Our clients are welcome to register and manage their own domain names, however we will do this for our hosting clients as an additional service of Studio Z. Typically, domain registrars request complete contact information for: Registrant (owner); Administrator; Billing; and Technical (sometimes Administrator and Billing are combined).

When we register a domain for a client, the Registrant/Owner is listed as the client, the other contacts are all listed to Zelda Gordon, with Zelda's address, phone and e-mail. We do this to insure that all registration questions, reminders and invoices are directed to Zelda, and that coordination with hosting services will go smoothly. To spare our clients a significant amount of spam (junk e-mail), we set the domain to the "privacy" option. This keeps their information out of the WHOIS database, a public listing of all domain ownership records. We understand and agree that the client who has paid us to register and manage the domain name is the owner of that domain name.

Should the client wish to assume administration and direct payment of domain name registration, we will revise the Administrative and Billing contacts accordingly, however, at that point we will not be responsible or liable for lapses and possible loss of domain name registration or any costs or penalties associated with reinstating a domain name or acquiring a new one. Any Studio Z troubleshooting or consultation time related to making this transition will be billed on an hourly basis.

We register all new domain names for 2 years.

Clients who are registering and managing their own domain names and using Studio Z hosting services need to specify Zelda Gordon as their Technical Contact; Studio Z will provide server information (dns numbers) to enter in the management section of the domain registration site. Alternatively, the client may provide Studio Z with name and password so that we can make those entries, however that time and any other Studio Z troubleshooting or consultation time related to domain name management will be billed on an hourly basis. Under no circumstance will Studio Z be responsible or liable for lapses and possible loss of domain name registration or any costs or penalties associated with reinstating a domain name or acquiring a new one, once the Client has notified us of their intent to manage their own domain registration.

Clients who are registering and managing their own domain names, and using a hosting service other than Studio Z, are responsible for coordination of domain name and hosting service. Studio Z will not be responsible or liable for lapses and possible loss of domain name registration or any costs or penalties associated with reinstating a domain name or acquiring a new one.

Studio Z offers hosting services as a convenience to our web site design clients. We do not provide hosting for sites we do not design/maintain. Clients who purchase hosting services from us are provided with web space associated to our Studio Z account with WebHost4Life. The actual internet service is being provided by WebHost4Life. Studio Z acts as the intermediary for our clients in assuring that domain addresses and aliases are correctly routed; we promptly report all server/access problems and follow up as needed. Studio Z will not be responsible or liable for lapses in web site availablity caused by technical problems on the server side, or any costs or penalties associated with loss of business related to the Client's web site being temporarily off-line. If the Client's web site is off-line, it means the Studio Z web site is off-line too. Should we ever feel that disruption of service has been so severe as to warrant a claim against our hosting company, we will file the complaint on behalf of our hosting clients as well as ourselves.

The Hosting renewal date is based on the date the domain name is activated, that is, the date it becomes accessible via the direct url (www.domain-name.com), regardless of how complete the site is at that time. Whether we are posting a temporary Home page or launching a fully designed site, hosting begins on the day that domain address becomes available to the public.

Clients who are using a hosting service other than Studio Z are responsible for coordination of domain name and hosting service, and set-up of e-mail aliases. The Client should specify Zelda Gordon dba Studio Z (zelda@cinderzelda.com) as as their Technical Contact if the server requests this information. The Client or their server will need to provide Studio Z with upload information (typically FTP address, username and password) in order for us to upload the web pages to their web space. Studio Z will not be responsible or liable for lapses in web site availablity caused by technical problems on the server side, or lack of timely notification of server set-up changes. Any Studio Z troubleshooting or consultation time related to coordinating our web site design and maintenance services with a third party hosting service will be billed on an hourly basis. (For new clients, coordination or set-up of hosting is included in our fee proposal for initial design and start-up costs.)

Once we have met with you and discussed your needs, we will provide a written proposal for services and fee estimate. We will request a downpayment before commencing design work, and advance payment for hosting services. Your payment will indicate acceptance of our proposal and fee estimate. The scope of work and fees may change as the project progresses; the scope and status of the work and current fee status will be indicated on invoices and statements issued by Studio Z. Invoices are due upon receipt, and considered past due 25 days after the issue date. A payment schedule can be arranged; so long as a minimum monthly payment is made by the tenth of each month, no late fees will be charged. E-mail reminders and monthly Statements will be issued for past due accounts. Zelda will draw a frowny face on your statement if you are very late. We hope that stronger measures will not be necessary. We will give thirty days written notice before applying late fees or discontinuing service for lack of payment.

Studio Z Hosting Fees are due in advance of the service period, which is either 6 months or 12 months (there is a discount for 12 months advance payment). An invoice will be issued approximately one month prior to the Hosting renewal date.

Annual Domain Registration fees are billed annually with Hosting services; the renewal dates are not always the same, but we find it easier to consolidate the billing. See above Domain Name Registration for additional information.

Additional services: Our hourly rates will be indicated in your proposal letter. Upon substantial completion of the web site design, we may also provide a customized fee schedule for use in estimating charges for additions and updates specific to your site (for instance: add products to existing page, $___/item; add new category of products, $___/page). See Hourly Fees for details about our rates.

Rate Increases: We raise our fee rates periodically to reflect our increased experience, technical capabilities and level of service. However, we do not automatically increase rates for existing clients. In appreciation for our client's trust and continued patronage, design fees and hourly rates agreed to at the start of services are generally considered "locked in" as long as your account remains in good standing. Significant changes in your website or level of service may result in a revised fee schedule. We reserve the right to increase your hosting fees when the size and complexity of your site increases significantly; we will advise you when any proposed changes to your site will affect your hosting rate.

Discount for Referrals: When we get a new client based on your referral, your account will be flagged to receive 10% off your next website update. (Discount applies to site development only, not hosting or domain registration fees.)