Facet Interactive

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of One2s Compliance, a compliance company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

We needed someone to build our website and provide us with a bit of technical support.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Facet Interactive designed and developed our website. I provided them with some information, and the team put everything together. They built home, about, services, contact, and resources pages. If a user wants to contact us, I get sent an email about the client looking for our services. The team also provided technical support. 

What is the team composition?

We worked with two teammates from Facet Interactive: Jordan (CTO & Partner) and Peter (CEO). 

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

They were a referral from one of my clients in the construction sector.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $6,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June–July 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very happy with the website’s quality. We received several leads from the website, which has been very helpful. Lead generation on the website increased by around 20%. Although Facet Interactive has transferred control of the website to us, they're still helpful if I need them.

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Facet Interactive delivered on time and within budget. They communicated very well with us and were very responsive. We used Google Docs, emails, and phone calls to communicate.

Are there any employees from the service provider's team that you would like to give a shout-out to in this review?

I want to give a shout-out to Jordan, who was our main point of contact.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Facet Interactive was very professional in all aspects. They did everything well and showed their expertise in the IT world. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was nothing they needed to improve; everything worked very well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

You can’t go wrong with Facet Interactive. You’ll be very satisfied with the product you receive.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a senior director at ChenMed, a large primary care provider for seniors in the US. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

We were trying to find a web development company that could help us redesign a few company websites.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, we brought Facet Interactive on board to help us with the redesign, redevelopment, and refactoring of the UX across 4–5 company websites. Their deliverables have included developing the UI/UX for the website, delivering the website code and platform, managing the delivery cycle of the project, and managing the sprints. The team has also delivered any technical solutions related to feature enhancements on the website or our Salesforce CRM platform. 

Over the years, they’ve supported us with web development solutions and some development support for our Salesforce CRM. They’ve also provided solutions for any technical challenges we’ve had related to setting up platforms for marketing. The team uses Figma for design and Drupal for web development.

What is the team composition?

I’ve worked with multiple developers. Jordan (CTO & Partner) is our main connection and the one who helps us think through solutions. We also work with Yash (Project Delivery Manager), who manages the day-to-day project and handles tickets and enhancements for ongoing projects.

How did you come to work with  Facet Interactive?

We were in the process of working on a website refresh. The developer that was working on the project could no longer take it on because they were moving away from being a commercial service provider to being an actual product. As a result, we needed to bridge the gap quickly to find a development team that provided great service and understood marketing and growth.

Our previous provider introduced us to Facet Interactive. Once we met Jordan, we realized their level of expertise and knowledge in all things technology. They understood how technology connected with business models, growth, and revenue operations. 

Additionally, the team understood how technology fuels marketing and how that fuels growth — the entire ecosystem. Therefore, by working with them, we wouldn't just be getting a tech partner; we were getting a business strategist who understood technology and how to best implement it for our business goals.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent close to $1 million.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January 2020, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Facet Interactive is a good partner; they've delivered great, high-quality work. The value of Facet Interactive’s work is in the site's UX. We rarely have any challenges with the website failing. From a UX perspective, the website is highly usable, and users are taking the actions we need them to.

As a partner with Facet Interactive, we’re able to have open conversations about where the improvements are. Everything we’ve worked on with them has been critical to the business. Moreover, the whole team is great. Yash and Jordan are pretty amazing. One of our developers is also exceptional. Everyone on Facet Interactive's team does what they need to do; the whole organization delivers quality work and service. 

How did  Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Facet Interactive is extremely attentive and sensitive to deadlines. Yash has been great at staying on top of deadlines and making sure we get to the delivery date. We sit in constant meetings three times a week to go through what the sprints look like, discuss trade-offs, and plan for work and the delivery cycle. 

The team uses Jira for project management. They're also timely and very reasonable when it comes to scopes, pricing, quoting a project, and doing several passes of a project to reach an end goal. Overall, it’s a pleasure to work with them. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The most impressive thing about Facet Interactive is their ability to understand the connection between multiple things within and outside of technology and how to deliver value to the business. Although we initially hired them for one project, their dynamism has helped us find solutions to problems we didn't realize we had and align our roadmap to a solid solution. 

