Designli

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO and founder of a web platform that makes it easy for fantasy leagues to collect and donate a portion of their fees and winnings to charities.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

I’m not a developer, so I needed someone who could handle this project. Not having a background in development made me a little bit nervous when I was starting to look. I wanted a partner that I could trust.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I had an idea of what I wanted and I knew the steps that I needed to take. The whole process was very collaborative. Designli worked with me to develop a prototype that I’m able to get feedback from and use in my idea pitches. 

What is the team composition?

Originally, I worked with Keith (Co-Founder & CEO), but now I work with Josh (COO) who translates what I needed to the developers.

How did you come to work with Designli?

I found an article on Google that ranked the top 10 web developers in the US, and they were mentioned. I also used Clutch to read their reviews and to make sure that I was heading down the right path.

I talked to other companies along the way, but I could tell that Designli was professional and perfect for the tech startup space. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in March 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The prototype has made it easy for me to get feedback. The whole business description writing process is difficult enough, so having a good-looking prototype makes it easy for me to explain what I’m trying to do by showing and not just telling. 

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate via video-conferencing and phone calls. We were going to meet in-person, but due to COVID-19, that didn’t happen. The team is very thorough. They give us an end-of-the-week wrap-up of where the project stands and what they’re hoping to accomplish.

The team also meets its deadlines. If they ever have issues meeting their deadlines, they always let me know. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Designli has it down to a science in terms of communication. Any time I’ve had a question, they’ve always given a business-like yet personal response. 

No matter how small the question is, they always answer thoroughly. They strike a good balance between keeping it professional while maintaining casualness. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t have any suggestions. I’m happy with everything they’ve done so far. I’d love for the project to cost less, but I know that in this world, that’s just how it is. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Most of the hold up came from me. So, I would advise customers to be precise and clear about what they’re trying to accomplish. This will really help. 

There were several times where I had to pivot and go in a different direction. Nevertheless, the team did a great job of interpreting what I wanted and making it come to life.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am one of the co-founders of a web application that is focused on helping people make social and professional connections through shared interests. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

At the stage we got Designli involved, my colleague and I had an idea, and we were looking for someone to tell us whether it would work or not.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

At the outset, we went through Designli’s ‘SolutionLab,’ which is a very prescriptive, collaborative, and well-defined process. We came in with a lot of thoughts, and Designli’s team walked us through our idea. They asked what challenge we were trying to solve and had us consider different ideas and concerns. At the end of the SolutionLab process, they let us know what they thought could be a viable, go-to-market strategy and solution, and they broke it into different phases and stages. This helped us define the idea we had with some minor tweaks.

Their first step in the process was the SolutionLab and defining the idea; the second step was seeing what the idea could look like before getting into development. Designli went through a design process to help us visualize the solution and give us something tangible, including screen flows, color schemes, logo designs, moods, etc. 

We’ve completed the SolutionLab and the initial prototyping. It has been a very collaborative, iterative process with a lot of back-and-forth.

What is the team composition?

I’ve always worked with Keith and Josh (Partners, Designli), the COO and the CEO. Then, as part of their design team, they have a content specialist assigned to us as well as more of a technical resource. For the first couple of phases we’ve been through, we’ve had 4–5 people engaged from their team. They’ve engaged more of their team members as we’ve gone along.

How did you come to work with Designli?

We got connected to Designli through an entrepreneurship group in the Greenville area, which they’re also a part of. We chose to go with Designli because of their SolutionLab, which we thought was a really interesting process.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested around $17,000 so far. They’ve done a really good job of providing phases 1–3 overall investments and what they could look like with certain variants in place. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our work with them in September 2019, and they delivered the prototype at the end of January 2020. We’re currently providing tweaks back to them. Our work together is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Now, we have a prototype in hand that we can take to our presentations as part of our pitch deck as we look for funding from different sources, whether that be venture, angel, or friends and family.

