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Nationally Top-Rated Web Design & Web Development

4.8
11 reviews

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.

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$10,000+
 
$25 - $49 / hr
 
10 - 49
 Founded
2012
Show all +
Sofia, Bulgaria
headquarters

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Progress Software, Hyundai Bulgaria, AT&T, Generali, UNIQA, Publicis, Alibaba, McDonalds

Wordpress custom development for PayHawk.io Image

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.
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E-Commerce platform and Orders Management System for chain of restaurants Mr Pizza Image

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.
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GoAyo mobile app Image

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/

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E-Commerce platform and ERP system Image

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/

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Hyundai new web platform and CMS Image

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/

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SRT Fairs web e-commerce platform and mobile app for business processes optimization Image

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/
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Reviews

4.8
11 reviews
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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.”

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
4.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Oct. 2019 – Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio developed and launched an e-commerce website in Bulgarian for a medical cosmetics company, and they maintain its infrastructure. They’re working on six more language versions of the site.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Bulgaria
Tanya Vancheva
Head of Marketing, Biotrade
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Grind Web Studio delivered a functional, mobile-friendly site that has helped the company generate significantly more year-over-year turnover. Internal stakeholders are pleased with all that they can do with the site, such as setting social media campaigns. The team is professional and responsive.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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). 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Sometimes our business priorities don’t match their schedule.
  • 4.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    Clients always want it to be cheaper.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We see the best in terms of professional work and approach to the client.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    We'd definitely recommend them.

Design Services for Digital Portal

"They were very good at addressing details and understanding our needs."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Less than $10,000
 
June 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio drafted designs for the game of an online health education platform. They worked from early mockups but drafted unique designs for both mobile and web platforms.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Sofia, Bulgaria
Lachezar Ivanov
Product Manager, BG-Mamma
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The game has been very well received so far, drawing compliments from users and satisfying all project requirements. The Grind Web Studio team was organized and creative, providing final designs that were both aesthetically pleasing and satisfied the technological challenges of the product.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

5.0
Overall Score They’re professional.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    If I could give them a 6, I would.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    The value for money is very good.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Development for Online Second-Hand Clothing Retailer

"The team at Grind Web Studio tries to understand the client’s needs."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio developed a software for a secondhand clothing retailer. The team used PHP to build the web-based platform. They also perform testing.

The Reviewer
 
Bulgaria
Stefan Burev
CEO, Contour.bg
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Grind Web Studio met expectations, delivering a quality product. Compared to other vendors, they’re communicative and skilled in their field. Customers can expect a professional team that is dedicated to a successful engagement.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of Contour.gb, an online store for secondhand and outlet clothing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They meet all deadlines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I recommend them for sure.

WordPress Development for FinTech Startup

"Grind Web Studio really tried to understand our business and its competitive landscape."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
3.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
4.5
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Mar. - May 2019
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio developed a website for the startup using WordPress, sticking to all brand guidelines while optimizing the company’s SEO strategy and making it quick to load media content.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
London, United Kingdom
Hristo Borisov
CEO, Payhawk
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Thanks to the new website, the company has experienced a boost in the time spent on the website as it now connects users to the information they seek in a more elegant way. Grind Web Studio genuinely dives deep into project needs and offers valuable guidance and suggestions.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

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. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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. 

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 3.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 4.5 NPS
    Willing to refer

Development Services & Support for Software Company

“After almost a year of working with them, they feel like they’re a part of our team.”

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio partners with a software development company, providing extra development support as needed. They helped build a WordPress site with custom code and third-party APIs. Maintenance is ongoing.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Sofia, Bulgaria
Senior Project Manager, Stanga1
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

They adhere to last-minute client requests and make themselves available outside of typical business hours. Although communication could be better, internal stakeholders are generally pleased with the engagement. The team is open to using various project management tools and systems.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

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.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

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.

SOLUTION

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.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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.

5.0
Overall Score They’re great.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Dev & Design for Int'l Transport Company

"Grind Web Studio kept to the promises, timelines, and budget we assigned to this project."

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
4.5
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Apr. - Sept. 2018
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio designed and built a website for a shipping company. They created a client portal connected to information from an ERP and an admin panel. They also made the site responsive and modern-looking.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Bulgaria
Svetlin Peshev
Managing Director, World Transport Overseas
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The website has seen higher traffic, search rankings, and positive interactions since its launch. Grind Web Studio delivered high-quality development work on time and at reasonable prices. The team’s timeliness, flexibility, proactive approach to sales stood out most.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the managing director of World Transports Overseas. We’re an international forwarding company with offices in southeastern Europe—Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?

Our website at the time was 5–10 years old and was causing a few specific challenges. 

First, it wasn’t suitable for mobile browsers—users found it difficult to scroll on a smartphone or something similar. Second, we couldn’t use the website to let customers place bookings or get quotations. If a customer wanted to get in touch with us, all our website provided was an email address. 

