ChopDawg.com

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Cosmos Technologies LLC, a company building a dating and social connectivity app. We go by Cosmos and are still in the startup phase.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We hired ChopDawg.com to help us design and develop our mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg.com is helping us design and develop our mobile app from scratch. We’re four months into the design phase, and there are four other months ahead of us for the development phase. Once they deliver the app, they’ll stay with us for maintenance and bug fixes for a short period of time.

This dating app is unique and will feature a totally novel formula based on video chats because we want to solve a lot of the problems the existing swipe-and-match apps have. Moreover, the app will be available for iOS and Android.

What is the team composition?

We mainly work with Joshua (CEO), who is our main point of contact. Additionally, there’s a group of 3–4 teammates from ChopDawg.com building our app, including a lead designer.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

We found ChopDawg.com on Clutch and really liked that they had built dating apps in the past. During the vetting process, we interviewed a number of developers. When we interviewed ChopDawg.com, I got to know Joshua and thought that he and his company would provide a lot of value to our company throughout the app development and design process.

How much have you invested with them?

Thus far, we’ve spent $80,000, and this is a $160,000 project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around late November 2022, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

ChopDawg.com’s app development has been exceptional. Initially, we had a vision of the quality level we wanted to accomplish. Still, they’re exceeding that level. When we open the app and interact with it, the feeling we get is exceeding our expectations.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

ChopDawg.com has met our deadlines and stayed on budget. Joshua is virtually available 24/7, which is great for a business owner. He does a phenomenal job at communicating with us. Additionally, we have video meetings with the lead designer once or twice per week. As for collaboration tools, we use Zoom, Slack, and Figma.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Overall, ChopDawg.com has a strong customer focus. Joshua is a great communicator and has a bold personality. He does a great job at trying to meet the customer’s needs and demands. If he can’t, he tries to find a way or a direction to guide the customer in. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t know how ChopDawg.com could improve; they’ve been very good so far. We’ve hit some design roadblocks regarding the branding. However, those issues have more to do with having patience and being more resourceful on our end than they have to do with ChopDawg.com’s design work. Additionally, we’ve had some contractual issues, but those have been caused because we’re very novel to the field.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust them. Joshua is very trustworthy, so he’s going to listen to you and tell you what he really thinks. Thus, be open with them and give them a chance because they’ll do a great job for you. We’re very glad that we picked them because they’ve done a great job for us.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Winelikes, a social media app for wine knowledge and wine enthusiasts where they can build a community and post pictures and videos of their wine experience. Our app also has an educational component to it that includes features. Additionally, it has a food-pairing feature where users can look up the food they’re cooking or eating and get recommendations for pairing wines.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

I didn’t have much experience with app development, so I reached out to ChopDawg.com to take my idea, transfer it to paper, and then develop an actual mobile app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg.com has helped me design and develop my social media app using Figma for UI/UX designs and prototyping. The app is available for iOS and Android devices and has a web version. Its features include a social feed where users can post photos and videos, either using their phone cameras or uploading content from their phones’ media galleries.

Additionally, users can post comments, review wines, and tag people. Another cool feature is that users can take quizzes and earn points, as well as submit quizzes themselves for approval. As previously mentioned, the app also includes a food-pairing feature.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with ChopDawg.com for over two years, so I’ve worked with a lot of their teammates, including Joshua (CEO), Tammy (Chief Experience Officer), and Sami (Developer).

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I found them during a Google search. Initially, I had a conversation with Joshua (CEO), and we just clicked. He understood my idea and what I was going for. Then, he introduced me to the rest of the team, and we started working together.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent over $125,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2021, and our engagement is ongoing. Although ChopDawg.com has already delivered the app and gone through beta testing, we’re now in the process of launching it. We’ve already received approval from the App Store, so we’re just waiting for approval from the Google Play Store.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

ChopDawg.com has delivered a beautiful, clean, and well-designed app. Their developers translated the Figma designs perfectly, so the actual app looks great now that we can hold it in our hands.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

ChopDawg.com has stayed on budget perfectly. However, meeting deadlines was a little bit complicated initially because we started this project during the COVID-19 pandemic, so we experienced shutdowns, and people weren’t always working. Still, ChopDawg.com has come through and delivered the app to me.

Throughout the development process, we experienced some bugs and crashes, although most of them weren’t major issues. Still, ChopDawg.com has fixed every issue within 24 hours. Their team has always known what is happening and what they are doing.

