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Custom Website and Database Design / Development

5.0
7 reviews

Founded in 2001, Modern Signal is a Washington, DC-area custom website design and development firm with solutions for associations, non-profits, foundations and private companies - large and small alike.

Our team provides the complete range of expertise - strategy, information architecture, project management, programming, database development, graphic design and interface development - all working in concert to the benefit of your organization and your technology projects. 

We have over 16 years of experience in the design and development of enterprise-level, custom-built websites and databases particularly in ASP.net, ColdFusion and SQL Server technologies. 

When your organizations' needs can't be shoehorned into an off-the-shelf CMS, our team of experts can bring your complex business rules and vision together into a successful website project. 

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Undisclosed
 
$100 - $149 / hr
 
2 - 9
 Founded
2001
Show all +
Baltimore, MD
headquarters
  • P.O. Box 16380
    Baltimore, MD 21210
    United States
    202.365.7367

Portfolio

Key clients: 

Here is a small sub-set of our clients: Association of University Centers on Disablities, Croplife America, National Association for Law Placement, National Association of Home Builders/International Builders Show, National Institute for School Leadership, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Society for Developmental Biology, streetsense, TRACE International Work Samples 

 

Reviews

5.0
7 reviews
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Web Dev for Financial Software Company

“They deliver clean code on time and within budget.”

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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
 
Sept. 2005 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Modern Signal provides backend development services for web-based applications for various clients. They've also developed the company's internal website, using .NET and Lighthouse CMS. 

The Reviewer
 
1-10 Employees
 
Gaithersburg, Maryland
David Shoemaker
Programmer, Applied Business Services, Inc.
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Modern Signal provides high-quality code and user-friendly websites. In addition to the quality of their work, their team is also very responsive and communicative across the board. 

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 programmer at Applied Business Services, Inc., a company that provides accounting software solutions for customers. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Modern Signal?

We reached out to Modern Signal to develop web-based applications for different client projects.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Modern Signal works on various client projects as needed, building web-based applications based on specifications provided. Most of the apps have involved e-commerce solutions, integrated with a number of APIs from our own software as well as others. They've started from scratch on some projects, and incorporated their CMS into our own templates for others.

They've also developed our internal website from scratch, using .NET and Lighthouse CMS. 

What is the team composition? 

I work with 3–4 people directly, but there may be others working on our projects in the background. 

How did you come to work with Modern Signal?

One of our customers recommended them, and we've been working with them ever since based on the continuous quality of work they produce. 

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested over $100,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since around September 2005 and we continue to work with them on several projects. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We receive tons of great feedback from our customers regarding the solutions Modern Signal has helped us provide. They deliver user-friendly, well-performing web apps overall.

How did Modern Signal perform from a project management standpoint?

They're excellent communicators. We mostly stay in touch with their team via email and phone. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They deliver clean code on time and within budget.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing at this point.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

With any project, it's important to provide detailed specifications and designs.

5.0
Overall Score We have a great ongoing relationship with their team overall.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They're reasonably priced considering the quality of work they provide.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
    They deliver what they say, and their code always has minimal bugs.
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web App Dev & Redesign for Association

"Modern Signal delivers on their promises and stays within budget."

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
Aug. 2016 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Modern Signal has built a data indexing tool on .NET and redesigned a website. Recently, they migrated the site to a new CMS and built a news distribution solution. The partnership is ongoing.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Washington, DC
Carrie Conrad
Director of Project Integration, NASFAA
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The team’s high-quality custom builds and unique collaborative approach make the partnership a strong relationship. A registration functionality received unanimous praise from a large pool of users. Modern Signal accommodates requests and communicates challenges with transparency and honesty.    

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 director of project integration at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Modern Signal?

We originally hired Modern Signal to create and launch a new web tool. Since that project, the partnership has pivoted to streamlining our website and web application development.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

For the first project, Modern Signal built a digital index with data sets and industry terms on .NET. The mobile-friendly solution targeted financial aid administrators with resources and citations. Our team had provided an RFP and their team was responsible for design, flow, and the solution’s administrative tools.