The third challenge was that the website wasn’t interacting with our ERP system’s full scope of information. For example, it couldn’t provide cargo tracking to our customers. Lastly, the design was outdated. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Grind Web Studio designed and developed our new website. We wanted the new site to look modern, mobile-friendly, secure, and able to host some video content. At the same time, we didn’t want it to be too heavy or sluggish. We also wanted to be able to provide our customers with useful functionalities and information. 

One of our top priorities was to provide information to customers from our ERP system, which is a custom solution built on Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Grind Web Studio created a customer area that allows each client to see shipment histories, invoice information, and account statements. After we’ve received a payment from them, customers can see all that information in real time.

Customers can also export information from the website to different formats, including Excel spreadsheets. They can fill in transportation surveys as well. This feature isn’t linked to our ERP, but it’s still important to us, so Grind Web Studio built the function for us. 

We also have an administration panel to post news and change information without external assistance. 

What is the team composition?

My team worked with a designer and a programmer with one-on-one points of contact. I interacted with one of Grind Web Studio’s owners in the first stages, and 1–2 joined intermittently. In total, we worked with 4–5 people.

How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?

One of Grind Web Studio’s team members had worked on a project on our behalf while at another company. They then approached us at the exact time when we were looking for a website designer. We responded quickly. They introduced their services and told us our website was looking a bit dated, and that they thought they could do better.

How much have you invested with them?

The project came close to $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in April 2018 and wrapped up in September that year. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We launched the website in October 2018—translating the site into four languages caused a delay on our end. So far, the website is serving our needs in all the countries where we have a presence. 

For us, the crucial parts were for the website to work, not to crash, and to rank highly in Google search results. We actually dropped positions initially, but I learned that this is normal when changing a website. According to our monthly ranking reports from Grind Web Studio, we’ve risen above the position we had with our previous website. Now, we’re still moving higher and higher.

The site also functions as intended. For example, when a customer wants to get a quotation from us, there’s an interactive part of our website where they can see all the information they need. It uses a user-friendly format—with pictures and prompts—and doesn’t require registration.

In addition to providing regular reports, Grind Web Studio is on retainer for maintenance and any feature requests we have. There are also packages that their team uploads on it from time to time. We’re in contact with Grind Web Studio once every two months or so.

How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We don’t work on IT projects too frequently, so I can’t easily compare Grind Web Studio with anyone else from a management standpoint. We ran an ERP implementation project in 2013. The team there was larger, the implementation period was longer, and it was a much more substantial project overall.

The team that Grind Web Studio assigned to us was relatively small. They described everything in the offer, and we made a few modifications to it during the development and launch periods. All of that was handled swiftly. Grind Web Studio kept to the promises, timelines, and budget we assigned to this project. I can’t say anything negative about them in terms of project management.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Bulgaria is becoming a bigger and bigger IT market for both local clientele as well as internationally. Something that distinguished Grind Web is that they were very proactive. They found and approached us, whereas most local IT companies seem to be so busy that we have to go looking for them. Grind Web Studio’s approach made a good impression on me.

They kept to their timelines during the project, which is another issue I’ve had with vendors in general, not only in IT projects. Timetables are usually modified afterward, and we might experience some delays depending on the workload. This wasn’t the case with Grind Web Studio. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

One key programmer changed during the project. I’m not sure how they could improve on that. I have many colleagues running companies like Grind Web Studio, and I know that turnover is an issue with IT specialists.

Because of the change, we had to do some things twice in the development part. That was a minor problem, and I don’t think they could’ve handled it better, frankly.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

As with every IT project, plan everything thoroughly in the beginning. Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in the end and which parts are more important. Grind Web Studio will ask a lot of questions about those factors. In our case, we learned a lot of things on the journey, which is why the project took so long. 

We started with three months of deliberation on our side, and Grind Web Studio helped us during this part. We looked at some good industry examples and other websites of worldwide leaders in our business. 

Clients have to be prepared to invest time and money into clarifying requirements before the engagement. Grind Web Studio will be able to guide you through this phase if you can’t do it yourself, but it will take more time.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    Any delays came from our part, not from theirs.
  • 4.5 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’ve already recommended Grind Web Studio a couple of times.

Multiple Development Projects for Educational Media Group

"They did an outstanding job designing the website and platform."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Jan. 2018 - Apr. 2018
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio provided wireframes, frontend/UX design, pictures, and frontend HTML code for an MBA orientation platform. 

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Sofia, Bulgaria
Marin Aganderov
Product Development Director, Advent Group
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The updated website has already achieved 150,000 registered users. Grind Web Studio's design and development efforts were well received and contributed heavily to the platform's successful completion. The team is punctual, responsive, and professional. 

