Seattle based 20+ years - Websites, SEO, Branding
Whether you're a growing business—or a business that wants to grow even more—we'd love to help you thrive online.
We work hand-in-hand with clients to give them exactly the brand, website, and marketing solution they need to take their business to the next level. Our team with first take a deep dive into your business, offer, target audience, and goals before developing a strategy and recommendation.
You won't find a one size fits all solution with Thrive. We build designs and systems that meet your unique goals.
Thrive has been named a National and Local Excellence Award winner by UpCity, one of the best web design firms in Seattle by Digital.com, and a Top Web Designer in Seattle at the 2021 Clutch Leader Awards.
Schedule a call with our strategy team and let's discuss your project.
Let's put your best face forward [online] so you are positioned as the right choice fo your ideal client.
Focus
Portfolio
ACT Capital Advisors, Truce Law, Natural Creations, Neo Moving, Viviane Woodard Skincare, West Seattle Smile Co., Shujaa Consulting, Industrial Electric Machinery (IEM)

Clean Energy Credits Authority Website
MicroEnergy Credits (MEC) was looking for new opportunities in the carbon markets and trying to get their story out to groups that may want to partner with them in buying voluntary carbon credits. However, their website looked unprofessional and didn’t reflect all the good work that MEC was doing.
MEC needed a particular mix of features to tell their story in the most powerful way possible. We worked with the MEC team to ensure the right mix of qualitative information, emotional content, and quantitative details were presented to give their visitors a true sense of how the company worked.
We used impactful storytelling and photos to convey the mission and goals of MEC to their audience, along with data visualizations that underscored the impact they were achieving. We also reformatted the navigation menus so that people could easily access the information that was relevant to them.
Once the new website was launched, MEC found that the number of partnerships began increasing. The new website “legitimized the company,” according to CEO April Allderdice, and helped back up the networking efforts employees undertook. The new website led to a tremendous increase in business growth, as well as an uptick in the number of highly qualified candidates and talent reaching out interested in employment.

Salesforce Consulting Website
Shujaa Consulting was starting to grow, but their website was not equipped to keep up with them. Their first website had been “thrown together” on SquareSpace and was never supposed to be permanent. They needed a professional-looking website that demonstrated they were masters at helping social organizations and nonprofits use Salesforce to amplify their mission.
Thrive Design’s experience, price point, and own website proved they were the right fit for the job. Noah and Adam got to work building an authority website that showed visitors that Shujaa Consulting was the real deal. They added a contact form, created content to powerfully position Shujaa as a leader in their field, and streamlined the website design to lead potential clients through proof points to close the deal.
Since the recent launch of their new website, Shujaa has had clients comment on the professionalism of the website when they call for a consultation. The website has been a great backbone to the referrals they receive.

Custom Pool Builder Website
We had a strong foundation to work with: Natural Creation Pools’ solid 30-year reputation as a high-end pool building company. They had great word-of-mouth business and needed a website to match. Working together, we decided to completely overhaul their website from top to bottom.
Using their strong history, stunning shots of their finished products, and advanced knowledge of the industry, we were able to create a custom WordPress website that demonstrates Natural Creation’s expertise, knowledge, and skill in their industry.
The first step was to streamline their site so that visitors could get easy answers to their questions in one or two clicks while highlighting some of their amazing work. We also ensured that their website was mobile-responsive so users had the same smooth browsing experience no matter what device they were using.
The biggest change we were able to implement was designing and deploying a cost-estimate tool that allows potential clients to get a rough estimate of the cost they’re looking at for their pool, allowing users to qualify themselves as leads before ever making a phone call or writing an email.

Cannabis Dispensary Website
We sat down with the team at Cult Cannabis to find out what made them unique, what made them stand out from the other dispensaries in the area. After our in-depth intake interview, we had a better understanding of what they needed their website to be and what they needed their website to do.
They needed a website that made it easier for customers to order online for in-person pickup and explained the process in detail. They needed a website that supported their new branding and was easy to use and update. Bottom line, they needed a website that showed they were a professional company with expert-level knowledge and advice for their customers.
Once we determined their exact needs, we started to build their new website based on SEO best practices. Our photographer took headshots of their staff, location, and more than 200 products. Our copywriter wrote words that inspired users to take action.
The final product was a sleek, fast website that showcased Cult Cannabis’s expertise and authority, was easy for customers to use, and facilitated online ordering with the goal of increasing online orders to 10% of all sales within a year of going live.