More recently, the team redesigned our website—frontend and backend—and migrated our old CMS platform to their custom .NET-based Lighthouse CMS. They also built a tool for compiling and exporting our daily newsletter. Given our smaller size, this feature acts as a compilation that we put on our website and disseminate via our e-news distributor and e-newsletter.

What is the team composition?

We’ve worked with a couple of main project managers and a few primary developers.

How did you come to work with Modern Signal?

I had worked with Modern Signal at another trade association. When my current team evaluated vendors, they were our first choice. Quality work, culture fit, and a variety of offerings were important factors. I appreciated the opportunity to continue working with them.

How much have you invested with them?

Between all of our projects and standard maintenance, we’ve spent between $800,000–$1,000,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2016 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Given our business rules, out-of-the-box solutions require too many customizations to be worth the purchase. Consequently, our team always uses Modern Signal for development because we know they’ll deliver the quality we expect. For example, we chose Modern Signal over other plug-ins and providers for a new certification management program. Since we’re upgrading our association management system in the next two years, we were concerned that no other vendor had the direct experience to handle any challenges or rework needed.  

Similarly, we went with a custom build for our online store and registration process. Modern Signal built the store from scratch and our users found it intuitive without experiencing any major issues. I’ve never seen a project—especially a registration feature—receive unanimous praise. I cannot speak more highly of them.

How did Modern Signal perform from a project management standpoint?

The two primary project managers work differently, but both accommodate us as a high-maintenance client. We’ve struggled on our end to find a project management system that works for us because our team doesn’t have a traditional or formulaic approach. Rather, Modern Signal works with us to reprioritize items when we run into scheduling challenges. There’s fluidity in overcoming these hurdles because our relationship is incredibly strong. We communicate via a tracking system, email, phone, and web conferencing. Our teams rarely meet face-to-face.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Modern Signal delivers on their promises and stays within budget. The team is also honest. For example, they recently persuaded us not to go through with a $30,000 project because the potential solution wasn’t a good investment. Most other vendors would’ve taken our money and let us realize that outcome on our own. After a series of bad experiences with partner agencies, we deeply appreciate our robust and interactive relationship with Modern Signal. The teams have frank collaborative discussions when challenges or disagreements arise. After years of working together, I completely trust them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Whenever we provide feedback, they try to make it happen and cram more work into their schedule. Modern Signal should feel empowered to tell us to back off and scale back our ask. Since none of our requests have changed the budget, they may have felt compelled to accommodate all of our stakeholders’ ideas. But we don’t need to make every idea work; there are plenty they can discard.   

5.0
Overall Score It's truly a pleasure to continue our relationship with them.
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design & Development for Anti-Bribery Organization

"Modern Signal has always responded to challenges with aplomb."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
Confidential
 
June 2014 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Modern Signal provided full-stack design and development for a risk-management platform, converging several web apps into a single portal with a modernized UI/UX. They now manage updates. 

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Annapolis, Maryland
Third-Party Support Manager, Anti-Bribery Organization
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

The cohesive system has dramatically improved business efficiency and decreased turnaround times for large-volume orders. Modern Signal’s attentive customer service, accurate cost estimates, and willingness to adapt to changing industry requirements continue to impress. 

The client submitted this review online.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a support manager for a globally recognized anti-bribery business organization and leading provider of cost-effective third-party risk-management solutions. Our members and clients include hundreds of multinational companies headquartered worldwide. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Modern Signal?

We wanted to combine our systems into a cohesive portal and to update and modernize the interface. At the time, we had been using several web applications for different product lines, which complicated the process for our customers and internal staff. We had also outgrown our systems, which had not been updated in years.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to give our customers a better experience and simplify the ordering process across product lines. 

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was not involved in the project until after the vendor had been selected, but I believe we received quotes from three different companies and selected Modern Signal based on their project scope.