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the product development director at Advent Group, an educational media group.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?

We were developing our AI algorithms on a platform that orientates MBA candidates to make the best possible choice for their MBA program. We needed someone to develop the frontend of the platform. We have a number of other services on the website and we needed very skilled designers to make the best possible user experience.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We hired them to create the platform for MBA orientation. We gave them the directions of the services that we have. We developed an AI algorithm and they needed to propose to us how to visualize the results that are coming from this AI matching algorithm. They used Sketch. They did the frontend design, the pictures, as well as the HTML code for the frontend. They provided the wireframes.

We have a section of our website dedicated to webinars. They developed the functionality for users to sign up for the webinars that we’re organizing. They also visualized our cultural success. We developed organizational behavior studies that studies the life inside the business school communities. They made a visualization of this. We also have our consulting session of the platform and they designed the place where the users are conducting our orientation experts.

What is the team composition?

Our closest point of contact was Ivo (Art Director, Grind Web Studio) as well as the owner of the company. The designer was our account manager and always there for us answering our questions and receiving our feedback. The owner managed the business part of the project.

How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?

I worked with them before and knew that they were great professionals. When this project came up, I was sure they were the right ones to do it.

How much have you invested with them?

20,000 euros (approximately $22,000 USD) 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in January until April 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They were awesome. All the functionalities in the frontend that they developed was put on the web without any interference from our side. Our IT team just needed to connect the dots. They were outstanding. We had to do almost no corrections from their design. We’ve already signed 10 of the top business courses worldwide; a couple of them being from The Ivy League. We have over 150,000 registered visitors on the website. The impact for our business is significant. They did an outstanding job designing the website and platform.

How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management was excellent. They were very strict in terms of delivering on time and in budget. They’re a very reliable partner. They were very responsive. I’d send my feedback in the morning and by mid-day I received a corrected version. We communicated via Skype.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re very responsive and professional.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing I’d have them improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Listen to the advice you receive. They know their job.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They never missed a deadline.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They delivered everything we wanted.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Development for Real Estate Marketing Company

“Their capacity to work with big data goes far beyond that of similar vendors.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Jan. 2017 - Jan. 2018
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio built out an advanced web platform using PHP, HTML, and other technologies. The current version converts large data sets into a useable interface. They also designed a company website.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
London, UK
Piers Maughan
CEO, SmartScope Marketing
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Grind Web Studio delivered an exceptional platform. Their designers created an intuitive UI/UX that encourages customer engagement. As a result of their work, half of all demo users become paying clients. They’re a highly-skilled team that utilizes a transparent approach to project management.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the CEO of SmartScope Marketing. We’ve built a SaaS platform that assists real estate agents with direct marketing activity. By gathering and analyzing data, we’re able to predict which properties should be targeted with marketing material.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?

We needed a qualified development firm to build our platform from the ground up. Ideally, we were looking for a company that works with large data sets.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Grind Web Studio has been working with us since the beginning. Shortly after I founded the company, they signed on to construct our web platform. The current product was built using PHP and HTML. They also worked with my business partner to integrate specific technologies that aggregate data.

The core of our business is the market data that we gather in-house, but the web platform functions as the mechanism through which we can service clients. The system filters billions of data points into a responsive interface that updates in real-time. They also designed and developed our company website. That page essentially functions as an online business card.

What is the team composition?

We communicated with one designer and one developer.

How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?

My brother worked with them in the past and recommended them highly.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around £30,000 (approximately 39,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from January 2017–January 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Grind Web Studio created a highly polished platform. They designed and implemented a user-friendly interface. Nearly 50% of people who experience our demo become paid clients.

How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

I was effectively managing the engagement, so I spoke with them daily. Since they were building the platform from scratch, the project required almost constant interaction between our two groups. As a result, they on-boarded my team into their project management software to make communication easier. We appreciated not having to go through multiple management layers to interact with critical personnel. Our assigned developer was always available via phone or Skype calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their capacity to work with big data goes far beyond that of similar vendors. That factor is key to our success as a business. They’re also a productive team that offers competitive pricing. I plan on going to them first with future development projects.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there isn't anything from my point of view. They’re brilliant.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have open communication channels and provide clear briefing documents.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I recommend them to colleagues without hesitation.

Game Development & Design for Gambling Platform

"Their design team is a definite strength. The finished product is quite impressive."

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4.5

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
July 2018 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio designed the frontend components of a web-based slot machine game. Their team created all graphic elements, coordinated all sound effects, and integrated the game with an existing API.

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Malta
Raphael Di Guisto
Head of Games, Elephant Games
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The final product is still in the integration phase, but Grind Web Studio has already delivered a high-quality prototype that has led to an agreement with a game distributor. The team’s design capabilities are notable, and its project management approach makes for an organized engagement.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the head of games at Elephant Games, which offers online gaming and gambling software in regulated markets in Europe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?

