Hong Kong web design, development & online marketing +852 3106 5181 / 9042 4899 web@beansbox.com

Work

• How do you work?
  We work differently depending on the nature and timeline of each project, but we always explain in detail our approach and process before any project kicks off, and make sure clients' expectations are well-managed throughout the project cycle. We believe that in the world of web design and development, small teams are inherently more efficient than larger ones. Without the communication overheads of a large team, we are able to spend more of our time on delivering designs and code than on meetings and writing reports.
• Do you work for overseas clients?
  Yes, we do very often. We communicate fluently in English and enjoy working with clients around the world. We are always reachable by email, telephone and instant messaging (Skype, MSN, iChat, YIM). With tools like Basecamp, Jing, GoToMeeting and iChat screen sharing, we can be as effective and responsive as your local team.
• What is a Project Site?
  We have a Project Site because we are committed to an open, collaborative design process. Once we begin a project, you will receive a username and password. Anywhere you have internet access, you can send messages and review your project’s deadlines (milestones), to-dos, message boards, as well as contact information for everyone collaborating on the project. It's powered by Basecamp and highly secured and confidential.
• Is there anything you don't do?
  No one can be good at everything, especially not a small team like us. We are really not good at the followings, so if one of them happens to be something that you are looking for, unfortunately we cannot help but would be pleased to refer you to other firms that are experts:
  - Microsoft ASP, ASP.NET or Java development (we only do LAMP development)
  - Desktop application development
  - Print, kiosk, CD-ROM or game design
  - Hardware or network support
  - Information security
• Is there a contract?
  Yes, there is always a contract with every project we take on. We take contract drafting seriously, because it sets out each party's expectations and obligations in written form, which is vital for the success of a project. In addition to the base agreement containing the boilerplates terms, it comes with a Statement of Work (SOW) describing the followings, which is unique for every project:
  - Project background - Project scope - Project deliverables - Time and cost estimate (with a project plan that describes our process) - Price and payment terms - Definition of acceptance
  
  Usually the SOW is largely derived from our quotation or proposal. We take the time to walk through every clause with you prior to signing, and make sure that we all commit to it with full understanding.
  
  No project will be started without a signed acceptance of a contract. If the scope or nature of a project changes to such an extent that the original contract no longer applies, a new contract may be provided.
• How about non-disclosure?
  One of the terms in our base agreement specifies our obligations of confidentiality. But to be absolutely certain you might like to speak to your lawyers and draw up a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to revealing any confidential information. This is something we do all the time, and we can also provide a template if you like.
• Do I have ownership to the work you created for me?
  The final deliverables we create become, after full payment, the property of you (the client), except in the case of photography or where otherwise indicated. All preparatory materials (sketches, concepts not utilised, artwork, etc.) remain our property. We retain authorship, and shall receive credit on the final results whenever possible. For example: Site design by BeansBox.

Fees

• How do you charge?
  Our contract always specifies the payment terms and conditions. Most orders will only take effect upon receipt of a duly signed contract and a 50% non-refundable deposit, remaining 50% will be due upon project completion. We may offer different payment terms for projects requiring more than 3 months to complete, and occasionally request full payment upon order confirmation for small or rush projects. If you have any alternative payment terms in mind, just let us know early in the proposal stage and we would be happy to discuss.
• How much do you charge for XXX?
  When sufficient information is provided, we will prepare a written contract containing project plan, scope, costs, and terms and conditions. When sufficient detailed information is not provided, pricing may be based on our hourly labour rate, and we present invoices based on timesheets logged by Harvest.
• How long does XXX take to develop?
  Similar to pricing, if sufficient information is provided the contract we draft contains the time estimate in the form of a project plan. We usually break the project into a task list with multiple milestones, which give you a very clear idea of what you can expect to see by which stage.
• Can I try before I buy?
  No, sorry. Check out these links to find out why:
  
  - No-Spec! - 10 Reasons to Ponder
  - No-Spec! - Why Speculation Hurts
  - ThinkCreation - Maybe We Should Have Paid First
  - Different - Why No One Wins Creative Pitches
  - International Council of Graphic Design Professionals - Pitched Out
  - Kit.blog - The Free Pitch Practice
  
• If my website has fewer pages, would your quote be cheaper?
  This is unlikely. Firstly, our price is not based on number of pages. We think it is not fair to charge on additional page(s) when it is just a mere duplication of the same design, as 90% of our efforts go into the design work, not the content copy-and-paste work. Secondly, it seems meaningless to charge per page when you can always add pages using the web-based content management system (CMS) we provide. Therefore our price will remain the same unless there is a substantial change in the nature and scope of your project.

Others

• Are you hiring?
  Yes, we are always looking to build our team with passionate, talented individuals. Does this sound like you?
  
  - Consider yourself a geek (in design, coding or something as cool).
  - Love what you do but don't like working late or on weekends.
  - Happy working within a small team of capable and enthusiastic people.
  - Have a keen eye for detail and strong desire to produce works of a very high standard.
  
  We work in a fun, dynamic, challenging environment where creativity and collaboration is encouraged. Not to mention our homely, comfortable workspace located in the heart of Central. Contact us and let's meet up!
• What does your name mean?
  We do have a weird name and get asked a lot about the meaning of it. Why do you want to know? We are just as curious as you are.
• What tools do you use?
  In addition to the apps that come with our beloved Mac OS X, we use:
  
  Design: Adobe Creative Suite, OmniGraffle
  Coding: Apple Xcode, Firebug, CSSEdit
  Utilities: Transmit, Skitch, VMWare Fusion
  Collaboration: Basecamp, Google Docs, Jing, Delicious, MediaWiki
  Communications: Gmail, Adium, Skype, GoToMeeting
  Time tracking: Harvest
  Customer support: Zendesk
  GTD: Things, Remember The Milk
• What/who do you like?
  - Apple, Pixar and Mr. Steve Jobs
  - Linux and Mr. Linus Torvalds
  - Getting Things Done
  - Web Standards
  - Creative Commons
  - Mr. Jakob Nielsen
  - Mr. Steve Krug
  - 37signals
  - Lifehack