Describe the project in detail.

We operate in a unique industry, and the requirements are always changing. Hence, this project has been complicated from the beginning, as we have continually added features and functionality. However, Modern Signal has always responded to challenges with aplomb.

What was the team composition?

We communicate primarily with the two founder/owners of Modern Signal. They managed the team internally and pulled resources as needed, especially for specific projects that required specialization in certain areas. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What outcomes or results can you share that demonstrate progress and/or success?

The system’s efficiency has dramatically improved due to the decreased turnaround time. We are now able to handle large-volume orders that would have been nearly impossible using our old systems.

How effective was the project management?

Modern Signal understands our priorities and always works within our requested timelines. They meet deadlines within a week or two, and most delays have been due to additions or changes to the project scope from our side.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

They offer outstanding customer service and are incredibly responsive to our questions and requests. In my experience, no other vendor has come close to Modern Signal in these regards. They also provide accurate estimates and finish tasks at or under budget consistently.

What tips or recommendations do you have?

They could consider using a more formal project management process. Our projects are always delivered on time, so evidently their process is working. But, from my perspective as a client, we sometimes lose track of the bigger picture in order to focus on the most important tasks first. 

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

Database Development & Support for Disability Nonprofit

“The fact that I’ve kept them on for 8 years is a testament to their quality.”

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5.0

Quality: 
5.0
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$200,000 to $999,999
 
2010 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

As a long-term technology partner, Modern Signal provides support for multiple websites and a proprietary software used to create reports that comply with strict government regulations.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
Silver Spring, Maryland
Oksana Klimova
Dir. Web Services, Assoc. of University Centers on Disabilities
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Their efforts contribute to improved user experience, flawless reports, and up-to-date software, all delivered within expected timelines despite the limited budget. Since the same people work on a project throughout its duration, they are able to maintain a high level of quality.

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 director of web services for a national non-profit association focusing on mental and physical disabilities. We work with universities on disseminating research on these topics. We build reports based on government regulations, which tend to change every year.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Modern Signal?

As the only person in charge of technology and the support of our proprietary software, I needed help in this area. At that time, our software was low-quality, and we had several unfinished projects. The developer needed to work directly with me on those tasks.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Modern Signal helps keep our software up-to-date and bug-free, ensuring that we’re running our websites efficiently. We have a few password-protected portals, one of which is intended for collecting data for government agencies that provide grants to universities. They’ve implemented their Lighthouse content management system on a couple of our websites. We keep everything on an in-house server, so all our software is written in ColdFusion, along with Java and Ajax JavaScript. They also maintain our MySQL database. They keep us healthy in the technical sense.

Recently, they’ve implemented a portal that collects self-evaluations from university trainees and their faculties. The system can draw graphical comparisons between the beginning and end of a year. It was implemented a couple of years ago, running in beta for the first year and making actual data collections in 2017.

Since we are budget-cautious, we’ve asked them to base the designs of the reporting platform on Bootstrap templates. Based on our unique requirements, they’re usually able to tweak those templates in a way that serves our interests. We use both public-facing templates and administrative ones for our backend. In both cases, this approach has worked well for completing projects under a tight budget.

What is the team dynamic?

Throughout the years, I’ve worked with 4–5 developers from Modern Signal. I usually interact with 1 project manager, which is something I prefer because I have a development background. The development team has changed, but, because there are few people able to work with our particular technologies, I’ve requested the same people for each of our projects. They have been flexible enough to accommodate my requests, which I appreciate. It has saved time, eliminating the learning curve when the programmers implement new features, make code adjustments, or do debugging and quality control.

How did you come to work with Modern Signal?

Our relationship started 8 years ago, just after I came to the organization. At that time, we did not have a permanent vendor for software development. Initially, I approached 5 candidates, including one from Pennsylvania. I focused on small- and medium-sized companies since this type of vendor would be able to provide us the personal attention we required. A bigger company might not provide this since we are a non-profit with a tight budget.

