Clients are advised to closely monitor the renewal date of a registered domain name and to verify that the renewal of said domain name has been completed. SEI cannot be responsible for expired domain names.

OWNERSHIP AND COPYRIGHT

All text and photos used as content in a commissioned website must be provided by the client (unless the client has hired SEI for content development). The client must have ownership or written permission to use all content he/she provides for use. It is up to each client to ensure his/her design and/or content does not infringe on any trademark, service mark, or copyright. SEI cannot be responsible for intellectual property infringements on behalf of clients. SEI cannot be responsible for submitted content. Clients should not mail irreplaceable photos or documents or send content that must be returned.

PROJECT INITIATION

The initiation of a web design or development project requires a signed agreement, payment of half of the initial web design/development fees (or payment in full if the entire project is $500 or less), plus the client logo or any other element that is required to be used in the design.

PROJECT TIMELINESS REQUIREMENTS FOR CLIENTS

Projects can be hindered if the client does not provide feedback or required elements in a timely manner, such as feedback on a design mockup, requested sitemaps, text to be used as content on the web pages, photos for either the design or for the content, the client’s logo, appropriate account login information, etc. For that reason, if SEI is waiting for content or other piece of information, the client will be notified. If the client fails to handle the requests within ten business days, then SEI will take any or all of the following steps to keep the project moving forward in a timely manner:

MOCK-UP FEEDBACK

If the client does not give feedback on the design mockup within ten business days, by default, the mockup is approved. If the client later wishes to change the design, additional charges may apply.

SITEMAPS OR PAGE NAMES

If the client fails to provide the requested list of web pages within ten business days, by default, page names will be  assigned. If the client later wishes to change these page names, additional charges may apply.

CLIENT LOGO

If the client fails to provide a copy of an existing logo within ten business days, a substitute logo or company name graphic may be used. If the client later wishes to change the substitute logo or company name graphic, additional charges may apply.

PHOTO TO USE IN DESIGN

If the client has requested the design include a particular photo, and the client fails to provide the required photo within ten business days, a substitute photo may be used. If the client later wishes to change the substitute photo, additional charges may apply.

TEXT AND OPTIONAL PHOTOS FOR ALL  WEB PAGES

 It is the client’s responsibility to provide content for all pages in the website. If the client provides all text (and optional photos) within ten business days, then SEI will add that content to the website. If the client fails to provide content for those pages within ten business days, then SEI will complete those pages with simple placeholder text such as, “ABC Client offers many XYZ Services. For more information, please contact ABC Client.” The client will have the ability to add more complete content later using the file management system provided in the Word Press framework.

OTHER ELEMENTS OR ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

There may be other elements required such as passwords for existing domain names, etc. Regardless of what element may be required, if the client cannot or will not provide the required element or information within ten business days, then SEI reserves the right to make substitutions, leave elements out, or take other actions in order to complete the project.

ANY OTHER DELAYS

If more than 30 days have passed since the client signed the initial project agreement form then SEI reserves the right to consider the project complete in its entirety, bill for the completed project, and bill for all future work.

HOW CONTENT MAY BE SUBMITTED

All content must be submitted electronically via email. Text must be selectable as actual text rather than as flattened images. Both text and photos/graphics must be clearly labeled with the name of the page on which it will be displayed. Content may not be submitted via fax or paper copies. Exceptions to this policy must be approved in advance and will incur a surcharge.

HOW MUCH CONTENT MAY BE SUBMITTED PER PAGE

There is a limit on what can be included in a single web page. A web page can hold the equivalent of about 2 pages of the content that would typically fit on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of paper. If the content is straight text without any pictures, tables, graphs, etc., this equates to a maximum of 2000 words. If there are pictures, or tables, etc., then less text will fit. Additionally, a web page may include up to a maximum of six photos on a page. A photo gallery page with limited text may contain up to ten photos. If a client’s content does not fit within these parameters, then arrangements for additional web pages should be made.

HOW REVISIONS TO A WEBSITE DESIGN ARE HANDLED

We take pride in providing attractive designs, and the vast majority of our clients are extremely pleased with the design we create for them. However, design is a subjective art, and not everyone’s tastes are the same. While we will gladly make initial minor modifications for no additional charge, it is important to be clear on how revisions to the look of a website design are handled.

