Essential Designs

The Custom Application Developers

5.0 18 Reviews
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Verified Profile

Essential Designs is a custom software developer, and has been building custom mobile and web based apps since 2008. We are trusted application developers with a wide range and depth of experience in custom built products. We can take a concept, choose the right coding and software solutions, and produce a finished product for our clients efficiently and reliably.

$25 - $49/hr
10 - 49
2008
Locations
Canada
545 King Street, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1M1
6473615586
Canada
610 Granville St #607, Vancouver, BC V6C 3T3, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3T3
6042398192
Canada
630 8 Ave SW #600, Calgary, AB T2P 1G6, Calgary, Alberta T2P 1G6

Focus Areas

Service Focus

40%
30%
20%
10%
  • Software Development
  • Mobile App Development
  • Web Development
  • Writing Services

Client Focus

90%
10%
  • Small Business
  • Medium Business

Industry Focus

100%
  • Healthcare & Medical

Essential Designs Clients & Portfolios

Key Clients

  • Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Startup
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Ecommerce
  • Manufacturer
  • Startups

Essential Designs Reviews

5.0 18 Reviews
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  • Software Development
  • Mobile App Development
  • Web Development
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Peter Weiss

Advanced software solution for Real Estate Management Agency

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

Our client in the field of mineral exploration and mining needed assistance in creating an advanced software solution. This tool would help them keep track of different stages of the exploration process across their multiple mining sites. They needed our advice on the best provider to work with to efficiently organize, uncover insights, and oversee the project.

From the initial stages of project discovery to the final phases of implementation, Essential Designs demonstrated a remarkable ability to align resources, streamline workflows, and maintain a clear trajectory toward project milestones.

The project advanced smoothly without any significant deviations from our deadlines, underscoring Essential Designs remarkable capacity to maintain oversight and coordination. As the project continues, our consistent success in meeting sprint objectives without major setbacks serves as a testament to Essential Designs exceptional organizational capability

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Software Dev for Real Estate Agency

Describe your project in brief

One of our clients needed help kick starting and managing a project. Since it's not our area, we contacted Essential Designs who went on doing their best in what they're really good at.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Essential Designs remarkable foresight preempted potential pitfalls, preserving our project's timeline and overall satisfaction.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

For their designated role, Essential Designs performance was impeccable—no changes needed!

Tracy Sutton

Essential Designs: Elevating Our Custom App Experience

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

Working with Essential Designs has been a truly positive experience for the Custom Application Developers at Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. Their team's commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and innovative approach to custom application development have greatly contributed to the success of our projects. Essential Designs has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our organization's unique needs, and their solutions have significantly enhanced our capabilities. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and collaborative spirit have made the entire process smooth and enjoyable.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Chamber Growth: Essential Designs' Custom App Excellence

Describe your project in brief

The project involved collaborating with Essential Designs, a highly skilled custom application development company, to enhance the technological capabilities of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. As a multi-faceted, not-for-profit membership organization with over 800 businesses in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond, the Chamber sought to elevate its operational efficiency and member services. Essential Designs demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of the Chamber's unique requirements and objectives. The collaborative effort focused on creating customized applications tailored to address specific needs within the organization. The applications were designed to streamline processes, improve member engagement, and contribute to a more seamless overall experience for both the Chamber and its extensive business community.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

We highly recommend Essential Designs for their expertise and dedication to delivering high-quality, customized solutions for businesses like ours in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

NON

Markk James

Essential Designs Delivers Excellence in Bolwell Corporation's Mobile App Development

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

As a client of Essential Designs, I had a remarkably positive experience throughout the mobile app development process for Bolwell Corporation Pty. Ltd., a composite manufacturer with facilities in Melbourne and Thailand. Essential Design demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and technical expertise.

The team at Essential Designs exhibited a deep understanding of Bolwell Corporation's unique needs and challenges in the composite manufacturing industry. They were proactive in communication, ensuring that our requirements were thoroughly understood and incorporated into the mobile app development plan.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Essential Designs Transforms Bolwell Corp's Mobile App.

