According to the latest report by Forrester Research, Inc., an independent technology research company, three agencies are heading the ranking of the
largest firms that design and build customer-facing Web sites. The company says Critical Mass, AGENCY.COM and SBI.Razorfish have been qualified as leaders regarding two main criteria: transaction-led and image-led projects as the main types of Web design engagements.
Forrester carried out the ranking provoked by the convincing growth in eCommerce initiatives for 2004. In this sense, the research company extracted the 17 Web design agencies, who are considered as the largest vendors in the industry, for a thorough process of evaluation: AGENCY.COM, AKQA, connect@jwt,
Critical Mass, Digitas, Euro RSCG 4D, Grey Interactive, iDeutsch, IBM Global Services, Modern Media, Molecular, Organic, R/GA, Sapient, SBI.Razorfish, VML,
and Zentropy Partners.
The evaluation of vendors was made through the use of the Forrester Wave(TM) methodology. The agencies were assessed in three key areas: current offering,
strategy, and market presence, based on 18 detailed criteria. Two reference clients from each vendor were interviewed by Forrester and each site was then
evaluated through the Web site review methodology.
With regard to the Transaction-Led Projects, Forrester took into consideration two reference sites submitted by each agency. In result, Forrester
concluded that Critical Mass, AGENCY.COM and SBI.Razorfish clinched positions as Leaders by demonstrating exceptional user-centered design skills. This type
of project is sought by customers to increase conversion rates and reduce service costs.
Regarding the Image-Led Projects, Forrester analyzed each reference site's copy, visual, and functional elements for compliance with client brand attributes and ability to differentiate the site. In result, Forrester reached the conclusion that scores for the top-rated transaction-led firms dropped slightly, but they stayed on top overall with strong reference site creativity, and that standout use of integrated visuals and function boosted Euro RSCG 4D from a Contender in the transaction-led engagements to a Strong Performer for image-led engagements.
