Phoenix Online Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of business development of KTK General Contracting Ltd.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Phoenix Online Media?

We needed to develop a complete marketing strategy. Prior to our engagement with Phoenix Online Media, that didn’t exist within our company.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We had another website which wasn’t good. Our clients gave us negative feedback about it, so it needed some work. Thus, Phoenix Online Media created a new website for us.

Now, they handle all of our digital marketing, including MailChimp email campaigns and social media management for Facebook and LinkedIn. Their team also helps us with most of our photography and video production needs, and they created a YouTube account where they upload those videos.

Recently, we attended a trade show, and Phoenix Online Media took charge of getting us ready, designing and ordering the backdrop, the tablecloth, and the swag. They also designed and ordered can sleeves and hats, and they developed a page on our website specific to that event.

Additionally, they developed new brochures for us, one more general to our company and one single-page handout for the trade show.

What is the team composition?

I work with four people from Phoenix Online Media: both the owners, a technical person who developed our website and does a lot of design work for us, and a film editor in Florida, whom I’ve worked with for 1–2 videos.

How did you come to work with Phoenix Online Media?

One of our superintendents is friends with the owner of Phoenix Online Media. He recommended that we talked to them and got to know them.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $18,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in January 2021, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before I arrived at the company, 8–9 months ago, we didn’t have a LinkedIn presence, and our Facebook page was terrible. Phoenix Online Media has been on board for only six months, and those social media accounts have been turned around completely. For example, our LinkedIn presence went from four followers to around 300, and it keeps growing.

We’re also getting a lot of compliments about what we’re doing on the marketing side. This positive feedback comes from both our customers and employees, who were not used to that quality of marketing.

Phoenix Online Media is very creative and responsive to our needs. They’re very accommodating with our schedule, and it is easy to get along with their team.

How did Phoenix Online Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Phoenix Online Media’s project management is very good. They stay on top of what they say and promise, and they meet the deadlines. Additionally, they’re open to feedback from our team, and if I ask them to revise or change something, they don’t have a problem doing it.

They said that they would put together everything necessary for the trade show for a determined date, and they did, which reduced a lot of stress on our end because we weren’t sorting things out at the last minute.

They also delivered the website by the time that they said they would, and they’ve never missed a beat on posting social media content every week, as their contract says. They’re always on time, managing our account and being on top of everything. We communicate via email, texts, and phone calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The professional appearance of the content that they produce is impressive; their designs are crisp and clean. The videos, the interviews within the videos, and the social media content are all great, and they also put a lot of thought into the brochure.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No. They’ve delivered on their promises, and everything we’ve done together has been fine. We plan to continue to work with them, and our feedback might change 1–2 years from now. However, we’re very pleased with how they’ve performed so far.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Phoenix Online Media performs as they promise, so you’ll get value for your money. While marketing is expensive, we’ve gotten our money’s worth.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m a partner at Edwards & Petersen. We’re a law firm that focuses on family, criminal, and personal injury law.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Phoenix Online Media?

We needed SEO services to increase our digital presence, but our previous provider couldn’t deliver the expected results.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted an increase in web traffic and exposure across internet referral sites.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

We worked with them previously on a separate project and reviewed their recent portfolio before deciding to contact them.

Describe the project in detail.

They initially audited our website and met to discuss potential SEO strategies that would help us achieve our goals. Following our meeting, we conducted periodic phone calls to refine our approach and discuss our progress.

What was the team composition?

Currently, the project manager serves as our main point of contact, but we also occasionally communicate with their principal.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any statistics or metrics that speak to the quality of their work and impact of the engagement?

Since their involvement, we’ve seen our rankings increase with more traction for our site’s call to action features.

How did the Phoenix Online Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team responds quickly to our inquiries and is knowledgeable about our campaign. They provide monthly reports to track our rankings.

What impresses you about the Phoenix Online Media?

We appreciate that they seek to build substantial relationships. They’re committed to helping us achieve our goals.

Are there any areas for improvement?

They might benefit from better explaining our analytics. However, as I’ve mentioned, we receive monthly reports, and if we have any concerns, they respond in a timely manner.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm an acupuncturist and I own a company called Accurate Acupuncture, LLC.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Phoenix Online Media?

A prominent web presence is one of the best ways to recruit new clients and patients, and for a small business owner like myself, you have to ensure your SEO is at its best. I didn't have the time or know-how to put myself at the top of Google's rankings, so I hired Phoenix Online Media to improve my SEO and web marketing position.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started out by building me an optimized website, and then we added social media profiles on Yelp, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. They also helped me establish a presence on sites that create backdoor links to my website, like Alignable and Angie's List. As the project progressed they expanded my site from a single landing page to multiple pages with specialized content. Whenever I’ve won awards they announce that on my page to better promote me. They also helped me establish an online scheduling system, which improved patient acquisition since visitors to the site can make appointments immediately without having to call the office.