Describe your project in brief

The project with Essential Design centered around the development of a mobile app for Bolwell Corporation Pty. Ltd., a prominent composite manufacturer with operational facilities in both Melbourne and Thailand. Essential Design, serving as our chosen mobile app development partner, exhibited exemplary professionalism, creativity, and technical prowess throughout the entire process.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Essential Design's post-launch support and responsiveness have been outstanding, providing reassurance that our collaboration extends beyond the initial development phase.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

NONE

Helen Ching

Amazing App Dev & Design for Technology Consulting Company

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

I provided them a line map, and walked them through all of the information required in terms of the environment. Then we had several conversations about user personas and required functionalities. They’re designing native apps for iOS and Android, as well as a version for a web portal. The goal is to add functionality that our competitors don't have to give ourselves a competitive advantage. I'm primarily working with one UI/UX designer. A couple of people have been on some of our phone calls in order to manage the project on their end. I'll work directly with a developer once the design is finalized. The subcontractor that I typically work with was booked, so I looked online for a new firm. I decided to give Essential Designs a call because they have a Toronto office. I was very impressed by our phone conversation, and thought they would be a good fit. The team is very good at keeping the project moving. A lot of times we’re waiting for the client to evaluate and respond to a design.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Amazing Mobile App

Describe your project in brief

All of my teams are subcontractors. A customer needed mobile application design and development. I selected Essential Designs to help me with that part of the project.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

They’re very good at what they do. The designer is very talented and very efficient. In fact, the designer finishes everything so quickly that we’re usually waiting on the client for the next batch of work. That's a good problem to have. I’m very happy with their service and responsiveness.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

There was no point in the project where we were dissatisfied with their services. Will recommend any day

Jeff Hardy

App Dev for Substance Users & Emergency Responders.

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$0 to $10000
Completed

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Review Summary

We came to Essential Designs with an idea of what we were looking for and provided initial sketches, and they provided storyboards based on our ideas. We worked together to start building the application screen by screen, and they went on to develop and design the Lifeguard Digital Health mobile app for iOS and Android. They programmed and implemented text-to-speech technology into the applications as well. We’re partnered with emergency responders and during our testing phase, they’ve found the application to be very user-friendly and reliable. The app will be ready to roll out this spring. The Essential Designs team communicated with me constantly and kept me updated on project deadlines. Scott was very warm, open, honest, and professional. They made me extremely comfortable with technical knowledge.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Mobile App Development

Describe your project in brief

I had a vision for an emergency response application specifically for drug overdoses but did not have the technical expertise for app development.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Their professionalism and knowledge of their craft were exceptional. Scott took our financial situation into consideration and adapted to meet our needs and terms.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

No, I have no complaints.

Zack Bowlby

User- Friendly Custom Web App Dev for Marketing Agency

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$50001 to $200000
Completed

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Review Summary

We had built the original system in-house, but the team at Essential Designs has now optimized it, adding newer functionalities. We gave them specific directions because we knew what we wanted.

It’s a basic customer account management application that integrates CRM aspects, which include managing database and contact information. They recently upgraded our credit card payment systems to more securely manage our credit card data.
We are relatively satisfied with everything they’re doing. All of our customers seem pleased and rarely complain about it. Our company has doubled in size since partnering with Essential Designs. They manage everything, staying on top of it. We use a program to track all of the projects that also goes into the smaller fixes and feature additions.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Custom Web App Dev for Digital Marketing Agency

Describe your project in brief

We hired Essential Designs to create an administrative interface and customer interface for our customers to manage their direct mail marketing orders from the standpoint of managing their database and the personalization of their printed products. We needed a team to help us implement the interfaces in a secure, user-friendly, and affordable way.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

It’s hard to pick just one thing. The most complex project we had them work on involved credit card data and moving that to a third-party processing system. They handled that very smoothly.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

I don’t have any feedback for them. We have a good relationship.

Nicolo Laurent

Custom Software Dev for Gaming Startup Company

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$50001 to $200000
Completed

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Review Summary

I found Essential Designs online when searching for software developers. I had reached out to multiple software development companies and Groovy Web was by far the cheapest and they clearly understood the goals of my project. They designed the software I required over the course of 10 weeks which was the timeline originally set out in our agreement. They used a variety of methods to collect all the data I require and display it on a website they provided for me. We were able to launch the project on time and with everything working as required. They provided quality assurance as well as a generous support period of 6 months where they will fix any bugs and help me as I adjust to using my new product. I would recommend them any day

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Custom Software Dev for Game Developer

Describe your project in brief

I was building this business from scratch and needed a specific and rather complex piece of software that was able to collect data from multiple sources and display it all together in an interactive and easy to understand table.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

I had direct access to my project manager who was able to deliver all that was required and answer all of my questions. The cost of this project was extremely reasonable and much less than all competitors. Initially I was worried that this may compromise quality however the work that was provided was of the highest quality.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

I am extremely happy with the work of Essential Design and at this stage I have no complaints.

Rodrigo Boabaid

Cost Effective and Flexible MVP

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

Essential Designs provided low-cost resources that built a high-quality MVP with clean code. They used React Native for mobile development and ReactJS for web development. Their team built the app's web backend using typescript and a variety of AWS frameworks. As their services can be turned on or off, we have a flexible arrangement.

