Build Better Digital Products, Faster.
KOMODO are a creative digital product studio proudly based in Newcastle. We research, design, and build digital products for technology-led businesses and public sector organisations - enabling scalability and sustainable commercial growth. Working as a trusted product studio, we bring over 19 years of knowledge and experience to help you identify and exploit new business opportunities and build better digital products, faster.
KOMODO believes Product > Production. We work on disruptive projects that deliver change and set the precedent for a digitally evolving world. The products we build are borne out of creative problem-solving and not just a string of working parts.
Our proven 3-3-5 process provides your end-users with an optimal experience that delivers a competitive edge and supports measurable business growth. Book a structured call with our team now to see how: https://www.komododigital.co.uk/contact/
headquarters
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3rd Floor, Cathedral Buildings, Dean StreetNewcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PQUnited Kingdom
Focus
Recommended Providers
Portfolio
Citizens Advice, ThingCo, StructureFlow, Orchard Information Systems, ITV, Northumbria Police, Datatrial, Ocucon, Elanders UK, Space Group, Legrand, Newcastle University, I Am Property Group, College of Policing, GICHD
Cross-Platform Mobile App Drives Insurtech Success
Startup veterans - ThingCo - approached KOMODO to help deliver an innovative Insurtech project that would revolutionise vehicle insurance. Meet Theo.
The brief was to create an integrated app that worked alongside a 4G-ready-in-car tracking device to collect driver data in real-time. Powered by Amazon’s AWS - the meaningful data rewards drivers and lower insurance premiums.
The stylish app, developed in React Native, delivered an engaging user experience. The product has been applauded by the telematics industry and app users alike.
Key project outcomes included:
- MVP In 6-Months
- Help secure a £3 million investment
- Enabled internal team growth of 20%
“As a startup, having a design and technology partner like KOMODO has allowed us to focus on rapidly growing the business. They’ve integrated seamlessly to help propel our products forward in a sector traditionally slow to invest in user experience and digital.” Jonathon Valentine, CTO
Custom Software Development for LawTech Startup
StructureFlow was a small LawTech startup with big plans. They came to us because they had an idea and some funding - but were realistic in their ambitions. They knew that there was no way they could build an industry-leading app without a credible software engineering team.
StructureFlow needed a technical team that could integrate with their business quickly to hit the ground running - taking the existing product and making it bigger, better and ready to take the commercial world of LawTech by storm.
Built by the React.js team at KOMODO, they loved getting their teeth stuck into such a complex challenge.
Most importantly this was a highly successful project for StructureFlow. Key outcomes included:
- 100+ sprints delivered
- The product attracted new investment and contracts with Magic Circle clients
- The product won the prestigious demo day for 'Slaughter and May’s' startup cohort.
Cross-Platform Mobile App for Clinical Feedback
Using data expertise, Datatrial aims to advance global healthcare using their 20 years of experience in the life sciences.
Datatrial approached KOMODO to develop a user-facing app that facilitates feedback and monitors patients undergoing clinical trials. Datatrial has its own in-house tech team but lacked the skill set needed to develop the app to its full potential. The app, built using the industry-leading React Native and integrated with AWS, had to find an intuitive and empathetic solution to collecting feedback for patients suffering from potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Key project outcomes included:
- An empathy-driven user experience considerations turned emotional feedback scoring into a more empathetic system that was also valuable to the client’s data requirements.
- Designed to be easy to understand; the app meets the needs of users undergoing medical treatment.
A Fresh Face For Fire Safety Experts
Advanced are fire system specialists. Working in over 80 countries, they provide fire safety at the likes of The Shard in London. Despite their global presence, however, the customer-facing website was outdated with a poor user experience. They came to KOMODO to completely modernise their website - so we did.
By updating the UI and optimising the site architecture we injected new life into the navigation. The custom WordPress build required input from design, but our developers also brought the backend into the present.
Key outcomes include:
- A bold, exciting site that highlighted the brands' expertise
- A detailed style guide that integrated the user experience with a professional look
- Optimised user flows enabled through careful UX design implementation
Improving Home-Buying With Onward Living
Onward Living, a branch of Onward Homes, is a leading provider of premium housing on rent-to-buy schemes - based in the North-West of England they manage over 35,000 properties. Having worked with KOMODO previously, they wanted to bring us in again to help refine the user experience of their popular Onward Living web platform.
The outcomes were:
- A premium site that showcased their values and championed the user experience.
- A seamless and modern user interface design.
- A logical and user-driven user experience.
