Free Consultation vs Billable Time

Consultation typically covers answering questions about my services and helping clients decide if they want to hire me. If a prospective client asks me to "work" on their website, this is billable time. Billable time includes not only making changes, but also doing research and reviewing website files or code.

Compensation

I only accept compensation in US dollars. Cash, personal, or company check - I do not accept credit cards at this time. I do not accept trade for the services that a client might offer, this includes partnerships in a client's business.

Communication With Clients

I work from my home office in St. Augustine Florida, and therefore do not have a setting in which it's convenient and productive to meet face to face with clients. All of my communication with clients is typically done via phone, email, or online chat.

Initial Payment for New Website Design

Until I receive the initial payment, I assume folks are still shopping around for a website designer. Initial payments are a client's way of telling me they've decided to work with me. For new websites I require an initial payment for 4 hours of work ($180.00). Once I receive a payment, I put that client in my work queue. So if you would like me to start working on your website ASAP, please make the initial payment and get into the queue.

New Website Design versus Maintenance

When working on a new website design or redesign, clients get billed hourly ($45 per hour)unless a flat rate has been agreed upon. Once a new website design or redesign is completed, any further work is considered maintenance. Maintenance work is billed at the same rate as design work, but has a 30 minute minimum charge per request. Multiple requests received the same day are considered the same request.

Ownership of Files

I am compensated for my work by either an hourly fee, or as a flat rate for website design. The benefit to this system is that my clients completely own all output of my effort as soon as they have paid any outstanding balance.

Domain Registration and Domain Hosting

Selecting a domain registrar and domain host are the responsibility of the client. I do offer web hosting and can recommend other companies that I have confidence in. Paying for and renewal of domain registration and hosting are the responsibility of clients. This is beneficial for my clients because it gives them complete control over their websites.

ECommerce, Online Stores, Shopping Carts

In addition to my hourly design rate, clients are responsible for all peripheral costs related to setting up ecommerce on their websites, which includes but is not limited to the cost of: ecommerce software (approx $150), after-market modifications to the ecommerce software ($25 - $100), SSL certificate ($50/yr - $300/yr), payment provider fees (gateway and merchant account setup fees and ongoing fees - these vary widely depending on who you choose as your payment provider), etc.

Clients are also responsible for "running" their online stores, which includes, but is not limited to: configuring product categories, adding products (including images, titles, descriptions), selecting and configuring shipping options, managing store orders, etc. We will, if requested, add the first 5 items for you.

Right To Decline Service

I strive for excellence and want all of my clients be delighted with their experience with LaLWebDesign. To this end, I screen all prospective clients and their projects to ensure a good fit with my skills and my philosophy. I reserve the right to decline providing web services to anyone who I feel is not a good match.

Warranty

All website design work is provided as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.

Liability

In no event shall LaLWebDesign LLC be liable for any damages including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages or other losses arising out of the use of or inability of clients to use their website.