Custom WooCommerce & Shopify Design + Development
Grind is a web studio, creator of exceptional UI concepts and effective user experience. Our every day mission is to help product businesses to develop and setup their online presence in order to grow faster.
We create amazing web products for brands which you love. We love the products we create which helps us to progress with passion and mission to impact the online experience of the user with state-of-the-art solutions. We create digital adventure for users of our customers. For us building a product is a process of individual and unique solutions.
Grind is committed to help you to grow your business. Let our team becomes your partner in creating your new identity. … Our story continues and you are part of it.
Specialties: Е-Commerce, WooCommerce, Web design, Motion design, User experience design, Responsive design, Front-end development, Back-end development, Native apps development
Located in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Focus
Portfolio
Progress Software, Hyundai Bulgaria, AT&T, Generali, UNIQA, Publicis, Alibaba, McDonalds
Wordpress custom development for PayHawk.io
Payhawk.io is a fintech company who is modernizing the way companies expense employee spending.
We were really pleased to be brought in to the design and development process at an early stage, allowing us to perform our creative team.
Payhawk needed a new design of their product as well an exciting online presence for their revolutionary technology.
We worked with the client over a long period helping define the right visual characteristics in order to present the product the best way.
E-Commerce platform and Orders Management System for chain of restaurants Mr Pizza
In 2016 Mr. Pizza had few successful restaurants in Sofia but they didn’t provide an option to order their products online, which was a big mistake as they were very popular in the city. They needed to close the gap quickly and asked Grind to develop a platform for easy communication between all of their restaurants and their online users.
We knew the user experience would be the first part to consider. In our research, we found only one competitor who was in a good market position at that time. All of the others were relying on a long list with checks and forms. We saw the new website as an opportunity to differentiate the brand through the development of a shopping platform that gives to the users convenience and entertainment making the site a powerful sales tool.
GoAyo mobile app
GoAyo is an innovative product that alleviates jetlag and energizes users through light therapy. We designed the website, to help visitors easily understand the science behind the product, connect with the knowledge of specialists as well as the personal experience of other clients.
Accompanying the website, we created a mobile application for iOS and Android, which helps the users to complete the sessions in and beat jet lag.
See the full case study here: https://grind.studio/projects/goayo/
E-Commerce platform and ERP system
We worked with the team of Contour to help elevate their brand and completely reimagine their online presence. Starting from scratch we kicked off the project with a week of brand immersion followed by a quick sprint to help define the new user experience as well as set a new visual direction.
With more than 60 000 products and more than 500 new products added to the website every day, Contour has one of the largest offerings on the local market. With such a wide and frequently changing inventory, the site design was focused on functionality and usability. While different motivations may drive the purchase of clothing online, compared with those on the street store, the experience of shopping in Contour.bg is considered as a very important aspect in the way customers build their connection with the brand.
See the full case study here: https://grind.studio/projects/contour/
Hyundai new web platform and CMS
The client came to us with the request to implement its new worldwide visual identity to its Bulgarian website. Once the designs were finalized, we moved forward with the custom development (based on Laravel framework) of the site which included a number of intuitive and dynamic functionality.
From a communication point of view the main challenge was to explain each innovation that happens in the new models of Hyundai, in a way that anybody could understand. We wanted to stay away from technical terms explaining how these complicated technologies work. Instead of that, we have chosen to represent the innovation with more images and interactions with the user.
See the full case study here: https://grind.studio/projects/hyundai/
SRT Fairs web e-commerce platform and mobile app for business processes optimization
SRT helps universities to find and recruit well-prepared and motivated students to join their programs.
Our task was to create an e-commerce platform where SRT list events organized by them which can be booked and purchased by the universities and also a platform where the students can register their participation for the events.
