The fine print, in plain English

Terms

Last updated: 15 November 2026

These terms cover two things: using this website, and hiring us to build and look after yours. We've kept them short and clear, because surprises are for birthdays, not invoices.

Who we are

GooseBruce Studio is run by Dean McDougall, doing business as GooseBruce Studio, Illinois, USA. "We" and "us" means GooseBruce Studio, and "you" means you.

Using this website

  • The words, illustrations and design on goosebrucestudio.com belong to GooseBruce Studio. Please don't copy them without asking.
  • We work hard to keep the site accurate, but it's provided as-is, and prices or details may change.
  • Some links take you to other services, like our Microsoft Bookings page. Those services have their own terms and privacy policies.

Launch: building your website

  • Price and scope. Websites start from $500. Before any work starts, we agree in writing on a fixed price and exactly what's included, so there are no surprise invoices.
  • What's included. A standard Launch covers one to five pages, mobile-first design, a contact or booking form, a Google Business Profile link-up, local SEO basics, and two rounds of revisions.
  • Timeline. Most sites go live 5–7 business days after we have your complete content (your text, photos, logo and details). The clock pauses while we're waiting on you.
  • Payment. We ask for a 50% deposit to start and the rest before your site goes live. The deposit is non-refundable once work has started.
  • Extra work. Anything outside the agreed scope gets a clear quote first. We never start paid extras without your OK.

Who owns what

  • Your domain name is registered in your name, and it's always yours.
  • Your words, photos and logo stay yours. You confirm you have the right to use anything you send us.
  • Once you've paid in full, the finished website is yours.
  • We may show your finished site in our portfolio. If you'd rather we didn't, just say so.

Care: looking after your website

  • What's included. Care starts from $39 a month and covers hosting, backups, security updates, uptime monitoring, and one or two small content edits a month. Bigger changes get a quote first.
  • On by default, always optional. Care is added by default when you sign up for a Launch, because most sites need it. If you don't want it, tell us and opt out before we start. Care is billed monthly and continues until you cancel.
  • Cancelling. You can cancel any time with 30 days' notice. There are no cancellation fees.
  • If you leave. We'll hand over your website files or help you move to a new host.

The sensible bits

  • We'll build your site with care, but we can't guarantee search rankings, enquiries or sales.
  • If something goes wrong, our total responsibility is limited to what you paid us in the 12 months before the problem.
  • If you've signed a client agreement with us, that agreement wins wherever it differs from these terms.
  • These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

Changes to these terms

If we update these terms, we'll change this page and the date at the top. Work we've already agreed on keeps the terms you agreed to.

This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Questions? Email [email protected] and a real person will answer.