Soap Media

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a director of an award-winning, creative, and friendly RIBA and CIAT Chartered Architects practice.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media, and what were your goals?

Our former website was created over ten years ago and had become outdated in terms of its design and content. We wanted a new website that was adapted for current technology and devices whilst providing a contemporary showcase for our work with a focus upon the integration of video and imagery.

SOLUTION

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

We researched into local web developers who had worked alongside other reputable brands in our local area and had a portfolio of work that was aligned with our requirements.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

The project commenced with introductory meetings and led towards the design stage where an initial design concept was presented to us. Upon reflection, we decided to move in a different direction which Soap Media were more than accommodating and offered their guidance and insight throughout. Thereafter, Soap Media created a 'staging site' which allowed us to access and provide feedback upon the website as it was being built with regular email and online meetings held to assess progress and discuss any issues and new features / design changes. Upon completion, Soap Media provided a thorough pre-launch service and handled the migration to the live site without issue whilst communicating well to us throughout.

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

The key members of the team we worked alongside were Paige Coulthurst (Development Account Manager) and Ryan Noon (Senior Front End Developer). I cannot speak highly enough of both Paige & Ryan as they were both accommodating, informative and clearly skilled as they guided us through the project towards completion.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We are incredibly happy with the completed site and Soap Media have brought our vision into reality with very little compromise. This has been reflected by the response of our clients and colleagues alike for whom the feedback has been equally positive.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We had regular email updates throughout the development of the website with both our Development Account Manager and Senior Front End Developer also willing to discuss issues/ideas in further depth using Google Meet regularly. Any questions or queries were responded to promptly and informatively by email.

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

Soap Media's ability to bring our vision into reality alongside their accommodating and willing attitude towards our ideas, regardless of the potential technical issues to overcome to achieve them, was very impressive and has led to the creation of a unique and exceptional web presence.

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

I believe that cross-browser/device testing (prior to development stages or launch) could be improved to ensure that the user experience is consistent across all devices and browsers.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am Head of Marketing at Ideal4Finance, a commercial and consumer finance brokerage based in Preston, Lancashire, with clients all over the UK.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media, and what were your goals?

I started working with Soap in March 2021 on our Google Ads campaigns. Although they had worked with Ideal4Finance previously, my involvement and interaction with them began in March 2021. They now manage our ppc campaigns for both Google and Bing.

SOLUTION

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

They were already working for Ideal4Finance when I joined.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and campaigns.

Soap manage all our ppc activity, with a brief to deliver us sales leads for our consumer and retail finance business.

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

I currently work with two members of the Soap team, Paid Search Lead, Ben Lievens, and Junior Paid Media Assistant, Sofia Gomes

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

The campaigns are performing very well and we are happy with the number of conversions we are achieving.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

I am extremely happy with both Ben and Sofia. We have a weekly catch up to review recent activity and discuss any issues or new developments. They are really proactive at suggesting new ideas to try or ways to improve campaign performance. Communication is excellent from both Ben and Sofia and I feel we have a very productive and extremely good natured working relationship.

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

I can only comment on the ppc team I work with. They are thorough, dedicated, proactive, and a pleasure to work with.

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

In terms of the PPC team, no.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Omnicell is the world-leading provider of automated healthcare and medication adherence solutions across the continuum of healthcare. I manage the lead generation activity across the international regions.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media?

This project was to generate new leads, cost effectively across our various International regions through the regionally consistent social channel LinkedIn.

SOLUTION

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

We have a very productive ongoing relationship with Soap Media, who already manage our SEO activity and have already demonstrated improvements in our rankings through SEO recommendations across 4 International websites.

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

After identifying the requirement to generate more cost-effective leads into the business, Soap recommended we test LinkedIn as a proven cost-effective channel for targeting specific market sectors relevant to our target audience.

Following a successful new product launch, LinkedIn was trialed across 3 of our regions. Through regular campaign reviews, we were able to identify which regions were performing the strongest vs those where we need to refine the selections, allowing us to react and divert budget accordingly to ensure the most efficient ROI.

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

We worked closely with the Paid Media Specialist who was supported by the Partnerships Director.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We are continuing to invest in this channel for lead generation across various marketing campaigns, promoting a variety of solutions to varying audiences with continued success of generating qualified leads that are progressing through the funnel and generating a positive ROI. We have a new found confidence in this channel and will continue to invest via Soap.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have weekly calls with our Paid Media Specialist, Search Marketing Specialist and Partnerships Director at Soap on campaign and activity progress, which allows us to react accordingly

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

We were impressed with the quality of their leads and how the targeting strategy was clearly explained. We are not the experts, but are never made to feel we're asking 'stupid' questions.

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

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Regal Gaming & Leisure Ltd is the UK leading distributor and operator of gaming equipment in the UK Pub sector. My name is Thomas Courtney and I am Systems Manager here at Regal Gaming & Leisure

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media?

We hired Soap Media for a general overhaul and renovation of the existing company website.

What were your goals for this project?

Elegant and simple redesign of existing website.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

They were recommended by our IT department

Describe the project in detail.

