WEBSITE DESIGN
Q1: When placing an order, what information will you need from me?
A1: Generally when building a website, we will set up a time to
interview you to ask you some key questions: the nature of your
business, how long you have been in business, some of your key values,
and whether or not there is any information and/or images that you
would like for us to incorporate on the website. You are not required
to write all of the text that will show up on your website. That is an
included service. We do want to make sure that we are representing your
company accurately, though, and this is why we conduct the interview
with you.
Q2: If I have an idea of what I'd like the design to look like, can you make my website look exactly like my vision?
A2: We appreciate customers who have an exact idea of what they'd like
for their website to look like. We've had customers fax us hand drawn
designs of what they'd like the site to look like. In most cases, we
will be able to design the website to your specifications. In other
cases, we'll be able to come very close. When creating the design, we
will allow you to have a look at the website prior to finalizing it, so
you can give us your feedback and notify us of any changes that you
would like to make.
Q3: I don't have an idea of what I'd like the website to look like. I just want you to make our company look good.
A3: If you don't have an idea of what you'd like the website to look
like, there is nothing wrong with that. We are specialists; this is our
field. Feel free to sit back and let us do what we do best. This is
what we're paid for. We will still allow you to view what we've come up
with, so you can give us your feedback. Even though you don't know what
you want the site to look like, chances are you know what you don't want
it to look like. This website will be a representation of your company,
so we do welcome your feedback and opinions of the design we've created.
Q4: Our company will need a shopping cart on our website. Can you handle this?
A4: We can definitely handle this. When it comes to shopping carts,
additional charges apply. In addition to paying additional charges, you
will also need to set up a merchant account, which we can assist you
with (generally, your business tax ID number and social security number
will be required to complete the application for becoming an online
merchant who can accept credit card payments). If you are interested in
an online shopping cart, let us know. We can e-mail you with the
complete details of what would be required.
Q5: My payment has been sent and my website has
been built, but there are some changes that I'd like to have made on
the website. What should I do?
A5: The answer to this question is simple. The cost of yearly
maintenance is already included in your Premier, Deluxe, or Elite
website design plan. Many companies will charge $1,000.00 and more
simply to design your website, with maintenance for the year costing
you additional money. Your website design package will already include
your maintenance services for the year. Simply e-mail us at:
sales@vipwebsitedesigns.com, or give us a call at: (847) 637-6853,
though, and you will be sure to see the changes reflected on your
website in 1-2 business days.
Q6: After my year is up, how much will it cost if I want you to continue to maintain the website that has already been designed?
A6: The cost varies depending on the website design plan that you
purchase. If you go with the Premier Plan, it will only cost $200.00
for us to continue to maintain and host your website for the year. If
you go with the Deluxe Plan, it will cost $350.00 for us to continue to
maintain and host your website for the year. If you go with the Elite
Plan, the rates will vary since this plan covers anything from eleven
web pages to nine hundred and ninety- nine web pages.
Q7: I don't own a business, but I would like to host my own forum. Can you design this for me?
A7: Forums and blogs are generally easy to design and operate. If you'd
like, we could assist you with setting this up. If you would still
prefer us to design it for you, we can definitely assist you.
Q8: I currently have a website domain already. I
just need someone to maintain it, because my current website designer
and I aren't seeing eye to eye.
A8: We hear this a lot. We can maintain your existing website for you,
at which point you would just be paying $200.00/year for up to five web
pages and $350.00/year for up to ten pages. If you require more pages
than this on your website, contact us and we will provide you with an
estimate of how much annual maintenance would cost for your particular
project. If you are wanting us to change the design on your existing
website, even though you already own the domain name, the standard
website design service fees will still apply. In some cases, if the
changes needed to the design aren't extensive, these fees can be
reduced.
Q9: If I have an existing domain and website, what will you need from me?
A9: If you have an existing domain, we will need to have a copy of the
documentation provided to you when you registered the domain. If you
have an existing website, we will also need to know who your current
web hosting provider is and the administrator user name and password
for this hosting service. If you are unable to provide us with this
information, we would have to create a new domain for you and design a
new website from scratch. We can't log into your website and make
changes without the login info.
Q10: Can you add Paypal Buy Now/Pay Now buttons to our website?
A10: Yes, we can.
Q11: What images and logos can I have included on my website?