Before Designli, we only had a document. We’d try to tell people what our idea was, what it could look like, and what it was trying to solve, but most people didn’t get it. Through the SolutionLab and prototyping, Designli has helped us really refine and define that idea. Now, we can clearly articulate our idea to people, both in text and on a screen. People need to see and feel and touch in order to visualize. Designli has given our idea a voice.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

I was once a PMP-certified project manager, and I think these guys are better than I ever was. If anything, they’ve over-communicated and been very concise. They make sure that we understand every step and where every dollar is going. They update us frequently throughout the week about how many hours we’ve spent toward certain projects. If there are any delays or they need extra time on anything, they clearly share that with us.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We needed somebody to push back a little bit and give us a reality check. What distinguishes Designli is that they ask the hard questions while respecting our idea and the work we’re trying to do. We felt we could trust them right away because they asked questions that could’ve stopped our project in its tracks. They’re a business, so they could’ve easily just said our idea was wonderful and that they’d build it for us; instead, they slowed us down and broke down our idea.

They really put our interests ahead of theirs because they see that it’s more of a long-term relationship. They’re very adamant that they don’t put pen to paper or code to screen before the client knows what their idea is. The SolutionLab is a very defined process of brainstorming where they overlay their experiences, guidance, current projects they’re working on, and hurdles they’ve seen.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. We’ve been delighted throughout the process; we’re not experts in this area, and they’ve been our trusted advisor throughout it.

Any advice for potential customers?

Open up and share any and all ideas with them; they’re very receptive and want to hear everything. I think that a lot of entrepreneurs don’t share their ideas because they assume they’re too crazy. When you work with Designli, engage in the SolutionLab process and put everything on the table. They’ll collect all of your ideas and then give them back to you in a very legible format that makes more sense than when you originally said it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of Puff Count.  

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

I had an idea for a startup and app that would allow users to keep track of their vaping usage. While I had the concept in mind, I had no idea how to create the app.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

After I came to their team with a basic idea and a few designs that I created with another designer, the team at Designli developed the iOS app from scratch. It was a straightforward process with constant contact between our teams.

The app has a home page that keeps track of your daily progress through how many puffs and at what time you’re vaping. It can also track progress monthly and weekly, and users can view their history on the app. There’s also a profile page.

What is the team composition?

There was one project manager and one development manager. Within the team, there were three or four developers that worked on the app.

How did you come to work with Designli?

I started looking for development agencies and came across Designli on a review site. After giving them a call, the rest is history.

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve invested between $10,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The ongoing engagement with Designli started in November 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The first phase was finished in less than a month, and now we’re moving on to the second phase.

The team at Designli is involved in every step of the way, remaining interested in my project. I’ve never been in the dark, and their team provides excellent suggestions. They provided a detailed SOW that outlined the entire development process. Their team is highly-qualified, organized and trustworthy.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

We worked through Basecamp for communication. I’ve remained updated by the developers throughout the engagement. The entire project management system is well-organized.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’ve worked with freelancers in the past, but Designli is the first company I’ve worked with in this area. Their team is super quick, probably faster than other providers out there.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I had an issue with the length of the testing phase. Since the app is pretty simple, I don’t think the phase should’ve taken as long as it did. I don’t think it even needed it.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Talk through it with their team. The team at Designli is extremely passionate. They’re willing to hear ideas. Along with being extremely involved, they come up with helpful suggestions. Clients should keep an open mind and trust that they know what they’re doing. But also make sure your vision is being created.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of The Locker Room Worldwide, a sports platform for youth athletes. The platform enables youth athletes to create their own websites and promote themselves.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

I had a vision for this platform and needed development support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Designli is developing the platform from scratch using different technologies. First, they put together a proposal that detailed the different avenues they could take to create the platform. This included a description of how everything would go, and I approved it. 

They’re building out various parts of the platform, including a page for athletes and a page for strategists, who help athletes through different brackets as they get older. Designli is developing a side of the platform for coaches and recruiters so that they can go in and look at athletes. They’re also developing the programs for billing, storage, and video. They’re helping me get pictures in place and are assisting with the language. 

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Keith (CEO & Co-Founder, Designli) and Josh (COO, Designli). I know there are other people involved because I see them on the emails.

How did you come to work with Designli?

