Case Study

<p>Obviously, prices and quality of products are important, together with brand confidence. But… Is it possible that you'd be attracted by a fresh perspective to online shopping through an app featuring live streaming and lifestyle content? A platform like Explorado proposed just that. It integrates shopping, relaxation, and infotainment. Creating its mobile app was the next natural step for this daring company that wants to revolutionize e-commerce. Here, we come into the picture.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Challenges</h4><p>The challenge was that we needed to deliver very fast. In just 2 months time, we had to "give birth" to the Android and iOS app based on the existing back-end and the provided design.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Approach and Solutions</h4><h3>App Development Technology</h3><p>The application had the goal of being multiplatform, with a high loading speed as it is also hosting a digital shop, as well as live streams. Therefore, we’ve chosen <a href="https://codezilla.ro/blog/react-native">React Native</a> for front-end purposes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We have worked based on the design template while keeping in mind that all native mobile apps require further updates.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Large Team, Many Resources</h3><p>Given the deadline, we’ve allocated a large team to the project, to make sure that the development process is finished on time, while more pairs of eyes would ensure that bugs would be prevented. Also, we built a large enough team so that the deadline wouldn’t feel a burden for any one of the developers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Every step of the project included consultancy and know-how, to make sure that the client has a complete picture of the project deployment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Waterfall Approach</h3><p>We’ve chosen Waterfall delivery for quick results and to make sure speed mixes with success.</p><p>The Waterfall approach allows us to have a clear and complete view on the entire project from the beginning.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h4>Our Results</h4><p>We’ve managed to deliver the desired results 2 days before the deadline.</p><p>Therefore, we have proven to ourselves once more that the right choices lead to the right results.</p>

Case Study: Quickly Developing the Explorado App

<p>Obviously, prices and quality of products are important, together with brand confidence. But… Is it possible that you'd be attracted by a fresh perspective to online shopping through an app featuring …</p>

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Marketing Insights

<p>You know you have a good product or service, but your customers don’t seem to come running to purchase it. You know that what you offer is innovative and helpful, and provides a new and improved solution to a need. Yet, your customers prefer to stay stuck in their own ways.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Sounds familiar? Let’s find out what you may do wrong.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>How Can You Know What’s Wrong?</h3><p>First, you need to make sure you have a clear vision of what you offer. Of course, who can know your product (or service) better? Well, in some cases, the answer is not the obvious one.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Let’s say you have an innovative product, created starting from a need you identified as unresponded to. Most of the time, the need fits your consumer profile and your expectations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You got so excited about finding a solution, that you assume everybody will have the same level of enthusiasm. This assumption is <strong>the first step</strong> to failure, as it usually leads to miscommunication about the extra value that your innovation offers. You will say: <i>well, it’s obvious!</i> But most of the time it’s not.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>The Essentials of Communicating Your Product</h3><p>What you need to do is write down things like:</p><ul><li>everything you know about your product,</li><li>what you want to accomplish (the mission and vision),</li><li>your brand values,</li><li>your brand attributes and how they transform into benefits for your customers,</li><li>the reasons you give your customers to believe that they will actually get those benefits.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Do you know what your competition offers and how they communicate? Write it down. If you don’t, then find out and write it down.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This will generate insights and strategic messages for you to apply later in your communication.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>The Secret: Know Your Audience</h3><p>Let’s get down to the customers. Find out who they are, and what are their needs, then link those needs to the benefits offered by your product. For the same product, even for the same type of consumer, needs may differ based on the moment the person is in.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For example, if you are trying to approach a customer that has already declared the intention to buy, you will communicate a strategic message that sets you apart from other brands, an USP. If you are trying to win over new customers from a cold market, you can do that by letting them know why they need your products in the first place or by communicating emotional benefits.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i>“One of the most common mistakes I ran into is that the customers who don’t need the product are ignored. Most of the time, the purchase decision is made before the appearance of the need, but this scenario is usually left out because it doesn’t have the potential to generate immediate revenue.”</i></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i>”For example, you don’t need to buy a car right now. But if you did, you would already have a list of potential brands you like. Of course, you will do some extra research when the need arises, but the brands that are already on the list have some competitive advantage in your mind, do they? So I say to my clients: <strong>let’s find out which customers don’t need your product YET</strong>” (Dana Mangu, Head of Strategy and Brand Growth, Codezilla).</i></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Use Your Money Wisely</h3><p>Of course, the media budget you have for promoting your brand is a key element for your success. If you don’t reach enough of your potential customers, your product won’t grow.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>However, if you are in this stage, don’t get upset just yet. There are a few tricks you can use - based on your brand profile and strategy - that will help you grow organically. It may be a little harder, but if your brand has a strong USP, keeps its brand promise, and you play your cards right, success can be right around the corner.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>It’s All About Focus</h3><p>If you know that what you offer is the best, but it’s still failing, make sure you communicate <strong>the right message to the right people at the right moment</strong>. It’s all about timing!</p>

When You Have a Good Product, but It’s Failing, You May Need a Brand Strategy

<p>You know you have a good product or service, but your customers don’t seem to come running to purchase it. You know that what you offer is innovative and helpful, and provides a new and improved solution to a need …</p>