You can see the full case study here: https://grind.studio/projects/srt-fairs/
Reviews
the project
E-Commerce Dev. for Pizza Chain
"They delivered exactly on the spot."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m an SEO and digital marketing consultant for a number of companies.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
I contacted Grind Web Studio about four years ago, when I was working for a restaurant chain called Mamma Mia. Afterward, I started working with another chain, called Mr. Pizza. I worked with their team for both of these clients.
Mamma Mia didn’t have a proper website, so we had to develop a specialized web page with Grind Web Studio.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Grind Web Studio developed a website with a separate custom-made order system. We were targeting home orders in the Sofia region. The website was built on WordPress.
We didn’t have a precise idea of what the order system should be like, so they were given the liberty to make a proposal based on what had worked for companies.
The system was integrated with an email service, and it allowed users to manage their food preferences. They installed a heatmap on the order system, and we also tracked clicks and other metrics.
What is the team composition?
I mainly communicated with Ivaylo (Co-Founder) back then, but they have project managers for each project now.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
I made some research on Sofia-based companies, and I was impressed by the initial conversation with Grind Web Studio.
I worked with them again because they were always prompt and answered all my queries, no matter how small.
How much have you invested with them?
The development cost for the specialized order system was around $45,000. The website cost an additional price.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project started in early 2016, and it ran for three months.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We were getting five orders per restaurant for each of the five restaurants before the system was implemented. We went from 5–30 orders per restaurant within the first five months of using the order system, and it grew exponentially from there.
I was out of the company, but I kept in touch with people there, who’ve told me that they’re getting around 40 orders per restaurant in 2020.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
They delivered exactly on the spot. Everything was done within the three-month timeline, including testing. We mainly communicated through email and phone calls, and they have their own systems and tools.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They gave us solutions, and they told us when a crazy idea that we had wouldn’t work. Clients don’t always know what they want, and Grind Web Studio’s primary value add is their e-commerce knowledge.
Are there any areas they could improve?
They’ve evolved since 2016.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
The client needs to have patience, always express their concerns, and listen to Grind Web.
the project
Web Development for Grocery Store Chain
"They managed to make all the integrations very easily and without any big trouble."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the COO of Parkmart, a grocery store chain in Bulgaria.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
We have physical grocery stores and now we’re moving into the e-commerce side. We needed help with creating our online store with all the products that can be ordered online.
What was the scope of their involvement?
They developed our WooCommerce website. It’s a scalable solution because we’re divided into different cities. If we have physical stores in two different cities, they connect with the online store through different warehouse systems. They used mainly PHP and completed the first phase in July. They’re now developing a second phase by helping us build a mobile app that will serve our marketing purposes.
What is the team composition?
There are more than five people involved. My points of contact are the project manager and the CTO.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
We found them through a referral of a friend who had experience with them in the past. This was enough for me to make the decision to work with them.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent around $40,000 together.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in March 2020 and the work is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We’re very happy with the final results. The project has been successful so far. It really depends on our marketing and whether we’re going to grow it or not.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
The project manager works very well. We don’t have any problems. Everything was clearly communicated and the scope was very clear. It was very well structured. They have an internal system for project management that we use, and we also communicate via phone, email, and WhatsApp.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They managed to make all the integrations very easily and without any big troubles. It works very well. We have 20,000-30,000 products and everything is working very smoothly.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, everything works very well.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Define the deliverables and what you want to achieve at the end of the project.
the project
Web Development for Telecommunications Company
"Just have to keep up the good work."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
For nearly 20 years, Telelink Infra Services is maintaining an industry leading name as a premier provider of intelligent telecommunication and security solutions tailored to the needs of the customer.
Headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, our core business focuses on design and construction of network infrastructure, complete range of integrated security solutions and critical infrastructure protection systems together with developing and implementing future-proof smart technologies.
Serving hundreds of customers within the telecom, enterprise, industry and public sectors, extending the reach of our operations in five countries across Europe, we continue to set the standard for next generation intelligence and interconnectivity. I am Communications Manager.
For what projects/services did your company hire Grind Web Studio, and what were your goals?
