Terms & Conditions

Website Maintenance Plans

 

Please read following before your Web Maintenance Plan begins - thanks so much!

  • The best performing websites are those regularly updated with fresh content and current software. Frequent updates keep your website fast, secure, & Google-friendly. Content that changes more often is scored differently by search engines than content that’s modified less frequently.

  • Should you require large-scale design modifications (5+hrs) want to change your current template, restyle, redesign, reconfigure your entire website, or if you’ve recently re-branded and need a complete website overhaul – please complete our New Client Intake Form and we’ll work up a custom quote.

  • Our blocks of time are reasonably priced for small businesses/startups. Tasks are deducted from your chosen Plan using our minute-by-minute time-tracking software. If a task only requires four minutes, then only four minutes is deducted from your timesheet. No minimums, no overcharging. All completed tasks are logged in your very own private timesheet link (using Clockify)

  • Once a task or revision is submitted, the average turnaround time for each individual task/update/change-request is typically 1-2 business days. We are on-call to make modifications whenever you need us*. Since you’re only paying for the exact time it takes to complete a task, you’re saving time and money.

    *We strive to reply to your messages/comments within 24 hours during our regular business hours: Mon. - Fri. 9AM - 6PM MST

  • We never login to your personal Squarespace or Shopify Account. Adding us as a Contributor/Admin allows us to manage & design your site within our own accounts.


    ➤ Squarespace Clients:     Invite us as a Contributor

    • Send invite to: themuddshop@gmail.com

    • Permissions:  Administrator / check all (except Billing)


    ➤ Shopify Clients:     Add us to your Staff Account

    • Send invitation to: themuddshop@gmail.com

    • Access: Full Permissions / Admin

    • Create a bulleted list of Tasks / Change-Requests

    • ALL website change-requests must be submitted in a bulleted list via email, Google Doc. or via the Submit Maintenance Request link → HERE

    • We will confirm your request and complete task(s) within 1-2 business days.

    • Client reviews the changes and submits a bulleted list with feedback in a timely manner.

    • Your timesheet is then updated (down to the minute) after each request.

    • Payment due on the first day of your Plan (required to start)

    • Payment-requests will sent Venmo • CashApp • STRIPE ***

    • Please inform us of your preferred payment method in advance

    • NO personal/business checks or manual/phone payments accepted

    • 10% off when you pay 1-year upfront

    • Discounted rates available for non-profit organizations (NPOs)

    ***As part of our commitment to enhancing security and facilitating seamless transactions, we are presently transitioning our invoicing software to a new platform, alongside an authorized payment processor. During this period, we are exclusively accepting payments through our Venmo and CashApp accounts.

    Your patience and understanding during this transitional phase are greatly appreciated. We assure you that this upgrade aims to provide an additional layer of security and convenience for your payment processes. If you have any concerns or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    • Plan cycle is 30 calendar days — minimum*

    • Month-to-month (30 calendar days) of web maintenance as needed

    • NO commitment, NO contracts, NO subscriptions necessary

    • Change the amount of time you need each month depending on the amount of tasks you require at the beginning of each new Plan cycle

    • Maintenance time DOES NOT roll over to the next next month / Plan cycle

    • Additional time outside your Plan is billed at our hourly rate ($175/hr)

      *No refunds or prorated refunds for maintenance time not used during your 30 calendar days

  • After your 30 calendar days have elapsed, you have two options:

    • Start a new month / Start a new plan

    • Pause / Cancel / Skip or Contact Us when you require web maintenance services again

    We pride ourselves on having a strong client-designer relationship so of course you can return at any time, whether it be for some advice or for an additional website updates. Our doors are always open.

 

Design Changes/Revisions

 

Providing feedback for your designer is a crucial part of the process and ensures that your brand / website is exactly where you want it to be. Here Are Some Do's and Don'ts to Follow

  • If you receive your design files or website links and it's not what you had in mind, firstly, remember to be kind. We will happily explain our reasoning for the decision, but if it's still not something you wanted, we can go back to the drawing board. Additional costs apply for restarting the project or making changes beyond the initial Project Proposal.

  • Life happens, and we recognize that unexpected situations can occur. Per these Terms & Conditions you have the option to pause the project for up to three months*, beginning from the date you provide written or email notification. Following the three-month period, you are required to resume the project from the point of suspension; failure to do so within this timeframe will result in the automatic cancellation of the project.

