ION Agency - Out of Business

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of Grass Roots Equipment and Outdoors. We are a two-store dealership with locations in North Central Arkansas. We also sell other types of equipment and brands.

We have been in business since December 2017. I am a former John Deere location manager; when John Deere consolidated into a larger corporation, I got into business myself.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Ion Agency?

We needed marketing help. As a small business, we needed access to local folks that are quick to respond; we can’t afford to pay an IT person a full-time salary. When we became a dealer for one particular agricultural equipment manufacturer, we needed to have a website presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Randall (Founder & CEO) has been a good asset to the company in helping us figure out what is best for our advertising and also supporting our online presence. We have looked at other websites, and he has been very helpful in helping me decide what search engines, platforms, and social media we need to try. We mostly use Facebook and Google, and Randall has been very helpful in getting Google lined up so that we know where the money is going and determining the things that we don’t need to do. I have bounced ideas off of him.

Randall also created our website for us. I just told him what features I would like to start out with. In the future, hopefully we can make it a little more user friendly and add features, but right now, it works pretty well.

What is the team composition?

We just work with Randall. I know his wife helps support some of this too, and she has been to the store a few times when he was tied up with another client. He pretty much takes care of us himself, which I like because I know who we are dealing with, and he knows who he is dealing with. It is just a good relationship.

How did you come to work with Ion Agency?

I met them via my computer system installer, who is also local. He has had a long relationship with Randall, and he floated Randall’s name and let us know what he could do for us. We got together from there, and it has been seamless since.

How much have you invested in them?

We have spent somewhere between $20,000–$30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We have probably been working with Randall on the website since mid-2018, and we’re still actively working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I have had some new dealers reach out to me when it comes to tips, insight, direction, or advice, and I always float Randall’s name to anyone that is in our market area that he could feasibly get to. I have had people ask who did our website, business cards, and stationary, and I also pass that along locally to anybody that asks and try to help him grow his business.

I think having a website that we regularly update has helped us because we can direct customers to it, even on the weekends. We are active on Facebook and Facebook messenger with ads and that sort of thing. Customers can ask what specific products cost, and I can direct them to our website through a link. I have gotten good feedback from that. They can see current pictures of the actual unit versus just a studio image from the factory. We try to take several pictures, and that part has been good. I think we can say it has helped grow our business.

How did Ion Agency perform from a project management standpoint?

Randall has been great to work with. He has a whole litany of things that he is good at. We have become good friends, and he has been invaluable. Oftentimes, I preface my emails by saying that it isn’t a rush, but I will get a phone call or email almost immediately. I appreciate what he does for us. He is on top of his game and quick to respond. That just tells me why small, local businesses work so well together; you know who you are dealing with. It is almost like working with family. Randall has been a huge asset to us with whatever we might need from him.  

What did you find most impressive about them?

Randall is always easy to work with, and he goes the extra mile. He will step into the computer IT repair role when he’s not even called to come to the store to help; he just has that experience and is willing to help. We might be talking about making a change on the website or floating an idea, and something pops up. If I ask him what it is, he is quick to change roles and help alleviate a problem that we would need to call our IT folks about. He is quick to help us fix anything in whatever way that he can, and that is huge to me.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m sure there is something since everyone has room for improvement. However, I can’t think of anything where I can offer any kind of criticism, because he has just been flawless for us.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Because of Randall's available resources and background, the sky is the limit. If you have an unlimited budget, he can almost work miracles with his ability to design websites, give you features, and help walk you through how those features work. You don’t have to send an email and wait for a response for a couple of days, and then get someone else on the phone who isn’t part of the email chain. It is really nice to have that local ability to talk to someone.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and sole practicing attorney with Reeves Law Firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Ion Agency?

We have hired Ion Agency to build our website, oversee our online presence and SEO, establish and maintain our cloud-based phone system, procure our marketing materials, and for general IT and technology based support.

What were your goals for this project?

To have a modern, mobile, and fully functioning website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I knew him from growing up and knew that Randy would do a great job.

Describe the project in detail.

Ion Agency built our website which included the involvement with the agency, myself, a graphic designer, and other professionals. Ion also established and oversees our online presence and SEO. Ion then established and maintained our cloud-based phone system and also procured our marketing materials. We look to Ion Agency for general IT and technology based support including everything from phone support, to printers, to computers and monitors, to general internet system set and troubleshooting.

What was the team composition?

Myself, Randy Box, and Ion's team of experts.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The project has been a monumental success and is a necessary component of having a good foundation with which to build a business or a practice.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Perfect.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The most impressive attribute about Ion Agency is their responsiveness and their amazingly wide range of services and expertise that they can offer. They can really do everything from the most basic step 1 to the most complex issues that we have faced. We have not had an issue yet that they did not have expert, first hand knowledge about and a solution ready to be implemented.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I have seen as of yet.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Myers Davis is a life coaching and business consulting agency. There are many aspects to our company: Teaching life skills education for junior high, high school and college age students. Teaching self advocacy and job skills to high school students. Teaching leadership skills from youth to business adults.

Conducting educational workshops to businesses and corporations. Ticket to Work through the Federal government in working with individuals with disabilities to find jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Ion Agency?

Web development Office 365 hosting Printed marketing products Microsoft office staff training

What were your goals for this project?

Increase awareness of our business Increase wmoooyee knowledge

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Referral from a friend

Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.

High quality service in web design Continued support and training for office 365 Contributing blog posts Printed materials for business expos

What was the team composition?

Project manager 1-2 project assistants

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Continued progress as people are driven to our website.

How was project management arranged and how effective was it?

A simple phone call and visit. Contract. Regular communication. Very effective

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Knowledge, experience. Integrity, trustworthiness. They will do what they say and follow through.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None that I can see