Local Mover Website
We worked alongside NEO Moving to come up with a web design that would put their company in the best light, allow potential clients to access their website from any device, and showcase their skills and expertise in helping families across the Seattle area with their household move.
We created a focused design that put the most important information right at the client’s fingertips: pricing, contact information, and critical trust factors like customer reviews on the homepage. A blog was added to increase their perceived authority and help with SEO. Finally, we added clear calls to action at every step designed to convert visitors into verified leads.
Once we settled on a design, the scope of work expanded to include copywriting and photography. Thrive’s copywriting and photography experts were able to truly capture the essence of NEO Moving with words and images that made them stand out. Using Thrive’s experts for these needs helped keep our web development process moving smoothly as no one was left waiting on a third party.

Cosmetic Dentist Website
To showcase the warm, friendly, and professional experience that West Seattle Smile Co. offers, we sent in our resident photography expert who was able to produce a range of stunning, professional photos for use on the website.
By using these highly personable photos along with a custom-designed WordPress website to match their new branding, it’s clear to see this website really delivers the wow factor by being both easy to use and engaging.

Divorce Attorney Website
We created a sleek, modern website design that would be attractive to clients brought in through social media, Google ads, and referrals. The new site is much easier to navigate so potential clients can educate themselves about the legal process and the many ways that Truce Law can help.

Wealth Management Company Website
Leeward Financial Partners needed a new website to powerfully showcase their unique wealth management service. With over 30 years of experience their old website was not positioning them poorly in a crowded market. Their new website has changed their entire sales process and easily gave a positive ROI within 3 months of launch.

Merger and Acquisition Corporate Website
ACT Capital Advisors is a mergers and acquisitions firm (M&A) that operates in 13 major metropolitan markets. Since 1986, they’ve been helping business owners sell their businesses for maximum gain with minimal stress. They have a unique strategic process that focuses on the client’s needs while ensuring that the deal closes. They have helped clients sell their middle-market businesses in a number of industries and are a trusted leader in their field.
Unfortunately for ACT Capital Advisors, their old website communicated none of those things. It was outdated, not user-friendly, and did nothing to help visitors get a deeper understanding of the company or its unique processes. Potential clients were left without an understanding of why ACT Captial Advisors was the best choice as their partner to buy or sell a business, leading to higher bounce rates and a lower conversion rate.
When potential clients first land on the new website, they are greeted with hard numbers that demonstrate ACT’s expertise, experience, and success as an M&A partner. There is easily accessible information about their unique, strategic approach as well as ways to investigate what deal opportunities are currently available.
Within a week of launching their new website, ACT saw a website traffic increase of 148%, and it’s continued to increase significantly since. ACT has even received great feedback about how professional, sleek, and functional the new site is compared to the old version.

Ophthalmologist Website
Their website had served reasonably well over the last 18 years, but it had become dated--more honestly outright stale. It didn't convey the excitement of what Medina Eye was doing or inspire viewers to recognize their unique character, mission and abilities.
They needed to renew and enhance it, with the goal to increase new-patient volume by at least 10 percent. They wanted those finding it (benefiting form search engine optimization in addition) to be inspired to stay...look...read and call. Under the economic challenges of 2020, though, they also had to be very careful about staying within budget.
Thrive Design created a budget friend, yet successful website for their eye practice.

Electro-Mechanical Manufacturer Website
Thrive Design developed an electrical company’s WordPress website. They also provided photography and copywriting for the site’s content. Currently, they are handling the site’s hosting and maintenance.

WooCommerce Website for Antique Business
Thrive developed an e-commerce website to centralize online purchases for an antiques business. Following a discovery phase, the team built the WooCommerce platform iteratively to implement feedback.
Reviews
the project
SEO, Website Development & Design for Family Law Firm
"The site has been helping us significantly increase our bank deposits since its launch."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the owner, founder, and one of the attorneys of a family law firm.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive Design?
Our website was quite outdated, so we needed someone to provide us with SEO and web development and design services.
What was the scope of their involvement?
I contacted Thrive about giving my website a facelift and giving it a more professional structure to acquire more potential clients. We started the process by talking about content issues and redesigning other features such as our CTA.
They then started revamping our existing website through WordPress, and have implemented certain features such as an online quiz, blog page, and contacts page. We’re still working with them through their maintenance and support program to manage the platform.