What is the team dynamic?

I've worked briefly with Jayson, who owns the company, but my main point of contact is David, the senior account manager.

How did you come to work with Phoenix Online Media?

I met David through a networking group called LeTip. I was still building my business and I was earning just enough to make a profit each month, but I wanted to take a risk and get to that next level. I figured SEO would be the best use of my money, and since I knew David personally, I'd already talked to him about what he could do. He built the landing page for my website and I loved the work, so that's why I decided to hire Phoenix to help me with SEO as well. It helps that they also gave me a spectacular deal on the cost.

How much have you invested with them?

About $12,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

I've worked with them for about two years and our relationship is ongoing. We're planning to redesign and expand the site next year.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve worked to make me visible on local search algorithms, and I'm up to the #2 best acupuncturist in Phoenix on search engines. On my intake questionnaire I ask every patient where they found me, and since I added the website I’ve seen a substantial uptick in referrals from Google, Yelp, or Facebook reviews as opposed to insurance or doctor referrals. That's now around 50% of my new patients coming from Internet searches, if not more.

I also saw more patients in the first quarter this year than I ever have previously, and it was a substantial increase: I went from 10 patients a week to 30 patients a week. I can only assume it's due to my website and SEO success because I haven't done any other marketing.

How did Phoenix Online Media perform from a project management standpoint?

For the most part, they're very responsive and good about getting work done in the timeframe they promise. I've only had to remind them of something once. David calls at least once a month to discuss our progress, what he needs from me, and where the project's going in the future. I'll give him ideas, like the FAQ page, and he'll tell me about his research into the kinds of content that appear during online searches for acupuncture. This helps us decide on new pages to add or ways to promote the business to people looking for a solution to a specific pain problem.

What did you find most impressive about them?

From what I understand, a lot of businesses will leave you on your own once you're up and running, but Phoenix makes time and effort to ensure my needs are met. It feels like I'm the only client, even though my site is running smoothly and my rankings would still improve even without their continued involvement. But rather than going hands-off, they still help me change strategies based on what the market's doing so I'm always in a good position to take that market share in the future.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Initially, they were inconsistent about sending receipts when I paid the bill, and it was a little frustrating since I need the receipts for end-of-year expense reports. They've just changed their billing system, so it's better now.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have an open line of communication and trust their advice on how to proceed. As long as you're clear in explaining what you need, they'll make it happen.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a partner in a small digital shop that provides a range of web services to small- and medium-sized businesses in both Phoenix, Arizona and the Bay Area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Phoenix Online Media?

We wanted a reliable partner to provide local SEO work for our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’ve become full strategic partners for us. They analyze the website performance of our clients to see how they rank against competitors and carry out AdWords and pay-per-click campaigns to boost performance.

They also provide additional services, including content creation, design, WordPress plugins, and newsletter writing.

What is the team dynamic?

I’ve worked with their entire team over the course of our partnership and become close friends with Jay [President, Phoenix Online Media].

How did you come to work with Phoenix Online Media?

I did an online search for local SEO companies and was impressed by both their website and their online site evaluation tool. After reading their Yelp reviews, I decided to give them a call.

I avoid working with larger agencies because I find they have too much fluff that encroaches on my own profit margins. Phoenix Online Media is a small, boutique agency that offered competitive pricing.

How much have you invested with them?

Over $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in October 2016 and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Small businesses don't like to spend money without seeing demonstrable results. I can say that I haven’t lost a client since partnering with Phoenix Online Media, which is the biggest vote of confidence you can get. I’ve also received verbal accolades from these clients, praising the SEO work.

How did Phoenix Online Media perform from a project management standpoint?

David [Senior Account Manager, Phoenix Online Media] is my main point of contact, and he’s able to get the job done without a lot of micromanagement on my end. We communicate through phone and email, and also conduct in-person meetings at least once a month to touch base.

In terms of managing our clients, they’re friendly, professional and have the skills necessary to retain customers. I’ve even invited clients to the Phoenix Online Media office to discuss strategy.

What did you find most impressive about them?

While some SEO vendors hide behind vague industry jargon, Phoenix Online Media is able to articulate their practices so that small business owners understand what they’re paying for. They’re very upfront about the strategies they’re implementing and don’t overcharge.

I also find it easier to work with a local company, so their location helps.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Pitfalls naturally arise when starting a new relationship, but we’ve grown into a real partnership after working together on several projects.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am president and CEO of the organization that runs Arizona BBQ Company, a brand-new restaurant in the greater Phoenix area. I own the restaurant.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Phoenix Online Media?