I looked at local companies, and that’s how I found Designli. I looked at three different companies before hiring them. Designli’s portfolio and the people they’d worked with were big reasons I chose them. 

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I began working with Designli in July 2019, and our work together is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Designli has played a big part in everything. They’ve really been leaders of this whole project. They took the idea in my head and made it real. They were able to get our homepage up before our first convention, which happened in Florida in November. They set up Mailchimp so that we could collect email addresses and other information from people coming to our page.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been great. They send me updates every week to show what they’ve done and how they did it. All of their timing has been good; when they set timeframes, they meet them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their initiative and work ethic set them apart. Also, their creativity with the project has helped me understand things and go from one point to the next.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I couldn’t point a finger at them for anything. They’ve been so patient in working with me and understanding where I want to go. I’m pleased with everything; if I had to start all over, I’d choose them again.

Any advice for potential customers?

Being able to communicate is important.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a financial blog.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

We wanted to create an app for our audience. Our users had been asking for one for a long time.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The team at Designli was hired to develop and design our application from scratch. It’s intended to be a motivational tool to help users pay off their debt faster. The app gives recommendations on refinancing loans and where their focus should be when it comes to paying off debt. It also has a social media function where users can like and comment on their friend’s progress.

What is the team composition?

I’ve only interacted with two people from their team, but they have between 15–30 developers working on it. My points of contact worked with me to get a feel of what I wanted and needed. They act as a liaison between the developers and me, explaining what I need in technical terms.

How did you come to work with Designli?

I found Designli on Viber.

How much have you invested with them?

By the time the project is completed, we will have spent over $100,00.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started engaging with Designli at the end of August or beginning of September. The work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve gone through the design phase, and now we’re working on the technical aspects. Right now, the app is for iOS. In six months, their team will start on the Android version. All they’ve done is go back and forth on design. Once the app is out and people are using it, we will be able to track its progress and success.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

From a project management standpoint, they’re amazing. Their team stays in touch, providing weekly updates. If there’s ever a question, we have a great plan for communication.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They were the most reasonably-priced, reputable agency that’s based in the US. I also appreciate our points of contact. We can call them at any time to make sure we’re all on the same page. Their team is excellent at asking clarifying questions. In the developmental phase, I felt that I had thought through my app well, but their team sees things from a technical perspective. That helped us get on the same page.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing from my experience. I might have more to say further down the line, but nothing for now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Designli is only held up by the client’s lack of communication or the inability to act quickly. Clients need to make sure they give feedback as quickly as they can to move the timeline faster. There were a few weeks where I couldn’t respond. But if they’re willing to help, you also have to be there and willing.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of Apprecio, a mobile web application dedicated to efficiently and effectively recognize those who have made an impact in their lives or in the lives of their loved ones.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Designli?

Designli and I partnered for their Solutions Lab and Prototype for Apprecio.

What were your goals for this project?

Essentially, the initial goal was to create a comprehensive business plan and user stories for my idea, a facet where someone may easily promote gratitude and positive reinforcement. Once the foundational information was established, the next goal was to create visually appealing mock web and mobile web pages.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

An online search directed me to Designli. An initial phone call with CEO Keith Shields left me impressed and curious to learn more about their Solutions Lab and overall process.

I was initially excited to learn about the experience Keith and his team brought to the table, but even more elated with their straightforward approach to use their term “building a skateboard before the car”. As I’m unfamiliar with technology development, this concept made tremendous sense and I immediately knew Designli was the best fit for Apprecio.

Describe the project in detail.

As my knowledge in the tech world is limited, Designli’s SolutionLab is the perfect ‘first step’ we never knew we needed. In this process, we found ourselves hashing out key components and essential concepts, ultimately designing the building blocks for our vision.

During each call and webinar, ideas were shared and fine-tuned. The next steps of creating a logo and prototype were crucial for illustrating the vision outlined in the SolutionLab.

What was the team composition?