What is the team composition?
My main point of contact is Noah (Owner).
How did you come to work with Thrive Design?
We came across Thrive Design through a mutual friend.
How much have you invested with them?
So far, we’ve spent somewhere between $10,000–$15,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our ongoing partnership started in February 2021.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The look of the website has gotten generally positive feedback from anyone who has had a look at it. Additionally, the site has also been helping us significantly increase our bank deposits since its launch.
They’ve exceeded our expectations and we’re 100% satisfied with their continued work.
How did Thrive Design perform from a project management standpoint?
They perform well from a project management standpoint as they always adhere to our budget.
We typically communicate through phone, email, video conferences, and a software called Loom, a video recording tool.
What did you find most impressive about them?
We’re impressed with their solid infrastructure to accomplish their tasks efficiently, and straight-forwardness.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I can’t think of anything they need to improve on.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
I would advise you to have a clear vision and as long as you know what you want, they can definitely build it and bring your ideas to life.
the project
Web Dev, Design & Branding for IT Security Consulting Firm
"If I have a concern about how something works or how to how to modify it, then they’re very responsive."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I work for an information security consulting firm. We provide various types of consultations to companies ranging from Fortune 100 to much smaller businesses and localized firm. The federal government contracts us as well.
We do full-scale penetration testing, security code analysis, blue team, red team, and operational support in the security sphere.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive Design?
Although we’re experienced technologists, we’re not professional web developers, although some of us were in the past. We needed to modify our 3existing web content to bring a more focused, modern, and authoritative presence. Our main goal was to have Thrive modernize our website, make it look professional, sound authoritative, and help us consolidate some of our online websites. There are multiple websites, blog posts, and security advisories. They unified some of that.
They also created a number of new logos for us. In fact, that was one of our main concerns in the beginning: to modernize and improve the logo.
What was the scope of their involvement?
We had a lot of content on the site and already knew what kind of top-level sections we were interested in, and we have some very specific content that isn’t like what companies outside our vertical have. For example, we have a password cracking content and post the results. Additionally, we release advisories regarding the security issues we find on our clients’ sites and the steps they take to mitigate those issues. We relied on Thrive to direct us on how to integrate the content and what it should look like.
We’ve always developed and maintained our own websites because, due to our work in the security field, if we were to experience a breach then it would be incredibly embarrassing, destroying our reputation and credibility. Therefore, we need complete control over the backend technology. Not in WordPress was a pre-condition we set out, but Thrive convinced us to use WordPress anyway.
We had them design everything in WordPress and then dump all of the content and all of the backend WordPress database stuff into a single ZIP file and then pass that to us, and then we host our own WordPress server locally from there. We’re still in this process of doing this next part, but we’re using WordPress’ static HTML conversion process to turn all of the content into static HTML and JavaScript. After that’s done, we’ll push that content onto our public website. WordPress ended up being an intermediary to get us to the static content type we needed.
Regarding the logo, we provided some parameters, as we wanted to stay close to our existing color — there’s a blue we’ve been using for a long time.
What is the team composition?
We worked with Noah (CEO) pretty much the whole way through. Adam was our primary web designer, handling all of the integration and development of the content, the handoff of the WordPress archive and more. Nick did our design, including the logo, color schemes, and some of the initial page layout. Finally, they had a contractor that was going to handle our copywriting, optimizing it for search engines and web readability.
How did you come to work with Thrive Design
Although we’re not professional website developers, that didn't stop us from developing our own website in the past. We’ve been through four iterations or generations of our website, and we knew that it was time to call in some professionals. We formed a committee and internally developed a plan for what our end goals were, which initially included a good deal of Google Analytics work. We were trying to find someone who would help us to not only redesign the website but to maximize the data that we were getting from Google Analytics.
Once we put that in place, we identified some of our competitors; styles of websites that we wanted to reference. Then, casually, we tried to find web design firms that we could work with but didn't have a lot of success. I then stepped in to manage the project myself and continued to search for for styles of sites that I liked and web designers. I had four calls with potential partners before I got to Thrive and didn't have a great experience with those other options. Some of them flat out told me that we weren’t going to give them enough business to work with.
I found Thrive on Clutch. In terms of how I selected them, Noah emailed me and was very responsive to my initial request. He gave me the most honest and thorough answer to my initial contacts, sending a short 30-seconds video actively browsing our website and talking about components of it and ideas that he had. This was really great because I was able to share that with all of my colleagues on our website search committee. Thrive was pretty much universally like after that and popped right to the top of the stack.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent around $26,000 with them.