We had two reasons to approach Grind Web Studio:
- We are part of a holding company. There was a group reorganisation and we needed a brand new website to focus on our specific business and highlight our corporate identity.
- Our previous website was outdated and we needed a new website with modern functionalities and look.
They developed and designed a brand new bilingual website, including building SEO structure.
How did you select Grind Web Studio and what were the deciding factors?
We made a contest and we chose them among four other companies. They had excellent creditials and appeared to be up to date and flexible.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
We had an introduction meeting to discuss the assignment, their approach, the process steps and the timeline. We provided the draft texts. They made mock-ups and wireframes. The team designed and developed WordPress website.
We exchanged ideas and feedback. Improvements were made. In the end they updated the website with the final content. And built the SEO structure.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
We had two points of contact - one of the partners and a Project Manager. I don't know how many people worked behind the scenes.
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
We launched the website three weeks ago and we are unable to share specific metrics at the time. But we received a positive feedback from our colleagues, customers and partners.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
We had daily sincs. We used emails, viber and their platform to communicate any details.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
We had a very positive, fruitfull and easy communication. When we discussed each of our ideas, they always gave an adequate response - either did their best to do what we wanted or explained simply and reasonably why it is not recommended to be done.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
Just have to keep up the good work.
the project
WooCommerce Dev for Infant Clothing Chain
“They’re very helpful, organized, and responsible.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the e-commerce manager at a baby clothes company.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
We didn’t have support from the developers on the old e-shop we used. We needed a new vendor to relaunch our e-shop and make new functionalities that we wanted.
What was the scope of their involvement?
They developed our new e-shop on WooCommerce. The team made the design, UX, and synchronized the system with our e-shop. Now, our e-commerce shop can track our inventory. They also implemented new functionalities like product filters and a wish list. The team organized thousands of products by filters and categories to optimize the checkout process. Additionally, they optimized the speed of the site, too.
What is the team composition?
We worked with a marketing manager, a developer, an account manager, and some graphic designers, and web designers.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
We considered six companies in our search, and we chose Grind out of those because of their ability to support us.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $15,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began working together in January 2019, and we wrapped up development in November 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our clients like our design, and new functionalities. They especially like a button we’ve implemented where they can locate an item in one of our stores. Overall, the new platform is easier for customers to find what they need.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
They perform very well. When I have a problem, I just call or write an email and they respond immediately.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They support us whenever we have any problems and it’s very easy to get in touch with them.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, everything was great.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
They’re very helpful, organized, and responsible.
the project
Web Design & Development for Education Technology Platform
"The project ran smoothly and efficiently, and I felt the company really understood what I wanted to achieve with it."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and position.
GDSolar Ltd. is a Bulgarian EdTech company looking to build a new online education platform aimed at the European market.
For what projects/services did you retain Grind Web Studio?
As of this writing, Grind Web Studio has produced wireframes for the website and offered a rough estimate of the price for the complete project. I plan to continue working with them for the remainder of the project.
What were your goals for the project?
The primary aim was to bring an idea to life through the development of wireframes. Grind Web Studio has taken my website brief and realized it better than I had imagined.
Describe the project in detail.
So far the project consisted only of the production of wireframes for the website. The website should be able to connect students and teachers while also offering a space for live lessons to take place.
What was the team composition?
I have worked only with the manager of the firm and the UX developer.
How did you select this Vendor?
I found this vendor through clutch.co.
How much have you invested with them?
We have spent about €4000 (approximately $4,500 USD).
What is the status of the project?
The project began in May 2020 and is currently ongoing, as we plan to continue building the website with them.
What was the outcome of the project?
The wireframes were completed in a timely manner and at a high quality. Once the wireframes were completed, I was contacted with an estimate of the total cost of the project.
How effective was the workflow between your team and their team?
The workflow was very impressive. I was contacted on a daily basis when changes and updates to the project were made, and weekly meetings were scheduled at my convenience.
The project ran smoothly and efficiently, and I felt the company really understood what I wanted to achieve with it.
