📋 Offer Overview
What You Get: You'll have a working demo to validate your idea by Monday, at no cost. This allows you to evaluate my work quality with zero financial risk before committing to paid milestones.
As part of building my professional profile and establishing credibility, I offer this complimentary Proof-of-Concept (POC) Demo for qualified projects, allowing me to gain valuable portfolio pieces and client reviews while you assess fit risk-free.
✅ What's Included in the Free POC
The complimentary Milestone 1 includes:
- One-page demo (single HTML file or simple Replit project)
- Basic input form (2-3 fields maximum)
- Single API integration (authentication + one primary endpoint)
- Simple output display (basic CSS styling, no complex design)
- Hosted demo link on Replit or similar platform
- Delivery deadline: First Monday after kickoff call
- Time commitment: Maximum 8 hours of development work
❌ NOT Included in Free POC
To keep the POC focused and time-boxed, the following are explicitly excluded and will be addressed in paid Milestones 2-3:
- Database setup or data persistence
- User authentication or login systems
- Comprehensive error handling (basic try/catch only)
- Mobile responsiveness or cross-browser testing
- Production deployment or scalability features
- Multiple pages, routes, or complex navigation
- Custom design work or advanced styling
- Third-party service integrations beyond one API
🎯 Eligibility Requirements
This free POC offer is available to clients who meet the following criteria:
- Serious intent: Ready to proceed with paid milestones (M2-M3) if the POC quality meets expectations
- Quick kickoff: Can schedule a 15-minute kickoff call within 24 hours of accepting the proposal
- Clear requirements: Can provide specific, well-defined requirements during the kickoff call
- Single freelancer: Not requesting POCs from multiple freelancers for comparison purposes
- Reasonable scope: Project aligns with the POC scope limitations outlined above
Note: If you're exploring multiple options or need competitive bids, I respectfully recommend my standard paid proposal structure instead.
📞 Mandatory Kickoff Call
The free POC is contingent upon a successful kickoff call:
- Timing: Must occur within 24 hours of proposal acceptance
- Duration: 15 minutes maximum
- Purpose: Confirm requirements, align expectations, ensure POC feasibility
- Format: Video call (Zoom, Google Meet, or your preference)
Important: If we don't connect within 24 hours, the complimentary POC offer expires. This protects both our time and ensures I'm building exactly what you need.
🔒 Scope Change Policy
Requirements are locked during the kickoff call. Any changes, additions, or expansions requested after that point will automatically move to Milestone 2 (paid). This ensures the POC remains focused and deliverable within the Monday deadline.
⏱️ Review & Decision Window
After POC delivery (Monday), you have 48 hours to:
- Review the demo thoroughly
- Approve moving forward to Milestone 2 (paid), OR
- Provide specific feedback for minor adjustments, OR
- Decline to proceed (no hard feelings)
If I don't hear back within 48 hours, I'll assume you don't wish to proceed and close the project. This keeps momentum moving for both parties.
💰 Path to Paid Milestones
By accepting the free POC, you acknowledge that:
- If satisfied with POC quality, we'll discuss and agree on pricing for Milestone 2: Functional Enhancements
- Followed by Milestone 3: Production Handoff (pricing also to be agreed)
- Pricing for M2 and M3 will be determined based on the specific requirements and complexity identified during the POC phase
- More complex projects may require additional milestones
✓ Win-Win Approach: You get a working demo at zero cost to evaluate quality. I get a portfolio piece and potential 5-star review. If we're not a good fit, no money has changed hands. We'll discuss fair pricing for next steps after you've seen my work.
📜 Intellectual Property
- POC ownership: You retain full rights to the POC code and demo upon delivery
- Portfolio use: I'll only showcase the demo in my portfolio with your explicit permission. If you prefer to keep your project private, I'll respect that completely.
- Code reuse: Generic code structures (not business logic) may be reused in future projects
🚫 Termination & Cancellation
- Before kickoff call: Either party can cancel with no obligations
- After kickoff, before delivery: POC continues to Monday delivery; client can decline M2-M3 after review
- Ghosting policy: No response for 48 hours after delivery = automatic project closure
⚠️ Limitations & Disclaimers
- The POC is a proof of concept, not production-ready code
- POC may include placeholder data or simplified logic for demonstration purposes
- No warranty or guarantee of functionality beyond the agreed scope
- This offer may be withdrawn or modified at any time without notice
- Limited to one free POC per client
💬 Questions & Support
If you have questions about these terms or the POC process, please ask during our initial proposal discussion or kickoff call. Clear communication upfront ensures a smooth, successful collaboration.
Cognito Coding - Professional Replit Development & Educational Curriculum Design
Visit: cognitocoding.com
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