BWR - Out of Business

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a freelance copy and content writer, so I help a variety of websites describe their businesses and create content in well written and professional English grammar. I also do travel writing for magazines.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with BWR Web Design?

The goal was to reciprocate business, so they would create websites for me, and in turn they would contact their customers and offer them my copywriting services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The two sites that I wanted to create were for both the copywriting side of the business as well as the travel writing and an associated online shop. We originally built the sites on WordPress, and later on in the project we added a template called Divi as well.

The goal with the store was to sell 15–20 items just to make some money on the side, as well as to donate 10% of the profits to an Alzheimer’s and Dementia charity in memory of my mother.

What was the team composition?

David (Owner) was the only one I interacted with throughout the project.

How did you come to work with BWR Web Design?

I found them because they were a local company, so I thought it would be easier to collaborate with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The normal cost for these projects is around £400, but since we had a somewhat reciprocal arrangement, I got a slight discount of the two websites for £500 (approximately $600 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

As far as he’s concerned it’s finished, but in my opinion, he never delivered the services he promised from the engagement.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

David was far more interested in doing SEO for the site than in actually updating the content or frontend beyond the initial setup. Instead, he insisted that I make any changes I wanted from there — even though I didn’t know how to use WordPress — and then asked for $70 a month to perform “SEO” without giving me any details about what he would be doing specifically.

How did BWR Web Design perform from a project management standpoint?

His project management skills were deplorable. I don’t know what changes he might still be making to the website but I have been trying to fix things myself despite the limited knowledge I have of the technical side, and his lack of professionalism has only been a detriment to those efforts.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I wish I could provide a highlight of the work, but ultimately, when you go into an engagement like this you expect to have the final say on your vision for the work, and this guy basically just dumped a half-finished product in my lap and then disappeared.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Listening to his customers and then actually trying to do what they have asked would be a good start.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don’t want anyone else to have to have the experience that I did with them. You’ll only end up wasting your money.

UPDATED REVIEW

This update was added on September 20, 2020. The original ratings were Quality: .5, Scheduling: .5, Cost: 2, Willingness to Refer: .5, Overall: 1

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What is the status of this engagement?

The Campbell Writing website was completed satisfactorily. The website for Far Side Travels was not completed at first, but after further discussion extra work was done to complete the website and apologies were accepted.

How did your relationship with the vendor evolve?

Good at first, then some disagreements, but ultimately satisfactory and professional.

How did BWR Web Design address the challenges that arose?

At first, they were reluctant, but eventually understood the customer's needs are
paramount. We disagreed originally but then came to a compromise to get the job done professionally and on time.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

It has made me need more interaction with vendors so we are both on the same page. Expectations were high and compromise was needed in the end to reach those expectations.

How was project management handled?

Mutually and within reason.

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

The vendor eventually understood the customer's requirements and showed professionalism to get the work completed.

In what specific areas can they improve?

Work from an agreed plan and list all work to do on the project, getting it signed off by the customer for each section.

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

Make sure you have regular contact with BWR and that you are happy with each section of the work provided.

Company Responses

The vendor responded on July 30, 2020.

Dear Tim,

I'm sorry for the bad experience in not managing to meet your expectations as a customer. This is most uncommon for me if you see my other online reviews.

I'm happy to discuss the specifics to get this right and perhaps find another company that can better accommodate your needs. 

Once again sorry and hope we can change this around to match all my other reviews.