We initially hired them for web development, but they've helped us find opportunities to enhance things that can increase sales or improve the experience. When we work with them, we’re not just getting a slim view of a solution; we’re getting a very knowledgeable partner. They’re almost like a business consultant who can help us navigate and identify opportunities for improvement, growth, and delivering better value.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there aren’t any areas of improvement. They’re very flexible. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t look at Facet Interactive as just a web partner; look at them as a business solutions partner. When you sit down with them, consult with them as a business solutions partner, and they’ll guide you through what you need to get to your end goal, whether it's with them or bringing on third-party partners. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Former CEO of Tandem.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Dev tools creation and software consulting.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Facet Interactive to accomplish?

• Drupal Application Development
• Marketing Automation and Consulting
• CRM Consulting

SOLUTION

How did you find Facet Interactive?

Conference Networking

Why did you select Facet Interactive over others?

• High ratings
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Long-term Relationship

How many teammates from Facet Interactive were assigned to this project?

6-10 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Lando had been providing custom software development services for the marketing department of a large national healthcare provider. As Lando transitioned away from custom software development, we handed the project to Facet as a trusted partner. Facet took our work to the next level, providing: 

• Drupal development and support services for a complicated multi-tier brand 
• Digital strategy, design, and development of a completely new brand for the client
• Marketing automation implementation
• Salesforce development
• and much more

They really took this project to the next level.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Successfully launching multiple web properties while navigating a complex stakeholder landscape
• Improving web page performance and accessibility scoring
• Increased digital conversions

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Facet provided close management of the client, providing an in-depth strategic resource who became deeply embedded with the organization to the point where they relocated to be closer to the client's headquarters. They are very communicative regarding delivery timelines and responsive to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Facet Interactive?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Strategic foresight. Facet has the expertise to get the technical job done but guides this work with a deeper understanding of the business realities driving the technical needs.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Facet Interactive could have done differently?

Not to my knowledge; this was one of the smoothest handovers we've had on a project.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing communications manager at an advanced mobility company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

I use Facet Interactive to maintain the Drupal backend of our website. They’ve also built a web app for me. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Facet Interactive handled Drupal backend development tasks and collaborated with the web development team we were using. I didn’t have direct interaction with them during that project.

I currently have them on retainer to maintain the Drupal website and keep it functioning. I don’t interact with them a lot, however — they usually send me an email about what upgrades they’ve done, and that’s essentially all my interaction with them. They’ve done security patches and do whatever needs to get done to keep our server safe. The team has access to our hosting, but they don’t provide it. 

Moreover, I’ve once used them to develop a web app for me. It’s a URL-shortening app. I input a URL, and the app shortens it and lets me track how many times it’s been used.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Jordan (CTO) and Peter (CEO). Another person has worked on the website, but I don’t have prior interactions with them. 

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

They were referred to us. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $7,500–$10,000 on their services. 

What is the status of this engagement?

They started maintaining the website in May 2021, and the engagement is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The web app has been good, but I no longer use it. Nonetheless, it did exactly what it was supposed to do and helped me save time. 

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Facet Interactive’s project management is generally good. We often communicate via email. I sometimes call them when I need clarification. I mainly talk to Peter, but Jordan has also been great. They’re responsive whether I use phone calls or emails.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re great at understanding technology. Since I don’t know all the latest updates in technology, they explain things to me. That’s truly helpful. Overall, they seem to be truly up-to-date when it comes to technology. They’re also responsive and knowledgeable. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Sometimes, it takes longer for them to get back to me. However, they’re a smaller company, so I understand that they’re wearing many hats. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of a business services company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We connect credit-challenged consumers with nonprofit counselors who help them attain credit well-being for life.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Facet Interactive to accomplish?

• Manage offshore full stack developers
• Help develop digital integrated experiences for connectors and counselors

SOLUTION

How did you find Facet Interactive?

Referral

Why did you select Facet Interactive over others?

• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Facet Interactive were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

1. Gain an understanding of mortgage lending process 
2. Manage a team of offshore developers 
3. Leverage robotic process automation and APIs for third-party integrations 
4. Migrate platform to AWS

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have received industry awards for our platform’s financial inclusion We have achieved ability to scale connector and counselor onboarding We have reduced the cost and complexity of onboarding new partners We have been able to own our customer mobile experience versus outsourcing that to a third party. We can easily size and scope new work and forecast effectively.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Good communication via tools such as Slack, Jira, and FreshDesk that help keep all parties abreast of project process and tickets. Regular checkin with our testing and Product teams. Willingness to address offshore delays proactively and negotiate reasonable accommodations for all parties. Flexible with respect to cash flow and budget constraints.

What was your primary form of communication with Facet Interactive?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Facet is more than just an IT consultant, they're an important part of our executive team and add value to marketing, operations and business development.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Facet Interactive could have done differently?

There's nothing they need to improve on.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Car Care News Service. We are a provider of copyright-free content about automotive maintenance and repair.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

Initially, my website went down and I was experiencing Drupal issues, so I needed help identifying the problem. From there, I brought them on board to update the software and implement their solutions.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Their involvement began with troubleshooting our website. After hearing their diagnosis and recommendations, we hired them to fix the site. They updated our software and implemented a new security system, which included changing the site’s protocols as a preventative measure. Additionally, they integrated a new feature for reporting analytics.

Their team provides maintenance for the platform, and we’re planning on redeveloping the entire site in the future.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with Peter (CEO, Facet Interactive), Jordan (Drupal Architect, Facet Interactive), and another teammate who helps with solutions and maintenance.

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

I reached out to Facet Interactive after getting referred by one of my clients.  

How much have you invested with them?

So far, I've spent around $25,000 on this project.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2017, and they continue to provide site maintenance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since implementing Facet Interactive’s recommendations, we’ve seen a significant increase in site visits, content downloads, and users of our materials. The site has over 13,000 active users and between 250–350 media outlets accessing the content daily. The platform is faster, more secure, and receives higher traffic.

Additionally, my understanding of the website has grown, so my users and potential sponsors can have more confidence in the company.

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team sets up videos conferences with me, so although we’re in different locations, it feels like we’re getting the face-to-face interaction I need. We often have hour-long phone calls to discuss their approach and progress–they’re very communicative.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to identify an issue before I’m aware it exists makes them a great asset. Their team keeps me up-to-date on the latest trends, which makes me more valuable to my clients. As a team, they’re proactive, insightful, and provoke creativity in every project.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It could have been more beneficial for my budget if I had to spend less time establishing my needs and industry in the beginning. Although it was helpful, I ended up running on a tight budget because of the time spent educating their team on my marketplace. It could have been better, in the long-term, if they had immediately worked on solving the issue.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m VP of operations at Paladin Risk Management. We provide risk management services for construction companies and their insurance brokers.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

We created our own enterprise data management system when the company started. Our needs have changed as the years have passed. The amount of data we process has continued to grow, which has stretched its information management capacity. We realized about a year and a half ago that we needed help fixing it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Facet Interactive systematically reviewed our entire system. They're currently working with us to rewrite and refactor the code. They’re also enhancing our system so that it continues to grow with our needs. It serves as our proprietary information management system. It’s the tool we use to conduct our business internally, and our clients have access to it as well.

One key functionality they’ve worked on is the system’s ability to generate and send automatic emails to clients. There were issues with our clients receiving the emails, which was related to the code not being written properly for the number of projects. They're giving us more bandwidth and flexibility in the system to grow.

What is the team composition?

We work with several members of their team. We primarily work with two of their digital analysts, and they are using several offshore people for our project as well.

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

I think that our old programmer referred them, but that decision predates me.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $148,000 this year.

What is the status of this engagement?

I joined the project after it was already underway, but I believe it started mid-2017. The engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our clients are now regularly getting automatically-generated emails from the improved system. That’s the most tangible result of the work that they’re doing to retrofit and rebuild our system, so that it functions properly for the size and amount of information.

