What Can I Expect From My Free Programming?

Below is an outline on what you can expect when we receive your submission:

• Your storefront will be assigned to a programmer within a few business days (this may take as long as five to six days or more, depending on current volume).
• You may hear from your programmer within 5–10 business days to schedule and complete a consultation regarding the setup of your site. The timing may be longer, depending on current volume.
• During your consultation, your programmer will indicate an anticipated preview date and will also notify you of complications, issues, or extra fees (if any) that you may encounter. Please refer to tab 6 of the Workshop Workbook for information on what services are provided by the Stores Online Programming Department. The amount of time required to build your store will vary depending on current volume and the size and complexity of your site. Your programmer will be able to give you information in this regard.
• When your store is ready for you to preview, your programmer will send you the “Preview Email” indicating where you can view it. He or she will request that, if you need any revisions or corrections, you send them within five business days. If you wish to request revisions or corrections, your programmer will ask you to print out a copy of the storefront, note any revisions or corrections on the hard copy, and then fax or mail the printed copy to Stores Online. If you need more time to review your site, please let your programmer know ASAP. If you are unable to print or fax your revisions and corrections, consult with your programmer about alternative ways to send the information.
• Your programmer will complete the revisions and corrections to the best of his or her ability and will consult with you about any requests that are not possible to complete or that may be problematic.
• When your revisions have been completed, your storefront will be “published,” and you will be given access to the Account. You can then begin promoting your storefront.
• At this point, you will be asked to complete the Programmer Survey / Storefront Approval and Activation Process.

Typically the time required to complete a storefront setup is between 15 and 20 business days (from the day that all materials are received). If any materials are missing or not readily available to your programmer, the build time may be extended. Completion dates and times vary depending on the complexity of your site and the number of new storefronts that are currently in the Programming Department.

How Long Will It Take to Program My Storefront?

From the date we receive all of your completed storefront materials, plan on an average of 15 to 20 business days (Monday through Friday) for StoresOnline to complete the initial programming (dependant upon the size and complexity of your site and the number of storefronts being programmed by StoresOnline programmers). Obviously, each storefront is different, and smaller sites take less time to program than larger, more complex sites. After the initial programming is completed, you will be asked to review the storefront and communicate any desired corrections. Once these corrections are completed, your site will be published on the Internet. You can help expedite your storefront’s programming by:

• Submitting thorough and complete storefront materials, including all required text, graphics, forms, and setup fees.
• Limiting the special programming required for your storefront.
• After previewing the site, getting back to your programmer quickly with a single, comprehensive set of corrections.

It is important to allow ample time for the programming of your storefront to allow the programmers to do quality work for you. Please do not schedule your storefront’s opening or any major advertising (magazines, newspapers, etc.) for your storefront until you have received written verification that your storefront is up on the Internet.

After your store is built, the programmer will ask that you complete a short survey rating your experience with him or her. This survey provides feedback to the programming department and helps us provide the best possible service for you.

Included in this Getting Started Packet are the forms you will need to submit your materials to StoresOnline. Carefully review the Storefront Transmittal Checklist prior to sending your storefront materials to us to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.