We needed the restaurant’s website built from scratch prior to opening of business. In addition to website development, we needed SEO work to enhance our listings on Yelp and Google. We also required help creating and managing the following social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

In addition to the building the website, they introduced us to community business leaders and the mayor. They organized a meet and greet for us in their office space when our restaurant was not yet done. That was awesome; they helped us get the recognition we needed to drive our business.

They also arranged our restaurant to be featured in the local newspaper and on the local news with an online write-up. They boosted any mentions in the media through SEO and social media.

What is the team dynamic?

David was our main point of contact. Either my husband or I have spoken to him on a daily-basis since the project’s start. My husband uses text messages while I prefer to communicate with Facebook messages. David was available any time, day or night. We made phone calls in the rare instances we do not hear back right away on something time sensitive.

David worked with a three-to-five-person team. They had an “all hand’s on deck” approach in the early stages, but we limited the number of people managing our social media accounts over time. Having fewer people helped increase consistency across platforms.

How did you come to work with Phoenix Online Media?

Our organization also owns a catering company. I knew I needed to hire an outside agency after researching website development and SEO. We worked with David, who we originally met through a networking group, on that company’s website. We then decided to use him for the new restaurant because he knew our likes, dislikes and quirks. Based on our previous relationship, we trusted the team to deliver with minimal guidance from us.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $5,000 - $8,000 on a yearly average, but we pay monthly for SEO management.

What is the status of this engagement?

They started work after we signed our lease on July 1, 2017 and completed the initial project by the September 20 opening. They continue to manage our website and SEO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I have not read the technical reports, but I am very pleased with the attention the restaurant has received in the press and on social media. Our Facebook account has over 1,000 followers since going live in July. We are in the top three Google search results for BBQ restaurants in Gilbert, AZ. The restaurant also appears in “top 10” lists for the area.

The team made us viewable on Apple Maps and put us in touch with the area’s new food critic, who just published an amazing article on the restaurant. For me, we are hitting metrics by achieving these kind of goals.

How did Phoenix Online Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They have an intuitive understanding of their clients’ needs, which makes collaborating on design mock-ups very easy. They do not just take an interest with the work, but also the people who run the businesses. They were dead on; they got it; they did an amazing job.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The relationship they build with their clients sticks out to me. Not only are they very responsive, but they make you feel like you’re their only client with the level of service they provide. You’re not just a client, you become a friend. Impressively, they make the others feel that way too. They make you feel valued.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Although there were a few minor details on the website I asked them to fix during the project, I love final result.

Advice for potential customers?

It is best to meet the team in person. I believe it’s important to establish a personal relationship in business, which comes from the nuances of interpersonal communication and body language. Having in-person contact is a great way to see if they company is a good fit for you.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the co-owner of Advanced IT Solutions. I oversee the marketing, outreach and education, website content, and development.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Phoenix Online Media?

We rebranded our IT company in September 2014 and wanted to create a strong and easily searchable online presence. We wanted a slick, informative, and competitive site that would shine a light on our expertise and surpass other IT businesses in the Southeast Valley of Phoenix.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to cast a wider net than we already had achieved through existing and increasingly outdated methods of advertising, such as word-of-mouth referrals from existing customers, calls from yellow pages ads, networking groups, and local community presentations. Although we didn't have specific numbers in mind, we wanted to broaden our online presence, being fully aware of the fact that most people search for businesses via their mobile devices or computers.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

David Prian [Senior Account Manager, Phoenix Online Media] was in a networking group to which we also belonged. He spoke a lot about how effective SEO [search engine optimization] had doubled and tripled incoming calls for other business clients whose sites they had designed and developed. We were impressed with what they promised they could deliver.

Describe the project in detail.

We had approximately 3 in-person meetings to review the content, layout, and developed schedules for submitting text. In addition, we exchanged many phone calls to review changes to text, layout, and photo content.

As I was the sole person responsible for developing content and ideas for the website, I was pleasantly surprised with the initiative David took in mining for visuals and content. He really took hold of the creative reins in order to streamline and assist me in the website design process, so I never felt as though I was working alone.

What was the team composition?

David, the project manager, and I worked very easily together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

In the 3 years since our website went live, we have seen a significant increase in phone calls, online inquiries, and foot traffic. We estimate our business has increased by 25%.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

David actively made suggestions for optimizing our online searchability. In some cases, this involved him adding keywords related to our business for search engines to recognize. At other times, he would suggest trending topics for articles I could write to increase our searchability.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I love how David listened to and captured my overall vision for the layout, color theme, and tone of our website. I also appreciated how he embraced the role of being a sounding board for my ideas and served as a second pair of eyes on grammar and editorial aspects.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Creatively speaking, Phoenix Online Media demonstrates a keen eye and sensibility in delivering a polished, top-tier end product that meets or exceeds client expectations. Perhaps, because they are a small and informal group of designers, their focus tended to stay on the creative side rather than on the formalities of furnishing written updates, emails, and next steps, which were a bit lacking at times.