Modern Signal came highly recommended by another non-profit that had used them for their reporting system. I gave them the project scope and received an estimate that matched mine. They fit our criteria perfectly, so we started the relationship.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $40,000–$60,000 per year on their work. The cost was bigger in the beginning.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in 2010, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

In terms of coding and project management, everything seems to be working well for us. We have had exemplary performance over the years, which serves as a testimony to the quality of their work. They’ve implemented changes easily, which is important since we would look bad as an organization if we exported the wrong data.

The faculty commented on how easy it was to submit data on the self-evaluation system, as well as the flawless interaction with the initial setup. Since everything was obvious, there was no need to read the documentation we provided.

How did Modern Signal perform from a project management standpoint?

They provide outstanding project management. They’re punctual and responsive. We get monthly invoices accompanied by Excel spreadsheets of the time spent on every single request and project. We use Pivotal Tracker for all small tasks like quality control and debugging. The communication is also superb.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The fact that I’ve kept them on for 8 years is a testament to their quality. They are knowledgeable and give good suggestions. They bring the developers into the conversation at the right time and suggest other professionals who can help in certain situations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It’s hard for me to criticize them. We’ve always started with templates, so I couldn’t provide any feedback about their design capacity. If something is not up to my standards, I’d definitely look for someone else.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
    They can find a solution for our budget.
  • 5.0 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer

Web Design for Legal Professionals Association

"I've been dealing with websites for more than 15 years. Modern Signal has far and away been the easiest to work with, the most responsive group of people."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
5.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2008 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

The client originally hired Modern Signal to redesign their main website and then extended the scope of the agency’s involvement to include design work on specialty directories.

The Reviewer
 
1,000-5,000 Employees
 
Washington D.C. Metro Area
Lisa Quirk
Director of Technology & Electronic Information Resources, NALP
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Modern Signal is a successful and valuable partner for the client and consistently delivers high quality work. The client praises the agency for their accessibility and collaborative nature. Modern Signal is highly recommended to others.

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

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I work for the National Association for Law Placement, in Washington, D.C. The people who are our members are the career services or career counseling people in law schools, and the people within law firms, government agencies, and public interest organizations that hire or recruit lawyers. So, we bring those two sides of the business together: the people who are doing the recruiting, and the people who are trying to get their students recruited.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I am the director of technology and electronic information resources. I manage our infrastructure, the network. We have a third-party consultant who does a lot of that work for us, and then I manage all of our websites.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Modern Signal?

We've had them do several different projects for us. We had been working with a development company that we did not get along with very well. Every time we asked them to do something, or every time we told them that something wasn't working correctly, this other company would tell us why it was our fault or it was a stupid idea. It was not a good working relationship. So, we decided that we were going to switch to a different development company.

Please describe the scope of their work.

The first project that we had them do for us several years ago was simply to redesign our main website. Then we have a number of other specialty directories that are our organization is known for specifically, which we had Modern Signal help with. Once we had worked with them for a while, we had them help us redesign some of those. By now, Modern Signal has actually done all of those for us. So, we have a directory of legal employers, a Canadian directory of legal employers, we have a directory of law schools and then we have sort of a combination between a directory and a job board for public interest legal jobs.

SOLUTION

What was your process in selecting Modern Signal?

I do not remember how we found them specifically. There was a variety of reasons we selected them to do the work. We did some research, and I think I might have found Modern Signal through ASAE [American Society of Association Executives], but I really don't remember, it was so long ago. We got proposals from several organizations for what we were looking for, and Modern Signal came in very good on price.

They were easy to work with, they were easy to talk to, and they had good ideas. When we said that we wanted to do something, they'd often come back and show us how they had done the same for another of their clients. They were able to help us a lot in those ways. So, between these things, we ended up selecting them.

Can you give a sense of the cost of the work they have done for you?

