LinkUp Studio

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

The quality of their work so far is really good, especially for how competitive their pricing is. And it’s really great to be able to deal directly with the CEO and CTO on Slack about any issues we have in terms of feeling like we’re able to make consistent progress.

How did Linkup Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

Their process is extremely organized. They have a person specifically designated for planning each sprint with us. We walk through the scope and break down how many hours they think each step will take them, and then after both sides approve it, we start the sprint.

They provide great customer service overall. We always get quick responses to our requests, and we can tell that they are always focused on how to make the development experience better for us. It’s one of the biggest reasons we were able to build the trust necessary to continue working with them for this long.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Unlike larger or more corporate service providers, there is a very human element to their studio. They really put the effort into winning every client and focus on the long-term relationship, and that was something we felt from the very beginning with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Besides extremely minor things like not getting the scope perfect the first time around, there’s nothing I think they really could improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Whenever you’re working with an outsourced provider, you should really have your vision nailed down so that you can communicate to them as clearly as possible what you want. That will make the process a whole lot easier for everyone involved.

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

It has been a long process, but they’ve delivered everything that we wanted on time and within budget. They’ve even gone back to make additional adjustments for us at no additional charge. We’re still working to improve the app and create more content, so it hasn’t been released yet. Nevertheless, they’re top-tier developers. We’re excited to get more people on the app, and we’ll see how the platform does as the user base grows.

How did LinkUp Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

We talk a few times a week and have a Slack channel set up. Even though Andriy isn’t necessarily a part of our day-to-day, he’s always checking in to make sure things are running smoothly.

They break up their work up into sprints and use Google Sheets to estimate the time it will take to build a given feature.

We also used a tool called Hubstaff to monitor development. It takes screenshots of their work, which allows me to check in regularly, which was really cool.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They actually care about what they’re building and the product’s quality. Unlike other companies I’ve worked with, they think about the problem and focus on understanding the issue before trying to resolve it.

Andriy prioritizes becoming a partner, which is really unique. I really appreciate that they understood our goals and wanted to build a long-term relationship with us.

Are there any areas they could improve?

While using Google Sheets is effective, I wish they had their own tool to manage payments. As the project has grown, the system has become a little overwhelming. Right now, our invoice sheet has 27 pages, so before making a payment, I have to sit down and determine what we’re actually paying for.

We also hit a slight delay during the project, and communication between our teams slowed down a bit, but that issue has been resolved.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It’s best to have a solidified idea of what you want to build. Developers need all the information to execute what you want. If you’re not sure yet, work with their designers to narrow down what you want before they start coding because it will save time and money.

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

Their ability to grasp requirements and execute quickly has allowed me to shorten timelines by weeks and months and enter negotiations with low-cost estimates. This is especially true at the prototype and POC phases. Their work doesn’t skimp on quality either.

How did LinkUp Studio perform from a project management standpoint?

It was unusual at first to work without dedicated project managers (they assign tasks to specific developers), but that made the work much faster. It also eliminates requirement misinterpretation, though it does force me to pay more attention on my side. Jira is installed on our side to track issues, and I believe they’re using it as well.  

We’ve had some delays, but that will be true for any collaboration. What I really like about LinkUp is that no matter how much additional time a project takes, they never ask for more money.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re a fast, young team that’s always up to date with the latest technologies. Over the last four years, they’ve changed frameworks multiple times to continue producing modern designs and current software. They’ve been one of the best bargains I’ve ever had because they don’t buffer their estimates. I really like their communication style, and they’re easily accessible for urgent matters, even at night.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The same thing that saves me a lot of money is also something they should improve. Because of the lower estimates, sometimes they don’t meet deadlines. Especially for larger projects, they don’t put enough buffer to be on the safe side, and we need to extend deadlines. This is the only negative point I have, and I could never complain about their quality.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

For larger projects, it’s a good idea to have a project manager on your side and split large tasks into small chunks. This way, you can keep track of what’s been done and what the real-time estimate is.

Involve them in brainstorming and requirement discussions. LinkUp comes up with good ideas and doesn’t just deliver what’s asked for.