Blog | Fruition Interactive :: toronto interactive strategy, web design and development, online marketing

How We Work: Our Process From A to Z

June 30, 2011 by Mitch Fanning Leave a Comment

When I meet with a potential client at some point I’m always asked, “so how do we start?” At Fruition, we do things a little differently, which our clients appreciate.

What’s so different about the way we work? It starts with upfront pricing — not hourly rates — so clients only pay for what they care about most: deliverables with tangible business value; not how much time it took someone to deliver them.

Then there’s our web design and development process, which keeps clients in the loop every step of the way and makes sure that everything that we do stays aligned with their changing business environment.

The best way to tell someone about it is to just spell it all out.

Starting to work with Fruition

Step 1: Strategic Insite™

Every engagement with us starts with a Strategic Insite™ session. We meet with you, listen, and figure out what really matters. From there, we come back with recommendations to improve your online marketing results as well as what it’s going to cost.

We’ll then talk about the recommendations together and refine the direction. Next, if you like what we’re proposing, we’ll move on to step 2.

Step 2: detailed discovery

In one intensive session, we’ll sit down with your project stakeholders to do a detailed breakdown of your project’s requirements. Branding, audience, technical, business — we cover all the bases and go as deep as possible.

At the end of it, you’ll get an actionable document of your needs around the project, a defined project scope that everyone understands and, most importantly, you get a defined fixed cost for that scope.

Working with Fruition

Our Web design + development process

Working from this requirements document, web development proceeds in 2-week stages (we call them “Sprints”). Functional and other specifications are prepared throughout the course of these stages, continuously integrating the project’s design and development processes.

At the beginning of each stage, we meet with you to establish priorities and the work that needs to be done during that stage. The scope of work for each stage is then documented. At the end of each stage, we meet again to review work completed, to adjust requirements, and identify any emerging requirements.

Ready to get started?

photo credit: jakeandlindsay

Filed Under: All, How We Work

Is The Web Helping Your Business Grow?

June 25, 2011 by Mitch Fanning Leave a Comment

I recently met with a colleague for coffee. Among other things, we discussed the importance of educating clients on the “big picture” when it comes to using the web to build their business.

We also shared stories about the challenges of being in the web development and online marketing business. For the most part, I actually don’t see myself in a technology-based business at all. For me, I see myself in the business of helping other businesses become successful. I just happen to use web 2.0 and marketing technologies to solve business problems and/or achieve business objectives.

When clients first come to Fruition, they’re very cost sensitive and focused on tactics. This is understandable. However, as they work with us, many of our clients actually end up increasing their investment in online marketing initiatives as they begin to focus more on the big picture.

Why? Is it because we’re really nice? Maybe, but I think it’s mostly because they actually see a return on their investment. They realize their website and their online marketing initiatives are actually helping build their business.

So what’s my point?

Stop thinking about your website and online marketing as an after-thought. If you’re building a house, would you go to a plumber first and ask him or her to build your a bathroom? Of course not, you’d probably first go to an architect. Someone who’ll bring your ideas to life as well as organize all the resources required to see the project through to a successful conclusion.

When it comes to marketing online, most business owners “hire the plumber” first thinking it will save them money and time. As a result, they end up with a website and a slew of half done projects that are not integrated or in-line with their business objectives.

So if you’re not happy with the results you’re seeing from your online marketing efforts ask yourself: “Did I hire the plumber to build my website and run my online initiatives or did I hire someone who will help me intelligently use the web to build my business over the long-term?”

photo credit: Pink Sherbet

Filed Under: All, Interactive Strategy

Fruition is hiring: Scrum Master / Agile Project Manager | Toronto (#jobs #agile)

June 7, 2011 by Kent Wakely 2 Comments

Fruition Interactive is growing. And to support that growth, we’re looking to hire a full-time, contract, Scrum Master / Project Manager.

This is a really key role at Fruition — our Scrum Master / Project Managers are the linchpins of our teams’ successes in delivering projects that are on-time, on-budget and on-target. They’re the go to people for supporting our development and delivery processes, supporting our teams and supporting our clients.

If you, or someone you know is interested in the position you can find out more about it and apply online here.