We did the Canadian directory, the directory of legal employers, and the directory of law schools, and I would say each of those was probably in the $50,000 range. I don't remember the cost of the website redesign. The public service job board might have been a little bit on the higher side because it was just a little bit more involved as far as being able to make it searchable and have the employers being able to post information. There were just more fields and options.

When did you start working with Modern Signal?

We first started working with them in the summer of 2008, and the collaboration is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the results of their work?

I have to say that they have been one of the best companies that I've ever worked with. I've been dealing with websites for more than 15 years. Modern Signal has far and away been the easiest to work with, the most responsive group of people. They seem to work together really well as a team, they all get along, and they seem very collegial. I've been working with the same account person, and they've brought in a couple of additional people here and there. Everyone has worked well with me and with each other as a group.

Is there anything unique or special about Modern Signal that really makes them stand out?

One of their strongest points is just the fact that they're so responsive. I can call and tell them what I'm thinking about or what I need to happen and they will get back to me immediately with suggestions, with two or three different ways that we could accomplish whatever it is I'm trying to accomplish. Even if it's just a tech support thing, if I call them, I get a call back from them the same day. Sometimes, they can just solve the issue immediately on the phone.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

No. I can't think of anything that I would tell them that they needed to do better or do differently.

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

I think this would go for any vendor you're working with, but just be very clear on what you're trying to accomplish, so that you can describe that clearly to the people you're working with.

5.0
Overall Score
  • 5.0 Scheduling
    ON TIME / DEADLINES
  • 5.0 Cost
    Value / within estimates
  • 4.5 Quality
    Service & deliverables
  • 5.0 NPS
    Willing to refer
    I would absolutely recommend them.

Web Development for Real Estate Design Firm

"We've done many projects with Modern Signal through the years, and we've had a seamless, wonderful working relationship with them."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.0
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$50,000 to $199,999
 
2001 - Ongoing
Project summary: 

Modern Signal acts as the client’s digital partner and has provided website design and development services for their customers for over fifteen years.

The Reviewer
 
51-200 Employees
 
Bethesda, Maryland
Eric Burka
Managing Principal, Streetsense
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Modern Signal consistently delivers excellent work. The client has particularly high praise for the agency’s custom content management development services. The client had no criticism for Modern Signal and highly recommends the agency to others.

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

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We're a multi-disciplinary design and creative firm. We specialize in architecture, interior design, branding, and marketing as well as research, analysis, and retail brokerage. So, we design, plan, and market in real estate, hospitality, the public sector, and restaurants. Our headquarters are in Bethesda, Maryland, and we have another office in downtown Washington, D.C. We have about 130 employees.

What is your role in the company?

I'm one of the principals.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Modern Signal?

One of the many services we provide to our clients is website design and development. We use Modern Signal as a partner to help us deliver those products to our clients.

Please describe the scope of their work.

They do website design and development for our clients.

SOLUTION

What was your process for selecting Modern Signal?

I've been working with two of Modern Signal's principals for 15 years. We used to work at another company together. When we all branched out and started our own businesses, I utilized them to handle all of my design and programming projects. So, it's been a very long relationship. Because I had worked with them before and knew their capabilities, I trusted and believed that they were the best out there.

Can you give a sense of the cost of their work?

I don't do the bookkeeping, so I don't know exactly. I would say we've spent between $50,000 and $100,000 working with Modern Signal through the years.

When did you start working with them?

We started working together in 2001, and we are still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics, metrics, or other feedback about their work?

Everything they've done, from their project management to their back-end programming, is excellent. They've not done design work for us for a while, as we now do that in-house, but when they did provide that service, it was excellent.

There are no metrics – only happy clients. We've done many projects with Modern Signal through the years, and we've had a seamless, wonderful working relationship with them.

Is there anything unique or special about Modern Signal that really makes them stand out?

Their custom content management development services are the things that stand out. What makes those services so good is the technology and ease of use. It's easy for us to resell their work.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

The only area for improvement is the speed in which they can get things done. Our clients are constantly pushing us to move faster and, in turn, we end up passing that pressure on to them.