We began with an initial project framework in excel, which was actioned by Soap Media. We were then issued with the initial layout designs in PDF form, which were analysed by Regal and immediate feedback issued to Soap.

From then there were numerous calls and meetings to narrow down the specificites, until our vision was realised by Soap media.

What was the team composition?

We had initial meeting with their software developer, and from then all points of contact were with assigned project manager.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Great feedback from our customers and colleagues.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective

What did you find most impressive about this company?

The inspirational team managed to fully create what we asked for.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing and communications manager at the British Woodworking Federation. We’re a membership-based, trade association that looks after the woodworking manufacturing businesses in the U.K.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Soap Media?

We needed help driving engagement across five websites.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Soap Media is our WordPress website partner. For the past 15 months, they’ve helped us with SEO (on an ad-hoc basis) and UX for our sites. They showed us how we can make content and help figure out where users have dropped off, while also creating clearer call-to-actions.

Next, they’ve redeveloped one of our websites. For the other sites, they’ve made incremental changes to help maximize our return on investment. Finally, we’re in the process of integrating a new e-learning system.

What is the team composition?

We communicate with an account manager and a project manager.

How did you come to work with Soap Media?

We weren’t happy with our last supplier in terms of project management, expertise, and return on investment. I spoke to five companies and ended up with a shortlist of three. We went with Soap Media purely because their pitch was really strong and they were confident in their approach; we felt they actually had the skills to deliver.  

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2019, and we’re contracted together until the end of 2020. I don’t see that changing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The templates they’ve designed for us have been great. The engagement level, bounce rate, and CTAs have all increased. People are downloading forms and we’ve had an increase in new member inquiries because our proposition is clearer than before. All of the pages they’ve worked on are better performing.

How did Soap Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication is impressive. I’ve got no complaints to date. We use Google Docs, and they show a clear report on the time they spend and those allocations. They’re very transparent.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They take the time to understand the business and use data to inform decisions. They’re very proactive and I feel like I’m in good hands. We also like that the team doesn’t speak technical language to make themselves feel good. They’re very trustworthy, compared to our last vendor.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They have high growth potential. They’re probably working at full capacity at the moment and they need to bring on more staff to keep their current clients happy.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to have monthly catch-ups with them or status updates. Be collaborative, since the relationship works both ways. It’s important to give them timely feedback to achieve success.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We provide fundraising software that facilitates the entire investment ecosystem. The core products include Registrar Services, Fundraising Management and Secondary Transferability. I am heading their marketing team.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media?

We asked Soap Media to create the HTML5 artwork for our Google Display campaign.

What were your goals for this project?

Brand Awareness & Conversion

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Soap Media was recommended by a previous colleague.

Describe the project in detail.

We provided Soap Media with our brand styleguide and pre-written campaign headlines for the campaign. Soap Media designed and developed the banners.

What was the team composition?

We had one direct contact - Jack, who has been absolutely brilliant and very responsive.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We have worked with Soap Media on a fairly small project this time, however would always consider them for bigger projects. Our contact at Soap Media was very responsive, quick, and solution-oriented and the design of the banners was visually appealing and on brand. The campaign has been up for 2 days and we are very happy with the first responses.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very efficient.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Very responsive, quick turnaround time, great quality.

Are there any areas for improvement?

none

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are an outside catering and event management company specialising in providing hospitality solutions for a number of diverse markets. My focus is on the back of house management ensuring clear communication lines to deliver the ideal package.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media?

My company hired Soap Media to help us build our online portfolio. Working in such a competitive market we required the very best in order to put us one step ahead of our competition and exceed our customer's expectations. Thus-forth, Soap Media instigated a complete rebuild of our existing website and helped restructure our CRM system.

What were your goals for this project?

To improve our online presence and add to our customers experience.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Searched online and they had also been recommended to us.

Describe the project in detail.

Having met with the team at Soap we identified our goals and discussed our requirements. They took our ideas away and presented a clear plan of attack to achieve and build upon our original thoughts. They delivered results very quickly and the project began to take shape, we were able to adjust and alter things as time went by allowing us to create our ideal website.

What was the team composition?

Having been assigned a project manager any questions or queries were answered by him very quickly. He was the middle man between us, the designers and the tech team- we felt he went beyond expectation.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Due to the quality of the online platform we are closing more deals and we hope this will only continue.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We felt communication channels were fantastic.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

From the moment we met with the team, we felt we were in very good hands. Their professional demeanour was unparalleled and we were wowed from start to finish.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing we can see at this point in time!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am a director at Money Protector, providing accident sickness and unemployment insurance.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Soap Media?

I hired Soap Media to come up with the new company name, logo, branding and complete website development with ongoing marketing once complete.

What were your goals for this project?

The main goal was to have a site whereby each client could obtain quotes online and then apply for their desired cover. The time was set to have the site up and running for September.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I initially selected Soap Media based on the clients they had previously worked for, once I had met and discussed my requirements they seemed well up for it and capable of delivering.

Describe the project in detail.

The project was to come up with a website name that would interest clients to visit, obtain quotes and apply for insurance online. Soap media thought up the name, secured the domain name and developed a suitable logo and website along with stationery to suit.

What was the team composition?