    Please be aware that the 50% deposit collected upfront functions as a "kill fee" to compensate for the work completed by the TheMuddShop up to the cancellation date. This policy is in place to ensure fair compensation for services rendered in the event of project termination.

    It's important to note that this three-month project pause **does not** apply to our Web Maintenance Plans, which run for 30 calendar days at a time, with upfront payment collected.*

  • Want to include and some extras to your project/maintenance plan? This one is simple, simply let us know, we will whip up a new quote and then pop it on your invoice if you're happy to move forward. Or in the case of a Web Maintenance Plan, we’ll add the something extra your Timesheet.

  • We understand that life can be unpredictable, and files may occasionally go missing. If you're searching for your logo files or any designs/graphics from your project, rest assured that TheMuddShop takes file storage seriously.

    We diligently back up all your project files on our reliable external hard drives, ensuring they are safe and sound for a generous 7-year period. However, beyond this timeframe, we cannot guarantee possession. Should we still have your files (at any time) a reasonable unarchiving fee of $150 will apply. This fee covers the secure storage and retrieval of your files from our archives. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation regarding this policy.

The Fine Print

 

As our Client, you have the power and ability to enter into our work agreement on your behalf or the behalf of your company or organization. You agree to provide us with everything that we need to complete the project including all text/copy, all images/photography/audio/video files, and links, as well as all other information as and when we need it, and in the format that we ask for.

You agree to review the work, provide feedback, and sign-off approval in a timely manner. Deadlines work two ways and you will also be bound by any dates that we set together. You also agree to stick to the payment schedule and communication requests we have outlined. We have the experience and ability to perform the services you need and will carry them out in a professional and timely manner.

Along the way, we endeavor to meet all the deadlines set, but can’t be responsible for a missed launch date or a deadline if you have been late in supplying materials or have not replied, approved or signed off our work on time at any stage. We also maintain confidentiality of any information that you give us – and you guarantee that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork that you provide for inclusion in the design are either owned by your good self or that you have permission to use them.

  • Packages, Maintenance Plans, and Estimates are based on the information you provided us regarding project requirements. Actual costs may shift once all project elements are finalized or negotiated. Prior to any changes of cost, the client will be notified.

    ➤ Design Packages are offered at a flat-rate due to the clear set of deliverables

    • Flat-Rate Packages require a 50% deposit upfront; this guarantees your commitment to the project and secures your spot in the design calendar. On the last day of the design project, just before launch, you'll pay the 50% remaining balance. Or 60 calendar days after the project start date, whichever comes first.

    ➤ Web Maintenance Plans and Month-to-Month services are billed on retainer

    • Retainers & Monthly Maintenance Plans are paid in advance to secure availability in the Designer’s schedule, for a duration of time. Retainers & Maintenance Plans are discounted off our hourly rate as a benefit to you. We are paid in advance for services to be rendered.

  • • If the designer receives payment from the client more than 15 days after the invoice date, the designer may impose a late fee of $50.00.

    • If the designer receives payment from the client more than 30 days after the invoice date, the company may assess interest equal to one percent of the unpaid balance for each month, or a portion of the month the balance is unpaid. Interest accrues retroactively from the due date.

    • If the client has not paid an invoice for more than 60 days, the company may refer collection of the unpaid amount to an attorney or collections agency. If the client’s unpaid invoices are referred to an attorney or collections agency, the client shall pay all reasonable attorney’s fees or collections agency fees in addition to the late fee and accrued interest.

    The provision may seems a little wordy, but the three penalties are clearly stated and escalate appropriately. Here is an example of the penalty provision in action:

    The designer invoiced the client for $1,500 on August 1, 2021. The due date is August 11, 2021. In the event the client does not pay until December 15, 2021. the client may be obligated to pay the following:

    • Invoiced amount: $1,500.00

    • Late fee assessed on August 16, 2021: $50.00

    • Interest (1% per month ($15.00) for four months and one partial month): $75.00

    • Attorney fees (estimated): $125.00

      = Total owed: $1,750.00

    Because the penalties are written as “may,” the designer has the option to assess or not assess any of the penalties.

Updated: 01/01/2024