Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about working with me, my development process, and what to expect during our collaboration.

Work Process

Understanding how we'll work together is crucial for a smooth collaboration. Here's what you can expect when working with me.

My project process typically follows these steps:

Discovery & Consultation: We start with an in-depth discussion about your business goals, requirements, and expectations.
Proposal & Agreement: I provide a detailed proposal with project scope, timeline, deliverables, and pricing.
Planning & Design: We create a project plan, architecture design, and initial wireframes or mockups if needed.
Development: The main phase where I build the solution with regular updates and milestone check-ins.
Testing & Quality Assurance: Thorough testing for functionality, performance, security, and compatibility.
Deployment & Launch: Carefully moving the project to production and ensuring everything works properly.
Post-Launch Support: Handling any immediate issues and providing documentation and training.
Ongoing Maintenance: Optional continued support to keep everything running smoothly and up-to-date.

For each project, I adapt this process to best meet your specific needs.

Project timelines vary based on complexity, scope, and your availability for feedback. Here are some general guidelines:

Small projects (landing pages, simple WordPress sites, minor customizations): 2-4 weeks
Medium projects (business websites, basic web applications, WordPress customizations): 1-3 months
Large projects (e-commerce platforms, complex web applications, custom systems): 3-6+ months

Factors that might affect timeline include:

Complexity of features and functionality
Content preparation and delivery
Third-party integrations
Feedback turnaround time
Change requests during development

I'll always provide a specific timeline estimate for your project during our initial consultation and proposal phase.

Clear and consistent communication is key to project success. My communication approach includes:

Kickoff meeting: We begin with a comprehensive discussion about your project goals, requirements, and expectations.
Regular progress updates: Weekly email summaries of what's been accomplished, what's next, and any potential issues.
Project management tool: Access to a shared tool (Trello, Asana, or similar) for real-time updates and task tracking.
Scheduled check-ins: Regular video calls to review progress, discuss questions, and gather feedback.
Quick response channels: Direct email or messaging for day-to-day questions and smaller updates.
Emergency contact: For urgent issues that need immediate attention.

I'm flexible and can adapt my communication approach to your preferences and availability. My goal is to keep you informed and involved throughout the project without overwhelming you with details.

To kick off a project efficiently, I typically need:

Project brief: A clear description of your project goals, target audience, and key requirements.
Brand assets: Your logo, brand guidelines, color schemes, and any existing design materials.
Content plan: An outline of the content you'll need to provide (text, images, videos, etc.).
Technical access: Credentials for hosting, domains, and relevant accounts as needed.
Examples: Links to websites or applications you like, particularly those with features similar to what you want.
Initial payment: The agreed-upon deposit to secure the project in my schedule.

Don't worry if you don't have all of these items ready. We can work together to gather what's needed during the initial stages of the project.

Changes and updates are a natural part of any digital project. Here's how I handle post-project changes:

Minor fixes: Small bug fixes or adjustments found within 30 days of project completion are covered at no additional cost.
Content updates: Simple content changes like text or image updates can be handled on an hourly basis or through a maintenance plan.
Feature additions: New features or significant changes are treated as mini-projects with a separate quote based on scope.
Maintenance plans: For ongoing updates and support, I offer various maintenance packages to keep your site secure and up-to-date.

I design all my projects with future growth in mind, building flexible systems that can adapt to your changing needs. Whether you need occasional updates or regular maintenance, I'm available to support you long after the initial project is complete.

Pricing & Payment

Clear and transparent pricing is important for any professional relationship. Here's how I approach project costs and payment structures.

I determine project pricing based on several factors:

Project scope: The breadth and depth of features, pages, and functionality needed.
Complexity: Technical challenges, custom functionality, and integrations required.
Timeline: How quickly the project needs to be completed, including any rush priorities.
Long-term value: The business impact and return on investment the project will provide.

I offer three pricing models depending on the project type:

Fixed project fee: Most common for clearly defined projects with specific deliverables.
Hourly rate: Suitable for ongoing support, maintenance, or projects with evolving requirements.
Retainer: For clients needing regular ongoing work each month.

Every project begins with a detailed proposal that clearly outlines all costs involved, so there are never any surprises.

For most projects, I use the following payment structure:

50% deposit: Due upon agreement to secure your spot in my schedule and begin work.
25% milestone payment: Due at the midpoint of the project or upon reaching predetermined milestones.
25% final payment: Due upon project completion, before the final handover of files or website launch.

For larger projects (typically over €10,000), I offer more flexible payment schedules with multiple milestones.

For ongoing work or maintenance plans, I generally bill monthly with payment due within 14 days.

All payments are detailed in our contract, with clear due dates and deliverables tied to each payment.

