Mini Retainers: Pay-in-advance website help service,
without a monthly subscription
Get professional technical assistance on your next project – without a monthly recurring cost but with all the benefits of a retainer.
We understand that not every business or individual has the need for a full-time web development team. That’s why we offer a flexible, cost-effective solution for those who need occasional website development or some support with tech without committing to a long-term retainer contract or paying monthly for something they will only use occasionally.
If you’re embarking on a new project, or continuing with an existing website, and you know you’re going to need help with it, then why not buy a block-voucher for assistance from The Smart Bear. Available in 30 minute increments, you can buy whatever amount your budget allows for and we will carry out as much work as we can in that time frame.
Pre-payment vs monthly retainers for professional website help
Pre-payment web support, otherwise known as Pay-As-You-Go website help, is an alternative to retainers and subscriptions which allow small businesses to manage their budget month on month basis without needing to commit to ongoing fees – they just get the help they need, when they need it.
With our Pay-As-You-Go service, you can purchase a block of time for website support services that best fits your needs, and use it whenever you need it. Whether you need a helping hand with website updates, plugin installations, bug fixes, a specific project/ goal, or any other technical issues, we’re here to offer our support.
If you’re in the middle of building a website, or building something like a lead page for a campaign, but you know you’re going to need some assistance along the way, then a prepaid solution might be the answer for you.
You can pre-pay for as little or as much as you want, in 30 minute blocks, and when you buy in advance we waive our minimum fee so you can have 5 minutes here and there – or of course, longer timeframes – until all your prepayment has run out. At that point you can choose to renew or not – there’s no monthly obligation like there is with a retainer or subscription.
How does the Pre-payment website help system work?
Step One
You buy a block of time. Available in 30 minute increments, you can decide how much you buy.
We suggest buying only the minimum amount you think you need and it can be topped up at any time.
Step two
We raise a credit note for you on our system and you get a copy for your records.
And, we’ll ask you to agree to our general terms and conditions if you’re a new customer.
Step three
When you need work doing, you submit a request via our support ticket system at any time.
If you need it doing by a certain date, just let us know.
Step four
Every time we do some work, we note how long it takes in 5 minute increments – we can give you a rough estimate of how long it will take, in advance, if you want.
Step five
At the end of the project or the week (whichever is earliest), we’ll add up the time and deduct this amount from your credit note then resend a copy so you know exactly how much is left.
Step six
If you don’t use all the pre-payment, we’ll just keep it on account for you until when you next need it. It will last for 1 year before expiring.
What type of web development work can be done on the Pay-As-You-Go service?
The type of work that can be covered totally depends on what you need! It could be a bit of training/guidance, it could be some technical SEO work, it could be some development work, or setting up a new software – anything that you need help with to help your business function digitally.
We are more than happy to have a meeting with you first to get to know you and your brand. Simply get in touch with us and we’ll book in a chat.
What platforms do you work with?
We’re experts in WordPress but that doesn’t mean we don’t/can’t work with other platforms. After 10 years in the business, we have experience in a wide range of systems, and we’re quick to learn new ones. Here’s a list of all the tools and platforms we can work with – if yours is missing, why not check with us by dropping us an email.
- WordPress
- Squarespace
- Webflow
- Shopify
- Magenta
- Drupal
- Weebly
- Mailerlite
- Hubspot
- Kajabi
- FEA Create
- Create.net
- Godaddy Builder
- Wix
- One.com Builder
- Ionos Builder
- Joomla
- Ecwid
Start your next Web project with confidence
Buy your pre-payment block today and feel smug in the knowledge that you’ll get help when you need it for your next website project without having committing to a monthly retainer
