Service Level Agreement
Introduction
This Service Level Agreement defines the services of this agency for the client, between the dates of January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2035. We strive for 100% transparency when communicating with our clients as we believe this is a vital step for mutual success. We have developed this agreement to outline everything you have the right to expect from our agency and staff during the course of the project. This SLA agreement in conjunction with our proposal agreements should provide clarity on all of our policies and procedures.
Costs
The following outlines cost and billing procedures for Sage Digital Agency.
Estimations
We provide clients with initial estimates for project costs. The end total may vary from the initial estimate due to scope change, unforeseen circumstances, changes of schedule, etc. Any additional costs will be billed as a normal invoice and will follow the payment terms listed below.
Payments
Standard payment terms are due in full upon receipt and date of an invoice. Clients will pay either a deposit or a full amount as outlined in our proposal and will receive a payable invoice for credit card or ACH payment. With deposits, the balance is due according to the invoice received, and will be automatically charged on the date of invoice. Credit card details will be kept on file and transactions will be made against the credit or debit card on file according to agreed contract terms. Invoices will be issued by Sage Digital Agency to the client’s billing email upon successful transaction completion. If a client is fifteen (15) days past the invoice issue date, the project will be suspended until all past payments are made and service bandwidth becomes available again. Sage Digital Agency will add a late fees for any late or unpaid invoices. Late payments are considered a breach of contract and are subject to termination. In the event of termination, the client remains responsible for all past and future invoicing stipulated by the agreement. Payments will be billed to a payment method on file when possible. If there is not a chargeable payment source on file, the late fee will be added to the outstanding balance.
Projects that recur on monthly, annual, or any other interval will automatically renew for the period of the preceding term unless one of the parties involved provides a written notice at least 30 calendar days in advance of the renewal date of its desire to terminate the agreement. At that point, services will be suspended, and the agreement will be terminated.
Note: If a client requests cancellation on the basis of a service satisfaction guarantee made in writing by an agent of Sage Digital Agency, the client must prove that Sage Digital Agency has materially underdelivered, causing the campaign not to perform.
By providing your credit card or bank transfer info to Sage Digital Agency, you are providing consent and authorization for Sage Digital Agency to draft payments from the account(s) provided to cover the agreed-upon fees for your project.
Web Design Policies
These policies and terms apply to Web Design engagements with Sage Digital Agency:
Web Design services are intended to provide Client with updates to an existing website they own, or a new website developed by Sage Digital Agency, as outlined in our proposal.
For the purposes of providing these services, Client agrees:
(a) To work with Sage Digital Agency in good faith on all list of needs and requirements, allowing the project to be completed within the scope outlined in the proposal. We agree to use our best efforts to fulfill and exceed your expectations on the deliverables listed above. You agree to aid us in doing so by making available to us needed information pertaining to your website and to cooperate with us in expediting the work. Sage Digital Agency and Client must work together to complete the Web Design Project in a timely manner.
(b) To authorize Sage Digital Agency to work on Client’s behalf to develop a new website for them based on the terms and scope described within the proposal.
(c) Sage Digital Agency will not be held responsible for errors created by any third parties. We can’t guarantee that our work will be error-free (we’re human!) so we can’t be liable to you or any third-party for damages, including lost profits, lost savings or other incidental, consequential or special damages, even if you’ve advised us of them.
(d) After we transfer your new website to your live domain, we are available to you for a period of 14 days to remedy any malfunctions and hiccups. After this period, we ask that you choose from one of our monthly service plans to ensure no downtime in service occurs. If you choose to host your website with another company, we will not offer support for that external hosting plan, email or other services relating to hosting.
Search Engine Optimization Policies
These policies and terms apply to search engine optimization (SEO) engagements with Sage Digital Agency:
SEO Services are intended to provide Client with preferential positioning in selected search engines and report results on an ongoing and timely basis.
For the purposes of providing these services, Client agrees:
(a) To provide Sage Digital Agency with access to its website for uploading new pages, and making changes for the purpose of SEO Services optimization.