As for collaboration tools, we mainly use Slack and Jira. Tammy and Joshua always reach out to me via Slack, text messages, or phone calls — they’re very responsive.

What did you find most impressive about them?

ChopDawg.com is excellent at listening to their client’s needs and helping them design great apps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing ChopDawg.com could improve on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Feel free to ask any questions; for Joshua and his team, there are no silly questions. ChopDawg.com is very approachable, and they’re there to help you.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was published on October 19, 2021.

Jeff Gills

Owner, Winelikes

Food & Beverages

11-50 Employees

Los Angeles, California

$10,000 to $49,999

Feb 2021 - Ongoing

Project summary:

ChopDawg.com created a prototype for a wine-based app using Figma. Moving forward, they’ll help the client develop the whole app that will connect sommeliers, wine buyers, distributors, bars, and restaurants.

Feedback summary:

The client is satisfied with the prototype created by ChopDawg.com, and they hope to continue the collaboration. The team has brought their expertise to the table, helping flesh out the client’s idea. They’re also flexible, patient, and knowledgeable, and they get the work done.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Winelikes. We’re developing a wine-based app to connect people who love wine, including sommeliers, buyers, distributors, bars, and restaurants.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

I needed help with the development of my app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

When I approached ChopDawg, they helped me flesh out my idea. Then, they helped me build the prototype of my app using Figma. We just finished the prototype, but I intend to keep working with them to create the app.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with about five people from ChopDawg, including Joshua (CEO).

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I did a Google search looking for app developers, and I interviewed three companies. At the time, I just had the idea in my head, and I felt that Joshua and I connected the most. He was so helpful in helping me flesh out my idea over the phone, even when I was just getting estimates, and I really liked his demeanor. Thus, I went with ChopDawg.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $20,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working around March 2021, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The best result is that ChopDawg has helped me define my idea and come up with a prototype for my project. They’ve brought their expertise to the table, and they’ve given me as much advice as I’ve given them. Currently, I’m very satisfied with their work.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

ChopDawg’s project management is great. This isn’t my primary job, so sometimes, things come up from my end. However, my project manager and the whole team have been very flexible to calendar changes, and they always get the work done. They’ve also been very patient with my team whenever we have other duties we need to prioritize. We use Slack to communicate.

What did you find most impressive about them?

From Joshua to the project manager, ChopDawg’s knowledge is impressive. I don’t have a background in app development, but they’ve helped me with my idea, showing me what works and what doesn’t. Their suggestions always make a lot of sense, and I hope to concrete a great business idea with their help.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they’ve been great in all aspects. I’m looking forward to having a long-term relationship with ChopDawg because I have some other app ideas to explore.

STAR RATINGS

Overall rating: 5

Quality: 5

Cost: 5

Schedule: 5

Willing to refer: 5

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a marketplace and live-shopping company for the sports card industry. Before this venture, I was the co-founder of an early-stage investment application for cryptocurrencies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

Originally I was working with a partner of mine on doing a round-up-style investment tool for cryptocurrency. Our idea was that every time a user made a transaction, the app would round up that transaction to the next single dollar value, and those cents would be the user’s investment into a basket of cryptocurrencies of their choice.

However, none of us had the technical knowledge to develop an app. We knew we had to partner with a company that understood what we were trying to build and had the resources on their end to design and develop a fully functioning mobile and web app for us. Our biggest challenge was finding a trusted partner who could take our ideas and create an app that fit into the current industry and market while making it robust enough to resonate with users and consumers.

Our second challenge was finding someone with experience in moving from a startup to an enterprise company so that they could guide us and help us understand what market top players we could go after. Thus, we decided to partner with ChopDawg.com to develop this app.

Later, I partnered with a friend of mine to develop a sports card marketplace; we both had been in the sports card hobby for multiple years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we started collecting and buying cards heavily, and we realized that there wasn’t a platform that served as a one-stop shop for doing these collectible transactions. Thus, I partnered with ChopDawg.com again to create a completely robust and open-ended live-shopping experience for the sports card industry.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the cryptocurrency investment app project, we underwent a pretty standard development process. First, we met with ChopDawg.com to discuss the scope of work and define the different aspects of what we wanted to build. From there, Joshua (CEO) and his team selected the right account manager, designers, and developers to address the scope of work we had defined.

