FAQ
The real questions, answered plainly — grouped by what's actually on your mind.
Pricing
Are these prices real, or "starting at" bait?
Real. Every package’s price on this site is what you pay for that scope — no hidden "request a quote" step to find the real number.
What’s the deposit, exactly?
One-off packages: 50% due at checkout to book the project, 50% invoiced on delivery. Care Plans: your first month is due at checkout, then billed monthly.
Do you charge sales tax?
Louisiana doesn’t tax professional design and development services, so the sales tax line shows $0.00. Any tax that does apply will appear on your invoice.
What if my project doesn’t fit any package?
Book a 30-minute call. We’ll scope it and send a fixed price — that’s the one thing on this site priced after a conversation instead of before it.
Can I pay in full instead of the 50/50 split?
Yes — email us after checkout and we’ll invoice the balance immediately instead of on delivery.
Timeline
How fast can you start?
Kickoff is usually scheduled within a few business days of your deposit clearing, sooner if your preferred start window says "as soon as possible."
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on the service and package — turnaround is published on every package card, from about 1 week for a Technical Audit to 8+ weeks for a Signature website.
What happens if we’re slow providing content or feedback?
Turnaround times assume we get what we need from you at each step. A slow feedback loop extends the timeline — we’ll flag it plainly, not quietly let the project stall.
Can we pause a project partway through?
Yes. You pay for the work completed to date; the remaining milestones resume when you’re ready.
Ownership
Do we actually own the files at the end?
Yes — every file, every format, no exceptions. Design files, source code, brand assets — it’s yours, and we keep no exclusive copy.
Are we locked into your hosting or platform?
No. We don’t build on a proprietary CMS, and we don’t require you to host with us. Deploy anywhere that runs static files (most hosts do).
What if we want to move to a different developer later?
Everything’s handed off in standard formats specifically so that’s possible without starting over.
Do you keep a copy of our brand assets or code?
We keep a working archive for our own records, but it’s not the only copy, and it’s never the licensed one — the files we deliver are the real thing.
After launch
What happens after the site goes live?
Every build package includes a post-launch fix window (30–90 days depending on tier) for bugs in what we built. After that, ongoing edits are a Care Plan.
What if we find a bug you missed?
Tell us during the fix window and we’ll correct it at no charge. That’s what the window is for.
Do you offer ongoing maintenance?
Yes — Care Plans, month-to-month, starting at $145/mo. No contract, cancel any month.
What if we don’t want ongoing maintenance at all?
That’s fine. Nothing requires it — the site is yours whether or not you take a Care Plan.
Working together
We already have a designer or developer — can we still hire you?
Yes. Web Development is built specifically for that: hand us a design, we build it. No design opinion imposed on an existing brand.
Do you work with businesses outside Louisiana?
Yes — we’re based in Opelousas, Louisiana, and work with clients across Louisiana, the Gulf South, and remotely across the US.
Is there a sales call before we can buy?
No. Every package is Add to Cart. A call is only required for custom, out-of-ladder scope.
How do we reach you if something comes up mid-project?
Email support@designhotshop.com any time — monitored 7 days a week, reply within 1 business day — or call (505) 661-3728 during studio hours.