Q: What are the final steps of my design process?
A: The standard completion process is:
Q: What does "final approval" of the design mean?
A: Review your design mock-up for any changes to the graphics, layout, functionality, and content BEFORE submitting your final approval. Your design will be coded and installed exactly as shown. Design changes requested after installation will incur additional charges.
Q: Can I see the fully coded site before I give my final approval?
A: At this stage, we are asking for your approval of the design graphics, layout, functionality, and content as shown. We realize you are reviewing a full-size mock-up and not a live HTML page. Coding and installation will be completed after your approval of the design.
Q: What if I want changes to the design after you install it?
A: Click here for after-installation services information.
Q: Can I pay my final balance after installation is complete?
A: Our terms of sale require full payment of your design project prior to delivery of the final files. This is similar to you paying for your purchase at the grocery store before you walk out with your items.
Q: What logins do you need for installation?
A: We will need the login and password for your store admin panel. A temporary password may be created for the installation period, if desired.
Q: Is my login information secure?
A: Yes, we take your account protection VERY seriously. All passwords are maintained in a keystroke-free encryption system on a secured server.
Q: How do I know that I can trust you with my account access?
A: We are professionals and have been in the website design business for several years, are PayPal verified with thousands of transactions, eBay Certified Designers/Developers with 100% customer feedback, professional business partners with the eCommerce platforms and over 20 listing services that we work with. Additionally, if you would like references, please check out our blog and our Facebook page for tons of glowing customer reviews and testimonials!
Q: Can I install my custom design myself?
A: Your custom design is carefully constructed to work within your store's platform, and requires several implementation steps. We are certified designers with the expertise to optimize all of the settings of your storefront. Therefore, temporary access to your account must be provided for installation.
Q: What if I just have an eBay listing template - do you still need access to my eBay account?
A: Yes we do. Your eBay listing template will include features that work dynamically with your storefront, such as store pages navigation, store categories menus, store search box, newsletter signup, etc. We need to ensure that these are set up and linked correctly in order for your eBay template to function.
Q: How long will you need access to my storefront?
A: Typically, an eBay installation takes 1-3 hours to complete, and an eCommerce installation takes 2 business days to complete, depending on the complexity of your site design and features. Coding and testing will have already been performed on our test site before we install into your live storefront.
Q: Will my listings/sales be affected during installation?
A: Our process will not affect your product listings or sales; your buyers will still be able to view and purchase items during installation.
Q: Can I change my website store name after the design is installed?
A: If your custom design is being installed into an eCommerce storefront, in most cases all images and links will be dynamic and will not be adversely affected in any way if you later change your store name or the domain name associated with the store. However, it is ideal to make these updates BEFORE installation, so we can be absolutely sure everything is functioning exactly as you need it to, with the correct account settings. If you plan to change the store name or domain name at some point after installation, please check with us first so we can confirm whether any revision/reinstallation would be required.
Q: Can I change my eBay store name after the design is installed?
A: No, you should not change your eBay store name after a custom design is installed. Many of the links on your store design are directly tied to the eBay store name, and will no longer work if it is changed. You should make sure that your store settings are correct BEFORE we begin installation.
If you change the store name after installation of the design is complete, there will be an additional charge to revise the code and reinstall the storefront into the new store name. If you have a custom listing template, this will also be affected, and will therefore need to be recoded and reinstalled to match the new store name, at an additional charge.
Q: Can I change my eBay user ID after the design is installed?
A: No, you should not change your eBay user ID after a custom design is installed. Many of the links in your store design are directly tied to the eBay user ID, and will no longer work if it is changed. You should make sure that your store settings are correct BEFORE we begin installation.
If you change the user ID name after installation of the design is complete, there will be an additional charge to revise the code and reinstall the storefront into the new user ID. If you have a custom listing template, this will also be affected, and will therefore need to be recoded and reinstalled to match the new user ID, at an additional charge.
Q: I understand about the store name, but why would my eBay user ID name change affect the custom storefront?