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<p>Christmas is the time when brands casually change their profile and cover pictures, make sure they have promo campaigns, and develop videos with Santa and snow. This year, things have changed. How can your brand be on top of the clients’ minds, during post-pandemic, war times? Let’s see!</p><h4>When Does Christmas Truly Begin?</h4><p>You might hear jingle bells in supermarkets when autumn leaves just start to fall. Some courageous brands even talked about Christmas in July. However, according to a study, customers start their <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/growth-marketing-and-sales/our-insights/us-holiday-shopping-2021-strong-demand-meets-big-challenges">spending plan</a> in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Needless to say, the time before Christmas also includes Black Friday (theoretically, on November 11 in Romania), which is a good time for your brand to gain both awareness and sales.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Before any Christmas campaign is set up, you should take a look at your website or e-commerce platform and optimize it as much as possible, so that it can support a larger than the usual number of visits.</p><h4>Why Is This Christmas Different?</h4><p>This is the first Christmas sans Covid-19-related restrictions. However, it’s a globally tough year due to the rise of living costs, which might change shopping habits and customer behavior.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>What else should you consider when looking at customers’ mental well-being?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>This year has been affected by the war in Ukraine that didn’t finish yet and that brings geopolitical uncertainty.</li><li>There is a global cost of living crisis going on that makes customers reconsider the reasons behind their purchases.</li><li>It’s the FIFA World Cup on 20 November - 18 December in Qatar. Some brands might insert a bit of soccer into their campaigns.</li><li>Young social media users and teenagers are reconsidering their time spent on screens and aiming for quality content rather than exploring and discovering.</li></ul><h3>What Should You Offer This Christmas?</h3><p>Trends are diverse and today some of the shopping is inspired by TikTok and Instagram. #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt has 28B views and it keeps growing. However, it seems that other aspects might convince customers to add that product to their basket and finish making the purchase.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>Value for money</strong>. In times of crisis, customers analyze their options deeper and consider if they need a product before actually buying it. Quality and durability are two key aspects that a product should have to convince a user to become a buyer.</li><li><strong>Thoughtful giving</strong>. Christmas gifts might suffer a budget reduction this year since everyone must cut down expenses from somewhere. Around 56% of the buyers will turn to thoughtful gifts for friends and family, as per eBay Ads UK’s latest Christmas Spend Trends research report.</li><li><strong>Product and brand ethics</strong>. Today’s customers verify the sustainability and ethics of a brand, how a product is made, and even the ingredients list.</li><li><strong>Way of shopping</strong>. According to a Facebook survey, customers <a href="https://www.facebook.com/business/insights/tools/holiday-season">don’t behave</a> like they used to. 89% of Gen X and Baby Boomers have learned to embrace online shopping since the pandemic and now they are inclined to prefer digital stores, even if the outbreak is over.</li></ul><h4>Some Ideas for a Fresh &amp; Juicy Campaign</h4><p>Here are some of the trends that might turn into a good ROI rate and bigger profit than expected. Let’s dive in!</p><h3>Social Selling Stands Out</h3><p>Social selling or shoppable live streaming allows the audience to purchase directly from a live video feed. Some say that 63% of sales professionals claim that this trend <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/surprising-statistics-on-social-selling-that-all-salespeople-should-know">is now important</a> for closing new deals.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Building a strategy on such an idea means taking into consideration the platforms that your audience is open to and their spending behavior. Integrating sales into video content is easy when you know your audience very well.</p><h3>It’s Story Time</h3><p>Facebook and Instagram stories are watched daily by around 500 million users. They create engagement, keep users curious and help marketers build a strong social media presence, as well as test their creativity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Stories may imply temporary content, but they have tools that bring quick engagements, such as interactive polls, trending audio, and even filters that your brand can create. They humanize a brand and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into your products.</p><h3>Focus on Geo-Targeting</h3><p>Local content is engaging and relatable to your audience. Segment your audience by geographical location and increase the relevance of your messages.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Each celebration is perceived differently. Moreover, buying habits may vary depending on the client’s location. Once you identify these particularities, you can surprise your audience by sending the right message at the right time…to the right place.</p><h3>Keep Your Discounts Balanced</h3><p>Offers and discounts make tough decisions during these economical crisis times. Discounts gain relevance and might be the reason why a customer chooses your brand over another one. However, try not to go overboard.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Remember that your brand has a price range and you need to stick to what your audience would like. When you cut prices too much, you might discover that your profit is not as high as expected, while the new customers you gain will not afford your products, later on, to become loyal. Your customers might be open to incentives such as discounts, promo codes, and free shipping. Use them to increase purchasing.</p><h3>Find a Voice</h3><p>Influencer marketing may be widely used, but it is a way to get creative and reach new audiences while adding a face to your holiday promo. The right micro-influencer might bring you brand awareness or sales while you focus on other aspects of your campaign.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>As much as brands prefer influencers, they still manage to increase conversions when showing audiences a personalized presentation of your products.</p><h4>Let the Christmas Bells Ring!</h4><p>Christmas campaigns are delightful for users. They will be so to you, once you wrap up all the details. However, before taking a break from work, remember where holiday shoppers go when they need inspiration. That’s right, they turn to Google. Review your website and product presentations and enjoy the holidays!</p>

Marketing Christmas: ‘Tis The Season for Really Fresh Campaign Ideas

<p>Christmas is the month when brands casually change their profile and cover pictures, make sure they have promo campaigns, and develop videos with Santa and snow. This year, things have changed.</p>