They’re able to lay-down code quickly. That code takes two forms including a scrappy MVP that effectively provides core functionality at low cost, meaning time in development hours. The second form that their code can take is a product that was built meticulously. For us as an early-stage company, success metrics include shifting to users, testing, and iterating rapidly. We’ve measured success by the output of code and the number of features built in a short period of time.

They participate in retrospectives with our team, which provides a good feedback loop. With us leaning into the team, they lean back and that creates a collaborative engagement.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Web & Mobile App Development for Financial Services Company

Describe your project in brief

We wanted to build an MVP cost-effectively and flexibly. As an early-stage startup, we didn’t want to hire engineers.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Our PM was on top of the engagement, providing write-ups for all of the code delivered during each sprint. That was helpful for our fundraising efforts. From a technical standpoint, the frontend developers are machines. The quality of the code that they produce, in the time that they produce it, is amazing. The service level is high too.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

There’s an occasional margin of error with communication. They’ll agree to a task without understanding the connotations. We address these challenges with them.

John Clerke

Excellent Responsive Website Design & Development

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

The phase 1 project included our brand identity strategy, setting up wireframes for the site, designing the site, developing it and then launching it.

Everything was tested and then we went live. The phase 2 project will include building out a inventory management system and connecting to a few important tools we need like quickbooks. Our bookings rates have gone up tremendously. And our customer retention is much higher as well. Those customers now come back to the site whereas in the past, the vast majority of customers were not.

On a monthly basis we do a sit-down with the team to analyze what areas we can still improve on so it's an ongoing process to try and better ourselves each day.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Excellent Responsive Website

Describe your project in brief

We needed to replace our old Website to a modern responsive Website

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Their listening and strategy skills. They really become involved in the project, listen and ask tons of questions so I was most impressed with how involved they were in the entire process.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

We are working on more projects with them. They're an excellent team

Shobhit Sabbarwal

Brilliant SaaS Platform MVP Dev & UI/UX Design

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000
Completed

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Review Summary

Essential Design was involved from early user persona creation, through the design process, and ultimately completed development and deployment. Using our prototype and notes as a blueprint, they designed and developed our SASS MVP to completion:

User Research UI/UX Design (Figma)
Front-End Development (React)
Back-End Development (.NET Core)
QA Testing Integration of Third-Party API's
Deployment of MVP

A project manager was responsible for keeping things on track. We held regular meetings to discuss project status, answer questions, and demo features as they were developed. Essential Design was very good at keeping track of our requests, concerns, and questions and took care of issues promptly. During the course of this project, they were very willing to accommodate us in adopting a workflow that best fit our needs. The project roadmap was always clear, even as requirements changed.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

SaaS Platform MVP Dev & UI/UX Design for APN NEWS AGENCY

Describe your project in brief

We wanted Essential Design to Design & Develop MVP for us

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

The most compelling reason why we loved working with Essential Design, outside of the quality work, was the individual team members. Everyone we interacted with at Essential Design was not only professional and qualified but also a pleasure to work with. It's rare to find such a motivated and enthusiastic team, and it made dealing with the complex issues we faced much easier.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

There is always room for improvement, and I'm sure some communication could have been better, but overall, Essential Designs was a excellent partner to work with.

Adrian Hamerski

Web & E-Commerce Dev and redesign for nonprofit Christian Ministry

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$50001 to $200000
Completed

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Review Summary

We had a meeting a with their president and project manager. We provided them with a list of our expectations and a list of things that weren’t working. We asked them to make the pages user-friendly and bug-free as much as possible, as well as do some graphic design and layout for the UI pages.

We decided to go with WordPress for the main webpage because we want to be able to update it ourselves. For the webstore, they will be taking care of the design from scratch and it will be done through OpenCart.

We are looking forward to having functionality that isn’t currently part of the OpenCart site, such an inventory counting. We make and produce our own DVDs, and we need certain features for accounting and other departments, such as tracking transfers between warehouses or checking the stock. Essential Designs is going to develop those from scratch.

They’re doing a great job. Communication is great. Everything is documented and clear. I receive great support from them.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Web & E-Commerce Dev for Amazing Discoveries a nonprofit

Describe your project in brief

We don’t have a big IT department and need to outsource some of our work. We previously worked with 3–5 people, but it was before they were capable of being efficient and jumping into the project, we had lost time.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Their project management is really fast. As long as they have enough information from me. I receive a breakdown within 2–3 days about the current situation and what needs to be done. I’m able to reject or refuse if there is something I’m not happy with or if I don’t want to spend money on a feature. Once I give them the green light, they start working.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

There are no problems or doubts. We have two big projects that need to be built from scratch, and we haven’t reached the stage to see if they are capable of working on them at the same time. I believe they can, but it is new ground for both parties.