What is the status of this engagement?
We’ve been working together since April 2021 and are in the final stages of hand-off, though we intend to continue working with them into the future.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We did the deliverables in four phases: the initial design phase; the intermediate development phase, which included copywriting; final back and forth (they gave us a demos site to give feedback on), and project finalization. We worked collaboratively the whole way through.
How did Thrive Design perform from a project management standpoint?
We met once month and received weekly email updates, even if there wasn’t anything finished to show us every week. They’re based in the UK, but they were very accommodating with the time difference.
Google Meet sufficed for our communication, though we used Zoom if anything went haywire with Google.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Initially, it was their communication. Noah reached out to us with that little video clip, and it really got to us. They continued to do stuff like that for us and, if I have a concern about how something works or how to how to modify it, then they’re very responsive. Those little videos make it really easy to see exactly what the layout should be and know which images to choose.
We’re a unique case in that we have highly specialized content that Thrive hasn’t ever dealt with before, and they haven’t had any problem using WordPress as an intermediate step and handing the site off to us. Noah and I went back and forth on strategies, and he has been very flexible.
Are there any areas they could improve?
When we worked with the contracted copywriter, the output wasn’t as useful for us as we’d hoped. We use very specialized language and were trying to convey a very specific tone, as we occupy an upper-tier reputation in the industry. The result was that we had to rework a lot of the content again.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be communicative and set expectations for what you’re looking for. The more concrete examples you can provide, the better foundation you can have to build the project on. In generally, they’re flexible and easy to work with, and you’ll be happy with the end product.
the project
Web Development for Clean Energy Microfinancing Company
“Their system worked for me, and I truly enjoyed working with them.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the CEO of MicroEnergy Credits. We work with microfinance institutions and connect them to carbon funding when they lend for clean energy.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive Design?
We needed to refresh our website, so we hired Thrive. Our organization was looking for new opportunities in the carbon markets, and we truly wanted to get our story out to groups that might be interested in buying voluntary carbon credits.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Initially, Thrive and our team had a conversation about our strategy and goals for the website. They then came back with a process proposal. Once we agreed on that, we started working on an early design for the website. The team built it, and we filled out the content. We replaced the old website with a new one that was designed from scratch.
In terms of features, we wanted to have a mix of qualitative information and emotional content combined with quantitative details. Solid facts and figures combined with photographs could help us give our audience a sense of how we worked. Combining those parallel goals was quite a complex process.
What is the team composition?
A manager handled the business side of things, so we spoke to him from the beginning to the end. However, we also mainly spoke with their designer; we had constant communication with him. I also worked with him on delivering the site’s content. A developer coded everything, but I only spoke to him once.
How did you come to work with Thrive Design?
I found Thrive via Clutch. I Googled various developers in Seattle and looked for review sites. Then, I interviewed 4–5 companies and had initial calls with a few of them. I narrowed down the list to two vendors, and I ultimately felt that Thrive was most aligned with our goals.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
This project lasted from August–November 2021.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We achieved our goal of getting new partnerships in the carbon market; this boomed after our website went up. In other words, the website legitimized the company. We developed relationships through networking, and people went to our website to learn more or feel more confident about us. The process was effective.
Moreover, the website told our story, establishing our credibility by telling our history and accomplishments. We had a tremendous amount of business growth. On top of that, we also saw a huge uptick in good candidates and talent reaching out to us — this was one of the transformative effects of the website. We expanded our team and attracted talent through it.
How did Thrive Design perform from a project management standpoint?
Thrive’s project management was excellent. The team was transparent about the budget, and they were great at sticking to the schedule. Issues came up during the process, such as when a feature cost more or took a long time to finish. I appreciated Thrive’s ability to be transparent and flexible in relation to such issues.
Moreover, they truly had good turnaround times. We had to extend some things and experienced delays, but their timing was still great. They adapted to our processes well, and since they had transparent communication, we always worked something out to solve our problems.
To communicate, we primarily used video conferencing tools. We also sent emails back and forth, along with summaries of our conversations. We used emails for things that needed to be put in writing, while we easily scheduled video calls when necessary.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their system worked for me, and I truly enjoyed working with them. They were attentive to my needs, and the team was flexible in terms of adapting to what our company specifically needed.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, there weren’t any.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
If you’re similar to me — you have ownership and ideas invested in the business, and you have a personal attachment to the messages you want to get across — then you should invest your time in in-depth conversations with Thrive. The team can adapt to that well; they can also work with other business styles.