What was the most impressive part of working with them?
By far the most impressive thing about working with Grind Web Studio is their personal approach to their clients. From day one I felt that they were eager to take on the project despite its difficulty.
They have a very can-do attitude towards complex problems, and I was never told that something couldn't be done. Throughout the entire lifetime of the project I felt like I was in the loop and in control.
Are there any areas for improvement?
No, I honestly don't have any recommendations for things they could have done differently.
the project
E-Commerce Site Dev for Medical Cosmetics Company
“They’re solution-oriented, whereas many other companies said the project would cost a lot more or wasn’t feasible.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the head of marketing for Biotrade, a Bulgarian-based producer of medical cosmetics with products for conditions such as acne, excessive sweating, and more. We’ve been in business for 25 years and sell across three continents in more than 25 countries.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
We had an old e-shop that didn’t perform well and wasn’t mobile optimized. We needed a new multi-language server to cover most of Europe. In particular, we needed the Bulgarian website to be built by Black Friday 2019.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Our teams discussed the scope of the work, available options, what to keep from the old website, and the requirements for the new one. Grind Web Studio provided consulting about what we should and shouldn’t do, suggesting technical solutions of how to proceed throughout the entire process.
They presented the phases and set up deadlines. Their team built the website and launched the Bulgarian version, and they’re working on the next language versions, of which there are six planned. They also maintain the entire infrastructure on a monthly basis.
What is the team composition?
We’ve worked with five people total. The founder was at the early meetings. We work with a technical person, a designer, and Nelina (Sales Manager), our account manager. There is also a backup account manager when Nelina is unavailable.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
We interviewed companies for about a year before choosing Grind Web Studio. They answered any questions we had and were open to budget negotiation.
How much have you invested with them?
My company has spent €20,000 (approximately $22,000 USD). The whole project will cost around €40,000 (approximately $43,000 USD).
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The new website works and can do so many new things, like setting campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. On Black Friday, three days after we launched, we generated a threefold growth in turnover compared to 2018. We directed more people to the site, and they were able to complete their purchases. It’s an entirely different universe.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
It goes smoothly and quickly. There are many critical things timewise. We have a group to discuss the most urgent topics, which are then emailed to the project manager. She collaborates with the team. We’ve had no difficulties in communication; they’re responsive.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They’re solution-oriented, whereas many other companies said the project would cost a lot more or wasn’t feasible.
Are there any areas they could improve?
There isn’t anything that I can say should be changed.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be open and share all needs and expectations upfront. Trust their professional opinions.
the project
Design Services for Digital Portal
"They were very good at addressing details and understanding our needs."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We provide an online forum in Bulgaria for mothering education, health, and various topics. It’s been around for 18 years. I’m the product manager of the company.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
We had a couple of small projects for advertising banners. We ran a larger project in October 2018, developing a Christmas game with fortunes. They made all the designs for the mobile and desktop versions. We’ve incorporated the game as a new category on the site. Grind Web Studio combined the design we used on the main site, BG-Mamma.com.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Grind Web Studio handled just the design of the game. They had a brief with all the creative and technical specifications of the screens. We created a new Christmas game with them in October 2019. It was based on the previous game, but we made it look different, changing almost everything. They had mockups to start from, but otherwise, it was made pretty much from scratch.
What is the team composition?
I usually talked to Ivaylo (Co-Founder, Grind Web Studio), who was the project manager. I worked closely with the designers during the process.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
Two of their members had worked for our company many years ago and knew the product very well. They were the best fit for the project because they’d worked on the product before, so we used them as a company.
How much have you invested with them?
The project cost between $5,000–$10,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Grind Web Studio around June 2018, on some small projects. We started the bigger project in October of that year, and they completed it in November. I joined the company four years ago, and I think Grind Web Studio had done different projects for them before that, but the collaboration is ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We tracked metrics after the project was finished, but Grind Web Studio only handled the design. Our users could post comments about the game on our site, and most of those were very positive. They’ve liked the mobile design very much.