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business team looking at computer screen

<p>While some markets have widely used this for a while, others get to make their first steps. Take a close look at your business and campaigns before engaging in new territories. Here are the pros and cons of this model.</p><h4>Low-Risk Factors to Consider</h4><ul><li>The high risk is on the content creator’s end, as his commission depends on both conversion rates and the advertised website. If the creator encourages users to click on an updated and slow website, he gets paid but might lose his authority in front of his audience.</li><li>Influencers might be eager to engage in CPA campaigns, as payment is quick and there is no hold date, as working with traditional affiliate marketing.</li><li>Creators are more eager to accept the deal than a traditional buying campaign for an audience that might get tired of spending money.</li></ul><h4>Some Challenging Factors for You</h4><ul><li>The contract with the creator must state facts about the content. Since they are free to promote it in a personalized manner for their community, the message must also suit your brand specs and value.</li><li>Some influencers who do not actively work with affiliate marketing might be reluctant to CPA proposals.</li><li>There is no minimum or good payment offer for the influencer, who might usually earn less or more from referrals.</li></ul><h4>CPA Marketing Best Practices for Brands</h4><p>CPA marketing does not mean you must provide a link and see what happens. <strong>Feel free to get creative</strong> and even think about adding above-the-fold proposals into a discussion. Above the fold is the term for content visible on a publisher’s website without scrolling down. However, remember that the influencer has a unique and powerful tone of voice, so refrain from limiting their creativity or making them feel uncomfortable due to too many requests.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>Influencers are your partners.</strong> Feel free to treat them as such and even develop a long-term connection if the first collaboration turns out to be a success for both of you. Maintain a positive tone, consider their input on the audience, and think about additional ways to benefit from the relevant content they create.&nbsp;<br><br>Once you decide that you want to get into CPA marketing, it might come easy to join specialized networks. Yet, some of these websites might be shady and harm your brand reputation due to low-quality content. Some offers might even be spammy, and such an association might harm your business. <strong>Make a thorough research of the networks you discover before engaging in the journey.</strong>&nbsp;<br><br><strong>Review your website or social media channels</strong> before starting to negotiate with the content creator. Provide your future users with a clean, fast, friendly way to meet your brand. The leads you get should be valid, so consider welcoming them properly. Remember that your website should be mobile and SEO optimized. <strong>Carefully consider your niche.</strong> According to Ahrefs, <a href="https://ahrefs.com/blog/affiliate-marketing-niches/">the most lucrative niches</a> for CPA now are:</p><ul><li>Vacuum cleaners.</li><li>Travel car seats.</li><li>Earbuds and headphones.</li><li>Hotels with jacuzzi.</li><li>Zero waste.</li><li>Golf equipment.</li></ul><p>On a large scale, lucrative fields are fitness, travel, and tech.&nbsp;<br><br>Also, mention the preferred and forbidden advertising channels in your agreement, if there are some. Creators might use Google, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube, Linkedin, Instagram, and others, along with ad options. Even email marketing campaigns might come into the discussion.</p><h4>Best Tools for Brand CPA Marketing</h4><p>You cannot embark on a trip without knowing where it leads, right? Carefully select your tools to measure as many of the results as possible. Here are some suggestions:</p><ul><li><strong>Google Keyword Planner:</strong> Find the best keywords for your audience and use them when building the landing pages or website pages you will use in the campaign.</li><li><strong>Mention:</strong> Use brand mentioning tools to measure the social media channels you are visible throughout the campaign, as well as user shares and comments.</li><li><strong>CPA platforms with a clean dashboard:</strong> If you turn to platforms, always ensure you choose the ones that offer complete dashboards that provide you with as much information about your audience as possible.</li><li><strong>Link tracking:</strong> You might prefer the Google UTM or Bitly. However, don’t skip this stage. Find the best tool that you will use to track your link activity.</li></ul><p>You can effortlessly use this formula for a marketing channel. However, if you plan on working with multiple channels, you might also need data analysis software and time resources to compile a result.&nbsp;<br><br>Yet, remember that this is not an isolated idea. Carefully integrate it into your marketing plan to look closely at the campaign and to decide if CPA is suitable for your brand or if you might want to save it for future promotional programs or initiatives.&nbsp;<br><br>Ready to test a campaign? Perform your research, find content creators, and develop a one-time offer their followers cannot refuse!</p>

<p>While some markets have widely used this for a while, others get to make their first steps. Take a close look at your business and campaigns before engaging in new territories …</p>

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The Ups and Downs of CPA Marketing

