Before You Begin...
Take a few moments to look over the links, to the right, under:
- What We Provide
- What You'll Need
- Additional Information
When you're ready, click on the package type you're interested in (under the
main navigation to the left).
Should you decide to hire us as your website developer,
or simply have questions, call us at (920) 905-0609
or click 'Contact
NLM' .
Free Consultation
We will take whatever time is necessary to explain,
in plain English, what your options are regarding
your website and our development plans.
Though we prefer to meet our clients face-to-face, initially we would speak
over the phone. The reason for this is, when we do schedule a meeting, we would
like to have a sample template of how your website might look (based
on our initial phone discussion).
From the sample template, we can discuss the functions,
content and graphics you would like to see on your
website.
We strive to create a close working relationship
with our clients and we greatly appreciate a collaborative
effort in creating a client's website. After all,
it's your business, or organization, that's being
represented!
Custom Layout
We don't don't use pre-built templates. Meaning, your page will built from
the "ground up".
- All of our website layouts are custom designed for each individual
project.
- Custom Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are used to maintain a consistent
look and feel for the site.
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- We will create all the necessary graphics needed to design the layout
of the site.
- Logos, photo's or other client related graphics are supplied by the
client.
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Optimization
We include basic search engine optimization of your website. The titles of
your pages will be carefully selected, along with proper usage of meta and description
tags, to assist in your site being easily found in the search engines.
Additionally, "Optimization" also refers to pictures. We will digitally
enhance the images you provide, maximizing the visual appeal, while not infringing
on the load-time of your web site.
Note: Don't be fooled by so-called SEO's (Search Engine Optimizers).
There is no way to guarantee how well your site will rank on a given
search engine. However, there are simple techniques that can greatly increase
your odds of success. All of which we include in our design projects.
If you research this subject, you will find many developers that charge extra
for this necessary step.
3rd Party / Open Source Scripts or Programs
We use various Open Source scripts or programs to add certain functions to
a website. Examples of this might be:
- Shopping Carts
- Photo Galleries
- Message Boards (Forums)
Open source scripts are, generally, free-to-use programs that can be
added to a website at no charge from the script's author.
The real work is in configuring the script to have, as close as possible, the
same look and feel as the rest of the website.
- Open Source program / script authors usually require their copyright to
be shown.
- When ever we install an Open Source script, we adhere to whatever terms
the author has in place.
- All scripts will be registered to the client.
- Some optional fees may apply. For example, many Open Source scripts
have an option for removing the author's copyright for a dollar amount.
- We will only use scripts or programs that we have tested for function and
reliability.
Search Engine / Directory Submission
Once the website is complete, the last step we take is to submit the pages
to the major search engines.
Note: Once a site is submitted, each search engine has it's own time-table
as to when a site is indexed. No web developer can change this... no
matter what claims they may make.
Support - Free and Paid
We will never expect our clients to become experts in web development. This
is why any project we are contracted for, includes 90 days of free support and
maintenance. This doesn't start until after the project is completed
and signed off by the client.
In other words, based on the finalized layout and site structure, we will:
- Update content that the client needs to change (e.g., a seasonal rate change
for a given product or service)
- Picture editing or update (e.g., replace an employee photo)
- Meta tag changes (e.g., should content need to be changed, if needed, the
title tags and relevant "Key" tags would also be edited).
Upon the expiration of the 90 day free support, the client will have the option
to contract NLM for continued support on a monthly or per-incident basis.
Of course, the client may chose to hire another developer for maintenance work
or even choose take over the maintenance them self.
Note: The 90 day free maintenance only pertains to pages that are completed
at the time of the client's approval for the finished project and does not include:
- A redesign of the entire site or lay-out.
- Adding new pages or scripts.
- Completely redesigning any one page
Description of Website Packages
- Brochure
Designed to get your name online. This type of website can easily be upgraded
to any type of website you may need in the future.
- Community
For clubs or other organizations that wish to post events or communicate
with members, regular customers, etc.
- Dealership
Display your property listings, cars for sale, boats, post classifieds ads,
etc. This is a great alternative to a full E-Commerce website.
- Custom Website
If you are unable to find a package that's right for you, feel free to contact
us to discuss you website needs.
