Pricing and Payments

• How long does the subscription last on the free website offer?

  Our subscription plan runs for a minimum of 12 months. After that, it rolls over month to month, and you can cancel anytime. Our subscription model lets us offer $0 upfront because we spread the cost over time. If you cancel, the site stays with us — but you keep your domain and all your content, so you can take it elsewhere if needed.

• What happens if I cancel after the 12-month minimum and want to come back?

  Easy! If you want to come back later, we'll just set you up with a new 12-month agreement and we'll get rolling again.

• What happens if I cancel before the 12 months are up?

  If you cancel before 12 months, you'll pay the remaining balance to reach the full site cost ($3,800). For example, if you've paid $1,020 (6 months), you'd pay the remaining $2,780. We value long term partnerships and hope to work with clients who feel the same.

• How do you handle late payments?

  Each invoice has a 7-day grace period. After that, a $25 late fee applies. If multiple payments are missed without communication, we may cancel the agreement and request full payment. We're reasonable — if you're having trouble, just reach out and we'll work something out.

• How do I pay? What payment methods do you accept?

  We send invoices through Square, with a secure payment link. Subscriptions are paid by credit or debit card. One-off (lump sum) projects are paid by bank transfer to avoid credit card processing fees. We don't accept cheques or money orders.

• Is the $100 per extra page fee ongoing?

  Nope! It's a one time cost. If you need three extra pages, that's $300 total. Not monthly. Not recurring. Just simple.

• Do you offer refunds?

  We do! If we haven't started building, we'll refund your deposit. Once development begins, refunds are handled case by case. We want you to be happy with your site, so we'll work with you to find a solution.

Plans

• Do I keep paying after the 12 months?

  Yes. After the 12-month minimum, your subscription continues monthly. This model helps spread the cost out and ensures we can keep supporting you over the long term. We aim to build lasting partnerships — most clients stay with us for years because they love the ongoing support and peace of mind.

• Can I buy out of my subscription after 12 months?

  No, we don't offer buyouts. The subscription model lets us provide $0 upfront pricing and ongoing support. It's designed for long term partnerships, which is why most clients stay with us for years — they value the ongoing support and peace of mind.

• Can I add unlimited edits and support to a lump sum package?

  Absolutely! For $50/month, we'll handle all your edits and support needs. This comes with a 12-month commitment to keep things sustainable. If you stop and later want to restart it, you'll just begin a new 12-month term.

• What's the difference between lump sum and subscription?

  Lump sum means you pay everything upfront and own the site right away. It's cheaper over the long run. Subscription spreads the cost into smaller monthly payments, and includes hosting and support. It's perfect if you're watching cash flow or want ongoing help.

• Is SEO included?

  We handle all the technical SEO basics: site speed optimisation, mobile responsiveness, proper page structure, and metadata setup. For advanced SEO like backlink building and content marketing, we work with specialist partners. If you need that level of SEO, we'll connect you with someone who specialises in it.

• Do you offer e commerce sites on subscription?

  E commerce sites (like Shopify stores) are only available as lump sum projects. They require more complex setup, ongoing maintenance, and support than standard websites. If you're interested in an online store, we can discuss pricing based on your specific needs.

• Do I own my domain?

  Yes. Always. Even if we helped you register it, it's yours. No hostage situations here.

Websites

• How long does it take to build my website?

  Most sites take 2–4 weeks. It depends on how quickly we receive content from you and how complex your needs are. Sometimes we're done in two weeks, other times it's closer to four.

• Do I keep my site if I cancel the subscription?

  No. Since the subscription spreads the cost of the site over time, you don't own it unless you've paid for it in full. But you keep your domain and any content or assets you've provided.

• Do you use WordPress or other builders?

  We build everything by hand using clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This means your site loads faster, is more secure, and won't break when plugins update. You get better performance and fewer headaches.

• Why do you hand code instead of using WordPress?

  Custom code means faster load times, fewer security risks, and no bloated plugins to break. It's easier to maintain and more secure, especially since we don't rely on databases or login systems that can be hacked.

• What if something happens to you? Who supports the site?

  We've got contingencies. We partner with trusted devs across Australia and overseas who can step in if needed. Your site and service won't miss a beat.

• How do I request edits?

  Just email us at adam@elthamdigital.com.au or call/text 0423-692-767. We log requests into our system and handle them promptly — usually same or next day.