Tech Insights

<p>Have you ever thought that you can go beyond your monitor when talking to your audience? How about testing reactions to campaigns or ads? It may sound a bit like science-fiction, but it’s easier than you might think.&nbsp;<br><br>Check out how some of the big brands are using facial emotion reading APIs!</p><h4>How Emotions Reading APIs Change the Game</h4><p>Starting from being a research subject, this tool is now a 20-dollar billion industry, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/06/facial-recognition-software-emotional-science">says The Guardian</a>. Emotion recognition can now stand as an individual tool for <a href="/blog/ai-marketing">AI marketing</a> with its own benefits, such as…&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Imagine a world where <strong>testing products</strong> provides accurate and complete results. Emotions reading APIs can make this possible. Disney tested plenty of films using this option, including ”Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and ”Zootopia”, according to Financial Times. Even Coca-Cola and Intel tested how audiences respond to ads.</li><li>Brands can use them as <strong>tools to accomplish their goals</strong>. Ford, BMW and Kia Motors declared they want to use it to assess driver alertness, says the same source.</li><li>When you know a customer’s emotions, you get access to unique data that allows you to <strong>improve user experience.</strong></li></ul><h4>Some of the Questions Brands Might Ask</h4><p>There are six basic emotions and the reader has been trained to recognize each of them - joy, surprise, anger, fear, sadness and disgust. We have reactions for all of them and our faces show each one.&nbsp;<br><br>Do people react the same? ScienceDirect also took into consideration the neutral state of mind, and developed a study that led to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050917305264">surprising results</a>. The accuracy of emotions had a spectacular rate of 96%, while the satisfactory classification accuracy was at 73%. The tool was able to recognize the emotions. Yet, researchers admit that the classification accuracy may be influenced by the fact that people may react to less or greater extent when feeling authentic emotions.&nbsp;<br><br>How can the database be accurate? Let’s take an example. Affectiva, the first business that markets “artificial emotional intelligence” works with 7.5 million faces from 87 countries to support their results.&nbsp;<br><br>Can people lie? Since recognition relies on algorithms, people can freely “fake” on purpose what they are feeling. However, when you are watching a two-hour long movie, you might find it difficult to fake your reactions and stay relevant.</p><h4>Limitations of Facial Emotions Readers</h4><h3>The Microsoft Case</h3><p>There has been a fuss both when Microsoft released its Perceived Emotion Recognition Using the Face API and when the tech giant announced the tool will no longer be available to the audience. The first limitation comes from <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/xamarin/xamarin-forms/data-cloud/azure-cognitive-services/emotion-recognition">the brand itself</a>.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>It is important to note, however, that facial expressions alone may not necessarily represent the internal states of people.</i></p><p><br>In June 2022, Microsoft Corp. announced that it limits access to some facial recognition services and even removes others. It also retired the Face API’s ability to identify “attributes such as gender, age, smile, facial hair, hair and makeup”.&nbsp;<br><br>The company also restricted the usage of software mimicking voices through AI.</p><h3>The Google Case</h3><p>Alphabet Inc. blocked AI features that analyze emotions, in an initiative to protect itself from cultural insensitivity.&nbsp;<br><br>Google decided to block 13 planned emotions and review existing ones, like sorrow and joy. It decided instead to focus on frowning and smiling, but without mapping them to emotions.</p><h3>Individual Studies</h3><p>Some researchers claim that emotion technology might be biased. Why? Lauren Rhue from University of Maryland says that <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3281765">emotion analysis tech</a> assigns more negative emotion to black men’s faces than to white men.</p><p>What did others notice?&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Google API <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-DGB-42522">mistakenly labeled</a> black faces as gorillaz.</li><li>Nikon S360 cameras <a href="https://gizmodo.com/camera-misses-the-mark-on-racial-sensitivity-5256650">identified Asian faces</a> as blinking.</li><li>Some AI programs have difficulties in <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/technology/facial-recognition-race-artificial-intelligence.html">identifying gender</a> or darker skin faces.</li></ul><h4>Tech and Marketing Remain Friends</h4><p>Marketers can benefit from face emotions reading APIs and integrate them into products and services. However, users must first agree to be analyzed by AI. Yet, tech has a long and shiny road ahead and emotions might just be the next tools you will trust when analyzing results.</p>

Have You Ever Read Your Clients’ Emotions Through the Monitor? 

<p>Have you ever thought that you can go beyond your monitor when talking to your audience? How about testing reactions to campaigns or ads? It may sound a bit like science-fiction …</p>

