FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Okay, how much, exactly, does this cost and what, exactly, do I get?
  2. Do I need my own domain name?
  3. Can I host my site on my own server or with another hosting service?
  4. What software are you selling?
  5. How reliable is your hosting service?
  6. What if I decide later that I want to have a new base design? Will I have to pay another setup fee?
  7. Why do I have to wait to get my site created?
  8. Why would I choose to not use every option right away?
  9. Do you really deliver a turnkey package?
  10. How hard is this to learn?
  11. What happens if I need help? Are you REALLY there for me?
  12. What are your payment policies?
  13. Who owns the source code if I cancel my account?
"Okay, how much, exactly, does this cost and what, exactly, do I get?"

There are two costs associated with each package:
1) A one-time fee of $7,995 that covers the professional custom design, structuring, configuration, and initial data porting, required to deliver your complete turnkey system. A 50% deposit is required before actual project work begins, this insures and locks your place in on our calendar, with the balance due when the site goes live and the final class is given.
2) A monthly hosting fee of $130 that covers your physical hosting on our system, new features as they're added, and our responsive support of all of the above.

The specific features/functions/services that are expressly included:

Service:
* Original graphic design and layout, unique to the participant, from our list of modular templates
* CMS (Content Management System) server custom configuration
* Feature/Component Custom Customization (see list below for feature specifics)
* Daily database backup of system. (participant responsible for retaining copies of their original media files)
* Porting of existing data from any existing sites or electronically submitted media into our system.
* Support through our trouble ticket system and phone if the problem is not resolved on initial trouble ticket submission. Support is available Monday-Friday, from 9AM-6PM Pacific Time.
* System training for your admin staff delivered via GotoMeeting and conference call.

System Feature List:
* Content Management System (CMS)
* Integrated Community Building System
* Events Calendar
* Sermon Podcasts
* Church Store
* Newsletter/Subscriber/Mailing Lists Management System
* Online Giving/Tithing
* Audio Gallery
* Video Gallery
* Image Gallery with e-card feature.
* File Gallery
* Pastoral Staff Blogs
* User Forums/Message Boards
* Page Translation To Eight Languages
* User Polls and Results
* Custom Forms
* New features as they are added

Hosting:
* Web server hosting
* Email Server (for client use only, not for free email accounts, cannot be used to SPAM)
* CMS Server
* FTP
* Daily database backup
* Bandwidth (150Gb/Month)
* Disk Space (10Gb)

 

"Do I need my own domain name?"
Yes, you do. If you already have a domain name, we'll provide you with the information needed to point your domain to your new server. If you don't already have a domain name, we can assist you in finding a suitable one and provide you with instructions on how to purchase it.

 

"Can I host my site on my own server or with another hosting service?"
Not without considerable trouble, and an in-house server admin/ PHP programmer. As system integrators, we use open-source programs for our solutions. As such, technically, you could use your source files in a properly configured server, elsewhere, with some code modifications. That being said, our system has been tweaked at the server and software levels, to provide the optimal environment for our system. If you choose to leave our service, we can't support you in your attempts to replicate our services in another environment. Not only would it undermine our efforts, but it's also a complex, time-consuming process, even for us; and we live and breathe this stuff. Beyond that, hosting elsewhere will actually cost you more than just staying put. While we're confident that our level of service will be enticement enough for your continued patronage, the cost savings of staying is certainly an additionally compelling reason!

 

"What software are you selling?"
None. All of our software is open-source product. As such, there is no charge for the software itself, but you pay a fee for the immense amount of expertise needed to professionally design, configure, and populate a ready-to-use, feature-packed, turnkey system. Your monthly fees cover your hosting and ongoing support needed to make sure your system runs flawlessly, receipt of new features as soon as they are added, and our unparalleled level of personal support.

 

"How reliable is your hosting service?"
Very. We can say that because our server farm is part of one of the nation's largest and most reliable hosting providers. Boasting a service uptime guarantee for of 99.9% it is, quite literally, as reliable as it gets.

 

"What if I decide later that I want to have a new base design, will I have to pay another setup fee?"
Yes, but it will be considerably less than your initial setup fee. Redesign of an existing site on our system is $4,500

 

"Why do I have to wait to get my site created?"
We are a small, but dedicated and highly talented, staff. As such, we treat every client with equal focus, ever cautious not to overextend ourselves in scheduling projects. There may be a waiting list when you first inquire and, if so, we ask your patience and promise you that it'll be well worth the wait. Keep in mind that when we begin your project, we'll show you the same respect and will not allow anything to delay or disrupt our focus on your site.

 

"Why would I choose to not use every option right away?"
There are a number of factors to take into consideration here. First, it takes time to grow your site traffic and, if you are just starting out, it may or may not make sense to limit the options you deploy up front. For instance, the image gallery and e-card feature you might use right away, but you may want to wait until you have more site traffic to enable your message boards. Another consideration might be to enable features in stages, giving your staff time to fully learn the previous ones before launching new ones. Ultimately the choice is yours. All features will be configured for your site regardless, so that when you decide to enable or disable one it is a simple matter of flipping a switch.

 

"Do you really deliver a turnkey package?"
Yes, we do. In fact, we go farther toward that goal than any other comparable system, creating not only your site here, but manually porting any data from your previous site(s) into your new system. Our intent is to provide you with a site that, once you give final approval, goes live to the public complete and ready to roll. Our job is to build and configure the Ferrari to your specs so that your only job is to buckle up and drive!

 

"How hard is this to learn?"
Not hard at all, but there is some familiarization required. By producing a complete site for our clients, we free them to learn this new system after the fact and as they go. Anyone who can use a WYSIWYG editor, such as Microsoft Word, can create content. Our system is based on the world's easiest-to-use-and-learn Content Management System (CMS) package. Our features are selected for their powerful applicability to the church and ministry sector, combined with a strong focus on ease of use. We have video tutorials on every administration feature to get you up to speed quickly!

 

"What happens if I need help? Are you REALLY there for me?"
Yes, we are. We intentionally limit our client base for that very reason. In reality, support needs go from high to low as your staff becomes more familiar with the system. Our system is remarkably stable and the majority of our support comes in staff training and instruction. To that end, we are investing significant time in creating video tutorials for every aspect of system use. Additionally, our knowledge base is constantly being updated with problems/resolutions that we encounter. Finally, we are available, via trouble ticket, email, and phone during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8AM-.6PM PST)

 

 

"What are your payment policies? "
The one-time fee deposit must clear before actual project work begins. Hosting fees are automatically debited to the credit card of your choice but don't begin until the site goes live to the public. Accounts more than 30-days overdue will have site access suspended until the account is brought current. Accounts more than 60-days overdue are canceled and will be reactivated only on a case-by-case basis.

 

"Who owns the source code should I cancel my account?"

Our systems are built entirely on open source software, which is publicly available and free, however, it has been configured to run optimally on our servers. Due to the complexities and variances in server systems, we cannot guarantee their functionality or reliability in any environment other than our own, which is specifically configured to accommodate it. The content of your site, both hard-copy media and the textual data contained in the database, are yours to keep if you ever choose to leave and need copies of your data. The core functionality of your site, however, may not work on another hosting service without significant technical knowledge and server-level command line control. We, for obvious reasons, cannot support you if you attempt to replicate our service elsewhere.

Hosting services can be canceled anytime. Any balance on that month's payment will be prorated and refunded within 24 hours.