A: Many of the features and functions in eBay are directly tied to your user ID name, including links to your "contact the seller" page, your "bookmark/add to favorites" page, your newsletter signup page, your "me" member page, and your seller profile/feedback page. Any links in your storefront pointing to any of these pages will break if the user ID name is changed.
Q: What is a hosting account?
A: A hosting account is the "space" you rent online to upload your files, so they can be viewed across the Internet.
Q: Why am I being asked to set up a hosting account?
A: The graphics and scripts for your site design must be uploaded into a hosting account in order to function. If you have an eCommerce service, hosting is provided as part of your subscription package through them. If you have an eBay store/template, you will need your own hosting account, purchased directly through us.
Q: Can I use PhotoBucket or my auction listing software (Auctiva, Inkfrog, etc.) for my site hosting?
A: PhotoBucket and other image/listing services are great for uploading and managing your product photos; however they are not optimal for high-quality graphics and do not allow for your required scripts files (css/js); you need a full hosting service for installation.
Q: Can't I just host my eBay design files directly on eBay, like I would for an eCommerce store?
A: Unlike an eCommerce store subscription, your eBay store subscription does not include a free hosting account. You need to purchase this separately.
Q: How do I purchase an eBay hosting subscription?
A: Please click here to purchase one on our dedicated server. You can choose monthly or annual subscription payments.
Q: Can I provide my own hosting account for my eBay store?
A: You will need to purchase your eBay hosting subscription directly through us. This allows us to have direct access to your files, so that when eBay makes a change on their back-end coding, we can update your eBay files to be in complaince, without the need to charge you for expensive ongoing recoding/upgrades charges. This is a very important part of the service that we provide to our customers.
Q: Is your eBay store hosting secure/fast?
A: Absolutely! This is not your typical $15/month GoDaddy hosting account - our hosting is done through a state-of-the-art dedicated cloud server, with automatic daily backups and 24/7 support. This means it is extremely secure and very fast loading.
Q: What information do you need about my hosting account?
A: If your package is for an eCommerce store, we will need access to your Admin Panel - depending on the eCommerce platform, we may also ask you for direct FTP logins (see note below).
If your package is for an eBay store and/or eBay listing template, simply purchase your hosting subscription via the link above, and then send us your PayPal Transaction ID # for the subscription payment. We will activate your hosting account and set everything up for you from there.
Q: What is "FTP"?
A: FTP ("File Transfer Protocol") is a streamlined method of managing your files online. Your hosting service should provide you with FTP access.
Q: Why do you need FTP access to my hosting account?
A: Your eCommerce store design includes many graphics and scripts files. FTP allows us to upload multiple files to your account at once, rather than one at a time. This is only required for certain eCommerce store platforms.
Q: What FTP information do you need for installation?
A: We will need the following FTP login information - keep in mind that FTP logins are caps-sensitive:
Q: What do you mean by the "image path"?
A: Your FTP logins allow us to upload your graphics and scripts to your account. The image path is the url address for the files uploaded to this account - for example, if you were to upload an image to your account through the FTP provided, and then wanted to view the image online, what url address would you enter into your browser's address line.
Sometimes the image path is obvious from the FTP logins provided - but in many cases, for various reasons, it is not - so we ask that you provide this information for us. The image path format typically looks something like this:
http://yourdomain.com/images/...
Q: I purchased hosting through you - what info do you need?
A: Nothing - you're all set! We already have your necessary FTP information.
Q: What is an eBay listing service?
A: There are several third-party services that will help you manage your listings and sales on eBay, usually for a monthly/annual fee. These platforms allow you to upload and manage your product photos and information, launch listings to eBay, and track your traffic and sales.
Q: Should I be using a listing service?
A: We strongly recommend using a listing service if you have 20+ listings/sales on eBay per week.
Q: What's the advantage of using a listing service instead of listing my items directly through eBay?
A: These services developed as a means of streamlining and simplifying the routine processes you go through to list and manage your products on the eBay platform. They provide a comprehensive one-stop location for managing product info, inventory, sales, and shipments. If you are using a custom designed eBay listing template, a listing service will also make it much easier for you to integrate it into your listings!
Q: Which service should I use?