Keith, Josh, and the team are professional, diligent, and transparent with the process for creating an app, from inception through development. Keith initially discussed the Designli SolutionLab process in great detail and with support of Josh and their team, resulted in an outstanding map for Apprecio. Josh was my main point person during the logo design and prototyping journey, communicating promptly and effectively updates as appropriate.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The end result of the SolutionLab is a solid business plan, user flow diagram, and user persona and stories. The logo and prototype are incredible illustrations of pages in which a user will navigate Apprecio in a seamless manner. The layouts and design are better than I could have imagined.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Josh and Keith communicated at least weekly via Basecamp and whenever there were updates. The work completed was timely and clarification regarding questions were answered in great detail.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The SolutionLab was quite impressive, in that they were not merely listening to my concept, but contributing ideas for user maximizing functionality, while remaining mindful of V1.

I am consistently impressed with Keith, Josh, and the Designli team. They are truly partners in this journey to create a product that will enhance the lives of others.

Are there any areas for improvement?

At this time, I have no comments on areas for improvement. Any success to come Designli's way is much deserved.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the VP of technology at Life and Safety Consultants, Inc. We’re a full-service safety consulting company that provides OSHA compliance services, including their Safety and Health Recognition Program (SHARP) for small businesses. These range from basic, one-off training to full-facility assessments.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

Over the past ten years, we’ve been developing online services and safety tools to help our consultants in the field. We needed help to develop some of the tools we haven’t been able to build for ourselves in-house.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’re working through a three-phase project. The first was a project management phase where we scoped out the project. We decided on how long it would take and the resources it would require, both financial- and personnel-wise. In the second phase, they created a non-functional prototype interface so we had something to show customers. It looked exactly how we wanted. We’re going to start the third phase—the programming phase—soon.

What is the team composition?

We worked with two people initially, and then two more. There also might be another design person I haven’t met.

How did you come to work with Designli?

They’re a local company in Greenville, South Carolina. We’d worked with a number of development firms without much luck over the years, mostly because they’re remote and the developers didn’t work with our format.

Compared to four or five other local companies I considered for this project, Designli had the best portfolio and made the best impression during the in-person meeting. They answered my questions and demonstrated a solid path moving forward. Additionally, they didn’t quote the entire project up-front. They advocated a lean, phase-based approach.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $10,000–$49,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since September 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve reviewed their work internally with a few key stakeholders, we’ve shown it to a few of our clients that are invested in the project’s success. Compared to what they promised, they’ve been meeting marks.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

We’re very happy with what we’ve seen so far. The tangibles, work breakdown structure and regular communication are great. They keep us abreast of what’s happening once or twice a week, especially during a larger chunk that may not have small deliverables.

What did you find most impressive about them?

First, their lean approach to the project is amazing. They laid out everything in the discovery portion, including the functionalities and all the smaller tasks that go into the functionalities. This helped us identify what we wanted to include in our first version of the software based on cost considerations.

Second, the level of communication and follow-up has been great. We get distracted by other priorities sometimes, and they politely remind us that they need an approval or a review of the documentation before they can move forward. They gently prod us, so to speak.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Of course, I’d prefer the cost less, but there’s not much they’d be able to about that. Otherwise, I have no other complaints. They’ve even made some changes to their work and payment schedule (introducing shorter sprints) to accommodate a smaller business like us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Definitely make use of the discovery and work and cost breakdown period. Even if you don’t build with them, that breakdown is a very valuable document. Pay for the first phase and make the decision after that.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the president of a software company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

I was looking for an experienced vendor to develop an API for a number of use cases. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built an API for different use cases for our e-commerce website. The API is used for marketing materials, the checkout process, and the gifting space. I gave them a concept, and they brought it to life, educating me along the way. 

What is the team composition? 

There are about eight people working on the project.

How did you come to work with Designli?

It was a word-of-mouth recommendation. 

How much have you invested with them?

I've spent about $200,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

I started working with Designli in March 2018, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They're doing fantastic work. The feedback has been very positive. 

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint? 

