Xupe

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a web design and digital marketing agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Xupe?

We needed help to develop a web app for one of our clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our client wasn’t entirely sure what they wanted to build, so we worked with Xupe to weigh the benefits of either a web or mobile app. We ultimately decided to build a web app. Thinking about where the client wanted to go in the future, Xupe helped create a strategy and prioritized certain features. After creating the UI/UX design, they developed the platform.

What is the team composition?

Mike (CEO & Web Developer) was our point person, but as the project progressed, they brought on developers that specialized in certain areas.

How did you come to work with Xupe?

Mike and I had mutual friends from a travel program we both participated in. I was looking for a developer, and we hit it off. I felt completely comfortable working with him even though this was uncharted territory for me. On top of that, he had extensive experience, making him the perfect candidate.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $112,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in May 2019 and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The client is happy with how the project is progressing. We plan to launch the MVP next month, and they will continue to maintain the app on an ongoing basis. We’ve done some early user testing and feedback has been good overall.

How did Xupe perform from a project management standpoint?

I work exclusively with Mike and he manages the developers’ time, assigns them features, and ensures that they’re sticking to our budget. Mike and I meet with the client once a week to review their development progress and address any issues. On top of that, I meet with Mike later in the week to go over nitty-gritty details. Overall, it’s been a good, collaborative process. They’ve been flexible and have adapted to the client’s needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They don’t just do what we tell them to do. Rather, they provide input that is really valuable and helps us come up with a strategy.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There was a learning curve for both of us on how to manage client expectations. They could help us get ahead if they think we will miss a deadline. However, by working together, we’ve been able to handle it pretty well.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

New clients should lean on their expertise and work with them to create a plan to attack the problem. They’re very good at figuring out how to position certain strategies to the client.