My Web Programmer

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I created a web service marketing program where people come to my website and sign up for marketing campaigns. Our clients would send us to their customers and their customers would then participate in a game, which would create a touch point for them to connect with their customers each month.

First, users need to go through a series of steps to create an email that would be sent out to all of their customers. Then, their customers would come and play in a competition. We had different games—a crossword or a word search—that were timed. Our clients would then be able to provide prizes for those people who did the best on a game.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

I’m in the sales and customer service industry, and people in it don’t have a very extensive background when it comes to computers, software, and websites. I needed a partner to come in and educate me on those issues, and then actually implement and carry out the strategies I had in mind.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, I drew things out on paper, scanned it, and then sent it to them to show how I wanted it to work. It was mostly, “Here are my ideas, and you go ahead and put them on the website.” They were able to go ahead and bring a lot of these things into fruition. Initially, my website was going to be through email. They made the recommendation that we look at Facebook integration. That is what made my company a lot more appealing to my clients since they could gather likes and follows on social media.

My Web Programmer provided a lot of ideas. I would have an idea, and they would say, “Well, that’s not going to work. Maybe you need this little thing to work.” Some of the ideas that they brought in were pretty good. There were certain times, especially on the technology side, where they made recommendations and did things a little differently. They made improvements to the software that I was able to provide.

How did you come to work with My Web Programmer?

I found them on Elance. Having never done anything like this before, I was pretty careful in my interviewing process. I wanted to make sure that the people I was going to be working with on this project were going to be responsive and easy to understand. Since I have never really done much with computers, they also needed to provide the value I was looking for. I went through a series of interviews, then looked at their profile and the previous projects they had worked on. I ultimately selected My Web Programmer to do the job.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

We spent $50,000 over those couple of years.

What is the status of this engagement?

They worked for me a few years ago, working on the bulk of the project over six months. That was just me coming back and saying, “I wanted to do different things” or having something tweaked a bit. After that, it was on a consultative basis—I would call them with questions and they provided web support on different things. The work wrapped up two years ago.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

As far as the website being effective, we had customers that were excited and happy with the product. However, we didn’t track things on a micro level as far as the different outputs they provided and how well they worked in comparison to other things. I’m not sure about the level of expertise of the normal client that they work with, but I’m sure I was more challenging than most because I had a lot of questions. I didn’t understand basic website creation or the software platforms they were going to use to create what I wanted. They were very patient with me.

How did My Web Programmer perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re just good folks—friendly and responsive. They are interested in providing good customer service and answering questions. A good team of programmers provided their company with the support that their customers looked for.

What did you most impressive about My Web Programmer?

Whenever I’d call with a question or problem or something that I wanted to have changed, they would rarely say, “It’s going to be a while before we can fix that.” There was nothing like that. It was always immediate. Whenever there was something that was not to my liking, they were always very quick to make adjustments. They’re a great company and eager to please.

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

Nothing really comes to mind. There are always little misunderstandings here and there, which is probably to be expected. People can’t jump into your mind.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

If I were to do another project, I would certainly call their CEO and have him take a look at it before I talk to anybody else.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We provide a car export marketplace connecting overseas buyers with US sellers. We provide export logistics services, such as transportation, shipping, and inspection. I am the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

My Web Programmer has been involved in every aspect of our development, since the beginning.

SOLUTION

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We have worked with My Web Programmer from the very beginning of our platform. We started out with wireframes and moved to nonfunctional demos and actual prototypes. My Web Programmer has been our developer, and continue to work with me on improving the site's design. I did occasionally reach out to My Web Programmer for feedback, and general business guidance, but they weren't hired in an official consulting capacity.

How did you come to work with My Web Programmer?

I was referred to My Web Programmer by a friend. We had a discussion, looked at some previous projects, and saw that My Web Programmer could perform moderately complex work. At that point, we started our collaboration officially.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

We are currently working with a developer from My Web Programmer on a full-time basis, for 140-150 hours at the cost of around $2,000 per month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with My Web Programmer in March 2015 and launched the site in June 2016. We have an ongoing collaboration, and no plans to stop.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

I'm very happy with the work. My Web Programmer has done a good job. Since the launch, we've been in the process of getting users, so I don't have any statistics in this regard. I have shown the site to potential users, and the feedback has been mostly positive. 

