Monster Code Corporation

BACKGROUND

Please describe your organization.

We have a website and blog that connects active people with fun things to do where drinks are also available – so coffee, beer, wine, cocktails, and BYOB.

What is your position?

I am the founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What business challenge were you trying to address with Monster Code Corporation?

I had some positive feedback from some blogs I had written. I wanted them to help me create a map tool so I could have an interface like Yelp and be the Yelp for drinkers so that they could filter down the types of things they like to do and the beverages they prefer. If I wanted to do beer and yoga or wine and paint night, I could choose brewery and yoga or wine and art classes and be able to find them.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their involvement in detail.

I had already been building a database first in Google Sheets, and then I was playing around with Google Fusiontables. I wanted Monster Code to find a way that I could continuously update my data table and have it display in an aesthetically pleasing and functional way. I couldn't do that myself. I am using the Shopify platform. They were able to modify that by changing the CSS and HTML to make it look different. They also built something that they host on Monster Code's server that I just embed on the page I want. With the map they built, all I have to do and just embed it using certain formulas rather than having to manage that all myself. That's great for someone who's not technical.

How did you come to work with Monster Code Corporation?

I had a posting on Angel List and was getting a flood of emails. Monster Code was one of them.

Could you provide a sense of the size of this initiative in financial terms?

The project was less than $2,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

The initial project is completed. I asked if they could create maps for six new cities. We're working on that now [as of August 2016]. I think the project took a month. We had a few weeks where I spoke with the various teams over Skype. They gave me a preview of it. I had to give more specifics on the structure. The actual building of it took a week or two. It was probably four to six weeks in all.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

It allowed me to relaunch the entire site, and I was happy with it. I use peek user testing a few times a month because they do free user testing. No one has complained. People have been happy with it.

How did Monster Code Corporation perform from a project management standpoint?

I thought they were very good. Matt was the project manager and made it very clear who was doing what. There was the lead developer/cofounder, and I had a dedicated developer, Greg. I had a call with all three of them in the beginning. Matt took the reins on making sure everybody was on the same page. It was very organized and easy to work by email.

What distinguishes Monster Code Corporation from other providers?

At first, I wanted to work with somebody in Chicago because I thought it would be better to see what they were doing. I wasn't able to find anybody. The rates weren't good. Monster Code contacted me. They were straightforward, their prices were good, and they were flexible and fast. It's the first time I worked with a developer. It was a good first experience.

Is there anything Monster Code Corporation could have improved or done differently?

No. I was happy with everything. Maybe a summary of what they did, but I knew what they did.