For context, I achieved a lot in our engagement because I had specific ideas and requirements. Although I wasn’t sure how to implement those ideas, I had strong opinions and put a lot of work into the engagement. I communicated with Thrive to bring up such ideas and underwent a learning process as we worked — I was constantly listening and learning while investing a lot in the process.
the project
WordPress Dev & Hosting for Electrical Company
"Everything has been really good, and we’re happy with the results."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a sales engineer at Industrial Electric Machinery, and we repair and sell electric apparatuses, including power distribution equipment, motors, drives, transformers, switch gears, and more.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive Design?
Our website was dated, and we needed help giving it a refresh and an updated look. We wanted our site’s visitors to be confident that we were legit and knew what we talked about. We also didn't want the site to look like it was from the 90s.
Most of our business comes from word of mouth and industry referrals. We're quite well known within our industry, but not so much beyond that. We wanted our website to present us as experts who can take care of any electrical apparatus problems.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Initially, we had discussions about our vision, values, and value proposition. Thrive Design helped us build a site map based on what we wanted the site to look like. After that, they developed the site using WordPress.
Additionally, Thrive Design provided us with a photography package, and their copywriter helped us create content for the site's pages. They also made us 5–6 short how-to videos about adding and changing assets on the site so we could do it by ourselves.
Recently, we’ve enrolled on their care plan for our site’s hosting and maintenance.
What is the team composition?
We’ve worked with Noah (Founder & CEO), Adam (Creative Director), Holli (Photographer), and Susan (Copywriter).
How did you come to work with Thrive Design?
I searched for web design agencies in Seattle and looked at different companies until I narrowed it down to three. Once I talked to the shortlisted companies, I ended up picking Thrive Design as the best one. I felt they best understood our goals and requirements, and they were in our price range.
How much have you invested with them?
We have spent around $17,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in August 2020, and it’s ongoing.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Our audience has commented about how great our website looks and how much more professional it is. We have a Google My Business profile, and we've seen the number of views go up.
How did Thrive Design perform from a project management standpoint?
Thrive Design is doing really well with project management. They're on time and consistent with their deliverables. Because we're a small business, we wear different hats. With that, if something comes up, they are really flexible.
We use email and Google Meet to communicate. Their team is pleasant to work with, flexible, and very professional; they’re doing a great job.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Thrive Design has a lot of great ideas, and they really listen to what we want to accomplish. They take their customers' needs and put them into action.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I can’t think of anything. I’m happy with their services.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Have a clear idea of what you’re looking for. You’re going to get what you ask for, so you better know what you want.
the project
Website Redesign & Dev for Eye & Visual System Care Clinic
"They got the best out of us."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I'm the primary physician, owner and director of a unique subspecialty medical practice focused upon optimized individual eye/visual system care, in synergy with cutting-edge integrated preventative medicine and longevity-oriented systemic health support.
For what projects/services did your company hire Thrive Design, and what were your goals?
Our website had served reasonably well over the last 18 years, but it had become dated--more honestly outright stale. It didn't convey the excitement of what we are doing or inspire viewers to recognize our unique character, mission and abilities.
We knew we needed to renew and enhance it, with the goal to increase our new-patient volume by at least 10 percent. We wanted those finding it (benefiting form search engine optimization in addition) to be inspired to stay...look...read and call us. Under the economic challenges of 2020, though, we also had to be very careful about staying within budget.
How did you select Thrive Design and what were the deciding factors?
I was initially inspired by the work of a larger Seattle-based firm, but inquiry rapidly revealed our project was too small and our budget too limited for it to be a good match there (their projects started at $20,000 to engage and were generally to be numbered in many more pages than we needed.
One of their principals, who kindly took my call, suggested I contact Thrive if I wished to find similar quality at a scale and price point accessible to us. I was encouraged by an endorsement like that from someone very successful in the industry, and have since felt it was some of the best business advice I have received in thirty years.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
Impressive at every step...there was structure and logic present from the get-go. We were systematically walked through a plan, interviewed to understand our needs (and it wasn't just "going through motions," but a meaningfully interactive experience that yielded tangible results).