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

They are really thorough in terms of communication. We have a weekly stand-up call with everyone who’s working on the project. They use an account management system that allows us to go in and check the status of our tickets. I can see an estimation of how many hours each part of the project is going to take and what level of priority it’s been assigned. They lay everything out in a clear manner so that I understand each step of our processes.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re good at predicting the next area of revision or restructuring needed for our system. They can tell which areas need support. Their ability to identify the problems within our system and respond quickly is commendable.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It sometimes feels like the projects take more time than they should. However, usually, any delay is due to them being so thorough. It also requires extensive testing anytime they make modifications to our system.

Any advice for potential customers?

It depends on what somebody needs in terms of specific projects. I appreciate their ability to communicate complicated concepts in terms that somebody without a technical background can understand.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the chief success officer of Axelerant. We’re a delivery partner for agencies and enterprises regarding software development, quality assurance, and other IT-related services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

We hired them to aid our marketing strategy efforts by developing a more approachable brand identity.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Facet Interactive developed a digital marketing strategy to better position our company towards software development firms and mid-sized marketing agencies. This included defining and executing a marketing plan. To do this, they redesigned some fundamental elements of our existing website and shaped the company’s new identity. Once the significant developments were complete, they helped us schedule future content releases and frequently reviewed analytics to refine our marketing strategy further. They also helped establish our brand guidelines and storytelling.

What is the team composition?

Jordan (CTO, Facet Interactive) and Peter (CEO, Facet Interactive) were our primary points of contact. They did a lot of the work themselves, but also allocated a designer and a content specialist to assist with various aspects of the project.

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

Jordan was the product owner for one of our clients. We collaborated with him on a project and enjoyed the experience. After developing a mutual trust with his team, he communicated to us that their expertise includes marketing. We considered several companies but ultimately chose Facet Interactive.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $25,000 and $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

This project took place from April 2014–2016. However, we still check in with them each month to discuss strategy execution.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Within a month of the new website’s launch, we experienced a 20% increase in business. This growth would continue each month for the following six months. Furthermore, the site’s overall traffic doubled over the past two years. These stats are impressive, but it’s more important to increase conversions from clients that meet our ideal customer profile. After a few months of working with Facet Interactive, we were pulling in 1–3 extremely viable leads each week.

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

We both use Jira for project management tasks and have linked a communication tool between the two systems to keep them synced up with each other. We engaged in daily standups and utilized a scrum methodology to identify deliverables within each given work cycle.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re process-oriented and use technology to enhance their deliverables. While recognizing that marketing is a creative endeavor, they apply known principles to replicate success. They’re the kind of partners that we can grow with and I admire their ability to provide mutually beneficial results.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the digital director and a project manager for a large portion of projects at Drupal Connect. We are mainly a Drupal website development and support firm, but we also provide our services for similar sites like Ruby, Magento, and WordPress.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Facet Interactive?

We needed help with our AdWords campaign and some website rebranding.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Throughout both the AdWords and rebranding campaigns, Facet Interactive provided an outside perspective, created and implemented design concepts, and boosted sales initiatives. Additionally, they helped with social media marketing through blog development and content management.

What is the team composition?

We worked most directly with the CEO.

How did you come to work with Facet Interactive?

I’m not positive, but I believe it was through word of mouth.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $120,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in 2016 and the AdWords campaign finished about a year later in 2017. They still provide some services, like SEO. We also reach out to them sometimes when we have questions for our own clients.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both the AdWords and SEO campaigns have dramatically increased our sales and search ranking.

How did Facet Interactive perform from a project management standpoint?

We mostly communicated through Slack or Zoom. However, they’re very flexible and would be able to use different online communication tools. We would also have phone calls or video conferences. They are very communicative and personable. Their project management goes beyond overseeing or maintaining the project; they want to be involved in the details.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Facet Interactive is very well organized and has an established workflow, which makes them easy to work with. We never had to ask them to do something twice. They make and maintain connections through video conferences, and have attended several Drupal conferences. They’re easy to get ahold of and meet with in person.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have established business goals going into the project. If you’re able to clearly communicate your requirements, Facet Interactive can quickly create a realistic roadmap to help you achieve your objectives.