State Creative

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

It’s difficult to measure growth since we didn’t have site analytics beforehand, but we have received a lot of positive feedback from our clients who really enjoy the modern look. Mobile optimization has also made it easier for us to direct clients to the site.

The data we’ve analyzed so far has provided a firmer understanding of how our clients come to us, which gives us a clearer idea of how to market our company.

While our target demographic is people in their 50s and older, the new polished design is already attracting younger clients interested in financial planning and asset management.

How did State Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

We had very specific desires, and Garrett did an excellent job managing our demands and meeting expectations, sometimes even going above and beyond.

We communicated primarily through Envision. They understand they're working with people who don't necessarily speak tech industry language, and they do an excellent job of explaining their process. Too many developers think in terms of numbers, but State Creative was able to break things down for us clearly. This, in turn, improves communication and keeps the project moving forward.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Garrett was very upfront with us. We adjusted the scope midway through the project and he was very clear about the new costs and what effect this had on our timeline. He remained realistic, which is important for projects like this in order to manage expectations.

They were also receptive to feedback. We made a few small requests, like enlarging the website text, and State Creative accepted that feedback without pushback.

Are there any areas they could improve?

While we initially intended for State Creative to redesign our logo, we ultimately decided to hire a third party for that aspect. There was a bit of a disconnect in understanding how people in our industry think, which meant their logo design wasn’t entirely in line with our expectations. It was difficult for me to mediate, but I'm sure State Creative will learn more as they take on more clients from the financial field.

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

We are thrilled with work they’ve done. It’s still early, but we’ve gotten glowing feedback on how easy it is to use the site. Our user base is not the most technologically savvy group, so we wanted a site that was intuitive, easy to use, and very clean. It was important that we distilled the real value that we bring to the table. The feedback from subscribers has been great so far, and it’s also been positive across the firm internally. It looks like we spent twice as much as we did. I’m optimistic that this will translate in a quantitative sense, and I’m excited to see how that impacts our business.

How did State Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

I didn’t know it was possible to have such a positive experience going through a web development project. Garrett is excellent. I’ve worked on projects in the past, and almost always, there’s some big sticking point. State Creative sticks to a method that has worked for them, and I think we both positioned ourselves for success when we agreed to trust one another. State Creative is an excellent design shop and web development agency and we know our clients best. Things got a little intense leading up to the launch date, but that is to be expected. Having a consistent project manager was a big differentiator. Garrett was our advocate throughout the life of the project and ultimately helped us launch a successful new site.

What did you find most impressive about State Creative?

A high level of integrity and authenticity. We are not designers or programmers, and sometimes we may not completely comprehend the implications for a particular request, or something might get lost in translation. I felt that State Creative really cared about making sure we were confident, comfortable, and happy with the end result and the process to get there. They genuinely cared about doing a great job, and it really showed. The entire team went above and beyond to ensure we could all be collectively proud of the final product.

Are there any areas State Creative could improve?

There could be some improvement in the process around launching the actual site. Having a process around that which is just a dialed-in as everything else would have made it the launch even more seamless and solid. It would also have instilled confidence at a time that can be very nerve-wracking.

I would also suggest offering additional support after beta testing, once new users are adopting a new system. We can only plan so much before the human element highlights areas that can use some tending to/refining. Perhaps there is a Phase II project in our future.

Could you share any statistics or metrics from this engagement?

I don't have the exact numbers of visitors of the old site vs. the new one because we weren't tracking the old site. I don't have any quantitative data, but the way I feel about the show has changed directly because of the website.

The show, compared to before, now feels more professional and more in-step with modern times. It even feels edgy. I feel that our website is our public face, our calling card. We have a lot of high-profile people who come on the show. Their first stop, when deciding if they want to accept, is always the website. When they visit it, and see such a professional-looking place, they know it’s a professional show.

How did State Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

I have nothing but overwhelmingly positive things to say about State Creative. Garrett, whom I've always worked with directly, in particular, is extremely professional. He's very responsive, and we're pleased with the work that he and his team did. The graphic design is beautiful, modern, and someone visiting our site would get a good impression of our show as being a professional radio show. One of my favorite things about working with Garrett is that they continue to be helpful.

What distinguishes State Creative from other providers?

I have much confidence in their ability to execute what we talk about. If we have a plan, they make it work exactly as we discussed. I have a lot of faith in their ability to take it from an idea, to executing the final product.

Is there anything State Creative could have improved or done differently?

It turned out that after they made the site, there were things that we didn't like, but it was because we hadn't made clear what we needed. What I always tell future clients who will be working with them is to make sure they understand what State Creative is making for them. Once they do it, it is hardcoded and hard to reverse. So, they should maybe use other websites as examples that State Creative can work off of. That's not really negative feedback, though; I don't think it was their fault.