How did My Web Programmer perform from a project management standpoint?

I can reach out to My Web Programmer at any time of day. They work during the US nighttime, which is helpful for me. I can review the website during the day, offer feedback, and have the work done by the next morning. My Web Programmer's team has been responsive to emails, and they're competent across a variety of technologies. My Web Programmer implemented pretty much whatever I asked for, even more technically-challenging items, like building a database for legal vehicle information.

What did you find most impressive about My Web Programmer?

My Web Programmer's owner has been very accessible. I've reached out to him at different points, getting feedback from a business standpoint. Since My Web Programmer has been in this field for a while, they have a lot of knowledge, compared to me, as a layperson.  

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

I have no complaints. I'm happy with My Web Programmer's work.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

It's helpful to have a good idea of what you're trying to develop and be specific with feedback, providing examples of items to implement. My Web Programmer works best in this scenario.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We are building a social platform to connect with loved ones. I am a co-founder.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

The programming element came with a lot of complexity, and we're thorough when it comes to due diligence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My Web Programmer provided front-end design and back-end programming. We have 2 different interfaces: one for clients, and one for admins.

How did you come to work with My Web Programmer?

We reached out to a number of different firms found online, either locally in the United States or abroad. Pricing was one factor but, at the end of the day, we were looking for expertise. We wanted to create a custom platform, instead of using something like Joomla or WordPress, which narrowed down our search. As we went through the process, they proved to have a good knowledge base, and they were very professional and timely.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

The cost of our project with My Web Programmer was around $10,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our project started in January 2015 and ended 3 months later. The work has been completed, but we reach out to My Web Programmer for more in-depth work for our company.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

My Web Programmer has stood out through their responsiveness, meeting timelines, and quality of work. I don't give compliments easily, so this is a big deal.

Our social media project is still in development, but we've used it as a practical application with our parent company. It enables customers to share documents through user links in a secure manner. My Web Programmer has helped us on the planning side and provided numerous services along the way.

What did you find most impressive about My Web Programmer?

I've worked with a few overseas companies, but My Web Programmer stood out through their ability to solve problems and create automated processes, despite our complex issues.

I care about finding the right people with the right brain power, and My Web Programmer's team fit this description. They're articulate and catch on quickly.

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

Everyone wants to drive prices down, but the quality of work mattered more to me. There are cheaper options to My Web Programmer, but they may not be worth the grief and time. My Web Programmer ran through our project details and gave us solutions, rather than having us micromanage every aspect.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

From a client perspective, communication and setting the right expectations for the work needed are important. Following up with conversations and emails needs to happen.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We're an automotive restoration company, focusing on vintage automobiles. We reengineer and improve vehicles. I'm the Chief Operating Officer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

Much of our work with My Web Programmer revolves around getting our message known. Regarding web design, there's only one chance to make a first impression, which was critical for us. It allows us to connect to clients and to convey a message in terms of who we are, what we do and how we do it. My Web Programmer has been integral in this. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My Web Programmer has provided design and development support, including on the backend of our site.

How did you come to work with My Web Programmer?

I had worked with My Web Programmer before joining the company. They were very responsive, and I didn't find a reason to look elsewhere. My Web Programmer replied in a timely fashion, they were professional, able to give me what I wanted in terms of vision, and always explained any challenges.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

Our projects with My Web Programmer have ranged from having a 2-day runtime, to being very involved. We've gone through a major redesign and rebuild of our website, in which they were very involved, with months upon months of work and beta testing.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with My Web Programmer for at least 7 years and have an ongoing relationship. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The new website has gotten rave reviews from clients, who have told us that it's very easy to navigate with this intuitive interface. Much of this was driven by the feed-back which we received from My Web Programmer.

What did you find most impressive about My Web Programmer?

