Code of Ethics

Website Gemms is a small, independent studio. We don't have a large sales team or complex policy stack — we have our word and the work we ship. This Code of Ethics is how we keep that honest.

Honesty in pricing & scope

• We quote real numbers for real scope. No bait-and-switch, no surprise add-ons once the project starts.
• If a project can't be done well at the budget you've shared, we say so before you pay — not after.
• If something is outside our skill set, we tell you and, where we can, point you to someone better suited.

Quality over shortcuts

• We build with custom code. No drag-and-drop page builders passed off as a bespoke site.
• We don't ship work we wouldn't stand behind. If a deadline is at risk, we raise it early — we don't paper over it.
• Accessibility, performance, and mobile-first behaviour are baseline requirements, not upsells.

Respect for your business

• Your business information, brand assets, and strategy stay confidential.
• On final payment, you own the deliverables. We don't hold your site hostage.
• We don't lock you into proprietary tools or custom systems you can't hand to another developer later.

Respect for your users

• We don't build dark patterns — no manipulative UX, fake urgency, or hidden fees designed to pressure your customers.
• We default to the minimum data needed. No unnecessary tracking pixels or third-party scripts added without reason.
• Forms, cookies, and consent flows are built to be clear and truthful.

Honest marketing of our own work

• Case studies and portfolio pieces describe what actually happened, including our role and any caveats.
• Metrics and results are reported as given or as measured — not inflated for sales appeal.
• Testimonials are real, from real clients, used with their permission.

AI & tooling

• We use AI-assisted tooling where it genuinely improves speed or quality, and we keep a human in the loop on every decision that matters.
• We don't feed your private business information into tools that would train on it without your consent.
• Final output is reviewed, tested, and written by a person — not shipped straight from a model.

Accountability

• If we make a mistake, we own it, fix it, and tell you what changed so it doesn't happen again.
• If we break something on your site during work, the fix is on us.
• If you feel we've fallen short of this Code, tell us directly — we want to know.

Who we won't work with

We reserve the right to decline or end an engagement — with a fair refund of any undelivered work — if a project involves deception, discrimination, harm to users, or content that violates the law.