Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please feel free to contact us.
What’s the best way to get in touch with you?
As an e-business, we prefer to communicate via e-mail. This allows us to keep an accurate record of what was discussed and gives us documentation to refer back to throughout the design process.
If we are designing a custom website for you, and you would really prefer to talk by phone, let us know and we can set up an appointment.
How do I get started?
If you’ve done your homework and decided that StudioElite is the right fit for your project (yay!), please start by reviewing our Terms of Service. You will have to agree to these before any work can begin. Then fill out a New Project Request giving us as much detail as you can about your project. We’ll get back to you with a game plan, including pricing and a proposed time frame.
How and when do I pay?
A $250 deposit is required to secure your spot on the waiting list. With that deposit, I will purchase your software license and get it installed right away. You may begin familiarizing yourself with the software and/or adding products while you are waiting for your design. 50% of the total project cost is due when we begin actively working on your project, with the remaining balance due upon acceptance of the design/layout.
How do I convey my vision to you?
Once a deposit is received, we will send you a Q&A Design Survey that will help us understand your vision for this project.
Do you have a waiting list?
Because we only take on 1-2 projects a month, we typically have a waiting list. If you’d like to be added, please contact us. A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.
How long will it take to build my site?
All projects are different, but you should plan on about 4-6 weeks for a custom design. That includes everything from our initial planning and brainstorming to coding, testing and adding products. Please keep in mind that the process will go more quickly if you have all your content and products ready to go.
Do I need to be available during the design process?
Yes! It’s very important that you are available on a daily basis. We will be sending you e-mails with ideas and mockups that must be approved by you before we can proceed to the next step. Your timely response to these e-mails will definitely keep the project moving.
Can I change my project start date?
If you are unable to keep your project start date, we will do our best to reschedule it. You will be offered the next available time slot.
Can you rush my project or move me to the top of the waiting list?
Sometimes, it depends on our schedule. Rush projects are typically completed on nights and weekends when we aren’t normally working so they don’t interfere with other client work. If you are interested in a rush project, please let us know when you fill out your New Project Request.
What if I already have a logo? Can you use that?
As long as you have written permission from the original artist, we can use it. However, please know that there is no discount in website design fee if you bring your own logo – a lot of times it is more difficult creatively for me to incorporate someone else’s work into my design.
How can I accept payments on my site?
PayPal is the simplest way to accept payments. You will need a premium or business account. They charge a small fee per transaction, but using PayPal means you don’t need a merchant account of your own to process credit cards. If you wish to accept credit cards directly on your site without PayPal, you will need a merchant account. Fees and rates very. I can provide more detailed info on this once we get started.
How will I update my website once it’s done? Do I need any special software?
Nope, just a web browser and access to the internet. You will have a web-based admin tool where you log in with an ID and password. There you can add, delete and edit products and content pages. It is very user-friendly and easy to use. It will be helpful if you have some sort of photo editing software, like Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, to resize and enhance product images.
Can you help me maintain my site? Or, can you fix something that I messed up?
Yes, we offer website maintenance packages. You can read more about them here.
Do you offer support?
Yes, we provide e-mail support for the duration of every project and for 15 days after completion. That is your time to ask questions, make changes, etc. Once that period ends, support requests will incur an hourly fee depending on the frequency and complexity of your issues.