We've given My Web Programmer great reviews based on the work they did and we were never disappointed.

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

Our time gap with My Web Programmer has been a drawback.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

Clients should understand what they want, be open to suggestions, and make sure that communication is based on positive feed-back, back-and-forth. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Century Aluminum Railings manufactures and distributes aluminum railings for decks and patios. Our company was started 13 years ago, and we have a national and regional chain of distributors in Canada and the US.

I am in charge of business development and I'm also a shareholder in the company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

We provide a Lego-like railing system which clients can install themselves. It involves multiple components like brackets, screws, pickets, glass, and so on. Lumberyards send sketches for patios and railings to our company, instead of figuring requirements for themselves. Our people then figure out the plan and pricing, send it back to the lumberyard, who pass it along to the consumer. We found it difficult to keep up with the demand for quotes, so we decided to build an estimating program which would take a patio's measurements and deliver perimeter designs, pricing, and all other necessary components.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My Web Programmer built a web application for our company, accessible on regular browsers and mobile devices. Since it was launched, we've rebuilt it a couple of times, and added additional functionalities.

When we started our company 13 years ago, we built the company website ourselves, but 4 Aces has provided work for it on a couple of occasions, and we're planning to involve them more.

I've mainly worked with My Web Programmer’s project manager, so I'm not sure how many people were included in the background. Now that we have a larger internal staff, I've been able to hand off the collaboration with My Web Programmer to someone else in our company.

How did you come to work withMy Web Programmer?

Eight years ago, finding a partner on the internet was a bit of a gamble. The practice was relatively new to us, as average consumers. I qualified 5-6 candidates through the internet. I asked for references, looked at the companies' work and pricing structure, and asked them many questions about possible occurrences during our project. My Web Programmer proved to be the best in terms of communication and English level. This was paramount, given the amount of information required in the estimation process. Most of the people we spoke to didn't even know what a railing was, so we had to provide a tremendous number of pictures and screenshots, as well as having many hours of detailed conversations. Working with an offshore company has been a great learning experience for me. I have full trust in My Web Programmer, and they've provided an amazing group of people.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

The cost of My Web Programmer’s services is between $3,000 and $5,000 per year. 4 Aces has been very good in terms of providing precise quotations, making us understand the cost before going ahead with it.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with My Web Programmer for 8-9 years, and have an ongoing relationship. We've recently finished some upgrades for the platform and we're planning to add 4-5 new products within 2017, with the help of My Web Programmer.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

The app has worked quite well, and it has been used successfully by many customers. The software has been one of the top-3 tools for our business. We have between 1,000 and 2,000 users across Canada and the US, at the lumberyard and building materials store level, who use our tool every day. We've been able to offer customers a tool which allows them to better sell our product. Sometimes, up to 10 users per day sign up for our program, so it's become a top-notch sales tool.

My Web Programmer has been very accommodating to us whenever we've experienced glitches or problems of any kind.

How did My Web Programmer perform from a project management standpoint?

My Web Programmer has generally maintained our schedule and budget. There have been times when we felt that we were being charged too much for particular items, but My Web Programmer has been accommodating, and negotiated a price which made everyone happy, so we've continued on.

What did you find most impressive about My Web Programmer?

My Web Programmer is very concerned about customer service, and they've done everything possible at any hour of the day. My Web Programmer has responded proactively and in a very reasonable amount of time to anything we asked of them.

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

Having a more regular relationship with My Web Programmer would have been beneficial, but there's nothing specific that they could improve.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

What My Web Programmer has created could be used extensively in the building materials world, especially for home improvement customers who need to create estimates at a store level. I have recommended My Web Programmer to different people, and I find that their solution could turn into repeat business, if someone was to go after it.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Seven Custom Homes is a high-end construction company. I am the owner of the business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with My Web Programmer?

I was having issues with managing our tasks, which were being repeated continuously. A fulltime resource was taking care of documentation and sedimentary issues like liability release waivers. They were simplistic tasks, but demanded a fulltime office person to take care of documentation and legal requirements. I mapped out the scope for a software, and started working with My Web Programmer.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My Web Programmer has developed my software, eliminating my need for a $70,000 per year employee, and doubling my business without bringing an additional headcount. The software has acted as a full documentation source for us.