The web design consultation describes the basic look a commissioned web design project will achieve. Design preferences, such as the look of the site, the color scheme, the functionality, monitor resolution preferences, etc. should be specified at that time, prior to the commencement of any design work. If any design preference stated in the web design consultation are not met, the adjustments will be made free of charge. If the client develops preferences or changes his/her mind after the completion of the work, adjustments will be made by an hourly rate.

DESIGNS FOR SUB PAGES

Unless otherwise specified in the consultation agreement, subpages of any website will use the same design as the home page. Mockups are not provided for sub pages. Formatting requests for sub pages will be considered but will not be guaranteed. If the client requires specific looks or formatting for sub pages, this request should be made at the time of the initial contract and may incur additional fees.

HOW WEBSITE UPDATE REQUESTS/MAINTENANCE REQUESTS ARE HANDLED

Clients may request website updates at an agreed upon hourly rate and the turnaround time will be based on workload issues.

HOW TECHNICAL SUPPORT IS HANDLED

Clients whose websites are created by SEI can call for technical support between the hours of 10am – 6pm Monday through Friday. In the event of a website hosting outage, clients should leave a voicemail message and we will get back to you A.S.A.P. The phone number is listed on the Contact Us page of our website. Please note, technical support is not provided for clients’ individual computer issues or for third party products or services. For clients who have SEI create email addresses for your business (yourname@yourcompany.com), the email account password and settings will be provided, but it is up to the individual client to set up his/her email in an email software program or on his/her smart phone. If a client is unable to set up his/her email, the client should contract with a computer service company for assistance.

PAYMENT POLICIES

PROJECT FEES – One-half of the initial website design and development fee is due upon project initiation.  The remaining balance is due in full upon project completion.

GOING LIVE – Once the remaining balance is paid in full, the completed website will be moved from the staging server to the client’s server so the website will go live. After the new website has been live for 48 hours, the client’s website will be registered with Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines.

SEARCH ENGINE GUARANTEE

Most every client would like his/her website to rank high in search engine results for selected keywords, yet search engine results are determined by a multitude of constantly changing factors, third party search engines, and the amount and quality of competition on the world wide web. SEI always employs certain search-engine friendly techniques used in the creating of each custom website, such as keywords in the title bar at the top of the browser, the meta tags in the hidden coding behind the scenes, and alternate text behind some images. If the keyword placement in these three areas is not to the client’s liking, the keywords will be changed to the client’s choices one time for free. Subsequent or additional changes will be billed at the standard hourly rate. Additional search engine optimization (SEO) services are available for additional fees. We cannot be held responsible for search engine results.

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION AND SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

SEI offers search engine optimization and social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) management. These services will be decided at the clients initial web design consultation and prices for these services will be discussed at that time.

QUALITY GUARANTEE

SEI takes pride in offering high quality services and professional customer service. While  making an effort to ensure every aspect of  service is to the client’s liking, SEI cannot control every variable. It is up to each client to regularly test the functionality of his/her website, email, and any other product or service to ensure everything works as desired. If any problem is discovered or error has been made, please report the problem immediately so appropriate action may be taken.  SEI cannot be responsible for perceived loss of revenue under any circumstances. Changes resulting from a client’s error and/or problems related to third party vendors or technology, such as hosting servers or browser software may result in additional charges.

TERMINATION OF SERVICES

If the client changes his/her mind about doing work with SEI during the course of the initial web design or development phase, the client will be responsible for the amount of work already completed. Depending on the amount of work completed at the time of cancellation, this may mean receiving a full refund, a partial refund, no refund, or owing additional fees. In order to protect clients from unintentional service interruption, clients wishing to terminate any services must request the service termination in writing.

THIRD PARTY VENDORS

Third party vendors (web hosts, premium themes, paid plug-ins) may have separate terms of service agreements. SEI cannot be held liable for disputes with third party vendors, regardless of whether or not the service is part of a reseller agreement or referral. SEI cannot be held responsible for lack of functionality or any other aspect of third party services.

REFUSAL OF SERVICE

SEI does not accept projects that promote hate, intolerance, pornography, animal exploitation, or any other unethical practice. SEI reserves the right to decline to do business with any client for any reason.

CHANGES TO TERMS OF SERVICE

SEI reserves the right to change these terms of service at any time for any reason.