Frequently Asked Questions
Below you'll find answers to commonly asked questions about our PSD to HTML conversion service. If your question is not answered below, please contact us for a quick answer.
General
- What exactly do you do?
- How do you make my life easier?
- For whom are our services primarily intended?
- Can I see your work?
- How will we collaborate?
- I want to integrate my design into a third party software. Is this possible?
- Where are you guys located and what hours are you available?
- W3C valid and semantic markup - what does it mean?
- Do you outsource the projects?
- What exactly do you do?
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We hand code your design into valid, structured and semantically correct XHTML/CSS. We optimize HTML, CSS code and images for smooth loadtimes. Our developers can integrate HTML/CSS markup with wide range of AJAX/Javascript frameworks, content management systems (CMS), shopping carts and blog engines.
- How do you make my life easier?
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By converting your Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Fireworks design into XHTML / CSS code and optionally integrate with numerous CMS, shopping carts and blogs! We handle it all: W3C valid XHTML and CSS code, JavaScript, AJAX, SEO semantic coding, drop-downs and flyouts, mouseovers, file optimization saving you time and headaches at a fair price.
- For whom are our services primarily intended?
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There are several main groups of customers for design to markup conversion services:
- Businesses who know their website is source of increasing sales and understand the importance of quality code.
- Design and graphic agencies
- Independent graphic & web designers
- Highly trafficed sites who expects the very best in optimized and maintainable markup
- Startups forming a web-based business that want to make sure in best first impression on their launch
- Bloggers
- People who don't have a website and are looking for a agency who can help them with all technical details and get a great website
- Can I see your work?
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Certainly! You may view our PSD to XHTML work samples here. If you're seeking anything in specific, please contact us.
- How will we collaborate?
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We offer communications via a number of media. These includes ticket-based support system in personal client area, instant messangers, email and live chat. Whatever you prefer is good for us! Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or clarifications. If you do not want to change your established work processes and want us to work with your current project management system - no problem, we're flexible enough to fit your requirements. However in that case we do not offer duplication of messaging/files in our client area.
On the other hand, if we have any questions that require clarification, we'll ask you a question. All requests and chat sessions are securely stored in your client area, so you can easily access them anytime.
- I want to integrate my design into a third party software. Is this possible?
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We offer software integration with a number 3rd party software applications including CMS, shopping carts and blogging engines. Currently list of supported products includes Joomla!, WordPress, Drupal, Blogger, MovableType, ExpressionEngine, Bitrix, MODX, CMSMadeSimple, Shopify, Magento, X-Cart, CubeCart, ZenCart, PinnacleCart, osCommerce, xt:Commerce and others. Click here to find details and deliverables for each of software we work with.
If you need to integrate your HTML code with any product not listed above - please contact us for custom quote.
- Where are you guys located and what hours are you available?
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We're physically located in Ukraine. We also have virtual office presence in San Francisco (USA). We're available 12 hours a day, Monday to Friday - our technical and support teams works from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm GMT/UTC. Although, you can place order anytime - usually we'll handle it and start working in less than 8 hours. Please pre-warn us about urgent jobs (especially running for weekend) to allow us to adjust our schedule.
- W3C valid and semantic markup - what does it mean?
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W3C is World Wide Web Consortium which approves the main Web standards including HTML, XML, etc. If your site is W3C valid, it means that the site meets W3C requirements as to XHTML/CSS coding. To put it simply, it is like a Quality Certificate for your website XHTML/CSS code.
HTML/XHTML and CSS allow getting the same appearance of your webpage in different ways. Semantic coding implies that you mark up your website taking into account content meaning and XHTML tag semantics: e.g., headlines - with the help of <h1> tag ("h" in <h1> stands for "headline, heading") and so forth. As a result, your site is more accessible and search engine friendly; Google understands it better and ranks your website higher.
- Do you outsource the projects?
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No, all projects are done by our own staff.
Ordering
- What information should I provide with my order?
- How should I provide the source files?
- Can I send work a page at a time?
- What design file formats do we accept?
- How to count number of pages in case of CMS integration?
- How do I upload dropdown and flyout menus, rollovers and other effects?
- How to re-markup old HTML into valid HTML5/CSS?
- What information should I provide with my order?
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The more information you provide the better. Some things you might send with your order include the following:
- Source file of the design you want converted.
- Flattened image of how you want the page to look. This is important to make sure there are not some additional or hidden layers in the source files which might be turned off.
- Description of any requirements. You can include any specific requirements in your order form, however you might also include file with detailed description of all requirements.
