Thanks for taking the time to view our FAQ page. There might be more info here than you need, so feel free to scan the questions and skip any that don't apply to you.


Q. Can I see some examples of your work?
Our website does not have snapshots or direct links to our clients in the interest of client privacy. We can provide client links upon request, please contact us to inquire.

Q. Can I call you and pick your brain for website ideas, or tell you all about what I have in mind for my website?
Sure! I can provide professional personalized phone consultation by appointment, for a fee. If interested, please inquire for details. Email is eternally free ;-)

Q. How long have you been around?
Since 1997, and our website UpscaleArt.com has been around since 1999. What that means for you as a client is stability, experience, and access to a professional team with a LOT of knowledge about the industry.

Q. I already have a website, but I'm not happy with the results. Can you spruce it up a little?
Generally we prefer not to try and 'fix' an existing web design. You won't get the same results as you would if we started fresh, plus there can also be copyright issues. But it depends on the situation, contact us to inquire.

Q. Can I make changes to my website myself?
Yes, we build most of our sites so that you can make minor content updates yourself, including our mobile sites and Flash designs!

Our website editing system is our own in-house system that we developed ourselves from the ground up, for better security
and flexibility. It's designed to work seamlessly with all our sites, and it's very easy to use even if you're not technically inclined.

Q. What's the difference between your semi-custom designs and fully-custom designs?
My semi-custom designs are sort of like designer dresses that you can buy off the rack, ready to wear, or for a few dollars more they can be tailored to fit. Whereas my fully-custom designs are like having a dress created completely from a blank slate, combining your tastes and preferences with my creative ideas. We're able to spend more time on details and special touches, and the end result is one-of-a-kind.

Q. Does 'fully-custom' mean I can have anything and everything I want? And that you'll keep working indefinitely until I'm
happy?
No, it doesn't ;-) It means that I start from a clean slate, I try to create something creative and unique for you, with your input, and we assume a certain amount of time for going back and forth with previews, tweaking, and extra details.



Q. How long do your web designs take?
Roughly three days for semi-custom sites, fully-custom designs take about two weeks, up to a month or more for higher-end designs.

Q. What is flash, and do I need it?
Flash is an advanced type of programming that incorporates detailed animations, visual effects, and sound. People often
describe our flash designs as being very smooth and having an almost dreamy quality. Flash programming is extremely tedious,
and difficult to learn, which is probably why so few designers offer it, and some put it down (sour grapes!). It's true that flash
is not ideal for search engines or viewing on mobiles, but you can easily get around those issues by providing users with an
alternate non-flash option or a mobile version. This is part of the reason why flash designs cost more than regular websites,
and they also cost more for design changes. But the fact that they're not cheap is also why they set you apart, because so
few ladies have them.

Do you 'need' flash? Probably not. But if you're looking for a way to stand out from everyone else, especially if you're in a very competitive market, a well-done flash design can put you on another level. Our flash designs are crafted to be sleek, efficient, and eye-catching without being too slow, cumbersome or 'busy'.

Q. What makes Upscale Art different from other web design firms?
First and foremost, we are a true custom design firm. Just about everything we produce is created and programmed in house, from the ground up. We don't outsource work overseas or build on top of free third-party platforms, because they don't suit the level of quality that our clients are usually looking for.

First, most free third-party platforms are open-source and easy for anyone to obtain, making them much easier to hack. Second, open-source platforms are maintained by 'the community', so if there's ever a glitch or problem, you can report it but there's no guarantee that it will be addressed. And lastly, if you ever want something new or unique, we can usually make it happen, because we're not restricted by someone else's program limitations.

Q. What do you need from me to get started?
Not much. You don't need to have everything mapped out in advance, plus I can probably help you with that part so
that you don't waste time worrying about things you don't really need. I'll take you through the development process
step by step so that all bases are covered and nothing gets missed. To get the ball rolling just drop me a line through our
contact page and I'll take it from there.