We were put in touch with experts for photography and refinement of the content copy. Good questions...obvious talent in execution. What an experience. We tried and lost a fair amount of money with two other companies trying to get to this point and it happened seamlessly with Thrive.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
In our case, three... Noah at the helm. "Instant" (not kidding--the guy must never sleep) responses to any concern. Navigated...got us there. Adam: the technical architect of the site. He is in the UK and would arrange convenient timing to meet online. Precise interaction, an expert asking the right questions and executing accordingly.
We arrived right where we wanted to be in a time period only limited by our ability to get back to him with responses to precise and straightforward requests. Brilliant guy and great results. Holli: Native LIght photography was subcontracted for photos and we love the outcome.
Three prior failed attempts to capture "us." She got it first time and very reasonable pricing for the quality. Susan: copywriter. Incredible to see her follow through on Noah's description of her capabilities.
We had a wordy and overloaded old website, coupled with what we felt were meaningful, but kind of "heavy" ideas, philosophy, inspiration, technical concerns...she cut through it and rapidly distilled what we wished we had. Amazing experience, but again what you want from an expert.
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
Traffic to our site already up by over 15%. Calls coming in from people who found us. Simply put, exactly what we hoped for. Am very happy to have our site maintenance and updating under contract to Thrive, too, I might add. They obviously deliver bang-for-buck and wouldn't want anything else.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
Concise, professional, effective...and with just the right sense of humor to survive us (which probably wasn't always easy at their end, requiring a fair amount of patience awaiting response from me in particular to what were always very targeted and reasonable refinement requests).
There's nothing better out there, I'm quite confident to say that. Maybe equal somewhere, but not better.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
They are the real thing. I say that having been in "small business" for thirty years and having dealt with a whole lot of half-baked efforts and sales pitches which dissolve in mirage-like fashion once you are engaged. At not point have they let us down, and quite the opposite they got the best out of us.
How do you match that? I'm writing this right now because in my heart I know you generally can't and I want others to have the same experience.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
I think they are perhaps less aggressive in pushing a "vision" for the site concept than I might have initially preferred...we were wanting an "artist" to give us "art" that we would like when we tasted it, even though our ability to tell them what that should be was more limited than I would have liked.
Kind of like asking a Chef to make you a dish you will really like, when they have to figure out what appeals to you (especially since that might be one thing one day and something else another?).
That may result from their approach of using a team to address each aspect on our project--site structure, imagery, copy--without a global vision being provided. Instead, they tried very hard to make it OUR site and not THEIR site. In the end, that really got us where we wanted to be, but I felt it more at the end than at the beginning.
the project
Website Development for Law Practice Firm
"They check in weekly, letting us know the project's progress. We also receive quick responses to our questions."
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
I've owned my own divorce law firm, Truce Law, for almost three years and recently formed a partnership with two other attorneys for a criminal defense firm, Cavalry Law Firm.
For what projects/services did your company hire Thrive Design, and what were your goals?
We hired Thrive to build a site for Cavalry Law Firm from scratch, which included a landing page template for advertising purposes. Also, I hired them to redesign Truce Law's website, which should be completed by February. The goal for both firms was to have a professional, well thought out website, that communicated professionalism and competent attorneys.
How did you select Thrive Design and what were the deciding factors?
After working with other designers in the past, I thought Noah at Thrive did a better job of being responsive and guiding the project. I also like that they use a lot of cutting edge tools and techniques themselves, so I know I can take some of what they are doing to market their web design firm and use it for my law firms.
Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.
They asked me to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire covering my goals and concerns for the projects. Afterwards we discussed budget and narrowed down scope. Once the proposal was signed they started working on a home page design and I was able to review the site. I'll meet with the lead designer, Adam, who will show me a new design and afterwards I'll have a chance to give feedback. They usually respond to feedback through a video, which I like. Whoever is responding will share their screen and talk through style choices, etc. while answering questions.
How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?
2 people worked with me. Noah Britton the owner and Adam Lacey the creative designer.
Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?
I was happy with the look of Cavalry Law Firm's website. It's professional and I think will allow us to compete with other firms in our industry. Also, I think I'll work with Thrive to expand the site in the future when we have more content to share. The Truce Law project is still ongoing, so I don't have any measurable outcomes, but I've been happy with the design so far.
Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timelines.
They check in weekly, letting us know the project's progress. We also receive quick responses to our questions.