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

Web Design for Nonprofit Professional Society

"Someone at Modern Signal always answers my emails and actually responds and takes care of things that come up."

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5.0

Quality: 
4.5
Schedule: 
4.5
Cost: 
5.0
Willing to refer: 
5.0
The Project
 
$10,000 to $49,999
Project summary: 

The client first hired Modern Signal for the task of designing their CORE database and then extended the scope of the agency’s involvement to include web development and management.

The Reviewer
 
11-50 Employees
 
USA
Public Relations Coordinator, Nonprofit Professional Society
 
Verified
The Review
Feedback summary: 

Modern Signal succeeded in improving the client’s SDB CORE site’s functionality and visual design. The client praises the agency for their adaptability and ability to consistently deliver high quality work. Modern Signal is highly recommended to others.

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

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

I work for a scientific nonprofit organization. Our main goal is to aid our members, which is made up of scientists who do research on biology. We run an annual meeting where we have research presentations in the field.

What are your role and responsibilities?

I do publications and communications. I was brought on actually to help launch the website. The first project we did with Modern Signal was SDB Collaborative Resources, or CORE, which is an online database of images and movies on developmental biology. So, my main responsibility was to help curate images and movies from scientists and get them on our website.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal in working with Modern Signal?

The main goal was for Modern Signal to design our database. CORE was very image intensive, and the goal was to make it very visually appealing and easy to use. We get submissions online from our membership, so it's very important that this process was easy and straightforward. We have a very large number of Mac users on Firefox and Safari, so it was very important that the site was capable of handling multiple platforms. That was our primary goal when we first came to work with Modern Signal.

Please describe the scope of their work.

They initially worked on our membership database, then website development and management. CORE was a big project. Because they did that work, it made sense to go with them for other things on our site, so it could connect to our membership database.

SOLUTION

What was your process in selecting Modern Signal?

I think I found them online, maybe through Google. I was looking for designers, and we were getting quotes through the website for CORE. We really wanted it to be geared toward us and not just go with whatever site we could get anywhere. We wanted it to be designed around us – that was important. Modern Signal was local, so that was kind of nice. They talked to us, and we just liked how they presented themselves. So, I think the process was basically that we met them, asked for a proposal and went from there.

Can you give a sense of the cost of the initiative?

We have spent at least $20,000 on CORE, including all of the upgrades. We've probably spent a similar amount for the website.

When did you start working with Modern Signal?

We started working with them in 2011, and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics on the project?

I think our membership appreciates the SDB CORE site, and it's visually pleasing. The functionality of our current site is better than it was before.

Is there anything unique or special about Modern Signal that really makes them stand out?

I like that it's small and that I know whom I'm talking to, that I'm not put through several prompts on the phone. It's like they're in our office, like they are right downstairs, as far as the service they provide. I feel like, even though they're remote, they're still there.

They're great at adapting to our needs when those needs change. Last year [2014], we added a donate button to our website so that we could start getting in donations for the society, and that was a really important function to have integrated into our membership database.

So, it's the quality of their work and the fact that they're responsive to us. That's really important because our previous vendor was not responsive. Someone at Modern Signal always answers my emails and actually responds and takes care of things that come up. Just yesterday, there was an issue with Firefox and our website administration page not coming up. It was fixed overnight. So, it's great that when they see an issue, they address it right away. Their customer service is great.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or something that you might do differently?

Overall, they've been responsive. I think they seem to be ramped up with a lot of other business, so they kind of have to work a project in. I guess they could expand and add another developer or another person but, then again, the idea of keeping the company small was kind of nice, too.

What advice would you give a future client of theirs?

It's important to prepare beforehand and think about what your needs are. You can't assume that other people can read your mind, so it's really about being very explicit about all the things that you want. Modern Signal can only do what you tell them, so I think it's important that you plan things out ahead of time. Things will come up and you'll have to change some things and that's fine, but just be explicit about what you need upfront.

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