The initial version was built using WordPress, but it has become so large that it will need to be converted to a custom PHP version. This depends on whether or not I decide to also sell the product, or to simply keep using it for my company.

I provided very detailed specifications, given that I come from a construction background. My Web Programmer did a great job of following my instructions. I wrote to-do lists, and they knocked them out.

My Web Programmer has performed great. Whenever something appeared unsolvable, My Web Programmer figured out a way to solve it.

How did you come to work with My Web Programmer?

I had previously hired a developer for this project, but it wasn't working out. He was missing deadlines constantly. I came to the realization that he had subcontracted My Web Programmer in order to do the work, so I simply contacted them. I terminated the initial provider, and continued working with My Web Programmer, which was 100 times better. I never realized what an obstacle that person was through their lack of communication with My Web Programmer.

I had looked at other developers, but I found that My Web Programmer was invested in the work and were doing such a good job, that I've had a hard time splitting away from them.

How much have you invested with My Web Programmer?

The cost of my project with My Web Programmer has been above $50,000 per year. It's hard to estimate the current cost because, once the software went live, I've only used one developer from My Web Programmer, instead of 2-3.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with My Web Programmer 2 and a half years ago. We have an ongoing relationship, and it's been a great investment for me. The software is currently in maintenance and enhancement mode.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?

Project management within my company has improved. It used to be a very stationary business, given that subcontractors needed to come to the office and sign a document in order to pick up their checks. We have streamlined the process, allowing checks to be mailed and signed digitally. This has helped my business tremendously, enabling me to double the amount of revenue which I previously had, without increasing the headcount. This has been a competitive advantage, generating $70,000-80,000 for each job.

There's been some interest in my software from an investor looking to make it public. As a result, I've talked to some other local developers, who were impressed with the work made by My Web Programmer. I've stuck with them throughout this period, and feel that we have a good working relationship. My Web Programmer is definitely responsive.

How did My Web Programmer perform from a project management standpoint?

My Web Programmer either delivered on time, or explained what was happening, and why a deadline wasn’t be met. My Web Programmer has been on time in 90% of cases, but I have come up with some challenging tasks, like tying to the QuickBooks accounting software. If there was no API for this, then My Web Programmer had to write it.

Our project has changed a lot, so I can't evaluate our budget accurately. From my experience, if there isn't clear guidance, then the contractor will probably go over-budget. I haven't felt bad about what I was spending, because I knew that adding additional items to my software would cost more.

Whenever there's a problem, I can send an email to My Web Programmer, and they'll answer it within my daytime, which is night time for them.

I have mainly worked with a project manager from My Web Programmer. The software which I wrote has aspects which are very similar to Basecamp, given that construction is almost identical to software design, in terms of project management. We've used our own software in order to communicate to-do lists.

What did you find most impressive about My Web Programmer?

This is the first project of its kind which I've worked on, and I've acted as a project manager, so I don't have a base for comparison. I do feel that My Web Programmer is an honest and responsible company. I feel comfortable working with them, and they have reasonable pricing, considering what they've accomplished. My Web Programmer isn't the cheapest option on the block, but they're not the most expensive one either. Honesty has been especially important, given that there is some sensitive data handled by my software. My Web Programmer has never done anything that would make me question them.

Are there any areas My Web Programmer could improve?

This may be a cultural limitation, but My Web Programmer could offer more guidance based on what they've seen in the past, whether it be on layouts or any other items.

Our only challenge has been in terms of time zones, but I've become accommodated to this.

What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with My Web Programmer?

Any client needs to be clear and concise in their requests, and make an effort to map out the work as much as humanly possible beforehand. One of the hardest things that I've had to learn was that explaining a request in a visual way makes the process much easier and faster. Three hours spent at night coming up with the illustration will probably prevent 20-30 hours of developers going down the wrong path.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founder & CEO of Can Serve Free LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Can Serve Free LLC is a registered investment advisory firm that helps investors build stock portfolios that fight cancer.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire My Web Programmer to accomplish?