Site Hosting and Domain
At this time, NLM does not offer any web hosting accounts. If you have not
already done so, you'll need to obtain a hosting account.
For the purpose of hiring NLM as a developer, the host server must be a Linux/Unix/Apache
Server (we do not develop using FrontPage or ASP).
If you wish to have advanced features, such as a message board (forum), photo
gallery, etc., your hosting service must offer at least one mysql
database.
NLM suggests using iPowerWeb
as your host. We have used iPowerWeb
for several years and have received excellent service and support from them.
Additionally, iPowerWeb
has the necessary criteria, as mentioned above.
Website Content
Though we prefer all the textual content to be provided by the client, we will
work off of your rough draft and create the full text.
This is, of course, within reason. Meaning, we cannot create all the
content for you.
Pictures and other company, or organization, graphics (such as a logo) are
supplied by the Client.
Terms of Service
This is a summary of our Terms of Service and is intended to be a reflection
of the content in the actual agreement, which is written in a more detailed
and legal fashion.
Quotes & Contracts
Quotes provided to prospects will be honored for 30 days. A new quote will
then be provided upon request.
Website Hosting and Authorization
The client must obtain both a website hosting account and register their own
domain name. The client grants NLM permission to:
- Have Administrative access to the client's web hosting server.
- Install 3rd party / Open Source scripts or programs that are necessary to
complete the agreed upon project.
3rd Party / Open Source Scripts or Programs
Depending on the requirements of the client's website project, 3rd party or
Open Source scripts or software might be necessary. These scripts/programs may
be needed to employ functions such as, but not limited to: shopping carts, picture
galleries or message boards.
Charges & Fees
Northern Light Marketing requires a 30% deposit in order to begin work on any
project, with the remaining balance due when the project is completed and authorized
by the client.
Copyrights and Trademarks
The client unconditionally guarantees that any text, graphics, photos, designs,
trademarks, or other elements furnished to Northern Light Marketing by the client
for inclusion in the client's Web Design Project are owned by the client, or
that the client has permission from the rightful owner to use each of such elements.
Until final payment is received, all work will remain under the copyright
of Northern Light Marketing.
Cancellation and Refunds
If for any reason a client wishes to terminate the contract with Northern
Light Marketing, the client may be entitled to a refund based on the
following:
Terminated by Client
- If terminated by or upon the 7th calendar day from the signing of the
contract, the client is entitled to a full refund.
- If terminated within the 8th to the 10th calendar day from the signing
of the contract, the client is entitled to a refund of 50% of the deposit.
- If terminated after the 10th calendar day from the signing of the contract,
the client is no longer entitled to any refunds.
Terminated by NLM
- If terminated for reasons of the client conducting any illegal activities
such as, but not limited to, fraud, copyright infringement, child endangerment,
all moneys paid to Northern Light Marketing are nonrefundable.
- If terminated due to repeated, yet failed, attempts by Northern Light
Marketing to contact the client, within any consecutive 14 calendar day
period, the contract, upon the sole discretion of Northern Light Marketing,
may be terminated and no refund will be offered to the client.
Delivery
- We will provide you with an estimated time of delivery for your
project. However, we do not guarantee deadlines, as each project is unique,
as is each client.
- Additional services, revisions to design or development of your site that
would differ from the original agreement and delays in providing us with the
information we require may significantly add to the delivery time and, possibly,
a new agreement may be become necessary.
- After the project is completed, and the final approval form has been signed
by the client, a copy of all files relating to the client's website will copied
to a compact disk and shipped to the client.
Final Approval
Upon completion of the site, the client has 14 calendar days to authorize the
Final Approval Form (supplied by Northern Light Marketing). If the client fails
to respond within this time frame, the Developer will consider the work approved,
and the final payment will be due.
Site Maintenance
Northern Light Marketing will provide, at no charge to the client, general
site maintenance for 90 calendar days after the date of the signed Final Approval
Form. This would include; general textual content and graphic updates, meta-tag
updates and assistance with Third Party script/programs.
The 90-day maintenance would not include a site-wide redesign or the instillation
of additional Third Party Elements.
Northern Light Marketing reserves the right to change or
update these terms at any time without notice.
Last Update:
July 10, 2007
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