Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where exactly are you guys... really?

One of the most common questions. We're one of the few and original United States based production teams. Give us a call: 1 877 721 8040 (toll free).

Q. So, okay, how do you make my life easier?

By converting your Adobe Illustrator, Fireworks or Photoshop artwork into CSS / (X)HTML code and optionally implementing so you don't have to! We handle it all: AJAX / JavaScript, CSS, (X)HTML, CSS drop-downs / flyouts, mouseovers, file optimization saving you time and headaches at a fair price.

Q. How is your work priced?

To keep things simple, we charge by the page. A new page is any page that uses a different layout or provides different content. Just count them up when you place your order. Multiple page orders are automatically discounted. Software implementation costs are calculated relative to the turnaround time.

If we come across an unusually complex layout, implementation and/or custom scripting requirements or other anomaly, we contact you immediately if additional work will be required at our end to deliver the results you (and your client want).

Q. Quantity Discounts?

Sure, there's a discount for multi-page projects. You can also pay at the time of your order and save up to 5% as well.

Q. Do You Design Websites?

Our focus is on one service, code production, and the delivery of that service to the highest standards. We can help with your site construction and all of our renderings are pure SEO friendly, but this is not our web department; if that's what you need just tell us and we'll get you to the right correct team here.

Q. How about web development/programming?

We stay focused on markup and implementation in this department. We don't do any behind-the-curtain programming or work with your database. However, if that's required we can connect you with the right team here to handle more components of your project — just ask!

Q. Do you do SEO and SEM?

Yes, but not in this department. All of the markup is optimized for search engine spiders and semantics, i.e. SEO-friendly. So no additional effort required at your end to be indexed by search engines, but if you need help driving traffic to your site, simply contact us and we'll connect you with our internet marketing team.

Q. Do you work in Flash or ActionScript?

We don't do flash development in this department. However, if your site contains Flash elements, please upload them with the project or insert placeholders where you plan to place these elements. We do use sIFR and other handy flash tools to make our code consistent with your design, but that's not quite the same thing as new development.

Q. How will we collaborate?

We make special arrangements as necessary however client area intranet and live chat are the communication methods.. Need AJAX functionality? Just let us know. Using Flash? Tell us so we can mark-up each page to your exact specs. We work at your direction and to your specs. After all, it's your project. For advanced user interface development we encourage clients to use ConceptShare to communicate with us; that option is available on the order page.

Q. How are pages counted when I save the design as a theme?

You still must indicate when ordering the number of pages where the layout changes, even within the theme.

Q.How do you price AJAX stuff?

Depends a lot on how much the page changes. Let us take a look at it and we'll let you know the cost.

Q. How do you deliver your work?

We can save your artwork as skins, themes for blogs, templates, CMS or shopping cart, whether you're using X-Cart, osCommerce or some other platform. These "working files" are typically zipped and emailed to you.

Q. Can I send work a page at a time?

If that works best for you. Only thing is you lose out on the quantity discount mentioned above. We're here to work with you so we'll adapt to your preferences and needs. No problem. But do keep in mind that the more you give us up front the faster we can give you feedback and turn everything around for you.

Q. Do you identify AJAX functionality, Flash and other page elements before producing code?

It's best if you give us short comments about how the design works and we'll take it from there. We don't want to make any mistakes so best to have all the input we can, on the other hand, if we have questions we'll ask.

Q. Can you code in other languages?

Sure can, but please be as specific as you can about requirements because different browsers do good or poor jobs of character support for some languages out there.

Q. We're using ASP or .NET. Problem?

Shouldn't be. Our code makes the separation of interface and functionality ideal and easier to handle as a result. You'll love our code.

Q. What about email?

We conduct email testing on: all Google Mail / GMail (web-mail), Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, AOL, Apple Mail and Microsoft Outlook 2000-'07 and even The Bat if you need that.

Q. How does your stuff look on mobile phones?

Awesome. You can deliver our renderings to cells, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Blackberries and other PDAs. It doesn't matter.

Submissions Made Easy

Q. What do you need to process my order?

We need the "unflattened" source file (Photoshop or Fireworks file) of the page or element you want produced. Give us a call if you have questions about format. We handle most so it shouldn't be a problem.
Flattened images so we know what the finished page is supposed to look like.
Provide any project-specific notes in the space provided on the submission form or in your Photoshop file itself.
Font files if you're using something custom or special.

Q. Format for Submission

Photoshop PSD is preferred, please. Un-flattened pages. As far as file type, don't sweat it. We handle everything from Illustrator, Fireworks PNG to PowerPoint files.

Q.What about submitting a finished site that needs rework?

Zip up the files and send them with your order.

Q.How do I upload dropdown and flyout menus, rollovers and other effects?

Maintain a separate layer of dynamic elements within the source file you upload. It'll also help to have a flattened image and any special notes regarding your specific requirements for that page. Typically there is no extra charge for these treatments.

