Policies and Procedures | LimeRed Studio

What makes the best design?
Research and planning.

We use more than 10 years of design, planning, testing and development knowledge to develop websites, print materials and identity work that performs well and stands out. We prioritize usability over trend and function over flash. Most of all, we focus on meeting our client’s communications goals by listening, thinking, and researching.

Spec Work
We do not design on spec. Any design proposed without full client engagement and a comprehensive research phase would be sub-par.

Content Management and Training
Every site we build has a content management system and our clients have full access. We write user guides describing how the system works and how to do general maintenance tasks and make edits. We teach our clients how to use their websites during a training session, preferably in person. All in-person training sessions are held in our offices.

Restart Fee
Our ability to complete a project on time depends on everyone’s ability to stick to a timeline. If a project pauses for more than 10 business days, we charge a Restart Fee to pick up where we left off. We create a reasonable timeline together, and we all agree to follow it. If client deadlines are more than 10 business days late, the Restart Fee will be sent, and work will commence once that fee is deposited. We take our own project deadlines seriously, and our clients need to have the same level of committment to their project for it to run smoothly and be successful.

Billing
All invoices are due Net 15 from the date of invoice.

A typical project's billing cycle looks like this:

Due On Contract Approval: 50% of total project fee plus any Optional Services.
30 days after approval: 20% of estimated project cost
30 days after second invoice: 20% of estimated project cost
On launch: Project balance

Billing can be different if the scope is small.

Timelines
While it can take a minimum of 12-24 weeks to build a complex website, the timeline for building a website or doing any project is primarily based on the need to make decisions about branding and content organization, and to develop content that currently needs re-development or that does not yet exist. We are usually accurate on our timeline estimates, assuming timely comments and content delivery.

Travel
Most of our clients are in the Chicago and New York City areas. We’ll travel just about anywhere accessible by car from Chicago, and if we need to fly somewhere we can do that too. Clients pay our travel expenses.

Ongoing Relationships
Your website is a marketing and business tool that should be constantly improved and updated. It's definitely not a "build it and leave it" kind of thing. We are always here for basic questions free of charge, we equip you with the tools to use and maintain your own site, and we are available for ongoing maintenance and retainer arrangements. We want to see you succeed.

Maintenance
We have a Quarterly Update & Analysis service available for all of our sites. It's a combination of regular maintenance with traffic and statistic analysis. Call 312-238-9070 for details.

Client Expectations

One contact person who can make and execute decisions
Availability for meetings and goal discussions
Honesty, trust, communication and transparency
Timely feedback and content delivery

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Awards

Two Silver Trumpet Awards, Publicity Club Chicago
Two Lisagor Awards, Chicago Headline Club

We Work With

Socially-minded businesses
Green and LEED-Certified groups
Human Services and Health Organizations
Nonprofits
Associations
Universities
Charter and Public Schools
Environmental Organizations
Philanthropic Groups
Advocacy Groups
Animal Rights Groups
Housing Advocacy Groups