As an independent web designer and developer, I want to present you with my Upwork working policy and explain how I work.
My goal is to deliver the highest quality web design and development possible that can be done with WordPress and standard WordPress plugins, and in order to do this, I need to cover expenses and time spent and be clear with clients what tasks have been promised to be done. Upwork works on either an hourly basis or by Milestones. This document covers only Upwork fixed priced projects. Click here for my Upwork Hourly Policy.
When working on a fixed price project, there needs a be a clear list of tasks specified in order for me to offer my price. Any additions or changes could cost extra.
This might involve a Scope of Work document in addition to my proposal.
Although a client may have specified certain requirement in their Upwork project list, my proposal or Scope of Work document might only address specific items in client’s project. In other words, I might not be willing or able to do everything that the client has requested for the price that I have offered. My proposal should be considered a counteroffer.
When working with Upwork, there will be Milestones established for each fixed price project.
Upwork works like this
I understand that sometimes “things happen” and the client may want a refund on fees paid for Milestones. I try to be fair, and create a policy that is a win-win for both of us. I will work with the client to make the client satisfied with my work. If I have made a mistake I will attempt to correct it. I just need a clear explanation of what needs to be fixed.
If work has not started on a Milestone, then the Milestone can be cancelled.
If a Milestone has been completed and approved by authorizing payment, then it is possible that I might not be able to give a refund.
In the event that a refund is requested for a Milestone and granted, all property created by me under that Milestone including installed WordPress plugins, images, graphics, content, and code, will be made unusable and remain my property.
If I agree upon a refund of a Milestone, then the work done on the Milestone will be cancelled. That means it will cease working. If the client is given a refund for a Milestone, then the client has no further right to use the work done for that Milestone.
From time to time, clients might request changes or additions to a Milestone that were not described in my proposal or not part of the standard WordPress or plugin functionality. Normally the core WordPress or plugins have limits as to what can be changed or added.
Such changes or additions will be covered by a CHANGE ORDER or REVISIONS document and may or may not incur additional charges depending on the amount of work involved.
By agreeing to my proposal and/or Scope of Work document, and Milestones, the client acknowledges that the client has understood this UPWORK WORKING POLICY and agrees to be bound by its terms and conditions.
Web design and development projects require extensive resources, consumes time and incurs internal expenses. Therefore, once a payment or deposit is made to Upwork, it is non-refundable.
Payments for web projects (i.e. logo designs, branding, website designs, individual page mockups, eCommerce, or coding (i.e. header, footers, content, menus, events, blogs, PHP programming, JavaScript, WooCommerce, WordPress CMS development, and WordPress Plugin development, etc.) are need to be described in my proposal or Scope of Work. If I do not mention a item, then it is not part of my offer or tasks to be performed or Milesone.
If a Milestone is allowed to be canceled, delayed, or postponed, then all monies paid will be normally retained by me and if applicable, an additional cost will be charged to the client for all work completed beyond what was already paid for shall be paid by the client. All projects that are completed as defined in my proposal or a separate Scope of Work are non-refundable.
If a client does not respond to a request for clarification or content within 7 days then I am at liberty to cancel the remaining unpaid milestones and terminate the contract with no liability.
When adding new text and/or content to a page the client is responsible for providing all text (in digital format) and images/photos. Client warrants the he or she is the legal Copyright owner of such and will hold me harmless from all legal action for using it. I do or write content or supply images or graphics unless specifically mentioned in my proposal or Scope of Work.
It is the client’s responsibility to enter products into WooCommerce or write blog articles.
The client’s web pages can look very close to their theme or another website, but cannot be “pixel perfect”.
It is the client’s responsibility to obtain a domain name, hosting and any features such as hosting backup or installing an SSL certificate.
Any invoice for a Milestone that is outstanding for more than fourteen (14) days may result in the suspension or termination of the entire project
I am not responsible for loss of revenue due to nonfunctioning of client’s website.
I will install the Yoast SEO plugin but it is the client’s responsibility to develop keywords and meta descriptions for each web page unless I have stated that SEO is include in my proposal or Scope of Work.
Client understand,s acknowledges, and agrees that I have no control over the policies of search engines or directories with respect to the type of sites and/or content that they accept now or in the future. Customer’s website may be excluded from any search engine or directory at any time at the sole discretion of the search engine or directory entity. Some search engines and directories may take as long as 90 days, and in some cases longer, after commencement of plan to list and/or update customer’s website.
Occasionally, search engines and directories will drop listings for no apparent or predictable reason. I am not responsible for changes made to customer’s website by other parties that adversely affect the search engine or directory rankings of client’s web site. SEO and marketing professional services require extensive resources, strategy, and consumes time and incurs expenses. Therefore, payments made for SEO and marketing services, are non-refundable.
I look forward to working with you.
Joe Leonard