They paid close attention to the user interaction features, and they managed to do the work in a short timeframe.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
They met the two-week deadline we set for the design brief, which was impressive. We didn’t have a lot of corrections during the process, because they managed to meet all the technical specifications and deliver the design materials correctly.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They managed to combine elements of modern design with the key functionalities of the product. They were very good at addressing details and understanding our needs.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No. We set up a process when we started working with them, and we had room to get to know each other better at the beginning, but now it happens so smoothly that we don’t even need time to polish our work with them.
Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?
If the client creates a detailed brief with all the criteria and specifications Grind Web Studio has to meet, they’ll do the job perfectly. It very much depends on the brief. In the first year, we had a face-to-face meeting with them to clarify all the details.
the project
Web Development for Online Second-Hand Clothing Retailer
"The team at Grind Web Studio tries to understand the client’s needs."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the CEO of Contour.gb, an online store for secondhand and outlet clothing.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
There were several challenges. We were working with another service provider, but we were not happy with them. While we invested a lot with them, the software was basic. At the end of our agreement, we had almost nothing, so we were looking for a different provider.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Their team provided a full-solution service from the design to the final implementation of the software. The solution we received from the previous software provider was not what we wanted, so Grind Web Studio redeveloped that code.
We have a full e-commerce solution with a warehouse system behind the site where all of the processes take place. Different people and photographers on our team are meant to use the software.
It’s a web-based technology on PHP. We have 100,000 products in our store that can’t work with a ready-made solution. Their UX designer performs testing and helps with changing functionality.
What is the team composition?
We work with about five people, including a designer, a frontend developer, two backend developers, and one project manager. We also work with a QA tester.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
A friend recommended Grind Web Studio to me.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent more than $100,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our engagement with Grind Web Studio started in 2018.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Currently, the project is finished, but it wasn’t a one-time project as we’re maintaining a relationship with Grind Web Studio as we add new features. We’re happy with the product.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
It’s easy to communicate with Grind Web Studio. They know what they’re doing, and we have no problems. They have an internal CRM type of system as well as a ticketing platform that we use for communication.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The team at Grind Web Studio tries to understand the client’s needs. Their professional team gives solutions to any problems. In the end, we’ve had successful implementations with different features and a strong amount of sales.
Are there any areas they could improve?
It’s hard to hire people nowadays, and sometimes we need more resources to deliver new features faster, but that doesn’t depend on Grind Web Studio.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
When you’re trying to select your vendor, it’s important to provide them with more detailed scopes of your upcoming project to have clearer briefs. That makes it easier for everyone involved with the project.
the project
WordPress Development for FinTech Startup
"Grind Web Studio really tried to understand our business and its competitive landscape."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the co-founder and CEO of Payhawk. We’re a startup in the FinTech sector with a team of 11 people and are currently focused on the European market.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
We needed someone to help us with web development for our FinTech startup and hired Grind Web Studio for the task.
What was the scope of their involvement?
We have a strong opinion about our brand, so it was super important for us to work with a company that understands our brand guidelines as well as how our product vision should be presented and communicated properly to customers.
Grind Web Studio developed an informational website for us on WordPress. In general, SEO is an important thing for us and we handle it on our side, but they’ve put together the tools necessary for us to be able to do it effectively. Our main request was to have a lightweight website with a strong SEO structure, especially since we have a lot of visual elements, including large photos and videos. It was important for us to get it to load quickly once live and be fully optimized so that Google wouldn’t penalize us.
What is the team composition?
We worked with three people from their team.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
A company we know worked with them previously and had a great experience, so we decided to give Grind Web Studio a try and we’ve been very happy with their services. We had talked to a few other companies, but we really liked the prices that Grind Web Studio offered, so we decided to go with them.
How much have you invested in them?