• Website development

SOLUTION

How did you find My Web Programmer?

Online Search

Why did you select My Web Programmer over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from My Web Programmer were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

• Project Analysis
• Business Flow Diagram & Wireframing
• Software Architecture
• Software Design and Prototyping
• Programming / Development Phase
• Testing & QA Services
• Deployment

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Was able to test and confirm the deliverables produced.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Very timely responses to all questions. Any requests for revisions were handled in a timely manner.

What was your primary form of communication with My Web Programmer?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The company made the greatest efforts to bring nearly everything we requested into existence.

Are there any areas for improvement or something My Web Programmer could have done differently?

Would have been hellpful to set up video conferencing from time to time to discuss the milestones reached and provide an opportunity for Q&A.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Founding Partner of Corporate Celebrity Ventures, LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We bring corporate brands and celebrity brands together.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire My Web Programmer to accomplish?

• Design site template
• Develop the website
• Refine the final presentation and user experience

SOLUTION

How did you find My Web Programmer?

Online Search

Why did you select My Web Programmer over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

I hired them to develop a website for me,

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Mo and his team of highly gifted technical artists went above and beyond in their commitment to ensuring the project meets [in my case, exceeds] customer expectations. Overall, they did a great job on our project. I loved their work — it was outstanding. 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their team delivered the final project on time and within budget. 

What was your primary form of communication with My Web Programmer?

Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They were very professional — they delivered the project on time and within budget. Also, Mo was a keen listener with a customer-focused mindset towards the details.

Are there any areas for improvement or something My Web Programmer could have done differently?

Needless to say, I enthusiastically vouch for My Web Programmer. They’re at the top of their game.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Marketing Manager of Exotic Cars

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Leading car dealership for brand new and used luxury and sports cars in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With over 300 vehicles in stock across 4 different branches in Dubai, Exotic Cars can provide you with the most suitable vehicle that is tailored for your needs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire My Web Programmer to accomplish?

• Custom Web Design
• Digital Marketing
• CRM Development
• Custom Software

SOLUTION

How did you find My Web Programmer?

Referral

Why did you select My Web Programmer over others?

• High ratings
• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from My Web Programmer were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We wanted to revamp our website, and hired My Web Programmer to provide UX/UI Design services, custom web design, and custom web development. We also asked them to provide CRM implementation and development. They also developed a 360 view feature for us, allowing our website visitors to have a look at 360 exterior and interview view of the selected vehicle. They have also been providing digital marketing services including but not limited to Google Ads and Facebook Ads.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Their successful redesigning of our website and improvements to our user experience design lead to an increase in our website visitors and leads. The users are finding our website credible and engaging. Our company website also keeps on driving more lead and sales to us as we upgraded the website and got the digital marketing campaign run from them.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They are very responsive, delivered on time and with great results. They understand what we are requesting and deliver right the first time.

What was your primary form of communication with My Web Programmer?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They deliver quality results on time and within budget. They also have amazing custom service and strive to provide 100% customer satisfaction.

Are there any areas for improvement or something My Web Programmer could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

A boutique yacht design and building company. I was the head of the design department.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire My Web Programmer, and what were your goals?

We already had a website, but the website had some problems, pages weren't loading properly, we were getting inconsistent results. The original designer didn't have time to fix the problems, so we hired My Web Programmer to fix our website.

SOLUTION

How did you select My Web Programmer and what were the deciding factors?

We selected them based on a good reference from someone we trusted.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

They fixed the backend and the frontend of the website first. Then there were a couple pages we wanted to be redesigned and they did those pages too.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We were mainly in touch with the principal.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

In the end we had a working website without any errors, and got good feedback about the redesigned pages as well.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.

They were very responsive, had good communication and always delivered their results in time. We were communicating via email.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They just delivered what we want without any fuss, they had a positive working outlook.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I think everything was great.