I accept several payment methods to make it convenient for clients:

Bank Transfer: Preferred method for clients in Europe (details provided on invoice).
Credit/Debit Card: Secure payment processing through Stripe.
PayPal: Available for international clients or those who prefer this method.

All invoices are sent electronically and include detailed payment instructions. For international clients, I can accept payment in Euros, US Dollars, or British Pounds.

Scope changes are a natural part of many projects. Here's how I handle them:

Minor adjustments: Small changes that don't significantly impact the project timeline or complexity are often accommodated within the original quote.
Significant changes: For larger additions or changes to the agreed scope, I prepare a "change order" that outlines:

Description of the additional work
Impact on project timeline
Additional cost

Approval process: No additional work is started until you approve the change order and any associated costs.

My goal is to be flexible while ensuring clear communication about how changes affect the project's scope, timeline, and budget. I'll always discuss options with you to find the best approach for your needs and constraints.

Yes, I understand that budget constraints can be a challenge, especially for small businesses and startups. For larger projects, I offer flexible payment options:

Phased implementation: Breaking the project into distinct phases that can be budgeted for separately, with each phase building on the previous one.
Monthly installments: For projects over €5,000, I can arrange monthly payments spread across the project timeline.
Priority-based approach: Focusing on the most critical elements first, then adding additional features as budget allows.

Each payment plan is customized based on the specific project needs and your financial situation. I'm happy to discuss options that work for both of us while ensuring the project moves forward effectively.

Technical

Find answers to common technical questions about the development process, technologies, and best practices.

I work with a variety of modern web technologies, specializing in:

Backend Development:
- PHP & Laravel (expert level)
- Node.js & Express
- MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
- RESTful & GraphQL APIs
- Redis, Memcached
Frontend Development:
- JavaScript (ES6+) & TypeScript
- Vue.js, React
- HTML5, CSS3, Sass/SCSS
- Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap
- Responsive design & mobile-first approaches
WordPress Development:
- Custom theme development
- Plugin development
- WooCommerce & e-commerce solutions
- Advanced Custom Fields
- Performance optimization
DevOps & Infrastructure:
- Linux server administration
- Docker & containerization
- CI/CD pipelines
- AWS, DigitalOcean, Linode
- Nginx, Apache

I'm always learning and adapting to new technologies, so if you have specific requirements, feel free to ask if they're within my expertise.

Yes, I frequently work with existing websites and systems. The approach typically includes:

Code audit: Reviewing the current codebase to understand its structure, quality, and potential issues.
System analysis: Evaluating how your existing system works, identifying bottlenecks or areas for improvement.
Integration planning: Determining the best way to implement new features or changes within the existing framework.
Refactoring strategy: If needed, planning how to improve code quality while maintaining functionality.

I've worked with various types of existing systems:

WordPress sites needing customization or performance improvements
Legacy PHP applications requiring modernization
Existing Laravel applications needing new features
E-commerce platforms requiring custom functionality
Sites needing migration to newer technologies

I'll always provide an honest assessment of whether it's better to modify your existing system or build something new based on your specific situation.

Security is a critical aspect of every project I work on. My security approach includes:

Secure coding practices:
- Input validation and sanitization
- Protection against common vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF, SQL injection)
- Secure authentication and authorization
- Data encryption for sensitive information
Server-level security:
- Firewall configuration
- Regular security updates
- HTTPS implementation with proper SSL certificates
- Server hardening techniques
Third-party component management:
- Regular updates of libraries and dependencies
- Vulnerability scanning of third-party code
- Careful evaluation of external services
Testing and verification:
- Security-focused code reviews
- Automated security testing where applicable
- Manual penetration testing for critical systems

Security is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. For websites and applications I maintain, I include regular security audits and updates as part of the maintenance plan.

Performance is a key factor in user experience and search engine rankings. My approach to performance optimization includes:

Frontend optimization:
- Efficient asset loading and bundling
- Image optimization and modern formats (WebP, SVG)
- Lazy loading for images and components
- Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML
- Critical CSS path optimization
Backend optimization:
- Database query optimization
- Efficient caching strategies
- API response optimization
- Background processing for heavy tasks
Server and infrastructure:
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) implementation
- Server-side caching
- HTTP/2 and compression
- Performance-focused server configuration
Measurement and monitoring:
- Core Web Vitals tracking
- Regular performance audits
- Real-user monitoring when appropriate

I measure performance using industry-standard tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, and WebPageTest to ensure your site meets modern performance expectations.