Filed Under: All, Company News, How We Work Tagged With: hiring, jobs, project management, scrum, scrum master

Paid Advertising: How It Helps Generate Earned Media

June 2, 2011 by Mitch Fanning 1 Comment

A few months ago, I wrote about the basics of PPC advertising (Pay-Per-Click). Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about how “paid” media can help generate “earned” media (advertising that is shared among friends and beyond).

To clarify, when I refer to PPC advertising, I’m simply referring to any platform that allows you to advertise on a pay-per-click or cost-per-click basis (example: Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Ads).

Why Do It?

Ultimately, our clients want to generate leads, inquires, and sales from the PPC campaigns we run on their behalf. However, there are also other valid reasons to do PPC advertising, which may not achieve an immediate ‘hot lead’ or ‘sale’, but may do so down the road.

For example, if it makes sense for your business to have a Facebook Page you might want to consider using Facebook Ads to generate initial awareness and demand by driving people to your Facebook Page.

Running a Facebook Ad campaign, might help you get the first 1,000 people to “like” your Page. From that point, you still have to keep them engaged, but in time, you may earn their trust and convert them into advocates, clients, or buyers.

In addition, a relatively small investment in Facebook Ads could generate a huge ROI considering the very same people who first “liked” your Page from clicking your ad also create an organic viral effect.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words:

photo credit: Facebook

Overtime, once you’ve “earned” their trust, the same people who originally came to you via your paid Facebook Ad campaign (and who referred others) might eventually turn into a lead, inquiry, or sale.

About the Author

Mitch Fanning is VP of Fruition Interactive. He’s spent 11 plus years working with businesses of all sizes, from global brands to some of Canada’s fastest growing web start-ups ranked in the PROFIT 100.

Filed Under: All, Interactive Strategy, Online Advertising, Social Media Tagged With: adwords, conversion, conversion strategies, Google Adwords, interactive strategy toronto, online marketing, social media toronto, toronto interactive strategy, traffic generation

Featured Client: Laredo Law

May 28, 2011 by admin

This midtown law firm approached Fruition to create a site that was clean-looking and that didn’t look and sound like every other law firm on the planet.

Key Features: Web Content Management System (CMS) makes content updates quick and easy; clear and resonant calls to action designed to drive conversions; Social media sharing allows the firm’s loyal clients to spread the word; advanced analytics allow complete tracking of business results

Video: Planning your marketing podcast (#mesh11)

May 26, 2011 by Kent Wakely Leave a Comment

I’m at Mesh 2011, “Canada’s Web Conference” at The Allstream Centre in Toronto on Wednesday and Thursday May 25 and 26. I’ll be posting updates periodically over the course of the conference.

Donna Papacosta of Trafalgar Communications on best practices for before you start your marketing podcast.

Filed Under: All, Interactive Strategy

What your business can learn from the online porn business (#mesh11)

May 25, 2011 by Kent Wakely Leave a Comment

Regardless of how you feel about porn, the industry has long been at the leading edge of the technology curve. It was one of the first to ummm… embrace the VCR, it was one of the first to extensively use digital media.

Online porn pioneer Pink Visual’s Allison Vivas says, “most of us are looking at code and statistics and financial performance, not looking at the content.”

The adult industry is grappling with the impact of user generated content and piracy. Hard to convince people to pay for something they’re used to getting for free. Sound familiar? It does to every media company exec out there.

Why I’m THRILLED to be sponsoring #Mesh11

May 25, 2011 by Kent Wakely Leave a Comment

This is my 4th year at the Mesh conference for Fruition, but it’s Fruition’s first as a sponsor. And it’s about time.

Here’s why we decided to dive in deeper with our support for the conference:

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Company News Tagged With: Mesh

New Site Launch: Laredo Law

May 17, 2011 by Kent Wakely Leave a Comment

I’m chuffed as always to announce Fruition’s latest site launch, for Laredo Law.

From the case study:

This midtown law firm approached Fruition to create a site that was clean-looking and that didn’t look and sound like every other law firm on the planet.

Lot’s of white space as well as visuals and copy designed to connect with the hearts and minds of prospective clients help Laredo Law stand out from the crowd.

You can:

Filed Under: Clients, Company News

Starting to work with Fruition

Working with Fruition

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