“KOMODO were not scared to challenge our thinking which was exactly what we were looking for.” John Wells, Head of Marketing & Communications
Cross Platform App For Mental Health Management
Myndr is a mental health and wellness platform providing support for those struggling with common mental health issues.
Myndr needed a digital partner they could rely on to handle the tech side of their startup, while they focused on the bits they knew best. Built using React Native technology, the innovative app enables people with mental health issues to create custom action plans. The design process focused on user needs to create an experience that helped alleviate mental health symptoms.
Key outcomes for this project were:
- A stylish, user-friendly app with an exciting and intuitive UI
- A carefully considered user experience that offered the best support for those with mental health issues
Reviews
the project
WordPress Web Design for Construction Company
“They have a friendly and professional team. … I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.”
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 director of marketing and communications at Taemar. We're a property development company based in the northeast of England.
What challenge were you trying to address with Komodo Digital?
We were going through rebranding, so we were looking for a vendor to help us design and launch a new website.
What was the scope of their involvement?
First, they walked us through the process and provided the timeline. Then, they developed the wireframes and helped us with the coding. They also worked with us to develop the copy and the tone. It's a WordPress website and they continue to provide ongoing support for it.
What is the team composition?
I worked with about 4–5 members of their team, including a project manager and some developers.
How did you come to work with Komodo Digital?
We were referred to them, so we asked them to send us a pitch for a different project. We were impressed with their pitch, but at that time, we chose the company we had worked with previously. So when we were looking for a vendor to do this website, we reached out to Komodo.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent between £18,000–20,000 (approximately $22,500–25,000 USD).
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked with them between July–October 2015.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
They delivered the website on time and within the budget. We haven't had any issues with the functionality of the site and they regularly update all the plugins. The CRM is set in a way that allows us to do most of the changes in-house.
How did Komodo Digital perform from a project management standpoint?
They kept the project on track and always let us know what information they needed from us.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their customer service was exceptional. They listened to us and resolved any issues immediately.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No. We'd definitely work with them again.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Have an idea of what you want to accomplish and have a good understanding of your own business. They will help you achieve your goals.
the project
Node JS Website API and iOS App Dev for Startup
“They genuinely want to build the most robust technology possible.”
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 and founder of a delivery booking platform called StreetStream.
What challenge were you trying to address with Komodo Digital?
When I first engaged Komodo Digital, I needed a developer to build a complicated website that communicated with a mobile app.
What was the scope of their involvement?
I originally came to Komodo Digital with quite a detailed plan of what I wanted to do. We already had some wireframes from a different developer. After a few rounds of discussions to finalize the scope, they prepared an initial quote for building the two products.
Komodo Digital developed a custom website with a corresponding native iOS app connected with an API database. The primary programming language of the site is Node.js. They conducted development in sprints using an Agile approach.
What is the team composition?
I generally had one specific sales contact. I was in regular communication with two developers but spoke with one more than the other.
How did you come to work with Komodo Digital?
I searched on Google for developers in various cities. I looked at their websites and previous work. After speaking to Komodo Digital over the phone, they seemed like the first developers who instantly understood what I was trying to accomplish. Explaining the concept to everyone else was much harder work.
How much have you invested with them?
In terms of pure capital, we spent about $200,000 in total. The initial build cost about $85,000. We continued to do extra projects together that included maintenance.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our contract started in April 2014. The beta for the initial version of the project went live in early February 2015.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
As a startup, our business is built around the technologies we developed with Komodo Digital. They delivered products that launched our company from nothing to a reasonably sizeable business, which made a significant impact. There were quite a few bugs to iron out, which took a long time before we were ready for launch.
How did Komodo Digital perform from a project management standpoint?
Komodo Digital performed well in this regard. They were very organized and used the Agile methodology. During the building and testing phase, we communicated almost daily. I don't have much to compare them with since they are the first developers I’ve hired.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Komodo Digital works methodically. They genuinely want to build the most robust technology possible.
Are there any areas they could improve?
The only thing I noticed was that one particular developer, who has since left the company, had a tendency to make assumptions. They probably should have clarified everything with me first.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
My general advice would be to specify what you want very carefully. I hadn't really worked with developers before and found it necessary to think through the project like a flow chart. Explaining the exact sequence helped them understand what I had in mind. Writing a description in prose doesn't work very well, which is probably true of all developers.
The website is secure and the in-house team is impressed with the customer service. Exceptional listeners, Komodo Digital accomplished all goals, while their expertise and excellent project management helped them deliver a top-notch product on time and on budget.