TERMS & CONDITIONS

Custom Blog Service Terms & Conditions

Our desire is to delight our clients. One way is to make clear our understandings with each other. These are the terms of our agreement together:

1. Authorization. The Client whose name is set out above (“Client”) is engaging Sherman Communications Group, LLC (DBA Blawg for Profit) (“BfP”) as an independent contractor for the specific project of developing and/or improving a blog and for membership in the Blawg Marketing Group. The client also authorizes BfP to publicize their completed website to Web search engines, as well as other Web directories and indexes.

2. Service Description. This service is completed according to the specifications provided by the client on the “Blawg Customization Setup Form” and specific and timely feedback is critical to the success of a project. Communication regarding the project is a two-way street and we want to provide clients with a final product that they are 100% satisfied with.

Cost includes installation, template, and plugins as described below.

WordPress Installation:

BfPshall choose the version of WordPress to install on the server and is not responsible for shortcomings and incompatibilities caused by previously installed versions, or future upgrades made by client or any party other than BfP. Issues related to versions of WordPress not installed by BfP (bugs, template and plugin issues) are not guaranteed, nor covered by this Agreement.

Custom Template (Appearance):

A custom header graphic will be created using client supplied photos, logo, or images.

Client may choose images to use from unlimited.photostogo.com and provide the image number for us to use.
All supplied art and photos must be in digital format. Scanning is not included.
Up to 3 revisions of this custom image is included in the package.

Custom colorization to client’s preferred color palette is provided.

Client should present at least 2 sample blogs to show as an illustration of styles they like in order to help us achieve the look they desire.

Client has choice of a 2 column or 3 column blog format. 2 column blogs may have the sidebar on either side, 3 column blogs may have the sidebars or either or both sides. Client to determine their preference and notify us at start of project, as this cannot be changed once work begins.

Work will commence after all digital files are received, and color, layout (columns) choice and sample blog URLs are provided to BfP via the “Blog Customization Form.”

Plugin Installation (Additional Functionality):

Package includes installation of up to ten (10) plugins, including but not limited to plugins for: tagging, comment filtration, video embedding, podcasting and videocasting, social bookmarking, emailing posts, printing posts.

Client may allow BfP to choose plugins to fulfill their desired functionality, or may request that specific plugins be used. If specific requests are made for plugins, BfPcannot guarantee full compatibility of the plugin with WordPress or the custom template.

WordPress plugins supply additional functionality, and are provided by independent programmers not associated with WordPress or BfP. BfP makes all attempts to choose stable, high quality plugins for use on sites we customize, but do not warrant any plugin’s functionality or compatibility.

Support and training in the usage of plugins is the client’s responsibility. BfP will happily provide links to plugin author sites for access to any available documentation or support as available. Additionally, members in the Blawg Marketing Group will have access to some instructional aids and resources (though not one on one training) related to the use of certain major plugins.

Search Engine Friendliness: BfP will take the following actions in order to make the blog more “search engine friendly” in an effort to attempt to improve the site's search engine results.

BfP will enable “permalinks” on the blog.

BfP will amend the WordPress php code to create hardcoded title tag, and meta description and keyword tags on the blog’s index.php page.

BfP will amend the WordPress php code to create dynamically generated title tags and meta and keyword description tags for all other pages of the blog. These tags will be generated using the post (or page) title entered by the blog author.

BfP will amend the WordPress php code in order to attempt to suppress Google’s indexing of multiple copies of the same content on the blog using meta robots. BfP makes no warrantees to the nature in which Google visits, indexes, or evaluates any website.

Blogs will be made to be search engine friendly under the conditions of the state of search technology at the time of the blog customization. BfP is not responsible for updating or retrofitting blogs previously customized as search engines update their technology and/or algorithms in the future.

Other Considerations:

“Feed Buttons” will be added to the sidebar of the blog for RSS subscriptions. BfP will choose which feed buttons to enable, and client may request their preferences also. BfP guarantees these buttons to work at time of project completion, but is not responsible for maintenance of these buttons in the event that a blog service link changes or a site goes inactive at a later time.

BfP will add code from 3rd party service providers to a blog as directed by client, if such is requested by Client. Code will be added as supplied, with customization limited to integrating the appearance into the blog for aesthetic purposes. It is client’s responsibility to supply any such requested code to BfP. BfP makes no guarantees to the stability or reliability of the 3rd party’s service or it’s effect on the code in the blog template.

Client should use the supplied “Blawg Customization Setup Form” to provide us with the details we need to create their blog regarding appearance and plugins.

Client consultation and support is provided by email and phone for up to a total of sixty minutes, during the project and for seven (7) days after client’s final approval of blog. It is the responsibility of the client to obtain training and support on the usage of their blog. However, such training and support is offered to clients who maintain an active membership in the Blawg Marketing Group (separate fees apply as described below).

Once final approval of website is granted by client, all further work on the blog, changes or additions to the blog, its appearance or functionality, are subject to separate maintenance fees.

After final approval, and a seven day time period, BfP is not responsible for the website. Technical and aesthetic errors and issues related to servers, client’s input into and changes to WordPress, and any and all other activities that were not carried out by BfP are not supported without additional fees.
Client assumes all responsibility for their files and templates. While BfP does keep a back up copy of the custom template, it is ultimately the client’s responsibility to backup files and templates in case of emergency.

Use of custom templates is limited to one installation of WordPress. Client does not have the right to reuse, sell, or give away their purchased custom templates.

3. Web Hosting. The client understands that BfP will provide hosting services pursuant to the terms of a separate Hosting Agreement so long as client is a member of the Blawg Marketing Group. Otherwise, client is responsible for obtaining a separate web hosting service. In the event that client elects to provide their own web hosting service, then client agrees to select a web hosting service which allows BfP full access to the website via FTP. If client does not choose to host their website with BfP, it is the client’s responsibility to ensure that their chosen web host supports all needed programming and features of their website, blog or e-commerce store. If their chosen hosting provider does not support all needed programming and components and moving site files becomes necessary, such a project would be subject to a separate fee agreement.

4. Completion Date. BfP and the client must work together to complete the website in a timely manner. BfP will make all reasonable efforts to complete the website within a quoted timeframe, but cannot make guarantees to this effect as BfP is dependent upon client to receive timely content and feedback.

5. Payment of Fees. Client agrees to pay to BfP the sum of $997 for the customized blog and $47 per month for membership in the Blawg Marketing Group payable as follows: the upfront payment is due at the time of signature and the $47 per month fee shall begin 30 days thereafter and it shall be due on the same date of each month thereafter and billed automatically to client's credit card on file. All payments will be made in US funds.

6. Term and Termination of Agreement. This agreement shall become effective upon signature by client and return to the designated fax number to BfP. Client's membership in the Blawg Marketing Group may be canceled by either party at anytime with 30 days prior written notice to the other party. Upon cancellation, BfP will no longer be responsible for hosting Client's blog.

7. Assignment of Project. BfP reserves the right to assign subcontractors to this project to insure the right fit for the job as well as on-time completion.

8. Copyrights and Trademarks. The client represents to BfP and unconditionally guarantees that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork furnished to BfP for inclusion in web pages are owned by the client, or that the client has permission from the rightful owner to use each of these elements, and will hold harmless, protect, and defend BfP and its subcontractors from any claim or suit arising from the use of such elements furnished by the client.