A: There are several options available - from simple and affordable, to advanced and comprehensive. The right service for you depends on what kind of sales volume you have, your budget, and your needs for specific features. We have a LOT of experience working with all of the popular platforms - ask us for our specific recommendations for your business!
Q: Which services can I use my custom template with?
A: These are the platforms we work with and can prepare your custom listing template for use with:
Q: What if I am using another service not listed above?
A: We will provide your listing template HTML file, which you can install directly into your platform (or contact your service rep for assistance).
Q: You indicated that not all of the listing features I requested are available - why is this?
A: The custom features available on your listing template vary depending on which listing platform you are using - some are very simple, while others allow for lots of features/customization. We will help you capitalize on the available features for your platform, for improved sales!
Q: What if I don't want to use a third party listing service? Can I still use your custom templates?
A: Yes, absolutely! We will prepare your template for use with our free template editor. Use it with the standard eBay "Sell Your Item" page.
Q: Can I use a CSV file upload/file exchange process to list my items to eBay with my custom template?
A: Yes, eBay allows you to upload your inventory via CSV upload in menu: My eBay > Selling > Selling Tools > File Exchange > Upload & Download. In order to incorporate a custom listing template design, you will need to insert the template HTML code into your table in a description column and then set up the item specifics (title, description, and image(s)) to auto-pull into the correct spaces on the template using custom pull tags. Since this process is so specific and individualized, we do not perform this setup for you - we can provide your template in an eBay-compatible HTML format, and you would need to have your IT/tech/programmer set it up in your inventory data spreadsheet for use.
Here is the link to eBay's File Exchange support page: eBay File Exchange
Q: How do I know my installation will be done correctly?
A: We are certified programmers and partner with many popular eCommerce and Marketplace platforms. Our goal is to do an excellent job on both your design and installation!
Q: Do I get a review period? What if I have changes?
A: Yes, when your installation is complete, please take up to 1 week to review it carefully, and let us know if you require any tweaks.
We ask that you provide one single, comprehensive list of any adjustments needed, within 1 week of installation, so we can be efficient in completing them for you. Tweaks such as typos or link mapping changes will not incur any charges. Post-installation revisions to the graphics, layout, or functionality of your design will incur per-item charges for the additional labor required.
Q: Do you provide back-ups of my design?
A: Yes, we keep copies of all design graphics and files; in case of emergency, we can re-install your design for a small charge.
Q: Do you provide training/tech support?
A: Yes, if you wish to make updates to your design graphics and/or HTML, we can provide training by phone or email at our hourly rate.
Q: What if I want to have my design revised later?
A: We are happy to help you with revisions or updates! Animation, holiday promotions, blog or social networking updates, etc. can all be added or revised regularly to keep your design looking current. Please contact us for a quote.
Q: Will my design be resold?
A: All of the designs we do are custom created just for you, meaning the design you receive is unique and will not be re-used with another client.
Q: Is my design copyright protected?
A: Yes, your design will include a copyright protection line at the bottom of the page with your company name and an auto-updating date stamp.
Q: Who owns the copyright to my design?
A: You do. We will even provide you with the original files for your design, if requested.
Q: Is the copyright transferrable to another site?
A: Your copyright is good for the platform on which the design is originally installed. If you wish to move the design to another location, please contact us. If you wish to duplicate the design on another platform or another storefront, we can do this for you for a small charge.
Q: I notice you include your name/link stamp on my design. What is this for?
A: This is our design credit link. This link protects your design against theft. If one of your competitors sees our link and contacts us, we can be certain they receive a completely different design from the unique appearance we created for you, while an uncredited design has no protection if your competitors were to go to another designer and ask them to duplicate your store's design.
It's also how we keep our prices so competitively low, as more than 80% of our business comes from referrals and happy repeat customers - that way we don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive advertising, and we can therefore offer lower package prices.
Q: What if I want your link removed from my site?
A: Per our Terms of Sale (See 3. Additional Terms of Sale > Copyright), our approved third-party design credit link is required on all of our installed designs. It may not be removed, relocated, or otherwise modified in any way.