(b) To authorize Sage Digital Agency’ use of all Clients’ logos, trademarks, Website images, etc., for use in creating informational pages and any other uses as deemed necessary by Sage Digital Agency for search engine positioning and optimization.
Client understands, acknowledges and agrees that:
(a) Sage Digital Agency has no control over the policies of search engines or directories with respect to the type of sites and/or content that they accept now or in the future. Client’s website(s) may be excluded from any search engine or directory at any time at the sole discretion of the search engine or directory entity. If this occurs, Sage Digital Agency will attempt to remove any penalties causing the exclusion and resubmit the pages for manual review via Google Search Console.
(b) Some search engines and directories may take months after optimization of the Customer’s website(s).
(c) Occasionally, search engines and directories will drop listings for no apparent or predictable reason. Often listing will “reappear” without any additional actions. Should the listing not reappear, Sage Digital Agency will resubmit the website(s) based on the current policies via Google Search Console.
Sage Digital Agency is not responsible for changes made to Client’s website(s) by other parties that adversely affect the search engine or directory rankings of Client’s website(s).
Additional services not listed herein or in the proposal will be provided for at Sage Digital Agency’ standard fees, which will be provided to Client upon request. Sage Digital Agency is not responsible for Client’s overwriting SEO Services work to Client’s website(s).
Account Management for Monthly Projects
The diagram below illustrates our management structure and the relationship between you, your Account Manager and the rest of the Sage Digital Agency team. When engaging with Sage Digital Agency on a retainer-based project, the following communication options are available upon request:
- Direct point of Contact at Sage Digital Agency
- Weekly 15-minute update calls with your dedicated account manager
- 60-minute review call on last weekly call of the month
- Live reporting dashboard
- Meeting agendas provided prior to meetings
- Meeting notes provided following meetings
You will also have access to the following upon request:
- PDF snapshot campaign reports
- Weekly 15-minute update calls with your dedicated account manager
- 60-minute review call on the last call of the month
- Live reporting dashboard
Communication
All important communications, including confidential information and signed documentation, are to be sent through the project management platform. This is done to ensure client confidentiality and serve as a record of communication.
Our office working hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm and details of your Account Manager and upper management contacts will be provided in your initial meeting.
We cannot guarantee response time when clients submit requests via email, voicemail, or text message.
Clients will provide feedback to Sage Digital Agency within 3 business days. If a client needs longer turnaround on a specific round of feedback, they should request this within 1 business day, so that Sage Digital Agency can adjust the project schedule.
Video conferences and any other type of digital meeting will need to be rescheduled if the client is not present within 5 minutes of the start time. Your project manager will suggest available openings if this occurs, upon request.
Any further inquiries, queries or complaints can be escalated by emailing us directly.
Timeline
Each project has an estimated timeline. We do our best to adhere to it but it is subject to change due to response times, edits, and change orders. If you have a tight deadline, arrangements can be made by contacting your account manager but may require a change order. Task allocation times are separate from milestones, deadlines, and turnaround times.
Pausing Campaigns
If a client is unresponsive for a two-week (14 days) period of time, we reserve the right to pause the campaign. All work will be suspended and the card on file will continue to be billed as described in the scope of work for the remainder of the contract period. If a campaign is paused and the client decides to come back on, the project will only resume work when service bandwidth opens back up.
Change Orders
Upon accepting the Project Scope, should the client desire to add additional services or make changes to the existing project scope, the client must submit a signed change order request to the account manager for review. Not all change orders will be accepted or approved. Work will not commence until change orders have been authorized and project scope has been formally revised. No refunds will be issued for work done according to change orders.
Edits
Edits will be applied if they are in line with the project scope, additional design or development will require a change order and will be charged accordingly.
Refunds
Sage Digital Agency does not offer refunds for design projects. We do not offer refunds or project cancellations. If a project is canceled or abandoned, the client remains responsible for any outstanding payments which are due to Sage Digital Agency.
Approval
All work is subject to the Service Level Agreement. Work cannot begin until the SLA and proposal are approved and signed. Amendments may occur as necessary upon mutual agreement from both primary stakeholders.