Van West Media

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the head of marketing at a fintech company. We’re in the business of algorithms for trading and analytics. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Van West Media?

We needed help building our website and improving our brand. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Van West Media designed and developed our website from scratch using Squarespace. The site had a library of content and a search bar, and it featured a new organizational strategy and better CMS. 

In addition, Van West Media worked on our branding. They applied a darker theme to our branding assets and content. They aimed for a more sleek and sophisticated look for our brand. Their team also helped us build a new style guide.

What is the team composition?

I worked with Shad (CEO), Okey (Senior Art Director), Felix (Operations Manager), and one other teammate.

How did you come to work with Van West Media?

A colleague referred them to me. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent nearly $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from October 2019–February 2020. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our website traffic used to be 5,000 a month, and we had a high bounce rate and minimal click-through rate. After engaging with Van West Media, we received 25,000–30,000 views per month.

How did Van West Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Van West Media was organized and on top of their work — their deliverables were mostly submitted on time. They were super responsive, and their follow-up was impeccable. The communication between our teams was excellent. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Due to our internal deficiencies, it was difficult for us to develop a website. However, Van West Media displayed flexibility in working with us despite our request for a different CMS. 

They followed our preferences. They were very knowledgeable about CMS, brand building, and website scalability. Their team could work with other platforms and tools when requested — they always figured out solutions to problems. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Website development is a long process. Come in educated about your brand and style guide, and have a clear vision. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of human resources and operations for a personal injury law firm in New York City.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Van West Media?

We needed help rebranding our company, revamping our website, and increasing our social media presence. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We provided a brief and discussed our vision of where we want to go in 2022 and beyond to Van West Media’s team. We also gave them our previous content and website information so they could gauge what we wanted to do moving forward. We were a young law firm, and we wanted to make sure everything matched up. 

From there, they created our logo, took headshots of our attorneys, and built our website. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with a head of website design, a social media coordinator, and their CEO and founder. 

How did you come to work with Van West Media?

I searched through Google for potential partners for this project, finding 5–6 companies. We sat through meetings and demos, narrowing our options to two. Finally, we decided to move forward with Van West Media. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from June–December 2021.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business. 

We had a hiccup with the site’s launch; we weren’t pleased with the site’s content. The whole thing seemed rushed — the site was great in terms of look and feel, but there were some typos and issues when viewing it from mobile devices.

We met with Van West Media’s team, and they implemented our requests for changes immediately. Before that, their support was good, and they could go over things effectively.

How was project management handled?

We used Basecamp to collaborate, and they provided a point person for each of our tasks. Our point person provided feedback and communicated to us what was needed. We met in person and attended presentations through Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Before the website launch, I would’ve said Van West Media’s project management was outstanding. The recent hiccup threw things off. After expressing our displeasure, they implemented changes and improved their communication. I could tell from their response that they would make amends and fix the website. 

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

The look and feel of their designs were impressive — they were innovative. Their idea was good for us, but their implementation hadn’t been smooth.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They could’ve improved their internal communications. There were times when I advised that they make a change, but that wouldn’t be done correctly because of communication gaps. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be proactive and let them know immediately if you have any suggestions. Make sure that they understand the details of the project. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Managing Principal of Suk Design Studio | Architecture

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Architecture and interior design.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Van West Media to accomplish?

• Develop new brand.
• Design new website.

SOLUTION

How did you find Van West Media?

• Referral

Why did you select Van West Media over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Van West Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Developed new brand after company name change so VWM helped to create a new corporate identity and new website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Just wanted to have a great looking logo and website...the only thing measurable was my satisfaction with the design, which they handled well.

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

We are designers ourselves so we are highly opinionated about the design process. I'm sure we frustrated VWM with our constant challenges and revisions but they were very professional and wanted to make sure we were happy and meet our timetable.

What was your primary form of communication with Van West Media?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Without a doubt, Shad was a great hands on owner and as a fellow business owner, I appreciated his vision and leadership.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Van West Media could have done differently?

Nope!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the V.P. of Martin Greenfield Clothiers

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Manufacturer of clothing

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Van West Media to accomplish?

• refine web presence
• increase public awareness of our company

SOLUTION

How did you find Van West Media?

We knew them

Why did you select Van West Media over others?

• Company values aligned
• I knew Shad

How many teammates from Van West Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

• Design and update website
• Design and implement social media campaign
• improve SEO

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

increased customer activity

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

Shad and his team follow projects through to completion. As we develop new initiatives, they initiate campaigns to educate our customers about them.

What was your primary form of communication with Van West Media?

In-Person Meeting

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

Van West, under Shad's direction are a very cohesive group of doers!

Are there any areas for improvement or something Van West Media could have done differently?

Van West could strive to find ways to conserve/improve spending on social media.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the GM/COO of Golden Door Properties

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Destination Spa

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Van West Media to accomplish?

• Redesign the Branded Website

SOLUTION

How did you find Van West Media?

• Referral
• Other

Why did you select Van West Media over others?

• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Van West Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Website

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Website

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

on time

What was your primary form of communication with Van West Media?

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

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

The team was cool

Are there any areas for improvement or something Van West Media could have done differently?

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Communications of a design company

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Architecture and design studio involved in designing and realizing a diverse array of urban, cultural, and commercial projects around the globe.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Van West Media to accomplish?

• create a website
• maintain our website
• optimize our web presence

SOLUTION

How did you find Van West Media?

Referral

Why did you select Van West Media over others?

• Great culture fit
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Van West Media were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

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

Van West assisted us in our web redesign in 2015, hostsour website, and provides ongoing support on website and web presence.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have a functioning website that looks great and is easy to use. The ongoing support they provide is excellent.

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

We work directly with the CEO who gives us hands-on customer service with quick resolutions and attention to our needs.

What was your primary form of communication with Van West Media?

• In-Person Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

I like that Van West is small and understands our company's needs. I know I can pick up the phone anytime and speak to the decision-makers to address our needs.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Van West Media could have done differently?

Overall, we're very satisfied with their work.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

My wife and I own a psychotherapy group practice in Brooklyn & Miami Beach.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Van West Media?

We needed to build the website and SEO for our psychotherapy business.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

After meeting with them I felt comfortable that the Van West team had a ton of experience and would be able to lead me to a finished product that I'd love.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Van West helped us conceptualize and then built our new website. We had several really organized meetings with them, where we were updated on their progress and asked to provide feedback where necessary.

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

We worked with Shad the owner of the company, and several members of his team that helped with the website development, copy, and SEO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Van West built us a great new website and took care of our SEO. In the year-plus that's passed we've gained a lot of new clients and I think the branding work we did with Van West played a big part.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Really effective and very well organized.

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

The most impressive thing was the really organized and effective workflow process they employ. I feel like we were able to get a lot done in a short amount of time.

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

No