ChopDawg.com then took 3–3.5 months to go through the design phase. Throughout this process, we made some adjustments to refine the end product according to what we wanted it to be. Once the design was finished, they were in charge of the entire development and implementation process.

Now, ChopDawg.com is working on our second project: the sports card marketplace. The process has been similar to the first project, and we’re currently in the design phase. Their current scope includes creating an MVP for both web and mobile apps. Once we finish with the design phase, they will be in charge of the entire backend development.

What is the team composition?

On the first project, we worked with 6–7 people from ChopDawg.com. Their team included Joshua (CEO), who handled the proposal and scope of work; an office manager, who kept us up to date with upcoming events; a designer, who had to leave the project due to personal reasons; and an engineering team, with whom I didn’t interact much.

On our current project, we’ve also worked with Joshua to figure out the scope of work and sign the initial proposal. Additionally, we’ve worked with Alaysia (Project Manager), two designers, and Tammy (Chief Experience Officer). Tammy is now the person keeping us up to date regarding upcoming payments, scheduled meetings, and more. Once we’re done with the design phase, we will work with the engineering team to develop the app.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

We met ChopDawg.com through word of mouth. We went through a vetting process with 8–9 different software companies and design firms that we had shortlisted, including them. After 4–5 weeks of research and interviews, we decided to go with ChopDawg.com for multiple reasons. Firstly, they had experience in other financial apps, so they understood the fiduciary duties on the backend regarding holding customers’ funds and processing payments securely.

Secondly, they had a friendly vibe and inviting nature, as well as a great ability to explain expectations very clearly. They let us know the timelines and the different costs based on the different parts of the project, and they were very upfront and honest about what they were able to do and what they weren’t. We really valued that approach, so we decided to move forward with them. Given that I already knew ChopDawg.com’s limitations and capabilities, I hired them again for the second project.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $70,000–$75,000 on the first project. As for our current project, the total proposal is $90,000, divided into two aspects: $28,000 for the design and MVP development and the rest for the full product development.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first communicated with ChopDawg.com around November 2017 and signed our contract for the first project in early 2018. For our second engagement, we reached out to Josh in August 2022 and had our initial meeting with their design team in October 2022. To this day, our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Unfortunately, I don’t have any metrics to share. I didn’t bring to market the first company I was creating with ChopDawg.com’s help. If I would, the app would have been successful. However, the company was falling out, so I decided to end the venture. As for the second project, we’re still working on it.

Still, since I’ve known ChopDawg.com, I’ve seen some fantastic work done for larger organizations. Having million- and billion-dollar companies coming to them to redevelop their apps or redesign their websites speaks volumes about their work.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

ChopDawg.com’s design and development processes are seamless and very fun; working with their design team and seeing how they took our ideas and made them come to life has been amazing to watch.

Throughout both projects, we’ve understood why ChopDawg.com’s timelines are longer than other companies. App design and development projects require many different iterations, and various things happen throughout the process that we can’t anticipate. Still, having long timelines has worked very well for us because we’ve never felt like they’re rushing us or we’re rushing them.

Whenever they’ve had questions or issues during the development process, they quickly let us know where the limitations are. They’re very willing to deliver bad news, even if it is something we won't like.

As for collaboration tools, we use Figma for designs, Slack for communication, and Jira for project management. On Figma, we can keep track of timelines and add comments to our project’s boards. We also communicate via email for our overall communication regarding invoices, updates, upcoming meetings, and more.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Having Josh, who has been through the startup stage, is a great asset because he understands our challenges. We really value that he has guided us through the process. With ChopDawg.com, we don’t only have a technical partner but also a partner who values what we’re building and wants to see it grow.

Are there any areas they could improve?

During our first project, ChopDawg.com learned a lot regarding who to bring into their team. We had a few issues with one of the account managers that they had at the time, so we had to switch to a different account manager, which was a learning curve for them. After those incidents, they’ve understood that the people they bring into their team are also the face of their company. Still, they’ve improved in that area since then because our new team is amazing, and we’ve had no issues with them so far.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Firstly, be open and honest about your expectations regarding what you want from working on a project with them, including the type of people you expect to work with. Secondly, think about every single aspect that your project entails and have that included in the scope of work.

