Working smarter, building bigger:
2024 in review

Last year was one for the books. We celebrated a year of successful client projects, built our strongest team yet, and placed strategic bets for the future of First&Third.

Dive in to our Year in Review to see the impressive list of projects we launched this year and meet the talented team behind the work.

We’re sharing the lessons we’ve learned along the way – and our predictions for what’s ahead – because we’re all about helping brands stay ready for the future.

In 2024, we...

Launched 24 projects

A coincidence? Perhaps. With 24 successful project launches, this past year was all about tackling complex challenges and deepening relationships with our clients.

Site
redesigns

WordPress migrations

Shopify
migrations

Custom
Shopify apps

0 +

Components
created

Built with our strongest team yet

In 2024, we brought on new hires across development, project management and design. Now, we’re excited to feel like our team is firing on all cylinders, no matter the time zone.

Eagle Eyes – the team’s best bug-spotter, catching errors before they happen.

Drew, QA LeadAustin, TX

Fastest Fingers – comes in handy when we’re working to a deadline.

Ben, DeveloperCape Coral, FL

The explainer – best at breaking down complex tech into simple, non-tech terms.

Jason, SalesSeattle, WA

Most unflappable – always calm and collected, even during high-stakes moments.

Troy, DeveloperOxnard, CA

The bridge builder – great and connecting ideas and finding common ground.

Max, DeveloperIthaca, NY

Night owl – most likely to be sending a Slack at midnight.

Eric, DeveloperSan Luis Obispo, CA

Team empath – known for being highly attuned to the team ~vibe~.

Alexis, DeveloperCholula, Puebla

Least predictable hobby – you wouldn’t guess it, but they love knitting.

Cheyenne, Product ManagerDenver, CO

Ultimate outdoors adventurer – has a knack for finding scenic escapes.

Jeremy, Product ManagerSeattle, WA

Cold plunge champion – most likely to brave the icy waters of the Deschutes River for…fun.

Brock, COOBend, OR

Best binge-show guide – our go-to movie and TV guru.

Gyms, Project ManagerLinden, NJ

Best plant parent – goes above and beyond for their leafy friends.

Caitlin, Project ManagerNew York, NY

Sports Ball! – probably has a foam finger on their Zoom background.

Shama, HRAustin, TX

Coffee Aficionado – always ready to talk about beans.

Enrique, DesignerMonterrey, Nuevo Leon

DIY Master – just ask about their 3D Printer!

Greg, Founder/CEOHermosa Beach, CA

Most adaptable – they really do roll with the punches.

Fabio, Project ManagerCuritiba, Parana

Most detail oriented – a high bar, among our detail-oriented team!

Justin, DeveloperDenver, CO

The trends that taught us something

Strength is built through repetition, and many of our clients came to us with similar struggles last year. Each project taught us something new, shaping the smarter, faster solutions we can deliver today.

Simplifying your tech stack with platforms like WordPress and Shopify allows businesses to scale faster and focus on growth instead of maintenance.

AI tools streamline tasks but human creativity and strategic thinking remain essential for delivering high-quality results.

Understanding end-user needs leads to tailored, problem-solving user journeys that truly make an impact.

Self-service tools empower businesses to move faster and make critical updates without relying on developers.

Core Web Vitals are business-critical. SEO and user experience hinge on performance, making Core Web Vitals optimization a top priority for businesses.

No-code tools are transforming web management, giving marketers the control to optimize and update in real time.

Clients want proactive partners who deeply understand their customers and create meaningful web experiences.

Our predictions for 2025

We’re already busy building solutions for the digital trends and challenges brands will face in the year ahead. Dive into our full insights and predictions to get to know our way of thinking.

Creativity will unlock AI development

AI development will be used to solve bigger, more complex challenges. Brands that leverage automation for efficiency while ensuring that human creativity remains at the forefront will be positioned for success.

The importance of AI search will surge

We expect AI optimization to become just as critical as traditional SEO in 2025, and brands that fail to adapt risk losing visibility.

Shopify's shift

Shopify clients need to prioritize moving to functions so that key Shopify Scripts functionality is not lost.

Omnichannel

There is a growing demand for seamless connections between online and in-store shopping. This shift reflects customers' expectations for cohesive experiences across platforms, and we predict it will become a baseline expectation in 2025.

AI shopping

We expect AI-powered shopping assistants to become a must-have for e-commerce sites, helping brands improve both conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Retail brands that ignore social media shopping will be left behind

In 2025, we expect brands to prioritize seamless integration between their websites and social platforms, creating smoother, faster shopping experiences for users.

Hyper personalization will be the new standard

Websites will prioritize hyper-personalized content, smarter segmentation, and tailored calls to action to build stronger connections with their audiences—and leave their competitors playing catch-up.

We're a different kind of agency

With over 20 years of collective web development & engineering experience, we understand first-hand how difficult and frustrating it can be to launch and maintain an engaging content site that can keep up with the breakneck pace of today’s media world.

When you work with us, you’ll get a senior onshore team dedicated to your project from start to finish. We prioritize clear and consistent communication through Slack and email, hold weekly meetings to ensure alignment, and offer full transparency at every step. You’ll have direct access to our entire team, including tech leads, and can count on our responsiveness and commitment to getting the work done—efficiently and effectively.

We sweat the small stuff, so you don’t have to.

Working smarter, building bigger:2024 in review