We reached out to Grind Web Studio to design the frontend of one of our first game prototypes.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We decided on a traditional design for our web application slot game—gems and royal symbols. In addition to delivering those graphic elements, we relied on them for the in-game sound and special effect sounds. They combined all aspects of the design using JavaScript Game Engine and Phaser.io. Once complete, they integrated this game engine with an existing API.

What is the team composition?

We’re working with two designers, one sound designer, a project manager, and a developer.

How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?

We met through a friend of mine that had worked with Grind Web Studio in the past and had a successful project.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in July 2018 and remains ongoing as we continue the integration process. I’d estimate we are more than 90% complete at this point.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The online gambling market in the United States is different from how it is in Europe. Instead of this being a standalone application, it will be offered by licensed gambling operators. Our application is not live, but the prototype Grind Web Studio has delivered allowed us to secure an agreement with a distributor to take the game to licensed gambling operators.

How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate well through emails, Google Docs, and Skype calls. They are not specialists in gambling software, so there was a learning curve for them, but they generally understood our feedback and developed new iterations quickly. The project took slightly more time than we originally estimated, but in the end, we’re very happy with the product.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their design team is a definite strength. The finished product is quite impressive.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I attribute the delays in our project only to their inexperience working with games like this. I’m hopeful that if we work with them in the future, they’ll be able to complete the design faster.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I would caution against discrediting their team just because they are remote. They’re talented, and they know what they’re talking about.

4.5
Overall Score The overall experience has been successful.
  • 4.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    We’re pleased with the quality, but it’s taken a little longer than we expected.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    It’s not an insignificant amount of money, but the price is well worth it for the quality.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    The final result is exactly what we expected.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I’d recommend them on the basis of their quality and the ease of communication.

Web Development for Real Estate Agency

"They think critically about what they’re asked to do and find the best solution to meet a customer’s needs."

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4.5

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
 
Mar. 2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Grind Web Studio built a website for a real estate agency. The team created a complex CRM system. The frontend includes an easy-to-use UI and specialized search modules. They now provide updates. 

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Sofia, Bulgaria
Pascal Duffy
Owner, First Estate
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The site became an industry leader for its usability and visual appeal. It received positive user feedback and saw increased organic traffic. Grind Web Studio makes collaboration effortless. Customers can expect an expert team that responds quickly and provides innovative solutions to challenges.

A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of First Estate. We’re a real estate agency that deals in residential and commercial properties in Sofia.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Grind Web Studio?

We wanted to create a website that stood out from our competitors. We engaged Grind Web Studio to build an innovative site that had visual appeal and an easy-to-use interface.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We first worked together to develop a wireframe of our envisioned site. We knew we wanted an elaborate yet usable backend; Grind Web Studio created a foundational CRM system onto which they’ve built new modules over time. The team also created responsive features for our frontend. One program uses Google Maps to perform searches for real estate listings within a custom-drawn area. Another search module allows users to find properties ‘near me’; it uses their IP address to locate the closest properties based on a pre-selected range. Also, Grind Web Studio created a saved search feature that emails customers automatically when new properties pop up that match their searches. These modules were rare on local real estate agency sites at the time.

What is the team composition?

Ivaylo (Founder and Business Development, Grind Web Studio) serves as our project manager. Victor (Founder and Designer, Grind Web Studio) collaborated with us on the design and turned our ideas into a functional website.

How did you come to work with Grind Web Studio?

A friend of mine in the IT industry recommended Grind Web Studio to me. At our first meeting, the team offered an excellent quote that matched our needs and allocated budget.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent between $10,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2014, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Grind Web Studio finished the CRM system and website by June 2014, and we went live in September. After its launch, the site received praise for its accessible interface and visual appeal. It set the standard for our competitors. Our share of organic traffic also increased to more than half of our total traffic since we engaged Grind Web Studio. They continue to update the site and add modules as needed.

How did Grind Web Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

They are highly accessible and responsible. We keep in touch via email and phone. Any time that I need something done, I can reach out to their team, and they will respond quickly, even if it’s a last-minute request.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Grind Web Studio responds quickly and fulfills their promises. The team also suggests alternative approaches to tasks and offers fresh ideas to solve challenges proactively. They think critically about what they’re asked to do and find the best solution to meet a customer’s needs.

Are there any areas they could improve?

At the start of our engagement, Grind Web Studio admitted that they weren’t strong in SEO. However, we’re highly satisfied with the work they’ve done for us overall.

Any advice for potential customers?

As with any web developer, take more time on your wireframe than you initially anticipate. It’s an extremely important process that will benefit your website down the road.

4.5
Overall Score
  • 4.5 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
    They regularly meet our timelines.
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    We’re highly satisfied with the range of services they provide.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I recommend them to colleagues daily.