Changes and unplanned scope additions can drastically delay the timeline and ultimately affect your cost. Therefore, it is best first to sit down and take your time to review the entire scope and see if something is missing before you sign an agreement with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the sole owner of a dating app that hasn’t launched.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

I had the idea for a dating app within a niche market and hired ChopDawg.com to create the app for my business.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg.com has designed and is now developing my mobile app. I had specific features to set my app apart from others in the market, and they’ve also made several recommendations regarding what kinds of features the app should have. 

What is the team composition?

I’ve been in touch with Joshua (CEO). Apart from him, I’ve worked with about six teammates from ChopDawg.com, including two designers, a project manager, and developers. 

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

They came highly recommended by a friend of mine who’s an app developer. I also did my own Google search and read many of their reviews. When I looked at their portfolio, I liked the style of the things they’d done in the past. I chose them because I felt comfortable with their track record and what they were offering me. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent somewhere around $85,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2022, and the engagement is ongoing. We’re aiming to launch the app around December 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

ChopDawg.com has been amazing; I'm really happy with the design and how everything has turned out. What I've loved most about them is that they're able to accommodate whatever I need — they can do anything I ask for. Moreover, they have many knowledgeable people on their team who listen and can implement anything. The team is doing everything they can to develop the app and have it perform exactly how I want it. 

Joshua has also been helpful in providing advice outside the project's scope. For example, he's suggested hiring an attorney for certain protections and pointed me in the right direction in terms of the marketing I'll need. Overall, the ChopDawg.com team has been available to answer any questions about the business. 

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

The designers and developers are in touch with me almost daily. They use Slack and Figma for communication, and I can see the app's real-time progress on those tools. If I have a concern, I write them through Slack or comment on Figma, and I get an immediate response during working hours. Overall, they're super responsive and make me feel that my project is a priority for them. Moreover, the team strives to finish the project on time for the projected launch date. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

ChopDawg.com is up to date about what's happening with the world and what the markets need. As a group and individually, they can give advice that makes sense for our fast-paced times and changing trends. With dating apps, people are getting tired of certain things, and ChopDawg.com is really connected with what's happening with society's needs. 

They're very forward-thinking and familiar with what tools everyone uses. As a result, I don't have to worry about whether my app will be relevant by the time it launches. Moreover, their price structure is competitive compared to other companies I considered. Overall, ChopDawg.com is absolutely amazing, and I love working with them — I'm having so much fun.  

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of an area where they need to improve; I'm super happy with what they're doing. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to be aware of every step of the process and don't be afraid to give your feedback. If you engage ChopDawg.com for a project, they'll want it to be successful. They'll tell you if one of your ideas isn't in your best interest, but at the same time, they want your product to be exactly what you want. The only way that can happen is if you're engaged, checking on the project, and communicating constantly.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of a dining reward management company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We wanted them to build a custom mobile application that fit my exact needs: directing people from businesses to restaurants. The application is GPS oriented and shows restaurants that participate in our program. Whatever restaurants are close to you, they’ll show up on your phone. The app also sends notifications and descriptions of the restaurants and their promotions, like Mother’s Day specials and things like that.

All we had was an idea on paper; it wasn’t about the technology at all. That’s why we went to them. Our goal was to streamline the technology to give us the features we needed.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had many, many discovery calls to ensure that they comprehended our vision and would be able to accommodate it. I also had some material showing how we got to this point. We provided them with a lot of material regarding a magazine, a dining task book, and a dining card to help them see what exactly we wanted to do. We tried to make it as easy as possible for them to understand our concept, and they understood it very quickly.

We’re supplying a list of restaurants to ChopDawg, and they’re building a mobile app that will list them and display what savings users can claim. The app is location-oriented, so there are GPS features built into the rewards. The application will be for iOS and Android, and they’re going to provide ongoing maintenance as well.

Outside of pure development, they also provide feedback on the idea itself; their CEO himself has provided some recommendations. Their knowledge and experience have resulted in them guiding us in a good direction.

What is the team composition?

I’m currently working with Theresa (Graphic Designer) and Madeline (Project Manager). There’s another resource that provides advisory services for us. I’m also working with Josh (CEO).

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

My director of operations sent me a list of companies, and ChopDawg was one of five on the list. They were responsive to my questions and proactive about meeting with me. Even to this day, they’ll always respond proactively. Some people at other agencies didn’t even respond to me.