3 people looking down at mobile phone screens

people looking at phones

<p>Having a job has never only been about bringing money home. Work-life developed into building a career, finding a path in a company or industry, and becoming a specialist in one’s field. CEOs and employees have faced challenges together (or separately) and transformed their approach toward work plenty of times. Yet, one concept is here to stay. Employee wellbeing is (or should be) part of any company’s approach towards its activity.&nbsp;<br><br>An employee spends around 1.920 hours per year at work - around 240 days. We spend 8 hours per day in the offices for five days a week – not even to mention overtime for some companies.&nbsp;<br><br>So, what is employee wellbeing?&nbsp;<br><br>Employee wellbeing covers mental and emotional health and a healthy attitude towards work. The term refers to the perception of employees regarding their professional lives.</p><h4>How Do We Nurture Employee Wellbeing?</h4><p>We are a team that aims to work smart and have fun. The two mix in a smooth way and provide our team with the joy to come to the office and have a good time with colleagues.&nbsp;<br><br>Why are we focusing on the team and employee wellbeing?&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>When employees get to know each other quickly, the onboarding process is smooth and natural.</li><li>Casual work breaks are fun and more awaited when employees have fun together.</li><li>A balance between team time and individual time is always welcome.</li><li>Employees may bond easier with the company’s values.</li><li>Less screen time, better eye health.</li></ul><h3>A Positive Environment for Individual Work</h3><p>Our headquarters have a nice bohemian look, with plenty of light. However, sometimes it’s not only about the offices. Colleagues can organize their work, so that they can enjoy coffee, fuss ball or ping-pong breaks together.&nbsp;<br><br>This approach contributes, as we believe, to a positive work experience, while nourishing flexibility for individuals.&nbsp;<br><br>Without further ado, you can <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wearecodezilla">check our TikTok profile</a> to find out more about how a relaxing break looks.</p><h3>Focusing on Team Experiences</h3><p>Everyone in the company knows that the last Friday of each month is reserved for…the Friday bar. Pizza, cocktails, stories, jokes, and social games are all in one spot. We celebrate good times, discuss challenges, remember team buildings, and get together for a Friday bar right in the garden mentioned above. Imagine a week of work ending with colleagues chatting and laughing in the office garden.&nbsp;<br><br>Codezilla employees also get together occasionally and go out to discover new experiences. Our last such trip was at the laser tag, where those who wanted to participate played with lasers, and had a good time.&nbsp;<br><br>The opportunities to go out follow a simple rule: they are not mandatory, but you might miss something that doesn’t happen the second time. For a glimpse of our experiences, check out the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wearecodezilla/">Codezilla Instagram page</a>.&nbsp;<br><br>Aside from the annual team building, we also get together and celebrate in a different setting each year. Colleagues can freely join the trip, and discover a new beautiful part of our country.</p><h3>Encouraging Balance</h3><p>Getting together during a break, and giving employees a chance to meet or discuss with colleagues from different departments brings balance.&nbsp;<br><br>We have chosen to rely on balance and flexibility when discussing work places. Thanks to this system, a mix of remote and office work, employees get to choose how to organize their work in advance. Meanwhile, the offices are in the city center and come with a welcoming bohemian look.</p><h4>Working Smart &amp; Offering More</h4><p>Having such a system of beliefs has shown that the team can organize itself for work, and deadlines, but also fun.</p><p>The company values are easier to internalize when they are in plain sight, on multiple occasions. That’s why we support benefits and make sure all employees have access to them.</p><p>Do you consider joining our team? Check the job opportunities from <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/codezilla-romania/">our LinkedIn account</a>!</p>

Employee Wellbeing Checklist: Happy Team, Smart Work

<p>Having a job has never only been about bringing money home. Work-life developed into building a career, finding a path in a company or industry, and becoming a specialist …</p>

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<p>Today, AI may be part of every smartphone user’s life, but marketers now dare to surprise the audience with the aid of machine learning tools and some impressive ideas. Let’s check them out!</p><h4>The Wow Projects That Got AI In The Spotlight</h4><p>AI has been subject to some surprising marketing initiatives recently.</p><h3>Art</h3><p>Forget Wall-E, now there’s DALL-E, the next best painter among technologists. The tech research, and deployment company OpenAI has created a robot that transforms text into art. Each digital painting is unique and can be edited through natural language.&nbsp;<br><br>Microsoft has announced that it will <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/12/microsoft-brings-dall-e-2-to-the-masses-with-designer-and-image-creator/">package DALL-E 2</a> into the Microsoft Designer app and Image Creator.</p><h3>Music</h3><p>The German Modern Recordings label, a professor from Rutgers University, and the Playform AI startup have joined hands and created, together with machinery, Beethoven’s 10th symphony, based on the few notes that the composer has left for the world.&nbsp;<br><br>Who came up with the idea? Telekom from Germany, a company that wanted to uniquely celebrate 250 years since the composer was born.</p><h3>Tech</h3><p>Recently, Steve Jobs has given a 20-minute interview to Joe Regan in an audio-only podcast. How was this possible? Podcast.ai platform has developed the Steve Jobs character based on artificial intelligence.&nbsp;<br><br>The digital tool was trained on the tech entrepreneur’s biography and learned to develop his answers on all recordings of him speaking available online.</p><h3>Journalism</h3><p>You may have recently read a news article in English and thought it was well-written. However, was it developed by a human being?&nbsp;<br><br>There already are tech-generated articles and they even have authors. Washington Post uses Heliograf, Bloomberg has Cyborg, and Bertie is the Content Management System of Forbes. However, there are other story-generating robots on websites such as The Guardian, Associated Press, and Reuters.</p><h3>Marketing</h3><p>One of the most common uses of intelligent tech tools in marketing is generating chatbots. Many of them have limitations and only target a few questions and topics. However, there already are bots that are globally famous for managing to develop naturally-looking conversations.&nbsp;<br><br>The brands that made the charts here are Fandango, Sephora, National Geographic, Wall Street Journal, and James Patterson “The Chef” Short Story, just to name a few. Locally, chatbots are already used as the main tools in marketing projects. A Romanian online fashion store has developed a discount campaign based on sending messages and receiving a discount code from a chatbot.</p><h4>How Big is Artificial Intelligence In Everyone’s Life</h4><p>Tech users interact with artificial intelligence every day, maybe a few times. You open your smartphone and use a search engine with text or an image. A brand says “hello”. You open a smart air conditioner or drive a car with autonomous tools. You might even ask Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant a question. These are some of the common uses of AI that often improve our lives.&nbsp;<br><br>What is the future of AI? The <a href="https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS48958822">spending on such solutions</a> will double by 2025 only in the United States, according to International Data Corporation.&nbsp;<br><br>Marketing will improve its targeting, and analysis of user behavior and even have a much closer relationship with customers, thanks to smart tools. AI will be an active part of marketers’ work and even improve their workflow. However, the human eye and creativity cannot be fully replaced. As experts say, art-generating tools will not replace graphic designers, since Canva didn’t.</p>