Q. What about implementation options? I have no idea what's going on with these options!

Remember that theme/skin implementation is much more complicated process than basic CSS & (X)HTML production. So be sure of the version of the application are using and let us know before we start what version you have otherwise we always work with the latest one.

If we find out after the fact, unfortunately we will sometimes have to change the deadline and the total cost.

Remember: implementation also doesn't include installation, if you need that again let us know up front and provide all the details you need and we'll be happy to help you get your site up.

Testing

Q. Will the code work on PCs and Macs?: A.
100%, for all popular browsers. If you have more specific requirements let us know!
Q. Got a list of supported browsers, please?: A.
Opera 9, Safari 3+, Firefox 2+ and Internet Explorer 6+. We can retro-engineer to accommodate older browsers if needed, please ask us to do so in the comments section of your order.
Q. What about accessibility, screen readers and all that?: A.
If you need it, drop us an email and let our coders have a look. We're comfortable with relative font sizes (em or %), Section 508 / DDA / WCAG 1.0 Level 2, Eyes basic and JAWS compliance as well as others.

Let Us Serve You

: We don't just create a rendered mirror image of your artwork, we enhance your vision using our nearly 6 years of experience working on some of the leading sites on the web.
Q.Do you use microformats?: A.
Absolutely! They're great. We integrate them whenever possible. We can easily adapt the formats like hCalendar, geo, hCard, hReview, rel and anything else you like.
Q.Can you embed Flash files?: A.
Sure can. And to ensure that your 100% W3C compliant, we use JavaScript to embed SWF files usually. If your flash cannot be indexed by Google (yes Google is actually doing a great job of getting content out .swf files now), we can even add a technique to embed the copy in the markup for users without Flash (in this case, search engines)!
Q.Do you support sIFR?: A.
Do it all the time. Just send us the source files (.fla and fonts) with you order and specify what needs to use sIFR.
Q.Can you employ advanced JavaScript into my design?: A.
Yep. We use it all the time and we'll provide you a quote if you email us the details and some contact info. Our coders work with all major JavaScript frameworks and techniques including (but not limited to): script.aculo.us, mootools, Prototype, Dojo, sIFR, swfIR, Mochikit, YUI Library and jQuery.

Payment

Q.How can I pay?: A.
We prefer PayPal because it's easy. We also accept major credit cards.
Q.When do I pay you?: A.
We'd prefer an upfront payment if we haven't established an account and a nice business relationship, but it's up to you. For established customers we offer NET 15 or NET 30 as well.
Q.Do you offer discounts?: A.
Yep, especially if you have ongoing work. The larger the volume, the larger the discount. Let us know what you need.
Q.Do you accept monthly payments if I'm a regular?: A.
If you're a regular, we'll work with you any way you want. If monthly payments smooth out cash flow, and we've been friends for a while, no problem.
Q.Can I get a refund if I'm not happy?: A.
Sure. We offer a 100% refund if we miss the deadline without notice. Easy. Before we refund, we'll do everything we can to make you and your client happy.
Q.What currency do you use?: A.
United States Dollars.

Privacy

Q.Will you sign an NDA?: A.
We have a file drawer full of them. Send it along.
Q. I don't want my client to know I outsource!: A.
Ours is a discreet, time and money saving service for site designers and developers. We don't talk. Period.
Q.Can I access code and CSS for future changes?: A.
You bought it, you own it. Nothing is locked so you or any other designer can update the site any time. Try it and see.

Delivery Times

Q.When are you open?: A.
We have a neon sign on our building that says "We Never Close." Go ahead test us, fastest response will be during normal working hours eastern standard time (EST). We'll get right back to you. Remember that best response will be via contact form submission or by posting a note to the respective existing order.
Q.What do you call a business day?: A.
Place your order anytime, we'll start looking at it at the start of the next business day (unless you send it in right before the start of business). If you can, let us know if an avalanche is headed our way so we can schedule time. We like to know ahead of time who'll be working over the weekend, so please request this in advance as it's not included in the basic pricing packages. If you're planning to send through 30 pages to do in one day on a Friday night, a heads-up is critical!
Q.Do you guarantee delivery times?: A.
We never, NEVER miss. Just give us the drop-dead date and we'll be there, if it's just impossible or out of your budget, we'll discuss. Also remember that designs have varying complexities to code, so even though you may request a specific deadline or expect a price provided by the order system, we do have to confirm that your expectations are possible before we start. Dedicating resources to rush projects is not an issue, however we have to evaluate artwork and requirements before we commit to deadlines and pricing.

Fix Its

Q.Do you do you revisions?: A.
Typically they're not necessary, but if we've missed something tucked away in the design somewhere, we'll sort it out. That's what makes us the best in converting artwork to (X)HTML. We work until you are happy. The end.

Ready?

We are, too. So what have you got? How can we help? How can we make you more productive and how can we make your clients happy campers. Only one way to find out...

Drop us a line, provide some contact information and let's see how we can make some art together.

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