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
I like that they practice what they preach. If you're looking for web design you can see that they put a lot of time into their web presence and it works. That will carry over into your project as well. Like I said before, I think they use a lot of innovative tools, when it comes to video, project proposals, PDF giveaways, and email marketing, which you can learn to do from them to get more clients.
Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?
At one point the Cavalry Law Firm project fell behind in schedule, but only by a couple weeks. It wasn't a big deal to me, since I checked in with the lead designer at the time and afterwards he kept the project moving forward at a good pace.
the project
Web Design & Development for Chain of Cannabis Shops
“Thrive is communicative, responsive, and adaptable.”
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I am the chief marketing officer at Charisma Management. We have a portfolio of different clients whose operations we manage. I head up digital and retail marketing.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive?
One of our clients is a chain of cannabis dispensaries with multiple store locations all with different website domains. Our main objective was to create a website that had all of the locations on one website, unifying the brand and increasing searchability.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Thrive combined the multiple websites into one domain and provided web design service. The new site is hosted on WordPress. Our teams brainstormed the design of the website together. I came in with a vision in mind, but Thrive helped me refine it. They provided us with a few revisions of the website.
Their team also developed a custom CMS for the website, allowing the client to jump on and write a blog post or make changes to the site without needing to know any HTML. They also provided SEO services.
Thrive also helped us obtain a photographer, who went our and scoped all of the different dispensary locations in the Northwest. The photographer took over 1,000 photos at the various locations to be used on the website.
What is the team composition?
I worked directly with Adam (Creative Director, Thrive) and Noah (Owner & Founder, Thrive). Additionally, I briefly spoke with their SEO specialist as well.
How did you come to work with Thrive?
Our company was going through the stages of taking on proposals from different design companies. When I got involved, I started looking at reviews of companies online. I also wanted a company that was more design-forward as opposed to marketing-forward.
Thrive is one of the companies I came across. It was important that they were local to us and I really liked all of the reviews I read about them. They had done previous work in the cannabis industry, which was helpful for this project in particular. From the onset, they were very professional and gave us an hour to review what we were looking for before they gave us a proposal.
How much have you invested with them?
We have invested between $10,000–$25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our engagement with Thrive ran from August–November 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
I had a vision in my head of what the website was going to look like. We were pushing for a platform that would make it easier for customers to navigate to the menu and place orders online. Thrive made that vision into a reality, but they improved upon my ideas. They provided excellent development work and great designs.
Their team never just said yes or no, they gave me their opinions on the decision and their reasoning behind it. They are educated and knew when certain things would or would not affect SEO. It will take some time to see the full effects of the SEO they provided, but we’re already seeing some positive results.
How did Thrive perform from a project management standpoint?
Thrive performed really well. They gave me access to a couple of project management skills, but I never dove too deep into them. Our teams largely communicated over email.
Their team was quick to make any changes I pointed out and communicated well. All of our meetings were remote screen shares. They were adaptable and willing to work at off-hours.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Thrive is communicative, responsive, and adaptable. They have great vision at an affordable price point.
Are there any areas they could improve?
It’s nothing huge, but at times the Internet connection did not work as well as it could, making screen sharing kind of difficult
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Make sure you have good internet access since they are a remote team. I never made it a point to meet with them in person, but I’m sure they would have loved to. Be as thorough as you can in communicating. They are more than willing to move things around and work within your vision. Explain to them exactly what you’re looking for.
the project
WooCommerce Dev for Antique Business
"Their attention to detail was extremely good."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the IT manager for an antiques business.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive?
In the past, our website didn’t allow clients to purchase items from us directly. We had products listed all over the web on platforms such as eBay. We found that our clients bought items on other platforms instead of going through us. We wanted a way to let our customers buy products from us through our website
What was the scope of their involvement?
Thrive set up our WooCommerce website. Initially, we talked with their team about our vision, goals, and what we wanted the site to look like. We also discussed the problems we’d run into with our current platform. Then, they brainstormed and created a plan for us. We went back and forth about the proposal. After, they executed the website to completion. Throughout the process, we provided feedback and requested changes.
What is the team composition?
The owner was our main point of contact. When we had questions, he was the first person to respond. He also gave us ideas. We also worked with a developer. When we wanted changes or to see our ideas come to life, we contacted him.
How did you come to work with Thrive?
The company that had built our website recommended them. We contacted a few other local agencies to see other bids. Thrive caught my attention because of their great communication, response rate, and competitive pricing.
How much have you invested with them?
