VPN INFOTECH

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a company that helps startups put together their investor packages. These usually include business plans, pitch decks, and go-to-market strategies.

What challenge were you trying to address with VPN INFOTECH?

We had different people and agencies do the redesign and development of our website. We needed someone who could tie all of the designs, coding, pages, and existing optimized content together in a big project. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

We started by providing VPN INFOTECH with all of the designs, content, and coding. I also handed them my own documentation to give them some direction. Their team put together all of the components in a way that our domain authority and prior SEO setups get transferred over to our new website. Preserving our ranking was the biggest challenge, and they saw to that.

What is the team composition?

We initially worked with two people, but we’ve been engaged with them for years now and had to switch developers a couple of times. Over the course of this project, we’ve probably worked with around 5–6 different developers from VPN INFOTECH.

How did you come to work with VPN INFOTECH?

I found them on Upwork and gave them test assignments, which they knocked out of the park. Based on my experience of working with various developers in the past, I was confident that VPN INFOTECH could deliver what we needed. I saw that they really cared about the quality of their work.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $20,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in the middle of 2018. They still maintain and update the website.

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

Our rankings tanked at some point during the transition, but VPN INFOTECH was able to put together a new SEO plan that could restore it. That new SEO strategy ended up doubling our traffic and with it our sales and revenue. 

How did VPN INFOTECH perform from a project management standpoint?

I worked quite closely with Ben (Sales Business Development Manager) and he did an amazing job of keeping track of the project. He made sure that I was satisfied, that the project was going as planned, and that the team met our expectations. VPN INFOTECH’s account manager was also very knowledgeable and quick-working. I’ve never had a problem with their management. 

We primarily communicated via Skype. Because of our time zone differences, we plot all of our tasks down on a Google Sheet. They were very good at keeping me in the loop, which was a clear improvement from other developers who go for weeks without reaching out to us. I knew exactly what they were working on at the start of each day, and I’m never waiting to hear back from them. It made me feel very comfortable with where the project was heading. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their attentiveness and commitment to the project definitely set them apart from other developers. They’re also very understanding. There were times when we were late on payments, but they gave me room to make it up to them and didn’t pause on any of the work. That’s what I like about them a lot, and it’s the reason why our relationship has lasted for years. There’s never a delay, and no matter how complicated the problem is, they always find a solution for it. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don’t think there’s anything they could’ve done differently. They provided me with exactly what I asked of them in an acceptable timeframe. Everything went smoothly.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Really know what you want and what you’re looking for. Provide the team with as much information or content as you can upfront because the more they understand your project, the better they will be able to implement it. 

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the founder of a software platform for the moving industry that hosts digital packing and inventory lists.

What challenge were you trying to address with VPN INFOTECH?

I didn't have any programming knowledge and needed help creating the technical side of the platform. 

What was the scope of their involvement?

After I provided VPN INFOTECH with the platform's design, VPN INFOTECH's team executed my vision — they developed my cross-platform mobile app. They used Laravel and PHP to develop the backend. 

The VPN INFOTECH development team has made several changes to the app since we first started working together. We needed to ensure the app was user-friendly and was a viable tool for those in the movie industry. They also completed a few rounds of bug testing. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with five teammates from VPN INFOTECH, including the project lead, an iOS developer, an Android developer, a backend developer, and the company owner. 

How did you come to work with VPN INFOTECH?

I found VPN INFOTECH on Freelancer. 

How much have you invested with them?

I've invested $35,000–$40,000 with VPN INFOTECH so far. 

What is the status of this engagement?

I began working with VPN INFOTECH in March 2020 and our partnership is ongoing. 

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

The app VPN INFOTECH developed looks very different from what I envisioned when the project started, but I am pleased with it. 

How did VPN INFOTECH perform from a project management standpoint?

I am very careful to communicate clearly with VPN INFOTECH because they are an offshore company — I am very specific when making requests. The majority of our communication has been very positive. Their responses to my questions and requests are always very quick; VPN INFOTECH never leaves me without an answer to a question. 

The company owner helps oversee the project and reaches out to me occasionally to ensure the project is going well. The project is taking longer than expected, but I don't mind because I also work a full-time job and this is my side project. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I've never worked with another development company on a project this big, so I don't have anything to compare VPN INFOTECH's work to. However, I am more than happy with the relationship we've developed over the last 18 months, and I'm excited to continue working with VPN INFOTECH. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Communication wasn't as straightforward as it could've been, but I took responsibility for some of the communication issues we had. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Potential customers need to be as clear as possible at the start of the partnership about the project's scope. It can be easy to think that the development is easy, but it is challenging — customers need to be pedantic in their requirements. I would suggest doubling the time allotted to document the work scope and budget. 

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am CEO of a digital platform that promotes and advertises for black entrepreneurs

For what projects/services did your company hire VPN INFOTECH?

Our Website placed this company in charge of building our web platform from the ground floor and consistently implementing new solutions within our business.

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

Promptness and communication with a desired vision to ensure our business as the product owner gains maximum efforts on a regular basis

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

From the start of conducting initial meetings to gather thoughts and ideas of the framework and design of the website, VPN INFOTECH grasp the general concept of what our vision was. From this point, we work directly with the product owner and provide sufficient updates for new projects. They provide appropriate estimation in order to conduct the work.

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

In total, we worked with the CFO, project manager, a couple developers, and QA personnel.

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

Their work was very thorough and precise. Inconsistencies are addressed immediately. I continue to work with them and have established a successful business relationship

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective as we discuss ideas and updates daily.

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

Their willingness to work and create.

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

Potentially adjust price quotes for consistent users along with inclusive quality assurance checks