I adapt my development methodology to fit the project requirements and client preferences, but generally follow an Agile-inspired approach with these principles:

Iterative development: Building the project in incremental phases with regular reviews and feedback.
Continuous delivery: Providing working versions of the project throughout the development process.
Flexibility: Adapting to changing requirements and priorities while maintaining project goals.
Transparency: Keeping you informed about progress, challenges, and decisions through regular updates.
Quality focus: Building in quality through testing, code reviews, and best practices.

For larger projects, I typically organize work into 1-2 week sprints with defined goals and deliverables for each sprint. For smaller projects, I may use a more streamlined approach while maintaining the core principles of transparency and regular feedback.

I use tools like Git for version control, project management software for task tracking, and CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment where appropriate.

Support & Maintenance

Learn about the ongoing support and maintenance options available to keep your website running smoothly after launch.

Yes, I offer several maintenance and support options to keep your website or application running smoothly after launch:

Basic Maintenance Plan:
- Regular security updates
- Weekly backups
- Uptime monitoring
- Monthly performance check
- Small content updates (up to 1 hour per month)
Standard Maintenance Plan:
- Everything in Basic
- Daily backups
- Priority support (response within 24 hours)
- Content updates (up to 3 hours per month)
- Monthly analytics reporting
- Minor feature enhancements
Premium Maintenance Plan:
- Everything in Standard
- Emergency support (response within 4 hours)
- Content updates (up to 6 hours per month)
- Monthly strategy call
- Quarterly performance optimization
- Ongoing development hours for new features
Ad Hoc Support: For clients who prefer as-needed assistance rather than a monthly plan, I offer hourly support packages that can be used when needed.

All maintenance plans are offered on a monthly basis with no long-term contract required, though discounts are available for annual commitments.

My comprehensive backup system includes:

Complete website files: All code, themes, plugins, and uploaded media.
Database backup: All content, settings, and data stored in your database.
Off-site storage: Backups are securely stored in a separate location from your hosting server.
Version retention: Multiple backup versions are kept (typically daily backups for the past week, weekly backups for the past month, and monthly backups for several months).
Automated verification: Automatic checks to ensure backups are complete and valid.

In the event of an issue, I can quickly restore your site from a backup, minimizing downtime and data loss. Depending on your maintenance plan, backups are performed daily or weekly, with additional manual backups before major updates or changes.

Response times depend on the urgency of the issue and your maintenance plan:

Critical issues (site down, security breach, major functionality broken):
- Premium plan: Response within 4 hours, work begins immediately
- Standard plan: Response within 12 hours, work begins within 24 hours
- Basic plan: Response within 24 hours, work begins within 48 hours
High-priority issues (important feature not working, significant visual issues):
- Premium plan: Response within 12 hours, work begins within 24 hours
- Standard plan: Response within 24 hours, work begins within 48 hours
- Basic plan: Response within 48 hours, addressed in order of priority
Standard requests (content updates, minor issues, questions):
- Premium plan: Response within 24 hours, work scheduled promptly
- Standard plan: Response within 48 hours, addressed in order of priority
- Basic plan: Response within 72 hours, addressed in order of priority

All response times are during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm CET). For premium clients, emergency support is available outside business hours for critical issues.

For clients without a maintenance plan, support is provided on an hourly rate basis with standard response times.

Software and security updates are critical for maintaining your website's health and security. My update process includes:

Security patching: Critical security updates are applied promptly to protect your site from vulnerabilities.
Scheduled maintenance: Regular updates for non-critical improvements are performed during scheduled maintenance windows.
Testing updates: All updates are first tested in a staging environment to ensure compatibility and prevent issues.
Backup before updates: A complete backup is always made before applying updates in case a rollback is needed.
Comprehensive approach: Updates include core software, themes, plugins, and server software as appropriate.

For WordPress sites, updates include the WordPress core, themes, and plugins. For custom applications, updates include the framework, libraries, and dependencies.

I also monitor security bulletins and vulnerability disclosures relevant to the technologies used in your project to stay ahead of potential threats.

I understand that many clients want the ability to make their own content updates. My approach to this includes:

User-friendly content management: I build sites with intuitive admin interfaces that make it easy for you to update content.
Custom documentation: I provide tailored documentation with step-by-step instructions for common tasks you'll need to perform.
Training sessions: For more complex systems, I include training sessions to show you how to use the content management system effectively.
Safety guardrails: I implement safeguards to prevent accidental breaking of the site layout or functionality.

Even if you plan to make your own content updates, I recommend a basic maintenance plan to handle technical aspects like security updates, backups, and troubleshooting. This gives you the freedom to manage content while ensuring the technical foundation remains solid.

If you ever encounter any issues while making updates, I'm available for support and guidance.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Feel free to reach out directly and I'll be happy to help.

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