lot of guidance to help us actually understand the process of creating a website. Even though none of us are really tech-focused and none of us have designed websites before, we had plenty of great ideas as to what we wanted the website to be about. There was a real need for someone not just to build a website, but really to help build out our vision and think collaboratively with us.

How did you come to work with the Bonsai Media Group?

We found them through a recommendation from another developer with whom I had worked on another project. However, we did go through a full and open bid process where we sent out request for proposals to about 15 different firms.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this project in financial terms?

We have a tight budget, and we're capped at $100,000 for the total project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Bonsai in February of this year, and we're still currently working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics, metrics, or other feedback from this project?

We just officially launched the website today [September 2015], and we're very pleased with it. We're already receiving quite a bit of positive feedback from people who are part of our community. As far as the process of developing the site was concerned, however, that's been less than pleasurable. In fact, we wound up having to spend money to hire a third party to manage the Bonsai Media Group.

It's been a very difficult process for our team. We found ourselves in a position where we just could not work directly with our developer. It was just not a very positive experience. That third party that we wound up hiring was actually the individual who brought the Bonsai Media Group to us.

Is there anything Bonsai Media Group could have improved or done differently?

The person we were working with from Bonsai is probably a very talented developer; however, he should never be the one to interact with customers. He's simply not very good at handling customer relations at all. In fact, he tends to use language that is threatening in nature and quite counter-productive.

We were at a point where we felt like we just wanted to get the project over with. We definitely didn't want to pull out, but we certainly couldn't continue to have what was becoming a continuing confrontation between Bonsai's developer and just about every one of our staff members. We brought in this other developer, who had really been counseling us behind the scenes every time one of these issues would blow up with Bonsai. I guess he was trying to work behind the scenes with Bonsai's developer, even to the point of coaching him, but the situation was untenable for us. We wound up putting our new developer on retainer to be the go-between and deal with Bonsai.

2.0
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 3.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    I would have rated this higher if we didn't have to spend extra money to finish the project. Any time you have to incur additional cost that really, as far as we're concerned, was completely necessary, it's not good...
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 1.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design for Electrical Company

“[T]hey are delivering exactly what we need in a very cost-effective manner.”

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5.0

Quality: 
4.0
Schedule: 
3.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
4.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Mar. 2015 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Bonsai is developing a mobile-friendly website which can be used to post information and showcase services.

The Reviewer
 
United States
Director of Business Development, Electrical Company
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Bonsai captured the requirements and delivered a product according to the specifications. Furthermore, the team went beyond and resolved an issue with images not displaying properly on some devices. Bonsai’s CEO receives positive remarks for his attentiveness and personal involvement in the project.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We're based in the United States, and we are a utility construction services company. We're a holding company for about six businesses that provide utility solutions to power companies.

What is your position?

I am the director of business development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with the Bonsai Media Group?

We were looking for someone to partner with us to build a website for our company.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

We wanted to create an industry-leading website that was mobile friendly and descriptive of what we do in a simple, straightforward way. The Bonsai Media Group helped us build that website. They were successful in getting us what we needed.

How did you come to work with the Bonsai Media Group?

I actually had met with about five different vendors nationwide. Bonsai was referred to us by a consultant who is working for us on the IT [information technology] side. He was clearly able to get across what we needed from a delivery standpoint, and Bonsai was able to accommodate those needs.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

We have spent somewhere in the $10,000 to $50,000 range working with Bonsai.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them at the end of March 2015, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics, metrics or other feedback from this engagement?

Bonsai is working on putting our site into production today, so we really don't have any hard data as yet. But, Bonsai Media Group has been very attentive to our needs and has really gone above and beyond to make sure that, at the end of the day, we will be happy with what they are delivering. They've done a great job.

What distinguishes Bonsai Media Group from other providers?

We were at a point where the resolution of images weren't exactly what we wanted because every device is different. I was very impressed with their owner [Jason Labaw]. He took time out of his busy schedule to spend a day working through that problem and coming back to us with an action plan on how to make those images look better. I was very impressed with his attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond for us to make things right.

Is there anything the Bonsai Media Group could have improved or done differently?

We need to improve our communication process on both ends. They went down the path of building a static site for us, but because of the changes we were asking for that never came to fruition. The project was delayed but, at the end of the day, they are delivering exactly what we need in a very cost-effective manner.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 3.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.0 NPS
    Willing to refer