The whole project cost between $18,000–$19,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We collaborated between April–September 2019.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
A lot of clients have said that our new website is much easier to navigate. Our site also has a bunch of photos showcasing our products, which clients have found to be pretty.
How did Thrive perform from a project management standpoint?
They performed well. Communication was great including in emails and calls. Their team responded within a day or the same day. Whenever we had problems with the website, it was resolved quickly. There wasn’t a time when we were left hanging or wondering when they would resolve a challenge.
What did you find most impressive about them?
A lot of companies will tell you the right thing to do or make recommendations. But we told them exactly what we wanted and Thrive hit it out of the ballpark. They made sure all requests were enacted. Their attention to detail was extremely good.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, not really.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Give them a call and talk to them in person. Thrive has a great attitude. Their team’s straightforward and down to earth. Talk to them directly to get a sense of who they are and what they offer.
the project
WooCommerce Dev for Skincare Company
"From start to finish, they were pretty superb, especially with helping me make the transition into a new system."
the reviewer
the review
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
What challenge were you trying to address with Thrive?
I needed a new website, since my old Magento website was outdated.
What was the scope of their involvement?
Thrive built a brand-new WooCommerce site for my company. At first, I met Adam (Creative Director, Thrive) and we discussed what I wanted in my new website and how we were going to go about it. He outlined all the steps, including the cost and the timeframe. It was a step-by-step procedure of what we needed to do.
What is the team composition?
I worked with Adam and Noah (Owner/Founder, Thrive).
How did you come to work with Thrive?
I worked with Adam, previously; he took over a company that dealt with my software and backup systems in the past.
I looked into different companies that could work well with our products and I decided to choose WooCommerce since a lot of people use it for e-commerce.
How much have you invested with them?
I’ve invested $25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
This project spanned from May – Nov. 2018.
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
Before the new website, I would typically get only three orders on the weekends; now, I get anywhere from 10-15 orders. I don’t have to take orders on the phone anymore and the online system is much quicker. Thanks to Thrive, last month was the biggest month I’ve ever had.
How did Thrive perform from a project management standpoint?
Adam and Noah are tremendously helpful from a project management standpoint. They worked for me whenever I needed them, despite any time differences. They always send me a video on how to do things, just in case I forget. We typically communicate through screen-share meetings and phone calls.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their customer service was the most impressive part about them. From start to finish, they were pretty superb, especially with helping me make the transition into a new system.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, I can’t think of anything.
the project
Website Design for General Dentistry
“From start to finish, and even afterwards, they were really responsive and professional.”
the reviewer
the review
The client submitted this review online.
Please describe your company and your position there.
We are a general dental office in West Seattle. I, along with my wife, own the company.
For what projects/services did your company hire Thrive?
Our business had new ownership, and we were rebranding under a different name.
What were your goals for this project?
We wanted to put our name on the map and begin to establish our position as the leading dental office in our area.
How did you select this vendor?
We interviewed a few different web developers and liked the personal attention and customization that Noah (Owner, Thrive) and his team had to offer. They set up a web conference with us, and we spoke at length about our project and how they could bring our vision to fruition.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
After the initial consultation, they gave us a proposal for the project, which we agreed to. We mostly worked with Adam (Creative Director, Thrive) from then on, who designed the website. We would periodically meet with him via webcast to discuss our goals and his progress.
We had full control of the project and could make tweaks as needed throughout. As we reached the end, we had final tweaks and then scheduled a time for it to go live. From then on, they have been checking in and making sure everything is going ok.
What was the team composition?
We worked with Noah and Adam from the beginning. Noah mediated our discussion while Adam was in charge of the actual development and was our main contact throughout the whole project.
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
Our new patient leads were significantly boosted within the first month. Our brand is now inviting and professional.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
We would meet with Adam every 1–2 weeks to go over his progress. We had homework to do each time to add content, while he would optimize it to make it look nice on the site.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Their personal touch and confidence in the whole project was nice, given the fact that we didn't know much about the process. Having never been through a website build before, we appreciate that they walked us through the process step-by-step, which was really nice.
Are there any areas for improvement?
I can't think of any area that they could improve. From start to finish, and even afterwards, they were really responsive and professional. I’d highly recommend them!
Thanks to Thrive Design, the company continues to garner positive feedback on the look and feel of the website. The team is highly communicative, and internal stakeholders are particularly impressed with their streamlined process and straight-forward approach to the project.