BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m a principal partner at a cybersecurity consulting firm. We have staff located throughout the US and Europe.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Digital Butlers?
We needed help with web development and design.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We discussed our project scope with Digital Butlers and communicated our needs. Then, they evaluated our original website page-by-page and decided which content they should and shouldn’t include on the new site.
They provided us with 15–20 mock-ups, and we chose two designs to move forward with. We went through several iterations of mock-ups, designs, content building, and testing, and Digital Butlers developed a new site from scratch. The site has static content informing users of our company and our services. We were adamant that Digital Butlers build the site using clean, understandable code so that we could update it post-handoff, which they did.
They implemented the latest versions of all third-party software and provided us with the build materials so we could update it later on. They continue to maintain and host the site using Webflow. They’re also going to build a separate subdomain site for our lab and research facility.
What is the team composition?
We work with Alex (CEO), who manages the project, and two other team members from Digital Butlers.
How did you come to work with Digital Butlers?
We spent a few months searching for local service providers and built a list of 40 potential development partners. We selected Digital Butlers due to the cost-effectiveness and creativity presented in their proposal. They were very open to exploring our rebrand and development process with us instead of just executing requirements.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve invested $24,000–$28,000 in the partnership with Digital Butlers. Our investment for the next phase is projected at $10,000–$12,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began working with Digital Butlers in January 2021, and they delivered the website in August 2021, but the partnership is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
It’s hard to track concrete metrics because we eliminate tracking and analytics features due to the cybersecurity services we provide. However, we immediately received positive feedback from our clients regarding the site’s cool, clean design and ease of navigation, which has helped us stand out among our competitors.
More people are finding our services through the website, which is great. We wanted to stand out, and Digital Butlers has helped us creatively showcase our services.
How did Digital Butlers perform from a project management standpoint?
Digital Butlers performed well from a project management perspective. There was a slight misunderstanding at the beginning of the project due to vagueness regarding costs. The initial contract wasn’t clear about whether they’d bill us for multiple iterations within the same milestone. Once we regrouped and clarified expectations, it was smooth sailing.
We’ve built a really strong relationship with Digital Butlers. They did a good job understanding our services and getting to know our company to best position us to reach our target audience with an attractive brand. We had several iterative meetings, and I changed the requirements halfway through, and Digital Butlers was gracious enough to change directions and accommodate us. They’ve far exceeded our expectations.
We use a project management tool to track milestones and view cost analyses, but I’m not sure which one. We also use GitLab to track engineering progress on our end. We typically meet via Google Meet, and I communicate with Alex via WhatsApp.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Digital Butlers’ creativity is their biggest strength. They provide out-of-the-box solutions and go outside their comfort zone to try new things. We’ve worked with other development partners who only want to operate with tasks they’re comfortable with, and Digital Butlers is willing to try anything.
They’re really talented and driven. I appreciate that they take on challenges to meet our specific needs instead of pigeonholing our brand into one thing they’re comfortable with. They’re fast learners and willing to experiment and figure out different ways to achieve what we’re looking for. For example, they’re working on creating a dynamic image for the site background, which they had never done before. They take on new challenges in stride, and I value that.
Are there any areas they could improve?
My only feedback would be for them to tighten up their contractual aspects and ensure terms are clearly outlined at the beginning of projects, so clients understand what they can expect regarding costs and deliverables.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Try not to judge Digital Butlers based on their online portfolio. While impressive, it’s not reflective of their true potential. They provided us with phenomenally different mock-ups than what they represent in their portfolio. Also, encourage them to do research and push them outside their comfort zone to make the most out of the engagement. Once we did that, Digital Butlers shined; we saw incredible results, so I’d encourage others to do the same.
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