Design The Planet

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m chief development officer for the LSU Health Foundation. I manage all fundraising activity on campus. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design The Planet? 

We needed a website overhaul, as well as other basic marketing needs. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Design The Planet redesigned our website. I don't know the technology they used, but they had to integrate it with our giving database. They had to make sure it had the proper redundancies, so none of it crashed. They continue to provide ongoing digital marketing support and SEO. They also put some videos together that we use on our website and social media. 

What is the team composition?

We have one main point of contact for each aspect of the project: video, digital marketing, and website development.

How did you come to work with Design The Planet?

A fellow staff member found them a few years ago. They came in as part of the bidding process to overhaul the website, and we continue to partner with them on lots of different projects. 

How much have you invested with them?

In total, we’ve spent in the range of $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working together around June 2016, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our old website wasn’t good at all. They've increased our social media presence as well as the number of website visitors. Fundraising is up 80% this year, which is amazing. Their customer service and flexibility makes it easy and enjoyable to work with them. We’ve mentioned their high-quality work to our colleagues, and now another department is going to use them to revamp their website. 

How did Design The Planet perform from a project management standpoint? 

Their team is highly professional and approachable. If something isn’t going in the right direction, they're very receptive to hearing that message. They're eager to make every aspect exactly as we envision it to be.

Communication is excellent. Depending on the project, we may do most of it by email or we might meet in person to execute a task. We've had monthly meetings to talk about their work and get progress updates. Our projects don't all look alike, and Design The Planet is just really flexible.

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Their professionalism and accessibility stand out for me. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

No, not at this time. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Be clear in your expectations. You may be great at envisioning exactly what you want, but you also need to convey it to Design The Planet. If they come to a different interpretation of things, then you have to be able to tell them that's not what you had in mind. They're very receptive to feedback. They don't get offended or become defensive, which I love.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner of River Road Coffees, an office coffee service that roasts its own coffee.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Design The Planet?

Design The Planet creates all of our branding materials and is responsible for our general brand awareness.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Over the years, we’ve relied on Design The Planet to create radio advertisement spots and promotional videos. They’ve developed our website and implemented an e-commerce element to facilitate online sales. Most recently, we’ve decided to produce our own K-Cups, and Design The Planet created all of the graphics for the packaging materials.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Adrienne (Owner, Design the Planet) to develop our project plans. She also has 2–3 office staff members that I communicate with on occasion. They’re all very responsive.

How did you come to work with Design The Planet?

My father chose to work with them almost 20 years ago.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend between $30,000–$45,000 each year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve worked together since February 2000. Our engagement is ongoing, and we just renewed their contract for another year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our e-commerce component brought about $50,000 in revenue last year, so that’s a nice addition to our business. We also receive promising feedback about our advertising efforts.

How did Design The Planet perform from a project management standpoint?

It’s my preference to meet in person, but we’ll sometimes hold web conferences and share screens to go over our projects.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can be somewhat conservative with my ideas, but Adrienne tests and pushes me to find new angles. Her ability to guide me in the right direction has been very helpful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

My only wish is that New Orleans and Baton Rouge be a little closer together so that we could meet in person easier.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be afraid to let them guide you. They are professionals in what they do.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I manage the website and other areas for an artist. My work includes selling his art and promoting his legacy.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Design The Planet?

We hired Design The Planet to design a new website with e-commerce capabilities.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a streamlined, contemporary website that’s easy to navigate. We also wanted the online shopping process to be more efficient.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with Design The Planet five years ago on our previous site design.

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

Christi (Web Designer & Developer, Design The Planet) took my ideas and combined them with some of her own. The designers on her team implemented them into a new site design.

What was the team composition?

I directly interacted with Christi. She worked with a supervisor and designer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our online sales are steadily increasing, averaging about 50% higher since the site launched.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

Christi solved any issues that I had. It was a pleasure working with her. Their team used a timeline, and we worked together to meet our goals. The site launched ahead of schedule.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They’re a small, responsive and personable company. Design The Planet is a knowledgeable and creative partner that can take on any project, no matter the size.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I’ve worked with their team so long and can’t think of anything. Design The Planet provides excellent suggestions and answers all my questions and concerns.