What Spectacular & Famous Moves AI Made Lately to Catch the Public Eye

<p>Today, AI may be part of every smartphone user’s life, but marketers now dare to surprise the audience with the aid of machine learning tools and some impressive ideas …</p>

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<p>MedLife is one of the largest medical &amp; health chains in Romania. It focuses on knowledge, growth, responsibility, and the latest technologies. Therefore, to support the brand's claims and values, the mobile app has to provide users with a top experience, while focusing on the brand and its services.</p><h4>Challenge</h4><p>Because of the medical background, it’s common for the user to interact with the app only in unpleasant situations. Yet, MedLife knows that health is more than the above context and wants to offer more. How does a complete experience with their services look? Interaction with the app involves health, tools to support the journey, wellness, lifestyle, and much more in one app.&nbsp;<br><br>Our contribution meant developing an app that offers patients a plain and easy-to-go-through user journey, when it comes to specific needs regarding medical services. We also offered MedLife the possibility to easily add extra developments in the long run and added value by providing users with benefits.</p><h4>Our Approach and Solutions</h4><h3>Building a Modular-Structured Database for the App that Can Further Be Developed and Adjusted</h3><p>We have chosen React Native for the development technology because it allows us to further easily develop extra features on both Android and iOS at once. This also means fast developments, shorter timelines and lower costs. We have also considered the possibility of integrating any third-party tool we may further need easily and securely.</p><h3>Restructuring the User Journey to Allow Reservations</h3><p>We have analyzed the current user journey and developed a new one, easier to track, that allows easy access to services and information, personal account data, appointments, and much more. Meanwhile, we kept MedLife’s current process of appointments and medical services management by integrating their API.&nbsp;<br><br>The design is easy to follow, with relevant and intuitive icons and quick access shortcuts to important information. Search covers multiple filters for quick access to the desired data.&nbsp;<br><br>The app brings users personalized responses regarding availability and costs, based on chosen filters and relevant personal account information, such as the subscription type.</p><h3>Additional Development Nice to Have for the Client</h3><p>The extra developments calendar has already been set in motion. It features unique tools that allow the app to further modify user interaction with medical services.&nbsp;<br><br>The updates aim to:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>simplify the user’s interaction with health matters,</li><li>offer support for a healthy lifestyle,</li><li>provide easy access to tools and relevant information.</li></ul><h4>Our Results</h4><p>The new MedLife mobile app offers users a complete and helpful experience with services, smooth processes, and extra tools and benefits.&nbsp;<br><br>The end product is an app that will further be developed and adapted to new trends, so it can always remain on top of its industry.</p>

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<p>MedLife is one of the largest medical &amp; health chains in Romania. It focuses on knowledge, growth, responsibility, and the latest technologies. Therefore, to support …&nbsp;</p>

Case Study: MedLife Mobile App

<p>Following an extensive rebranding process, Decor Floor, the market leader in flooring solutions, has become Wemat and recently launched its new website, www.wemat.global, developed in partnership with Codezilla.</p><h4>Challenge</h4><p>The main purpose of the new website is to be a presentation, which represents the new brand in relation to what it means, what it can do, its vast experience, and its multiple successful projects. This means many interconnected variables on different levels and different scenarios (services offered, partners, projects, specific image galleries).&nbsp;<br><br>Our main challenge was to build the new Wemat website in such a way that all these variables connect coherently with each other, both for the end-user and for the Wemat marketers who wanted an easy and intuitive CMS.</p><h4>Approach and Solutions</h4><h3>Structured and Comprehensive Approach</h3><p>From the beginning, the project was divided into as many defining elements as possible, from component types, content structures and the interconnectivity between them, static and dynamic pages defined at component level and the dynamic links on each area.&nbsp;<br><br>Using a Waterfall approach, we started the project development with the complete documentation, directions and deadlines for each stage and a clear objective regarding the result. In this process we used tools like Figma and Jira for the whole BA and PM process.</p><h3>Content Structures and Dynamic Pages</h3><p>All variables were defined as separate content structures, easy to enter in the CMS, structured and organised according to the flow agreed with the client.&nbsp;<br><br>At the frontend level, the pages were built dynamically, using Axios to fetch data from the structures of content created in the site's pages.</p><h3>Intuitive Management Console</h3><p>For the administration console we chose Strapi, one of the easiest and most intuitive open source CMS development technologies.&nbsp;<br><br>In addition, to add convenience and speed to content management, we used React Meltdown to render texts on the WhatYouSeeIsWhatYouGet principle.</p><h3>Used Technologies</h3><ul><li>Front end: ReactJS, React-markdown, React-slick, Axios, Sass.</li><li>Back end: Strapi, NodeJS.</li></ul><h4>Results</h4><ul><li>Short development time. It took only one month for the first stage of launching the website, as well as the completion of some functionalities and tasks related to the second stage. All of these translate into the completion of the whole project before the agreed deadline.</li><li>Easy administration console even for a non-technical user, with structured content upload and ease of understanding.</li><li>Dynamic website, which automatically pulls its content without duplicated information in pages or differences between pages with the same content.</li><li>Happy customer :)</li></ul>

Case Study: Codezilla Developed the New Website for Wemat Global

<p>Following an extensive rebranding process, Decor Floor, the market leader in flooring solutions, has become Wemat and recently launched its new website …</p>

