We help creative professionals build effective websites that attract new business without the price tag of a big agency.
Studio 678 is a Web site design and development firm located in Oakland, California specializing in creating custom Wordpress websites for Architects, Interior Designers and other Creatives.
We love to collaborate and assist you in defining your objectives to create an attractive, functional and dynamic web presence, whether you need a new website, a website re-design, blog, or eNewsletter that looks good on any screen and sets your business apart from your online competition.
Studio 678 specializes in creating custom design themes to strengthen your brand using Wordpress, a Content Management System (CMS) which is used to easily update your website text and images. This allows clients to update their websites from any web enabled computer or device.
History
Established in 2004.
Studio 678 owner Michael Waters has 10 years of business experience in Financial Management (Esprit De Corps., Bank of America, GAP) and 15 years in web development. Michael began his web design career in 1997 and worked for a small web development company in San Francisco from 1999~2004 before venturing out on his own.
Studio 678 was established in 2004. We strive to create professional, easy to navigate, uncluttered websites that can be easily maintained by our clients. We have created over 100 websites since launching, earning such praise as Wordpress.org Site of the Week.
Meet the Business Owner
Michael possesses a rare mix of technical and interpersonal skills. He loves web design and especially enjoys helping his clients to develop a strong online web presence.
When Michael isn't designing sites, he nurtures his concurrent career as a musician of 25+ years, performing at venues throughout the Bay Area.
Studio 678 Web Design & Development is noted for their competitive pricing and high value, with clients emphasizing personalized service and adaptability. Specific project costs are not disclosed, but clients report significant outcomes, including increased website traffic and custom solutions tailored to their needs.
"From the smallest tweak to larger more thoughtful projects, Studio 678 has the ability and know-how to get it done."
Dec 31, 2020
Art Director, Boyd Lighting
Rhan Small Ernst
Verified
Manufacturing
Sausalito, California
11-50 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Studio 678 Web Design & Development created a website for a lighting manufacturer. This involved managing the project in stages and building a website from scratch.
The website resulted in a new look for the 100-year-old company, meeting the internal team’s expectations. Studio 678 Web Design & Development was available through phone, Basecamp, and Slack, establishing a seamless workflow. The team provides fluid work in a timely manner.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
Boyd Lighting is a 100-year-old lighting manufacturer. We are now an award-winning design house for residential and commercial lighting. We commission designs from industrial designers and create a high-level luxury product.
I am the art director for the company and I handle the web outreach for Boyd.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Studio 678 Web Design & Development, and what were your goals?
We needed a fresh start and a new look as we were heading into a new phase of our history as a company. We hired Studio 678 to go on a journey to discover this new look.
SOLUTION
How did you select Studio 678 Web Design & Development and what were the deciding factors?
Price and the personality of Mike W. When I was searching for teams to build our site (boydlighting.com), I also received a glowing enthusiastic review from one of Studio 678's former clients.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
The work was hard to realize at first. Mike and I worked closely to achieve a site in stages or phases. We handled each phase of the design as a new and achievable goal. We built the site in a WordPress empty framework.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
I worked with Mikeexclusively.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
Our philosophy of the web is that sites are living things. Websites constantly need improving, updating, and evolving.
Mike and the team are always available to help shape my changes and updates to the overall design. From the smallest tweak to larger more thoughtful projects, Studio 678 has the ability and know-how to get it done.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
The project management was fluid and involved many conversations on the phone, voice and texts, basecamp, and slack. Mike is a great collaborator in every phase.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Accessibility, humor, and human interaction.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
Mike is constantly improving his already vast knowledge of web architecture. He never gave me a false take on any phase of our work. He was upfront about every challenge.
Mike's confidence and "good human nature" in finding and building solutions is why we chose him over other development teams. I am happy to report that was the right decision. I would not build any site without their Mike.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Great eye for design and they have your back."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"always on schedule - works tirelessly to meet those deadlines"
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Great pricing and upfront expectations"
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I would happily and enthusiastically refer others to Studio 678
Site Revamp for Financial firm
Web Development
Less than $10,000
Sep. 2018 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"We are thankful that we didn’t settle for good because they enabled us to accomplish perfection."
Sep 30, 2020
Owner, E. Demmler & Associates
Eugene Demmler
Verified
Financial services
Alameda, California
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Studio 678 Web Design & Development has updated a financial firm's platform. The company aims to have a site that loads quickly and has a clean custom design.
Thanks to Studio 678 Web Design & Development's efforts, the redesigned website's traffic soared by 90%. Their team consisted of adaptable and accomodating developers who understood the client's vision. They were patient and genuinely willing to listen to feedback.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I own a financial planning and pension consulting firm.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Studio 678 Web Design & Development, and what were your goals?
My industry’s regulations require some very specific functionality be incorporated into our website.In addition to those compliance hurdles and after several years of contemplating the refresh/relaunch of my company website, I thought I was letting the “perfect be the enemy of the good”.
I had a very clear vision of what I didn’t want the website to be - cookie cutter, wordy, cluttered.I did not have a clear a vision of what I did want - other than custom designed logical/clean layout and fast!
SOLUTION
How did you select Studio 678 Web Design & Development and what were the deciding factors?
Mike W. from Studio 678 worked collaboratively with me, my copywriter and graphic artist to bring my completely customized website and digital persona to life.I appreciate Mike’s patience and adaptability in accommodating my grand vision and working with the other professionals on this project to make it happen.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
I am thrilled with my website! It is a one-of-a-kind digital representation of me and my firm and one of the fastest sites I’ve ever visited. We are thankful that we didn’t settle for good, because they enabled us to accomplish perfection.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
Mike Waters exclusively worked with me from inception to completion of all phases of my project.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
After relaunching our site we saw a 90% increase in traffic. Likewise, our prospective clients are clearly following the designed path to learning more about hwther our firm is the right fit for them and us.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
We used Zoom and weekly in person meetings to coordinate all phases (web development, copy and graphic design) of the relaunch.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
Mike Waters proven expertise and genuine ability to listen/hear our objectives make Studio 678 one of a kind.
RATINGS
5.0
"Can't overstate all the good things about our experience"
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"Excellent!"
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"Flexible and responsive"
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Very Affordable, great value for cost"
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"Conciencious attention to OUR wants/needs make Mike and easy referral
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