They were incredibly attentive during the selection process. Business is all about rapport and relationships, and I’ve gotten along very well with their CEO.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since March 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everything has been on time. They haven’t missed one of our deadlines, and the key is communication. If there have been delays, they’ve been due to my team not providing them with the information they need fast enough. So much of graphic design is subjective. If you’re creating a mobile application, lots of people have different opinions on colors, and we have to aggregate all of those thoughts into decisions.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated in person in the beginning, but now we work virtually. Zoom and phone calls support our communication. There are two meetings every week for at least 90 minutes each to make sure we’re progressing nicely. We’ve had a seamless progression through the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What’s great about them is that they don’t move on to the next step until I approve the one that they’re on. Our lines of communication have been open and tremendous.

Their communication also stands out. I have all of their cell phone numbers, including the CEO’s. They’re available 24/7, which separates them from their competitors. There was one day when it was 9:30 pm on a Sunday, and the CEO got back to me. They’re very hands-on.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No company is perfect, but I’m totally happy right now. All their employees feel like my employees, and I’m pleased with everything we’ve accomplished. I can’t ask them to improve on anything.  

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet with them in person. Get in front of Josh and explain your project and what your expectations are. This type of interaction went a long way for me, and I think it will go a long way for other people that work with them. ChopDawg has passion, dedication, and thoughtfulness for what they’re trying to accomplish.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of a telehealth company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We were looking for someone to update our website and make it more modern and functional.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

ChopDawg.com is still in the process of helping us build a website to make it more relevant and user-friendly. Some of their tasks include updating the graphics, implementing new features, and building the framework.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact is Joshua (CEO), with about 5–8 team members at various points throughout the project. 

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

ChopDawg.com was referred to me by a mutual friend, and we hired them because their hands-on approach personally made me feel comfortable. 

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing partnership started in March 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t launched yet, but I can say that they’re incredibly professional, and the team is always available for us every step of the way. 

I don’t say this lightly, but I would highly recommend their services to anyone — I would use ChopDawg.com again for another project or to potentially update our current project down the road.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re never late for meetings and are very easy to work with — if I experience any technical issues and concerns, I can connect with them immediately.

Moreover, everything is running precisely as intended thanks to their tentative schedule. We’ve had zero hiccups so far, which is quite impressive for a project of this size and scope.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We’re impressed with their resourcefulness, attentiveness, and technical expertise.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The project is running smoothly, so I wouldn’t change anything in their process.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I advise connecting with Josh and ChopDawg.com for your web development needs.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and operator of a commercial furniture company. We go around the world doing different commercial entities and private residential interiors, such as residential design, furnishings, closets, and home offices. My Unique Closet is just one iteration of the three websites we have to sell furniture. It's specifically closet-oriented, allowing people to configure and customize their closets. There are many closet configurators out there, such as The Container Store and IKEA, but we have a different spin.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Chop Dawg?

We needed help creating an app and the website’s frontend.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We initially had a groundbreaking meeting with ChopDawg. It was about two hours long, and we cleared up many things. The initial process with them took about six weeks of being in contact, getting an initial consultation down, and then a quote. When we decided to move forward with the project about six months later, we reached out to their owner and hashed out the contract.

We’ve got 8–10 weeks of solid design work now. This isn’t a regular website. The configurator alone is very in-depth, and the application too. They’re developing a 3D closet configurator and the frontend website. We're still working through design elements; we haven't put anything into production.

What is the team composition?

We’ve had consistent communication with two designers, a project manager, and someone from the billing department. We also have a personal relationship with the owner.

How did you come to work with Chop Dawg?

We found them on Clutch. We reviewed about 30 web and app developers. All of them wanted to sign a contract before we had a scope of work down, which was very unnerving because we didn’t have experience in this industry or knowledge of its finer point. We felt we were being fooled with good numbers without having a scope of work. One company wanted $30,000 for the project, which seemed reasonable at the time. However, they kept forcing us to sign, insisting that all our questions would be answered after signing the contract.

ChopDawg had an entirely different process. They ensured that the scope of work was correctly defined in the contract so we’d understand exactly what we were getting and paying. If we’d gone with anybody else, we would’ve been screwed over.

Overall, the initial experience with them was completely the opposite of what we’d dealt with others, so it was special. We only felt comfortable moving forward because of ChopDawg’s process — we thought we’d get exactly what we’d pay for. They were a good company, and the team was patient with us through the process.