Kevin Dyck

Web Design & AWS Development for Energy Solutions Company

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$50001 to $200000

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Review Summary

Essential Designs has helped us install infrastructure to help with cybersecurity and our entire cloud-based system. Before starting the work, we provided context about our company and any documentation they needed to learn about us and get the whole process started.
Additionally, they redesigned and developed our website. We already had a site in place but decided to scrap it and get a new one, which Essential Designs created from scratch. The platform is encrypted and has more modern features than the older one, with a more secure and contemporary look.
The quality of their work was incredible; each person we dealt with was extremely smart and skilled. Also, we could always see what they were doing and they held our hands at every step. Additionally, thanks to their work, we were able to brand out more as a business, make our website faster, and improve the flow of our website traffic.

Describe your project in brief

We needed help with programming and AWS deployment. We wanted to install some AWS software and were looking for companies to help us.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

It's impressive how they're able to make each project so affordable. Any other company would've charged us 2–3 times the amount they did. I like their accessible pricing and ability to deliver quality work that surpasses the competition.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

I don't think there's anything they can improve on; I didn't have any complaints, and they exceeded our expectations.

victoria worthington

Web Dev & Design for Live Broadcast Platform

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$10001 to $50000

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Review Summary

They created everything from top to bottom. We went back and forth for what felt like two years and drew out exactly what I wanted the site to look like. They made templates and sent screenshots of where visual assets should go and the different layers underneath. They provided a skeleton of the entire site; then, we went into detail on each page.

There was a customer view and an administrative back page where I could keep track of everything behind the scenes and manipulate both sides of the platform. We were most excited by the live feed option. We could toggle between the back page and the broadcast page to see viewership spikes and loads. They made sure that everything was flawless, right down to the tiny details. They were very involved and offered a variety of choices for the CMS and other key features. We relied on their expertise.
We did a dry run with a few acquaintances to test it. Everyone felt it was well done and feedback is great overall.

Describe your project in brief

I have no technical background and needed a company to help build our website.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

They’re very personable. There was a lot of underlying humor in our interactions. Scott was entertaining and in-tune with everything we needed.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

My partner is less tech-savvy than I am. It would have been comforting to have more hands-on meetings in person. I sure they would have accommodated that kind of request if we had asked them.

Kirill Kudymov

Android App Re-Coding for Energy Management Firm

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$50001 to $200000

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Review Summary

We worked with two people, including Scott (President, Essential Designs), who organized the work. I worked with him on setting the scope, and I then worked with one of their project managers.

They took our app, updated its code to the latest Google API, and changed its font. Updating features wasn’t required in this particular project.

The process was pretty smooth; they were responsive and happy to make small changes that we required but hadn’t described in the beginning.

We had a timeline for the project, but we didn’t provide any documentation. We used a standard project management tool, Basecamp, which allowed us to send replies using email while providing an online interface. They were joy to work with.

Describe your project in brief

We had an app, but it hadn’t been updated in several years. We needed to work on the source code and make minor changes to the interface. Essential Designs provided application development services, working to update the source code and interface.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

It was a pretty small project, and I didn’t interact with the whole team but generally, I was happy with their efficiency.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

Nothing, overall they were great!

Aobb Alexander

Dev Services for Payment Solutions Startup

Rating Breakdown

  • Quality
  • Schedule & Timing
  • Communication
  • Overall Rating

Project Detail

$200000+
Completed

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Review Summary

Essential Designs is responsible for our product’s frontend development. They interact with a couple of our other outsourced development teams to produce the end product.

Essential Designs’ initial project was to build a web-based admin UI, or a web account center. My team provided documentation and presentations around the goals of our product and what was important to our buyers and users. We also had remote sessions with their UX designer discussing use cases. Their team built out full UX mockups based on those sessions and the information we provided. They’ve also developed an iOS and Android app for our end users. So far, the results are good. The functionality in general works and matches what we’re looking for. The team grasps the requirements.

What was the project name that you have worked with Essential Designs?

Dev Services Project

Describe your project in brief

My company decided to outsource front- and backend development to free up our in-house resources. We hired Essential Designs to be our frontend developers and build our product.

What is it about the company that you appreciate the most?

Their ability to immerse themselves in and understand what we’re doing sets them apart. They provide suggestions, especially around UX, and have even improved upon our ideas, which is not something you generally get with outsourced developers. I think we are getting value for having a local Vancouver company.

What was it about the company that you didn't like which they should do better?

We are very pleased with their services