- Fonts if you're using custom fonts and you haven't traced the outlines of the fonts we'll need the actual font files to to display the image correctly. This is essential if you would like us to use the sIRF technique. We accept fonts in TTF, OTF and Type1 formats.
- How should I provide the source files?
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If possible we prefer to receive layered Photoshop PSD files. This mean that the elements are maintained on layers rather than flattened together. Please clean up the layers in the file so it's clear to us how the design should look. We can work with a wide variety of file types including:
- Photoshop (PSD)
- Illustrator (AI)
- CorelDRAW (CDR)
- Fireworks (PNG)
- Existing HTML which needs re-markup
- Flattened raster images such as JPEG, TIFF and PNG files
- PDF files
- Powerpoint (PPT)
If you have design in another format, please email us. We handle most formats so it shouldn't be a problem.
- Can I send work a page at a time?
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If that works best for you. Only thing is you lose out on the quantity discount mentioned above. We're here to work with you so we'll adapt to your preferences and needs. But do keep in mind that the more you give us up front the faster we can give you feedback and turn everything around for you.
- What design file formats do we accept?
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We accept almost all graphic design file formats you can think of - just to name a few - PSD, AI, PNG, JPEG, CDR, etc. Please archive multiple files (using ZIP or RAR) first before uploading them. Please also include all the fonts you used, if any. It is better to include brief description of specific requirements.
- How to count number of pages in case of CMS integration?
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Generally you can just count number of different design layouts you want to be sliced. But in some cases this can be even reduced. For example sometimes designers shows how page navigation works in case of long listings as separate PSD file or just duplicating view of standard component (e.g. basket or checkout page). These is not counted as additional pages.
If you unsure about number of pages just send us all your layouts in JPEG before ordering and we can tell you exact number and maybe adjust according to selected CMS/shopping cart requirements.
- How do I upload dropdown and flyout menus, rollovers and other effects?
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Maintain a separate layer of dynamic elements within the source file you upload. It'll also help to have a flattened image and any special notes regarding your specific requirements for that page. Typically there is no extra charge for these elements.
- How to re-markup old HTML into valid HTML5/CSS?
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No problem. When you submitting an order, please send us your old files or a link to them. It is better to attach original design or flattened images to ensure that we correctly did re-markup.
Code & Technologies
- Is your code cross-browser compatible?
- What quality level can I expect?
- Can you implement JavaScript with my design?
- What tool do you use for converting the designs to HTML5/XHTML?
- Can you convert my design into email template?
- Will markup meet certain accessibility guidelines?
- How does your code look on mobile phones?
- Do you use microformats?
- What about print pages?
- How about standard navigation elements (drop-down and expanding menus). Are they included?
- Can you embed Flash files?
- Do you work with RTL-oriented languages (Arabic, Hebrew) ?
- Do you support sIFR?
- Do you comment your code?
- What exactly does the software integration service include?
- We're using ASP.NET. Will markup you are providing be compatible with that platform?
- What about support for old browsers?
- Is your code cross-browser compatible?
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Yes. We test our markup in the following browsers:
- Internet Explorer 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10 Platform Preview
- Firefox 3.6 and later
- Chrome (up to latest stable release)
- Safari 3.x and later (PC/Mac)
- Opera 10.x and 11.x (PC/Mac/Linux)
W3C standards supported: HTML 5, XHTML 1.1, XHTML 1.0 Strict, XHTML 1.0 Transitional, HTML 4.01, CSS 2.1. Usually we do not test for compatibility with Windows 98 or MacOS 9, while we ensure adequate degradation through semantic markup. If your project requires support for older operating systems or wider range of browsers please email us or include those requirements when submitting your order.
- What quality level can I expect?
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You can expect top quality XHTML and CSS code from us. We're so confident about our code, that we back it up with money back warranty! Do not pay us if you're unhappy!
- Can you implement JavaScript with my design?
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Yes. We're experienced in JavaScript and can provide you a quote if you email us the details. We are familiar with the major JavaScript frameworks including JQuery, Mootools, Yahoo UI library (YUI), Prototype, script.aculo.us, Dojo, Mochikit, etc.
- What tool do you use for converting the designs to HTML5/XHTML?
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All our HTML5/XHTML markup is 100% hand coded for best code quality, simple and logical code structure and lesser load time.
- Can you convert my design into email template?
