OUR GENERAL POLICIES & PROCEDURES

We at Affordable Web Design Ltd do our best to help our clients every step of the way. However it is important for the client to understand that all estimates are based on time quotes, and any changes to the originally discussed project details may potentially affect the original cost estimate.

Initial Estimate

When we first give an estimate, it is based on the average time our experience has shown us that the type of requirements you have described to us general take.

Any changes or additions to what was originally discussed may require extra time, and you will receive a revised estimate taking into account any such possible time changes before we start any additional work, if it is possible. Sometimes it is impossible to know how long something will take until it is completed, because it can depend on a great number of unknown factors. For some work, such as Content Writing, any "ballpark estimate" shown on that particular page tries to give a general overall idea of required time but is not to be taken as an absolute quote.

If the client's new requirements push us beyond the original time estimate, we are happy to do all extra work, but extra work takes time. It should therefore be understood that if the client wants specific extras, such as a large number of images, special graphics, logos, different banners on different pages, additional pages, changes in existing pages, content writing, and so on, the time charge will be beyond the initially quoted time estimate and will vary according to those needs.

Consultation and other Support

Consultation with regards to marketing help, the writing or changing of website content, or help with normal computer functions not related to web design or hosting, whether in person, via telephone, or via email, is provided by our staff but may also be charged out on an hourly basis if it causes us to go over the originally estimated timeframe. Such consultation, whether by phone or in person, is considered part of the original timeframe estimate for the project. Any glitches or errors on our part will of course never be charged.

Basic Starter Websites

Our basic starter website is also referred to as the Basic Business Bundle package. These websites are pre-existing layouts and do not contain any Search Engine Optimization processes. Their purpose is to have a "presence only" website to which the client can drive their existing clients or clients obtained through other means such as advertising, business cards, etc. For more information on this type of website, please click here.

Custom Websites

Although we are always happy to assist our clients with regards to content, layout, marketing, computer issues, etc, the initial estimate of 22 hours is based on receiving all text and graphics for an approximately 10 page design, in a "page ready" format, which means that you the client have supplied. Since additional help required once we begin the process is an unknown factor at the time of the initial estimate, we can only base our original estimate on our past experiences regarding average time requirement generally needed to produce such a website. Because web design time depends on so many factors, the initial cost estimate is based upon the time we would normally take to incorporate all the requirements as you have explained them to us.

Please visit our Custom Websites page to read all details about what is involved in this type of website.

Programming

Affordable Web Design Ltd offers a wide variety of functions which we refer to as "programming". Please refer to our Store and More page for more details.

Please note that the cost of such programming is for the functionality only. All data entry is the responsibility of the client. We provide the means to make everything work, but it is up to the client to arrange for the populating of product information and images into such modules as stores, calendars, content management systems, or other customized programming we create on your behalf.

We will include up to an hour of instruction on how to use the administration panel interface for any of our "programming" modules (e-commerce store, content management systems, calendar of events panel, etc.) Affordable Web Design Ltd will be happy to offer additional instruction if needed by the client, at our current hourly time fee.

In situations where Affordable Web Design Ltd has incorporated any programming into the website, we will ensure that everything is in good working order. However, should a problem arise which has been caused by user error, we will help solve any issue but must charge for the programmer's time to troubleshoot (such situations mainly occur in Content Management Systems because the client has full control of all website pages). Any changes in requirements after the initial programming quote may necessitate additional charges to the client although we will do everything we can to accommodate the client's request.

Technological advances in servers, software, and other computer-related situations can sometimes cause older programming to fail in certain circumstances. Although we use the latest technology at the time of working on your project, we are not responsible for changes in technology affecting any previous programming. We will be happy to try to rectify any issues, but will charge the current hourly rate to do so.

Search Engine Optimization

Affordable Web Design Ltd incorporates the current SEO parameters as published by the major search engines at no additional charge into the initial website design. This is a one-time only process, done at the time of the initial web design work for all our customized designs. However, such searches are governed by external third party providers, such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. We therefore are not responsible for any search engine ranking since this service is provided by outside influences beyond our control. Click here to read more.

Although we are proud of our success rate in helping our client rank highly in their respective keyword searches, please be advised that due to the vast number of constantly changing variables present in internet searches, Affordable Web Design Ltd does not guarantee ranking, nor is it responsible for the appearance of information in the various search engines, which each have their own particular ways of retrieving information from a website and subsequently displaying it.

Hosting & Domain Registration

Since we understand that many people can get confused by all the facets of web design and development, we try to make it as easy as possible by offering "one-stop-shop" services. In addition to web design and development, we can set up the necessary technical aspects of yearly hosting through our affiliated server provider, as well as do the necessary steps to register and set up your domain name. These are services provided by third parties, but we help facilitate these services for you. Please note that Affordable Web Design Ltd is not responsible for any third party equipment usage, failures, or other situations involving third party services.

• For more details about yearly hosting services, please click here.
• For more details about yearly domain registration and renewal services, please click here.

E-Mail Accounts

Affordable Web Design Ltd provides a free "pop/Imap" email system through our partner hosting provider.

What is included in our services

• Setting up a new client's email account on our affiliated server is included in the cost of hosting.
• A maximum of 5 emails can be set up at the same time at no extra cost.
• We will provide all access information to the client (incoming server/outgoing server information, user name and password) so that they may set up their email service on their own devices, such as phones, tablets, laptops, PC's, etc.
• Please note that although the initial setup of your email accounts is included in our yearly hosting costs, subsequent changes to those accounts may incur time charges if they become frequent requests from the client.
• We will reset a user's password if he or she has forgotten it, at no additional charge.

What is NOT included in our services

• Setting up email accounts on the client's own desktop computer, laptop, SmartPhone, Tablet, etc, is the responsibility of the client and is not a function of either web design or web hosting.
• Should the client forget their user name and password, Affordable Web Design Ltd will email the new access codes and server settings to the client at no additional cost, but it is up to either the client or a computer technician or other technical help to do the setup of the new password on the client's devices.