A11: This area can get pretty touchy. Included in our website design
services will be the use of stock images that you don't have to pay
for. You'd be able to use these images with the permission of the image
license holders. We make sure to let our clients know that there are
very strict copyright laws in place when it comes to images that you
don't own the rights to. If you see an image that you'd like to use on
your website, and you use it, and the rights holder of that image sees
that picture on your website, they will have the right to file a
lawsuit against you. Don't sully your business's reputation by using
photos and logos. If you are going to include photos of people, it is
best to make sure that you have release forms on hand with the
signatures of the people have been photographed, so your company won't
get in trouble for posting images of persons without their given
permission. If you have any questions or doubts on this, ask us.
PAYMENT
Q1: This order will be placed on behalf of a business. What are the available payment term possibilities?
A1: Generally, we take payment up front. In many cases though, we are
willing to take 50% of the invoice total and put the rest of the
balance due on Net 30 terms.
Q2: What are the different payment methods that you accept?
A2: We currently accept Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, money orders, and checks.
Q3: Do you accept checks over the phone?
A3: At this time, we are not able to accept checks over the phone.
However, if you would like to pay by check you can mail the check to
our address, which can be found on our Contact Us page.
Q4: Are payment plans available?
A4: We understand that these are trying times and this is a tough
economy. We review payment plans on a case-by-case basis, but upfront
payment will earn you the speediest results. Your website will be built
quicker, and you will see positive results faster.
Q5: If the website that is built for me doesn't
generate $50,000.00 in sales within the first three months, am I
entitled to a refund?
A5: The short answer is, "No." When working with marketing, it is best
to keep realistic expectations. Simply having a website doesn't
guarantee a certain dollar amount in sales. A website is simply a vital
stepping stone in what should be an elaborate marketing plan, if you
are interested in long-lasting success for your business. If you place
an order with us and prior to the purchase of the domain and/or hosting
you change your mind, we can cancel the order for you and return
payment. If the domain and hosting have already been purchased, the
sale will be considered final. Remember, though, that what you're
paying is for the first year. If at any reason you are unhappy with the
website or service, you are not required to renew the service once your
year is up. It is highly unlikely that our service will disappoint you.
Q6: If I place an order, how long before I can expect to see my company's website?
A6: We promise some of the quickest turnaround times in the business.
From the date that payment is received, you can expect to have a
website up and running in one to two weeks. If you need a website up
and running guaranteed in one week, expedited services are available.
Fill out our contact form on the Contact Us page to receive an estimate on expedited rates (these rates will depend on how many pages your website will have).
Q7: I'm having trouble logging into my Paypal account. Can I pay by Paypal over the phone?
A7: To place a Paypal order over the phone, you would have to give us
your Paypal login password. For your own security, we don't recommend
that you EVER do this. if you are having trouble logging into your
Paypal account, there are a few options: you can wait a few moments and
then try logging into your account again. If you are still unable to
log in, then you are also able to pay by credit card, money order, or
check.
Q8: After my first year, what if I forget to send payment? Will my website immediately be shut down?
A8: Because we do work on Net 30 terms, we won't immediately shut down
your website if you miss your website maintenance renewal fee. We will
automatically send you a reminder that your anniversary is approaching.
We generally do this one month prior to your renewal fee being due. If
you haven't paid by your anniversary date, we will continue to maintain
your site for the next 30 days. If we make an attempt to contact you
after the 30 days and we aren't able to get in touch with you, the
website will be temporarily shut down until you contact us to let us
know whether or not you would like to renew your website maintenance
account.
AFFILIATE PROGRAM
Q1: I am interested in joining as an affiliate of your company. What do I need to do?
A1: First and foremost, read our Affiliate Program
page. An overview of what you would need to do is subscribe as a member
to the program. If you'd like to join the free program, you can fill
out the contact form on our Contact Us
page. Introduce yourself and provide us with your contact information,
so that we can officially welcome you as an affiliate member. If you
are wanting to become a GOLD MEMBER, SILVER MEMBER, or PLATINUM member,
you will subscribe by clicking on the "Subscribe" button on the Affiliate Program
page. By clicking this button, you will be logging into your Paypal
account to pay for your annual membership fee. If you don't have a
Paypal account, you can send a membership request to us by mailing in
payment to us or calling in payment to us. We will keep your
information on file and assign you a membership ID, so that you are
able to be accurately paid for your referrals.
Q2: If I pay for membership for the year, but six
months into my year I haven't become a millionaire, can I get refunded
my money?