We spent around $15,000 on this project.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked together from March to May 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our bounce rate decreased and the time spent on the website increased. Overall, the new website has been very useful for us. Users are now able to find things conveniently and we haven’t had any challenges.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Grind Web Studio really tried to understand our business and its competitive landscape. They suggested a lot of things which really helped us understand how we would like to go about the execution of the project.
Are there any areas they could improve?
In general, we'd like it if they were a bit more transparent about additional work, estimates, and prices, especially since we don't understand this type of work and don’t feel in control. The way things are estimated isn’t always very clear to us. The price is okay and we are fine with it, but it would be good to have a little more transparency in that area.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Clients should prepare a good brief and explain what they want to achieve in the end. Those things are key.
the project
Development Services & Support for Software Company
“After almost a year of working with them, they feel like they’re a part of our team.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a senior project manager at Stanga1, a software development company based in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Nis. I’ve been working there for the past six years with various clients in Europe, North America, and Asia.
What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?
My company is in the same business as Grind Web Studio, and we work together whenever we need additional development help.
One of our clients, a bigger agency, needed a brand new website for all of their markets. Since we were pretty occupied, we needed a hand with the development. The QA and PM were still with us, however, we’ve delegated both frontend and backend development to Grind Web Studio.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Grind Web Studio worked with us on a presentational website for our client. We developed a WordPress site with a multi-site and multi-language CMS. They used some common plug-ins, but they mostly developed custom code based on the client’s requirements.
The site uses other technologies, including Bootstrap, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, and it has specific transitions and animations. The site also has third-party APIs, including Google Maps and Analytics. We’re currently negotiating a maintenance contract.
What is the team composition?
We’ve worked with three developers and a team leader.
How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?
A colleague who’d worked with Grind Web Studio recommended them. We liked that their office was close to ours and that they spoke English.
We had a quick in-person meeting to share the project’s technical requirements and challenges. We started some back-and-forth communication over lunch and worked through everything. My company decided to give them a chance, and it’s turned out great.
How much have you invested with them?
The initial budget was around €15,000 (approximately $16,450 USD), but the end client sent a lot of additional requirements, or change requests. We’re currently negotiating a maintenance contract with both Grind Web Studio and our client. I’d say the total will be about €15,000–€20,000 (approximately $16,450–$22,000 USD).
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Grind Web Studio in December 2018. The official end of the project was in July or August 2019. I’m still working with Grind Web Studio, and I’ve asked them for an additional estimate to make some changes. It’ll most likely go under the maintenance contract.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Most of the Grind Web Studio team is available outside of office hours, including on weekends, which is a plus for me. Clients can request last-minute updates, which requires extra effort from the developers. After almost a year of working with them, they feel like they’re a part of our team.
How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?
All of the project management tools and systems came from our end. I was responsible for every step of the project. We decided to use Redmine instead of Jira, and we used Skype instead of Slack. There was also a lot of email communication, and we used Google Docs to share timelines, issue and change logs, and assets. We also had phone and Viber discussions. Grind Web Studio was pretty great in this sense. They were really open.
As with most projects, communication was a key factor. We needed to make sure that all of the developers and project managers were on the same page, and that they understood the challenges of the project, potential issues, and the importance of keeping to the initial timeline. If someone were to delay something, it would reflect the end date. On the other hand, if the developers got stuck, it was important to share that information with a project lead.
That was one of the challenges in the very beginning. We were lacking some communication due to the tight deadline we had. It took a bit more time to go over all the changes, provide an estimate, and go back to the client or team lead. Grind Web Studio’s team lead made sure to confirm that they received the estimates and that they’d get back to us by the end of the week. We didn’t experience radio silence.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Quick turnaround and a good understanding of the requirements.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Their developers could do more in terms of communication. I know they’re focused on writing code and not responding to our messages, but they should have a team leader for every project.
Orders grew because of the system created by Grind Web Studio. Their tea is communicative, responsive, and transparent. Their skilled approach in the area of e-commerce makes them stand out from other similar providers.