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Yes. Unfortunately even the latest version of Outlook has limited HTML/CSS support for emails. However we can advise on this. We test emails in various clients, including:
- Microsoft Outlook XP (2002), 2003, 2007
- Apple Mail
- Google Mail (web-mail)
- Yahoo Mail (web-mail)
- Hotmail (web-mail)
- AOL Email (web-mail)
If you need special requirements for email template compatibility testing, please email us.
- Will markup meet certain accessibility guidelines?
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Yes. Our HTML and CSS markup conforms to key requirements of ADA / Section 508 / DDA / WCAG 1.0 and 2.0. If you have specific accessibility requirements please contact us, we can provide code which conforms to most strictest guidelines - WCAG 2.0 AAA.
- How does your code look on mobile phones?
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You can deliver our code to modern cellular phones and smartphones, iPhone, iPad, Android-based devices, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii, Blackberries and PDAs. It doesn't matter.
- Do you use microformats?
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Yes. We integrate them whenever possible. We take great care in thinking about the best way to present your data and adopt the microformats design principals for formats such as geo, rel-tag, hCard, etc.
- What about print pages?
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Absolutely! Please select the print stylesheet option when you place your order and include a design layout file for the print pages. A stylesheet for printable version counts as an extra page.
- How about standard navigation elements (drop-down and expanding menus). Are they included?
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Yes. These are included as part of the price.
- Can you embed Flash files?
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Sure can. To ensure that resulting XHTML code will 100% W3C compliant, we use JavaScript to embed SWF files. Also we can provide alternate representation for users without Flash (most likely search engines).
- Do you work with RTL-oriented languages (Arabic, Hebrew) ?
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Yes. We're ready to work with design layouts stated in languages with RTL writing style (Arabic and Hebrew, as examples of such). However please note that not all CMSs and shopping carts offers complete and correct support for RTL-oriented documents.
- Do you support sIFR?
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Yes. And even more - we work with Cufon, FLIR and @font-face too. Just send us the source fonts along with you order. And please note - this is free service!
- Do you comment your code?
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All websites come with the coded commented and indented in order for it to be easily readable. We do not charge extra for commented code! Adding content to your site couldn't have been easier!
- What exactly does the software integration service include?
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We will theme the CMS to look exactly like your design within the boundaries of the base CMS installation and configuration. We can theme additional components, modules, plugins or contribs for an extra charge; if you need extra theming, please contact us to get a quote. We do not modify the programming or configuration of the CMS or additional modules.
When the project is done, you will have theme files and a database ready (if applicable) for installation into your CMS. If you would like us to install the CMS with your template (theme), we can do that for a small fee - just let us know and CMS of your choice will be installed and ready for its content! Please provide design files for all included pages as outlined below. An extra charge will apply if each page does not contain 50% or more of the original structure of the home page.
If you choose integration with commercial product (such as Bitrix, X-Cart, xt:Commerce, Interspire, Expression Engine, etc) - we will integrate template using trial or community (free) version. If no trial or community (free) version available for product of your choice - we'll give you zipped template and required files (if any) as well as brief template installation instructions. We also offer CMS installation service for a small fee. Just check corresponding option when placing your order.
Read more about deliverables for PSD to CMS templates integration service for the following products:
Joomla!, WordPress, Drupal, Blogger, MovableType, ExpressionEngine, Bitrix, MODX, CMSMadeSimple, Magento, Shopify, X-Cart, CubeCart, ZenCart, PinnacleCart, osCommerce, xt:Commerce and integration with other CMSs. - We're using ASP.NET. Will markup you are providing be compatible with that platform?
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Yes. Please set corresponding option when submitting your order so that we avoid using id selectors due to ASP.NET's dynamic assignment of ids for custom controls.
- What about support for old browsers?
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We offer a more detailed service for projects which require more in-depth compatibility. For this we make sure your design works (and looks, if possible) on following old browsers:
- IE 5.0 (Windows/Mac)
- IE 5.5
- IE 6.0
- Firefox 1.0, 2.0
- Safari 1.2
- Netscape 8
- Opera 7.x, 8.x, 9.x
Please email us with additional browser compatibility requirements for your project. Also note that you have option to include extended compatibility when submitting your order.
Payments & Pricing
- How is your work priced?
- What are the payment options?
- Do you offer discounts?
- When do I pay?
- Do you have a money-back guarantee or refund policy?
- Do you offer monthly billing?
- What currency do you work with?
- How is your work priced?
-
To keep things simple, we charge by the page. A new page is any page that uses a different layout or contains different content. Just count them up when you place your order. Multiple page orders are automatically discounted. Software implementation costs are calculated relative to the desired turnaround time.
