Questions.Answered.
How we work, what to expect and how pricing works. If your question isn’t here, ask us directly.
Working
with Lumen.
Who is Lumen?
An independent digital and creative studio in Adelaide, founded by Troy Watson. We make custom websites, custom workflows, iOS apps, branding, photography and video for small and medium businesses.
Where are you based, and who do you work with?
We’re in Adelaide and mostly work with owner-run businesses across South Australia: trades, clinics, professional services, hospitality, retail and more. Much of the work can be done remotely, so we can help businesses elsewhere in Australia too.
How do we get started?
Send us a message or book a call. We’ll talk about where your business is heading and what’s getting in the way, then send a clear, fixed quote. Nothing starts until you’re happy with it.
Get in touch
Do you offer a free website review?
Yes. Send us your site and Troy will record a short video on what’s working, what’s likely costing you enquiries and what he’d fix first. Free, with no obligation.
Request a free teardown
Custom
websites.
Do you use templates?
No. Every website is designed and built for the business it’s for, so it looks like you and does the job you need it to do.
What if I don’t like the design?
We share the design direction early and work through it with you before anything is built, so there are no big surprises at the end. Your quote sets out how many rounds of changes are included.
Do you write the content?
We can. Some clients send their own words and we shape them for the web; others would rather we write it. Either way, it’s set out in your quote.
Can I update the site myself?
We’ll agree how updates will work before the build starts: whether you’d like to make small changes yourself, or send them to us.
Will my website show up on Google?
Every site is built with the basics search engines look for: clear page titles and descriptions, fast pages and a sensible structure. Nobody can honestly guarantee rankings, and it’s worth being wary of anyone who does.
Can you help with local SEO?
Yes. That can include your Google Business Profile, local listings and pages for the areas you serve. For example, M&K Painting Services, an Adelaide painter, went from page 3 to page 1 of Google for their target search term within eight weeks of us rebuilding their site and local SEO. Every market is different, so we can’t promise the same result for every business.
Custom
workflows.
What is a custom workflow?
A set of steps that runs by itself when something happens in your business: a text to a caller you missed, a reminder the day before a booking, a follow-up a few days after a quote.
More about custom workflows
Do I need to be technical?
No. We set it up, test it with you and show you how it works. If you can read a text message or an email, you can use what we build.
Will it work with the software I already use?
Usually, yes. We build around the tools you already have, such as your calendar, inbox, website forms and booking or job software, and confirm exactly what’s possible on the first call, before anything is set up.
Can I approve the messages first?
Always. Every message is written in your voice and approved by you before it goes live, and you can change or pause anything later.
Is it legal to send automated texts?
Yes, when it’s done properly. Messages identify your business, go to people who contacted you or are your customers, and anything promotional includes an easy opt-out, in line with Australia’s Spam Act. We set that up for you.
Pricing and
process.
How much does a project cost?
It depends on what you need. Every project starts with a conversation, and you’ll get a clear, fixed quote before any work begins.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. The price we quote is the price you pay. Ongoing costs, such as your domain name and hosting, are listed separately so you know exactly what they are, and we’ll agree any extra work with you before doing it.
Do you need a deposit?
Usually, yes. Your quote sets out what’s due and when, so you know before anything starts.
How long does a project take?
It depends on the scope and how quickly content and feedback come together. You’ll get a timeline with your quote, and we’ll keep you posted along the way.
What happens after launch?
We don’t disappear. We can look after hosting, updates and small changes on an optional monthly care plan, or help as you need it.
Who owns the website?
Once the project is paid for, the website is yours. Your agreement sets out the details before any work starts.