How much have you invested with them?

The total value of this web application is $70,000. We've spent about $56,000 because we have five installment payments of $14,000. Since we've taken a long time with the design process, we've paid up essentially until the final payment. We only owe one more fee, but it’ll be remitted when the website is complete.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in early March 2021, but we’ve been passively communicating since eight months ago. The work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We haven’t completed the website, but everything thus far looks pretty solid. We’re confident that we’ll get it done and nail it. ChopDawg has streamlined everything, and they do a ton of work on the backend. Their team takes over, listens to our feedback, and runs with it so we don’t have to clarify things continually. They take great strides with little information, and it’s always in the right direction, so we feel confident just giving minor feedback.

As a business owner, taking time out of my day to spend with a designer with many different questions is hard. In that sense, they’ve done a great job bringing the information we give them and reproducing it across the board. We don’t have to spend a ton of time in the Figma file going through things or devote hours on end to the design process, which is where we are now. They’ve taken our ideas or feedback and properly implemented them into the website design. Overall, the process has been great — it’s smooth, seamless, and completely transparent.

How did Chop Dawg perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a project manager covering our account. We can reach out to them, and they generally follow up with reoccurring meetings or general updates on Slack or the channels we use to communicate with each other. Also, they make sure that everything is up to date, tasks are getting done, and nothing is missing.

We haven’t felt like we can’t reach them; we can text the owner at any time if we need help with something or want to know the project's status. They check with the team and get back to us, and it’s nice to know we have this option. We don’t have to go through a chain of command and address each department. He takes care of whatever we need and comes back with an answer. Sometimes they’re working through a lot of minutiae, so they don’t have the liberty to make a judgment call vertically. ChopDawg’s owner deals with his team and comes back with the judgment calls already made. It cuts down on tax questions and different levels of communication, so something that could take two days to clear up is done in a couple of hours, which is great.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We had a 70-page document with our initial design sketches and general bullet points for the scope of work. No other company wanted to take the time to review it to provide a scope and honest price. They sent us quotes for hundreds of thousands of dollars after we just gave them bullet points over the phone. After 1–2 calls, they’d just send a quote, an invoice for their initial deposit, and a contract.

On the other hand, ChopDawg took the time to understand what we needed and reviewed the work scope. They took about a week to decide what to do because the app was a bit complicated. After that, we didn’t talk to anybody else. Getting the contract hammered down took six weeks, and that’s where they differed. 

They’re transparent about our vision, scope of work, and what we’re getting. ChopDawg wants to ensure we feel comfortable through the entire process. We can’t say enough good things about them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s absolutely nothing negative about them. I don't think they could’ve done anything differently or better. They’ve been flexible regarding billing. Also, they’ve allowed us to take more time than within the contract for the design, and we haven’t been penalized for slowing the project down. We’d totally use them for any project going forward.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Steps Insitu LLC. We’re a simulation software company that provides a software training solution to healthcare providers who attend high-risk deliveries in hospitals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

I wanted to create a tablet application solution that would simulate a patient or infant’s behaviors in reaction to a medical team’s responses during a high-risk delivery. I wanted the app to document the patient’s situation, the team’s action, and the outcome. That situation would lead to another one, and so on.

I wanted the solution to realistically display a patient’s situation and responses to their treatment. The program needed to respond to every action and address both accurate and inaccurate responses in training. I had built a simple prototype of the program but needed more in-depth coding work done.

At the end of the simulation, all users needed to be able to access personal debriefings from each training session. Hospitals needed to be able to review performance analytics from their teams based on these simulations so that they could create action plans to improve performance.

As a nurse, I didn’t have the experience to market myself professionally, so I also needed some marketing guidance after I released the software.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I provided ChopDawg.com with a comprehensive vision for every button pressed, every action, and every reaction simulated in the app. I drove the vision, and they provided me with the technical implementation.

I needed ChopDawg.com to help me design the simulation program’s UI/UX, so I needed a graphic designer and a programmer. Josh (CEO) met with me to discuss ideas and services, helping me plan ways to achieve my objectives given my budget. 

ChopDawg.com helped me choose a coding language, React Native, because it was most flexible on Android and iOS based on my budget. They also helped me publish my application to the Apple Store and Google Marketplace.

