Thanks for asking good questions about how things work. We have formulated a list of questions that comes up on almost every job. We have found this list very helpful. We hope you will too.
Scope of Work Questions
1. Can we change pictures?
Where pictures are not used as animation, yes. The idea is simple. The new picture must be the same width and height as the existing picture. The picture should be optimized for size for quick page loading. Often small pictures should be 5 kb or less.
When you want to change a picture, use the dynamic web tool to change the picture's name. For example, the old picture may be called "old_picture.jpg". The new picture may be called "new_picture.jpg". This will point the web page framework to the new picture. You will need to upload the picture using your ftp software or our picture loader (if we supply it for your job) to get the picture to the correct directory.
For large images, load pictures to: "pics_large" directory. For small images, load pictures to: "pics_thumbnails" directory.
We ask that when clients supply their own pictures or pick pictures from other sources, three conditions should apply:
Picture Size and Aspect Ratio Constraints
1) Pictures should be cropped to the exact size, both height and width of the approved template pictures. This applies to header pictures and thumbnails. We encourage, in most cases, that you let us first do the cropping for you, and then you can control it from there by uploading, changing picture selections or even doing minor modifications to the cropped picture.
2)
Pictures should be compressed and optimized to the exact specifications for allowable load times. Most clients do not know how to do this. In the case of the client having 50 or more photos, we will give you a tutorial on how to do this. We encourage you, in most cases, to let us first do the optimizing for you, and then you can control it from there.
3)
Pictures should be tweaked for color saturation, contrast, and brightness even after purchasing the photo from a reputable stock photo house. We have found that our methods can always get more out of a photo even if the original is an excellent picture. We encourage, in most cases, that you let us first do the contrast, saturation, and color correction for you, and then you can control it from there
2. Can we change animation?
Generally no. Animation is very complex and is not easy to change. Although some aspects of an animation may be changed if you requested it before the start of the job, like minor pictures or text, but most cannot.
If you want small parts of animation to be changeable and controlled by your team, an extra cost is required to account for the extra time it takes to create the database and code necessary to build the appropriate structures. Most clients do not have a need for changing the animation. Therefore, in many jobs, the extra cost is not charged.
3. How many changes can I make for free in the design phase?
You are allowed 12 minor changes in this phase. After that you will be billed at the "per change" rate or the hourly billable rate stated in your estimate which is included in your contract. If we bill hourly, we will give you a quick email estimate of the hours to be spent which you will have to approve of first before the work starts.
4. What is a hyperlink?
A hyperlink is text on a page that allows you to go to a new web page by clicking it. Usually this text is underlined and is blue, although that is not always the case, it is always the case that this link will allow you to go to another location on the web or your web site. Hyperlinks are controlled by the client using the dynamic web tool.
5. What is a navigation link?
This is usually a set of buttons or a set of words usually at the top or top left of your web page. The purpose of these is to allow the user to get to most or all of the main pages of the site. Note that there are more than just one way to get to a web page on your site. A user may use the main navigation or they may use a simple text hyperlink described above. Either way, the client controls not only what the button says but which page the user goes to when they click on it. This allows the client to have a tremendous amount of control and power to change their site the way they choose.