A2: Membership fees are final. This program is definitely what you make
it. If you are a GOLD MEMBER, your annual membership fee will be
$50.00. To make a profit, all you have to do is refer ONE client a
year...just one. As a GOLD MEMBER, you will be paid $75.00 for each
referred client. By making five referrals a month, you could be earning
$375.00 a month - strictly by your referrals! If you refer ten clients
in one month, you would earn $750.00. As a PLATINUM MEMBER, your annual
membership fee will be $150.00 per year. You will earn $125.00 for each
referral you make, and we will assist you in referrals by providing you
with marketing materials. In order for you to make a profit after
paying your membership fee, you'd only have to make two referrals in
one year. Referring five clients in one month, you would earn $625.00.
Referring ten clients, you would earn $1,250.00! This program could be
very beneficial to you. It is a nice way to make a little extra money,
and you would be referring a person to a company with their best
interests at heart. Our affiliate program is a win-win situation.
Q3: I want to become an affiliate member, but I don't even know where to begin and I'm not the best salesperson. Help!
A3: We ARE here to help you. If you have questions on your sales
techniques, feel free to e-mail us at sales@vipwebsitedesigns.com. You
can fill out the contact form on our Contact Us page or contact us by snail mail.
Q4: If I am an Affiliate Member who needs a website, do I get a discount of any kind?
A4:
Of course! If you are a SILVER or PLATINUM member, you will have the
choice of having 10% off of your website design package or earning your
referral rate, whichever amount is greater. If you have a BRONZE or
GOLD MEMBERSHIP, you will earn your regular referral rate for
purchasing a website design package with us. Depending on how many
referrals you're making or seeking to make, it may be beneficial for
you to purchase a website design package through us, so you can better
your chances of earning more referrals.
Q5: How often do Affiliate Members get paid?
A5: Affiliate Members are paid on a monthly basis. Checks are issued on
the first business day of each month. If a referral was made and the
referred client paid for their order on January 15th, your check would
be issued on the first business day of February. We don't delay in
issuing checks to Affiliate Members. We greatly appreciate our members,
and we strive to pay them as quickly as possible.
Q6: I am an Affiliate Member and I need to change the address of where my payment is sent.
A6: This can definitely be done. However, we do protect our members'
security, as well as our clients' security. If your address needs to be
changed, we will verify your membership account or client account
information just so we can verify that we are talking to the
appropriate account holder.
Q7: I don't currently have a checking account. Is there any way that you could pay me by a money order instead?
A7: We can definitely do this for you. Our default method of payment
will be by a check, unless otherwise specified, because it does
generally cost money to cash money orders. If you do require us to send
payment by money order, mention this request when setting up your
membership account with us.
Q8: I am not an official Affiliate Member, but I
am a client who loves your designs and service. I would like to refer
an associate to you. Am I able to receive a commission on this
referral, like your Affiliate Members do?
A8: Even if you are not set up in our system as an Affiliate Member, if
you are a client of ours, you can earn a commission on referrals. Make
sure that the referred client mentions you when setting up their client
account with us, and we will be sure to pay out your referral rate the
first business day of the following month.
Q9: If I refer someone who only needs website maintenance and not a website design, will I still earn a referral commission?
A9: At this time, referral commissions are only paid out when the referred client purchases a complete website design package.
Q10: What is the benefit of me referring a client for website maintenance if I don't get a commission?
A10: You would be
performing a kind deed and assisting someone who is in need of website
maintenance services. We hope to one day change the policy of not
paying out a commission on website maintenance packages, but because we
charge such a low amount on these packages, there isn't room for us to
pay commission on these packages at this time.
Q11: How will I know what my Affiliate Member ID is?
A11: Once you join us as a member, you will be mailed a welcome packet
with your membership account information. Make sure to keep this in a
safe place, so no one else will have access to it. With your account
information, someone - in theory - could change the mailing address
where your payments are sent. To lower the possibility of fraudulent
activity, we do advise our Affiliate Members to keep their information
in a safe place where not many (or any) people have access.
Q12: Can I view my account information online?
A12: Again, this is a security issue. Because of the persistence of
online hackers, we do not post account information online. This is for
the safety of our Affiliate Members and clients.
Q13: What if I forget to send in my annual membership payment?
A13: We will send reminders for you when your anniversary is coming up. These are generally sent by e-mail or snail mail.
Q14: Are you hiring full time sales people right now?
A14: We aren't currently hiring full time sales representatives at this time. Stay tuned to the Job Opportunities
page to check for changes in this. Even though we're not currently
hiring, we do have an outstanding Affiliate Program that could be very
beneficial for you, financially. With this program, you wouldn't need
to have a set schedule or drive in to work. You can make your own
schedule and come up with your own plan for getting the word out there.
If you are the type of person who prefers a support system, you can
also check in with us on how you can improve your sales technique. Our
Affiliate Program could be the key to your financial freedom.