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<p>In the context of the growing interest in easier and more eco-friendly transport, Splash offers alternative urban mobility solutions - renting electric scooters in Bucharest. To support its premium brand position, because of its modern fleet &amp; high-quality scooters, Splash needed a mobile application that would strengthen its position - with an emphasis on quality and intuition.</p><h4>Challenges</h4><p>Create a mobile application for Splash that would include the following requirements:</p><ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>Simplicity and intuitiveness for the user (UX &amp; UI).</li><li>Stability and performance, regardless of the number of active users.</li><li>Managing the information and data obtained for the best decisions and personalized communication</li></ol><h4>Approach and Solutions</h4><h3>UX &amp; UI design</h3><p>When we first built the user flow and design for the app, our focus was to create simplified processes and build an overall pleasant user experience.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Based on the phone number, we created a simple authentication process.</li><li>Easy access to all the essential information on the first screen.</li><li>Easy and intuitive access to start the ride by pressing a button.</li><li>Centralizing payment possibilities (prepay, per trip, subscription or voucher) and facilitating the prepayment process or saving card data in a single section (wallet).</li></ul><h3>Development Technology</h3><p>The application was built to be multiplatform, accessible in the same form on iOS and Android, easily scalable, with good loading speed and very stable, taking into account multiple subsequent updates from the beginning.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>To comply with all of this, <a href="/blog/react-native">React Native</a> was chosen for mobile applications, and for the backend we created a microservices architecture using the Node JS server with the Express JS framework and a database on SQL - Mongo DB.</p><h3>Admin Interface</h3><p>We built an admin with multiple functionalities outside the essential categories, to later facilitate the processes of optimization and updates, marketing automation and enhanced customer journey or BI.&nbsp;<br><br>For development we used React, being a mature framework, with many libraries, which offers speed in development and security, having a solid community of developers.</p><h3>Custom Feedback</h3><p>Knowing that the application is only half the experience, and the feedback from the reality of using e-scooters is perhaps the most important, we used the application to manage it easily and quickly, giving customers the opportunity to give feedback directly in the app, after each ride.&nbsp;<br><br>In addition, where it is possible, we have automated feedback management directly from the platform (for example, when a scooter receives 3 feedbacks with a star, it automatically goes into maintenance).</p><h3>Constant Maintenance and Optimizations</h3><p>With all of the implementations detailed above, we created an app with multiple tools and automations. It allowed us to bring relevant updates, from real experience and analysis on significant data, which would add value to the brand.</p><h4>Results</h4><p>Two years after it was released, Splash became the largest alternative transport company with 100% Romanian capital, on the Romanian market. This is an achievement obtained based on user experiences and compliance with the brand promise (something to which the application had a substantial contribution), without significant marketing budgets.&nbsp;<br><br>Moreover, the Splash brand continues to grow, and will soon launch a ride-hailing mobility service.</p>

Case Study: Developing the Splash Mobility Mobile App & Admin Interface

<p>In the context of the growing interest in easier and more eco-friendly transport, Splash offers alternative urban mobility solutions - renting electric scooters in Bucharest …</p>

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<p>One thing is clear: in 2022 we like things to move. Especially if they move well. This is valid both in real life and online.&nbsp;<br><br>Animations have always been those key elements that attract attention. Yet, it seems that 2022 has taken the whole concept of website animation to another level. And we really like it, because modern sites are creative, dynamic and they inspire interaction, which is, after all, the ultimate goal when it comes to what we want to happen online.&nbsp;<br><br>We leave below some animation ideas that you can implement on your site, to be up to date with the latest trends.</p><h4>Animated Intro</h4><p>We know that the site should load in 3 seconds, but if it takes longer, during which time a nice animation appears on the screen and presents a preview of the site, tells a beautiful story or simply, it is eye catching, does not bother anyone.</p><h4>Punctual Animations</h4><p>This is the most typical form of animation, but hey, classic remains classic and doesn't go out of style. This category includes any on-page animated element that is not related to a particular user or site action:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Animated background videos that tell the story of the brand or which gives you a mood.</li><li>Animated icons or design elements.</li><li>Logo animation.</li><li>Short GIFs.</li></ul><h4>Micro Interactions</h4><p>Similar to punctual animations, micro interactions are small animations, but they happen in connection with the user's actions on the site. They can be activated by clicking on them, on the mouseover or on other actions defined as a cause and effect (enter the menu - animate the logo, press a key - go to the next page or change the background of the page you are on).&nbsp;<br><br>The charisma of these small animations is given by the interaction with them and the user's power over what happens on the site. If they turn into little games or stories, they are even more attractive and interesting.</p><h4>Scrollytelling</h4><p>Scrolling is the technique of telling an animated story, which unfolds in front of the user as he scrolls. It is perhaps the most dynamic form of animation that you can integrate into your site. Also, it offers countless possibilities for decline.&nbsp;<br><br>We can have a website that is built element-by-element as we go through it or that just changes and animates. We can also have animated floating elements, which we keep with us throughout the length of a web page or we can even tell a whole story using user-controlled animation on a single frame. Sky is the limit!</p><h4>Parallax</h4><p>Parallax is the father of animations, being one of the techniques used for years. In this case, the elements of the website move seemingly independently of each other, with different speeds, giving the feeling of dynamism and animation.&nbsp;<br><br>Although in recent years it has had its ups and downs in terms of popularity, Parallax has returned in force due to the possibility of combining it with storytelling. And the result is pretty cool!</p><h4>All of the Above</h4><p>Good news, modern websites in 2022 are priceless because they don't have to be limited by one type of animation. As long as the used effects overlap nicely and match, telling the story together and using them does not have the undesirable result of overloading the user experience, we can say that the merrier principle fits perfectly!&nbsp;<br><br>We hope that our information will inspire you to choose or create a website that is as dynamic and lively as possible!</p>