The communication has been flawless. We didn't have any issues. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very patient and able to work with someone who has no technical background.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don't think so. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They have a great team. Their level of integrity and commitment is impressive. I highly recommend them. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a founder of a new company. We are currently developing workplace culture software.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

We wanted to focus on employers' lack of awareness of their employees' personal interests and lives. We also wanted to build an avenue that allowed employees to interact and establish stronger connections with each other.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They hosted a solution lab for me. I put my thoughts and ideas on paper, and they helped me plot out how the software could be structured. They came up with ways for users to interact with it and helped me solidify what users could accomplish. They pieced my ideas into a real software experience and created software screens to identify what the finished product would look like.

I came in with a list of goals, but they put the whole project in more practical terms. They brought a technological perspective, and they did a lot of research on my competitors to help differentiate our software in the market. We're still in the design phase, and we haven't decided what technologies we'll use yet. We hope to build out an algorithm that will connect employees to colleagues with similar interests.

What is the team composition?

I work with the two founders, and they have a designer that works in the background.

How did you come to work with Designli?

I did some general market research and spoke with a friend who has a more established startup. I searched for development shops in my area, and Designli was highly rated and reviewed. Their office is very close, and I had a good initial conversation with them. They seemed like a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

I've invested around $10,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in late summer 2018. I'm still testing the market, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The software isn't active yet, so there are no metrics to share now. My experience with them is phenomenal. They really understand my vision, and I don't have to over-explain anything. They're very in tune with great user experiences, which is a core part of what I hope to offer.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

They're good project managers. We meet face to face as often as we can. Most of our meetings have been in person, but they also leverage Basecamp as a project management site for documentation. All the screens they designed are in InVision.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm very impressed with their follow-up, and they're on top of their engagements. They sent me a handwritten letter with collateral fairly early on. Whenever we have a conversation, they send me a robust list of next steps. They're very professional and thorough, and they listen well. If ever something is too costly or too early to consider, they're very flexible to my needs. They help keep the project lean where it needs to be, and everything they do helps me achieve my goals.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. This is my first experience like this, and they do a good job.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Start with them early in your process. They format jobs well, so it helps to go in with an open mind. They offer good feedback for usability, and they're willing to push back with better solutions.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and CEO of SecurSpace. We provide a marketplace to connect owners and managers of industrial facilities—such as truck parking or equipment storage—with interested clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Designli?

We have one in-house technical person—our CTO—and needed to scale our development capacity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Designli provides design and development resources to build out our marketplace. Owners can list properties and facilities with their features, and potential customers can reserve and pay for spaces. It offers listing, booking, and payment functionalities in the same site. The frontend uses React while the backend is built in JavaScript.

When we engaged Designli, we were looking to move from our MVP to our second version of the site. Designli supplemented our development in the backend, frontend, and specific features. They also offered input into designs that we had done with an outside firm. They then presented us with an overhauled UI that we’re working to implement now.

What is the team composition?

We primarily work with Keith (CEO & Co-founder, Designli) and Josh (COO, Designli). I’ve been on calls with various members of their development staff, but Josh is my main point of contact.

How did you come to work with Designli?

Our company is based in North Carolina, so we were looking for firms based in the South. We wanted the opportunity to talk through our vision and product in person with a vendor. I found Designli on Google, where they were highly rated and had lots of positive customer feedback. After an initial phone call and a face-to-face meeting, it seemed like a good fit.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $100,000–$250,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2018. We were initially looking into developing a mobile app, so we used a process that Designli calls a Solutions Lab. We didn’t end up building the app, but we retained their suggestions and roadmap. For business reasons, we went towards building a web platform instead, which is still an ongoing project.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I don’t have any metrics at the moment, but our team deeply appreciates the work that Designli has done so far. They’ve implemented our designs well, and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.

How did Designli perform from a project management standpoint?

Designli excels as project managers. They have top-notch processes and great communication. I communicate with the team over email and phone, and our CTO works closely with them over Google Hangouts. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Designli bridges the gap between our business needs and technical needs. Josh and Keith have in-depth experience in both development and starting a business. That expertise allows them to provide technical advice while being efficient with our dollars.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, not really. The team is very responsive and has delivered what they've committed to providing. I don't have any complaints. 

Any advice for potential customers?

Know exactly what you want Designli to build, and supply as much detail about your requirements as possible upfront. Their team excels at taking specifications and creating a plan around them.