Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about how Core Directive works. Policy answers reflect our Terms of Service.
- What does Core Directive actually do?
- We design, build, host, and manage professional websites for small businesses. Instead of selling you software to learn, we do the work: your website is built for you, kept online and maintained, and updated through simple change requests included with your plan.
- Do you use AI to build websites?
- Yes. We use AI-assisted tools to work faster and keep our pricing reasonable for small businesses. Every project is still directed, reviewed, and managed by a real person from start to finish. AI helps with speed and efficiency; the judgment, quality control, and ongoing management are always human. You're not getting an auto-generated site handed off to a bot. You're getting a human-managed service that uses modern tools to deliver more value.
- Do I need any technical knowledge?
- No. You tell us about your business in plain language, and we handle the design, development, hosting, and ongoing changes. When you want something updated, you submit a request in your member dashboard. We take it from there.
- How long does it take to build my website?
- Each plan includes a production estimate shown on the Plans page. Timelines depend on how quickly content, approvals, and feedback come together, so estimates are targets rather than guarantees. We keep you informed throughout the build.
- What counts as a website change?
- A change request is one task: a single, clearly scoped modification to your existing website. Examples of one request: updating your holiday hours, swapping a homepage photo, editing a paragraph of text, or adding a new gallery image. Examples that count as multiple requests: a full redesign, adding a new booking system, and creating a new service page are three separate requests because each is a distinct task. Each plan includes a set number of standard and high-priority changes per month. If you are not sure whether something is one request or several, just ask in your dashboard and we will let you know before starting.
- What is a standard change request?
- A standard change request is a routine modification to your existing website: updating content or images, adjusting a design element, editing a page, tweaking a form, or similar work. Standard requests are handled in the order received. Each plan includes a target turnaround shown on the Plans page, which is a goal rather than a guaranteed deadline. The number of standard requests included per month varies by plan.
- What is a high-priority change request?
- A high-priority request is a standard change that you need handled faster than the normal queue. Using a high-priority upgrade moves your request ahead of the standard queue and targets a shorter turnaround. The target turnaround for high-priority requests is shown on the Plans page. If the value is not shown for your plan, contact us for details. High-priority upgrades are included at a set quantity per month depending on your plan.
- What happens if I use all my included requests?
- Once you have used your monthly allowance, additional standard or high-priority requests can be added as needed. Pricing for extra requests is shown in your dashboard or available on request. Your unused allowance does not roll over to the following month.
- Can I get additional work done beyond my plan?
- Yes. Work that falls outside your monthly change allowance, such as a new custom feature, a full redesign, or a significant new section, can be quoted separately. Reach out through your dashboard or the contact page and we will give you a clear quote before any work begins.
- Can I upgrade my plan later?
- Yes. You can move to a higher plan as your business grows. Your billing switches to the new plan and you immediately get its larger monthly change allowance and faster service levels. Reach out through your dashboard or the contact page and we'll handle the switch.
- Is hosting included? What about SSL?
- Yes. Every plan includes hosting and maintenance. You don't need to buy hosting separately. Your website is served over HTTPS with an SSL certificate as standard.
- Do you work with existing websites?
- Yes. We can redesign an existing website or take over managing one that's already built. Tell us what you have and we'll recommend the best path.
- Who owns my domain and business accounts?
- You do. Your domain, payment processor, email platform, and other business accounts stay registered to your business. We help configure and connect them, but you keep control of the accounts themselves.
- Are third-party costs included?
- Generally, no. Services billed by other companies, such as domain registration, payment processing fees, premium email platforms, or paid third-party software, are your responsibility and are billed by those providers directly, unless your plan expressly states otherwise.
- Is there a satisfaction guarantee?
- Core Directive expressly offers the following limited satisfaction policy: if you are not satisfied within your first 30 days, contact us to request a 50% refund of your initial setup fee. This is an express exception to the general non-refundable policy stated in our Terms of Service and applies to the one-time setup fee only. Monthly subscription charges are not included. The Terms of Service govern in the event of any conflict. To request a refund under this policy, contact us within 30 days of your launch date.
- How do I cancel?
- Unless an Order Form establishes a minimum commitment, you can cancel a recurring monthly plan before your next billing date. Cancellation prevents future renewal charges; it does not ordinarily create a refund for a billing period that has already started. Services generally remain active through the end of the paid period. After termination, you may request available client-owned content and exportable data within 30 days, provided your account is paid in full, per our Terms of Service. Keep your cancellation confirmation for your records.
- What happens to my website if I stop working with Core Directive?
- After termination, you may request available client-owned content and exportable data within 30 days, provided your account is paid in full. Hosting and management by Core Directive ends. Core Directive is not required to provide proprietary software, source code not included in your purchase, or third-party licensed materials that cannot legally be transferred. The full details are in our Terms of Service, Section 20.
- Are setup fees refundable?
- Setup fees and completed development fees are generally non-refundable, and subscription fees already charged are not prorated for partial billing periods, except where the law requires otherwise or Core Directive expressly agrees in writing. Core Directive expressly offers a limited 30-day satisfaction policy on the initial setup fee (see 'Is there a satisfaction guarantee?' above). Third-party charges follow the third party's own refund policy.
- Can I talk to someone about what I need before choosing a plan?
- Yes. Use the "Help Me Choose" or "Not Sure What You Need?" button on the Plans page or homepage to open our AI Website Guide. It walks you through a short conversation about your business, goals, and desired features, then gives you a personalized plan recommendation and sends your requirements directly to Elijah for review. You can also reach out directly through the Contact page.
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