What do you need to build?
Whatever it is, with TopCoder Direct, you can get it done. TC Direct is the bridge between you and a 24/7 virtual workforce engine specializing in graphic design and software development. Using the tools we provide, you can run your own competitions to get software and design work done faster, better and at costs dramatically lower than through traditional methods.
The Site You Need, Right Now
Whether you need a simple personal or small business website, a Wordpress Theme, or a fully functional e-commerce web portal, you can build it through TopCoder Direct.
For a standard website, two contests will usually suffice: A “storyboard” contest for the design of the pages, and a “UI Prototype” contest to code the pages with the new design. As your site becomes more complex, additional contests may become necessary.
Browse the storyboard contests here to see what others have done to explain what they need, set an appropriate prize amount and receive back designs from the community. Remember, if you ever have a question just shoot us an email at directassist@topcoder.com.
Choose Your Logo From Dozens of Submissions
Your logo can be the most important representation of your business, and using TopCoder Direct you have the ability see a variety of interpretations of that image and decide which one works best for you.
Using the TopCoder Direct tools, you can give the community as much or as little guidance as you want. Be specific about exactly what you’re looking for in a logo, leave it “wide open” and let the community inspire you, or anywhere in between.
The TopCoder Studio design community will submit dozens of logos, and you only pay for the ones you like best. As soon as the contest ends, you own whichever images to which you have awarded prize money, and you can download the source files and start using the logos immediately.
You can also purchase any additional designs at whatever you paid for 2nd place, or if you would like to make changes or combine elements from two designs, upload those source files to a new contest and receive back dozens more looks at your new design!
Browse past logo contests here to see what others have done to explain what they need, set an appropriate prize amount and receive back designs from the community. Remember, if you ever have a question just shoot us an email at directassist@topcoder.com.
Web Elements Done Fast, Done Right
Clients such as Lending Tree have found the power in using TopCoder for banner ads is that the community can deliver a high volume of quality ads in a short amount of time – and at a price point which allows for multiple purchases.
Like any TopCoder Direct contest, you own any design to which you have awarded prize money, and you can purchase as many additional designs as you like for the same price as your lowest prize award. This gives you the flexibility to get multiple ads into rotation quickly and easily, A/B test them, and gain valuable insight about what’s working best for you.
Smaller web and application elements can be done quickly and easily through TopCoder Direct, and give you the ability to have custom work done at price points that simply haven’t been possible before.
Browse past icon & banner contests here to see what others have done to explain what they need, set an appropriate prize amount and receive back designs from the community. Remember, if you ever have a question you can contact us below or shoot an email to directassist@topcoder.com.
Lightweight Applications without Heavyweight Costs
Everyone wants to enhance their website with flash or flex applications, interactive widgets and data visualization tools or even Flash games, but the cost and time-lines too often become prohibitive.
With TopCoder Direct, all manner of lightweight applications can be built through competition; yielding high quality results in dramatically shorter timeframes and at a fraction of the cost of developing them internally or through an outside contractor.
Most clients will begin with graphic design storyboard contests to come up with the look and feel of the application, then move to RIA Build competitions to put it all together. TopCoder Direct allows you to go from concept to deployment in a fraction of the time and a fraction of the price of traditional methods.
While this level of development usually requires some technical understanding on the part of the user, you have the option to engage a TopCoder member “co-pilot” from the community who is familiar with the process to assist with your project. We also work with a number of TopCoder Partner resellers who manage projects of this size, or we can help train members of your development staff to get up to speed so they can begin taking advantage of this Global resource to start getting things done.
For assistance engaging a co-pilot, Partner reseller, or to speak with a TopCoder representative about training your dev staff, contact us below or send an email to directassist@topcoder.com.
Building a Mobile App Doesn’t Have To Cost a Fortune
Mobile applications are becoming more and more important in the evolving digital world. Whether used for marketing, banking, entertainment, social networking, content delivery etc., they can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.
Through TopCoder Direct, you can not only build mobile applications for iPhone, Android, Palm, etc., but you can also crowdsource ideas for your iPhone app if you’re not sure what the best app to build is.
Start with an Idea Contest or a Storyboard contest and then run some development contests to get it implemented.
While this level of development usually requires some technical understanding on the part of the user, you have the option to engage a TopCoder member “co-pilot” from the community who is familiar with the process to assist with your project. We also work with a number of TopCoder Partner resellers who manage projects of this size, or we can help train members of your development staff to get up to speed so they can begin taking advantage of this Global resource to start getting things done.
For assistance engaging a co-pilot, Partner reseller, or to speak with a TopCoder representative about training your dev staff, contact us below or send an email to directassist@topcoder.com.
Your Development Team Just Got A Brand New Productivity Machine
Building software is what the community of TopCoder does best, and so for every step of the development process, there is a competition.
From Conceptualization and Architecture, through Development, Testing and Bug Fixes – TopCoder Direct allows you take your project through our unique process and have top developers compete to deliver you the best possible result.
While our larger enterprise customers take advantage of TopCoder’s Global Platform – in which a TC employee is on-site managing your projects – TopCoder Direct gives you new options to get larger applications done more efficiently than ever before.
You have the option to engage a TopCoder member “co-pilot” from the community who is familiar with the process to assist with your project, or to work with one of TopCoder’s Partner resellers. Or we can help train members of your development staff to get up to speed so they can begin taking advantage of this Global resource to start getting things done.
Once your team is trained to use TopCoder Direct, they have access to nearly unlimited resources to get multiple projects done – in parallel, and fast. Rather than spend time on the one project at the top of the pile that has been deemed the “priority” – while everything else has to wait – they can put multiple projects into the hands of our community. Productivity becomes the priority.
For assistance engaging a co-pilot, Partner reseller, or to speak with a TopCoder representative about training your dev staff, contact us below or send an email to directassist@topcoder.com.
- Contest launch fees vary by competition type and can be seen after logging in to TopCoder Direct.
- Interested in a larger relationship? Learn more about the TopCoder Global Platform for Enterprise level customers.
Who is using TopCoder Direct?
- Small businesses in need of cost-effective quality that can’t staff or source a full-time development team.
- The “one-person IT shop” that needs a “team” of people but doesn’t have one.
- Internal development teams at large corporations, using TopCoder Direct to expand the organization’s productivity without adding costs.
- Consulting companies that would love an on-demand creative and technical resource that can execute on the business they’re bringing in.
- TopCoder Direct Authorized Partners: Growing their own development business using the resources of TopCoder Direct.
Become a TopCoder Direct Authorized Partner!
We have built this machine, now we’re giving you the keys. As a TopCoder Direct Authorized Partner you can use the power of TopCoder to deliver for your customers, no matter how big or small your business is. To learn more, click here.
You Are In Control
With your personal TopCoder Direct control panel, you can setup a project, launch competitions, monitor their progress, view your submissions, then choose a winner and download your finished product immediately. Everything that TopCoder has been doing for large companies for years, you can do yourself here, all without the need for assistance from TopCoder staff.
Once you’ve registered for a free TopCoder account, the TC Direct cockpit will allow you to launch competitions in any software or graphic design category. It is these competitions that are used to create and deliver specific work product that will contribute to the successful delivery of your projects.
Just follow the steps in the Launch a Contest wizard after you login to TopCoder Direct and you’re on your way.
Feeling intimidated?
No worries. The TopCoder Global Community is here to assist you. You can engage a TopCoder Authorized Partner who is trained in the TopCoder process and skilled in project management. The TopCoder staff is also always ready and willing to help you get started and can be contacted at directassist@topcoder.com.