If we come across an unusually complex layout, implementation and/or custom scripting requirements or other anomaly, we contact you immediately if additional work will be required at our end to deliver the results.
- What are the payment options?
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At this point we accept payments via credit cards and PayPal (by using Avangate's transaction processing). For established customers we also offer direct wire transfer. If you prefer to pay using money transfers - we can accept Western Union or MoneyGram, but client have to pay any transaction fees from the use of any of these services. If you want to use another payment options please contact us.
- Do you offer discounts?
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We offer 50% discount for secondary pages. Please also note that you can get additional discount if you have less urgent job and specify longer desired project turnaround time. We also happy to offer personalized discounts if you have ongoing work. The larger the volume, the larger the discount.
- When do I pay?
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We'd prefer an upfront payment if we haven't established an account and a nice business relationship, but it's up to you. For established customers we are happy to offer NET 30 or NET 45.
- Do you have a money-back guarantee or refund policy?
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Certainly! We guarantee to issue you a complete refund should you request for a cancellation of your order before the slicing and conversion has begun or if you are not satisfied with the result.
- Do you offer monthly billing?
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Once we've established a relationship with you, we're happy to offer monthly billing.
- What currency do you work with?
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All prices listed on this website are given in the U.S. dollars.
Schedule, Deliverables & Privacy
- What is the usual turnaround time?
- How do you deliver your work?
- When you say days do you mean business days?
- I must have the markup ready by a certain time! Can you guarantee it?
- Do you provide any revisions?
- What happens if I encounter technical problems after accepting your work?
- Will you sign an NDA?
- I don't want anyone knowing I use your service!
- Will your name appear on my site?
- Do you keep a copy of my sliced website?
- What is the usual turnaround time?
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Delivery time depends upon your order (complexity, number of pages). Standard turnaround time - 24 working hours (3 business days). But we able to deliver your order in even 8 working hours (1 business days) or less. You can specify desired project turnaround time when placing the order.
- How do you deliver your work?
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We will send you notification on project completion. After that login into client area and download all resulting files. All files (including results and sources) will be securely stored in your personal client area at our server for 1 year (free service).
- When you say days do you mean business days?
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Generally yes. Our normal business days are Monday till Friday. However you can place an order at anytime. But if this possible please pre-warn us of larger projects, especially ones which run over weekends. We like to know ahead of time who'll be working on the weekend and adjust our schedule.
- I must have the markup ready by a certain time! Can you guarantee it?
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We deliver markup on time. With our team, more than one person can work on the project simultaneously and this enables us to deliver short turnarounds on projects. However there are physical limitations and if can't complete the order for 20 pages in 1 day.
Standart project turnaround time - 3 business days. When you placing order, you able to specify desired turnaround time. If specified timeframe cannot be met, we will contact you and let you know realistic schedule for your project. Please also note that less urgent orders will cost less, our billing system automatically applies additional discounts for such orders (and adds extra cost for urgent orders).
Please note that our working days are Monday till Friday, 6am till 6pm GMT. We can arrange work on urgent orders over the weekend, but by default term "day" means business day.
- Do you provide any revisions?
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Typically they're not necessary. But if we've missed something or you noticed there is something we did wrong, we'll fix it asap. This is free service during our 30-days technical support. If the revisions are a change to the original design or content you sent in, this is out of scope and we'll quote you a price for that change.
- What happens if I encounter technical problems after accepting your work?
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Do not worry, we give you 30 days of technical support and you can contact our customer service team for help.
- Will you sign an NDA?
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Do not worry! We have no problem signing an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) on any project. We value our relationship with our clients and would never ever disclose about our relationship or would get in touch with you clients directly.
- I don't want anyone knowing I use your service!
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We won't put your design on our samples page without your permission. We always love when you do give us permission. We really love to get testimonials and will proudly put them on the site. If you have strict requirements that the XHTMLFactory cannot use the markup in their personal portfolio please include this when submitting order or later by contacting us.
- Will your name appear on my site?
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No, it will not.
- Do you keep a copy of my sliced website?
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In case anything goes wrong we always have a copy of your website and source files. All your files are stored at our secure storage for 1 year free of charge. You can access them anytime using your personal client area. If you have specific requirements for storing of your artwork and results - please contact us or include in notes section when ordering. We'll never share or re-sell your professional artwork or resulting files. Strict privacy guaranteed!
Want to place your PSD to HTML order now?
or, Have a specific query not answered above? Do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