ChopDawg.com also helped me set up a WordPress website, which needed graphic design work. Within their network, ChopDawg.com provided me with everything that I needed outside of legal services. And in that case, they were able to guide me in the right direction toward a lawyer who could help me create terms of service contracts.

ChopDawg.com tracked and fixed bugs while developing the app. After I released the software, ChopDawg.com’s marketing staff helped me design a marketing plan.

What is the team composition?

I mostly dealt directly with a project manager, but I also worked directly with Josh (CEO), a project engineer, a graphic designer, and a marketing specialist as needed.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I was researching local app developers online, and I met with Josh (CEO) at a coffee shop for an interview. Josh was very honest with me about what was possible within my budget, and I chose ChopDawg.com because I valued that honesty. ChopDawg saw this project’s potential to help people and wanted to work with me.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent about $55,000 with ChopDawg.com.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with ChopDawg.com on a nonfunctional prototype in 2018. We took some downtime so that I could show the prototype around to gauge interest. We started again on the actual application in about March 2021 and finished work in December 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I presented the nonfunctional prototype at the American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Ideas Showcase, an international conference. I then presented the application at the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, a national conference, in 2021. I was awarded the best and most innovative for the Simventors showcase and took home one of the highest prizes in their innovation category.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

I wanted the program done before a conference, and ChopDawg.com delivered on time. They were very open in their communications. The project manager that ChopDawg.com assigned to me was very responsive. I directed all of my questions to them, and I had access to the program engineer during our calls if needed.

From the outset, Josh gave me clear feedback on ways to control development costs so that I could stay within my budget. He helped me avoid unnecessary costs, and helped me identify places where I could stay within my self-funded budget through sweat equity.

Whenever I’ve had to report issues with the program, ChopDawg.com has been impressively responsive via their Slack channel. All of my issues were quickly resolved, and I didn’t feel like I was ever left holding the bag when I worked with them.

We coordinated mainly via Slack, but we also used Zoom, Google Meet, text, phone, and a bug-checking website. I could call them anytime within business hours, and Josh was quick to respond when I once called him outside of business hours. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

With ChopDawg.com, I didn’t feel like I was being sold to. I felt like ChopDawg.com genuinely wanted to help me achieve my vision, and they saw the value in this program that would help train the future of healthcare. Thanks to ChopDawg’s help, I was able to bring my vision to reality within my self-funded budget.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have no areas of improvement to suggest.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

There are ways to get what you want, and it’s just a matter of how you communicate your needs to your partners. If the cost they present is outside of your budget, give them a chance and tell them what you’re working with. If you open your communication the way I did, they can help you come up with a plan for achieving your goals.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a ride share app that targets vacation rental homeowners. It allows homeowners to increase revenue by renting cars to their guests. I’m their CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with ChopDawg.com?

We needed help creating our mobile apps and web platform.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started by sharing our idea and vision with them, and they created a 180-page document detailing everything that would be in the applications and the web platform. After one month of review and tweaks, we began development.

The apps for Android and iOS and have identical functionality to the web platform. The largest features are the biometric scanning capabilities. We have facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, two-second vetting of drivers licenses, and the ability to unlock over 75 million cars from a cell phone. This allows people to instantly book rental cars without making appointments.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with 6–7 app designers.

How did you come to work with ChopDawg.com?

I found them online and we’re impressed with how clearly they understood my vision.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $350,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since August 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

There aren’t any metrics right now as we’re in the testing phase, but bugs are being fixed instantly. Right after I point them out, I log them, and ChopDawg starts working. There have been a few increases in the timeline but those have come from us expanding the project. We’d rather have a robust, proper app than put out a faster, less strong version.

How did ChopDawg.com perform from a project management standpoint?

My project manager is awesome. They come up with a lot of good ideas and always able to answer and respond to our questions about the format. The assigned designer also has great ideas about what younger people are looking for.

We have a weekly meeting where I give my ideas, and we also speak over Slack. They’re available any time of day, even though we’re in different countries. I get up early, and their designer is usually working on the app by six am.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m very pleased with them and the clever design they’ve created. Hopefully, we’ll have a long relationship.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing so far, though we’ll have to see after the launch to be sure. We took our time putting it together.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They’re good at understanding your project and mission and they have a great team, but its up to you as the owner of the project to work with them. Stay abreast of any changes you want to implement, and you must be able to communicate whatever it is that you want in the app. You have to be interactive.