Initially we were assigned a project manager who has guided the development of all aspects of the project to completion, all with the time limits and to an excellent standard!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I expect with the new system to grow our annual sales by 300% based on the fact that clients can quote and buy online rather than having to make an enquiry and then proceed via email.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication was excellent! Mostly consisting of emails and a call once a week to discuss how the project was going, any further requirements etc.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

I was impressed from my initial visit to Soap right throughout the project to completion. The whole project has far exceeded my expectations.

Are there any areas for improvement?

None!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We develop health and safety compliance solutions for Fortune 500 companies. I’m the company owner and visionary.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Soap Media?

Most of our sales are through referrals, so we’ve never done much marketing. We wanted to generate more quality leads, expand our brand presence, and strive for growth. The first thing we needed was a new website. The old site didn’t match our company or our customers, and we needed to go back to the drawing board.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed and developed a new site that completely refreshes our brand’s look and feel. The redesign makes us look much larger and more appropriate for our client base. Since then, we’ve worked together to brainstorm new ways to generate leads and stimulate growth.

They’re handling all of our marketing, and are training me to be more of an expert. We limited our sales and marketing team up to this point, which has hampered our growth potential in the past. They’ve integrated me into HubSpot, and we work in unison to mix my experience in the industry with their knowledge of marketing.

What is the team composition?

We have one main point of contact with them.

How did you come to work with Soap Media?

We found them years ago through a web search for local design companies. They were always good at marketing, which was a major reason we chose them the first time. The site they designed for us about eight years ago was one of the best we’ve ever had, but we decided to bring those services in-house after a few years. Our marketing was lagging, so we decided to renew our partnership with them earlier this year. We already knew what they were capable of, and we trusted them because of our previous collaboration.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent the equivalent of about $50,000 this year.

What is the status of this engagement?

The new collaboration started in June or July 2018 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

What they’ve done is amazing. Our customers are really excited about the changes, and we get a lot of good feedback from some of our larger clients. The old brand didn’t feel like us, and our logo was previously meaningless. Now, our whole image matches the reasons we exist as a company, and all our team members and best customers are happy with the change.

How did Soap Media perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication and time management are incredible. They answer whenever I call, flex to accommodate meetings before or after hours, and are willing to work with my schedule. They join us via Zoom for our weekly meetings and act as a surrogate leader in our organization. Whether we communicate by email, text, or phone, they feel like they really work for me.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team fits together so well, and they deliver fantastic results. They work well together, deliver on time, and give us a great experience. Their passion matches or exceeds that of our internal staff, and I’m constantly impressed by them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have difficulty coming up with anything they should improve. Their costs match the quality they provide, and for us, they're fairly affordable.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

They are very passionate about the work they do, and the entire team responds well to positive feedback or criticism. They’re happy to listen to us if we don’t like something, but we often really appreciate what they do.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

We’re an e-learning provider selling a wide range of courses.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Soap Media?

I’d worked with a website company before, and I was really disappointed, so I was cautious with the current project, given that we were spending a lot of money on it. We approached Soap Media for help building a new website from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Soap Media developed our website over the course of a year. We completely redesigned the software. We’ve worked on digital marketing with them since then, mainly PPC. They’ve helped us rebrand, creating a new logo and look-and-feel and helped design it from scratch. We’ve asked them to design many things for us, from the certificates we give to learners after completing a course, to the front covers of our audio courses.

What is the team composition?

They assigned us a project manager, and we’ve also worked with the managing and marketing director on the PPC side and another one of their members on the development side.

How did you come to work with Soap Media?

I heard about them through a referral from someone who’d worked with them to build their website. I looked at that site and thought it was fantastic. We had a few meetings to see if they could do what we wanted them to do.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve modified the site a lot over the last year, given that our business has changed so much. The total is in the range of £400,000 ($528,360 USD) including PPC and SEO, on which we spend around £10,000 ($13,209 USD) per month.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with Soap Media in 2016. We have an ongoing collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Everybody always comments on how amazing the website is. It was a massive project and a complex development process, but the new website has completely transformed our business. Our sales have gone up by 60% since launching the website a year ago. They’ve helped turn what was a small company two years ago into a big institution. They’ve helped us become a multimillion-pound company, so it’s been worth the investment.

How did Soap Media perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a dedicated project manager who’s been fantastic. He’s approachable and he can address any question. We have weekly team calls with him to catch up and get an overview on how everything’s performing. We also have weekly meetings with our PPC campaign manager. She goes through everything and gives us a full report on how we’re performing. We are an online training company, so we tend to use online systems for screen sharing and chat. We use tools like GoToMeeting and Zoom. We have also met Soap Media in person.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their design team is excellent. The website amounts to our presence as a business, and it’s fantastic. Their designer has done brilliant work on our collateral. Soap Media is also strong on digital marketing. They’ve delivered fantastic results, which speak for themselves. The quality and service we’re getting are absolutely fantastic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

As a company, we’re happy with everything. If there were any issues, Soap Media handled them quickly, and they were willing to listen to us.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Clients should approach Soap Media with a clear vision of what they want to achieve. This will help them bring the product to life. Their software development and design teams are fantastic.