<p>One thing is clear: in 2022 we like things to move. Especially if they move well. This is valid both in real life and online. Animations have always been those key elements …</p>

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2022 Website Trends: Animations

<p>When you begin a new website development project with a content management system in place (CMS), the most important decision you must make is what technology to use.&nbsp;<br><br>For sure, the first option that comes to mind is WordPress, the most widespread CMS technology, that obviously has a lot of well-known advantages. However, WordPress is not a perfect fit for every website. So, before deciding, make sure you have all the facts. An alternative that is winning grounds, especially on high complexity projects, is Drupal.&nbsp;<br><br>Let’s find out what are the main attributes of Drupal and when it’s the right CMS for your project.</p><h4>Advanced Technology and High Performance</h4><p>Advanced technology of the platform means a lower resource consumption, that can be translated into fast loading and high performance of the website. So, if your project is a high complexity website, to minimize your server costs and have an increased performance after launch, Drupal is the best way to go.&nbsp;<br><br><strong>Fun fact:</strong> did you know that the first 3 seconds in your website loading are decisive for the first impression of the user?</p><h4>Perfect Integration and Stability</h4><p>When all the elements are a perfect match, like a puzzle, the user experience is pleasant, website management becomes easier and the possibilities for customization and scaling become limitless. This is exactly what Drupal offers you: perfect integration of all the elements that work together perfectly, in the platform, for a unitary and stable result.&nbsp;<br><br>If you have a high number of processes and functionalities on your website, choosing Drupal assures perfect integration between them.</p><h4>Flexibility and Scalability</h4><p>Perfect integration of all the elements means you will have endless development possibilities on an already developed basis. By being one of the most flexible CMS platforms, Drupal is perfect if you think that your website will be modified often in time.&nbsp;<br><br>Because on other platforms it may be easier to build a new website from scratch, than to build up new functionalities that weren’t considered from the beginning, you can consider a Drupal website a long-term investment.</p><h4>Security</h4><p>Since we are talking about an open-source platform, it’s normal to raise the security question. However, Drupal is maybe one of the most stable and secure CMS platforms you can choose and that’s why:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>The Drupal security team, formed by more than 40 specialists, constantly works to identify, and fix vulnerabilities.</li><li>Passwords are encrypted in the database, including characters, which makes them almost impossible to break.</li><li>There is a community review system on every module, for a detailed check-up</li><li>Can be created a very detailed limited access in the platform, to ensure the necessary limits on accounts to maintain security.</li><li>There are constant updates that ensures fast solving for every potential security breach identified</li></ul><h4>Free of Charge</h4><p>Even if we are talking about a top platform, very stable, flexible, and technologically advanced, Drupal is an open-source platform, so you won’t pay any extra money besides the actual website development.</p><h4>Conclusion</h4><p>Drupal is the perfect choice for a high complexity project or a website with the potential for constant updates.&nbsp;<br><br>If you are not sure that this is a perfect match for you or you have any more questions, you can contact us, and we will help you make an informed and strategic decision.</p>

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<p>When you begin a new website development project with a content management system in place (CMS), the most important decision you must make is what technology to use …</p>

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Why Choose Drupal for Your Website?

<p>Not always something that looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is a duck. Sometimes it's a swan! And React Native is clearly a swan.&nbsp;<br><br>You already know that you want to develop a mobile app for your business, but don't know how to get started?&nbsp;<br><br>When we talk about <a href="/blog/case-study-medlife-mobile-app">native applications</a>, each technology has its own needs, We will have two developments, with two different teams, with different technical capabilities and different budgets. So, the questions start to arise: what do I start with, Android or iOS? Or can I do both? How will it affect my customers if I do only one? Will I need a bigger budget if I want both of them?&nbsp;<br><br>With trumpets and fireworks, React Native enters the scene.</p><h4>What Is React Native?</h4><p>React Native is an open source platform that allows the development of cross-platform mobile applications. This means that the developed application will be accessible on both Android and iOS with a single development.&nbsp;<br><br>This is possible because, although it looks and feels like a native platform, the code is written in JavaScript. Swan, right?</p><h4>Platform Benefits</h4><p>It is clear that the main obvious benefit is to have a mobile application that is accessible from the beginning, for all customers who want to use it, whether they prefer Android or iOS. The good news is that React Native offers, in addition:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Speed in development.</li><li>Cost efficiency.</li><li>Easy integration with external plugins on all operating systems.</li></ul><p>In addition to the advantages over native Android or iOS applications, it is good to know that React Native also has a good loading speed and that it invests in continuous platform development.&nbsp;<br><br>Most of the time, when we talk about developing a mobile application, React Native is the obvious choice, and now we hope it is clear why.</p>

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<p>Not always something that looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, is a duck. Sometimes it's a swan! And React Native is clearly a swan …</p>

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