Help & FAQs

If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQs section, please contact Customer Support

How do I sign up for an account?
All you need to do is click on the “Register” tab from any page on our website and it will take you to a registration form.  You will need to select a username and password and agree to our Terms and Conditions.  The registration process is the same for designers and contest holders.

How do I change my password?
You can change your password by going to the “My Account” tab, and selecting a new password.

What is astada.com?
astada.com is essentially a virtual marketplace.  Designers sell their designs and enter contests, contest holders create contests for designers to enter, sellers list their websites, turnkeys, templates or domains for sale, and buyers make purchases of websites, turnkeys, templates or domains. 

Directed to Designers

How do I become a designer?
All you need to do is click on the “Register” tab from any page on our website and it will take you to a registration form.  You will then need to select a username and password and agree to our Terms and Conditions.  Once you have registered, you can start searching through the contests and deciding which ones you would like to enter.  You are free to submit as many designs as you like to as many contests as you like.  There is no charge to designers!

What are design contests?
A design contest is a competition run by a contest holder.  The contest holder is essentially challenging the designers to create a piece of work based on his or her creative brief. Contests are open to designers from all over the world.  Based on the creative brief provided by the contest holder, designers create a design matching what the contest holder wants. The contest holder provides feedback to all of the designers. Once the contest ends, the contest holder will pick a winner.  The winning designer will be awarded a cash prize from the contest holder.

What are the rules for participating in contests?
Please review our Guidelines for Designers, which can be accessed by clicking here.  These Guidelines should answer any questions you may have and provide you with enough information to get started.  If you have any questions beyond these Guidelines, please feel free to use the “Contact Us” option and we will clarify or answer any further questions you may have.

What format should I use to submit my design?
It is very important to review each contest for details.  Each design brief specifies the exact format that the contest holder wants their finished art. We recommend that when you upload your design to a contest, you use jpg files.  We have found that the best size for your uploads in logo contests is 600x400 pixels. 

How do I know if I am producing the type of design the contest holder wants?
Contest holders are required to provide feedback on each contest so that designers can better improve their designs.  If they do not provide feedback, their contest is suspended.  This is to protect the designers.

How long does a contest last?
Each contest lasts up to 10 days.  A contest holder may at his or her discretion end a contest early.  If that happens, then it is because the contest holder already found a design that is perfect for him or her.

How is the winner of the contest chosen?
Once the contest ends, the contest holder will choose a winner based on their own criteria.  That designer will be awarded a cash prize.

How am I paid?
You are paid directly by the contest holder.  We recommend they use a third-party service. astada.com is not involved in the financial transaction between the contest holder and the designer in any way.

What do I do if the contest holder does not pay me?
Do not send the contest holder your designs! You are under no obligation to send any thing to the contest holder until you have been paid. 

How do I report a contest?
If you want to report a contest you can use the Contact Us form.  We will take the proper actions and respond immediately.

Directed to Contest Holders

 
How do I set up and run a contest?
If you have not already done so, the first step is to sign up for an account on astada.com. If you already have an account you can start creating your contest by clicking here.  Once this is done, you can launch a contest. Please note that the more information you provide when creating a contest the easier it is for the designers to know what you are looking for.  We highly recommend that you use 15-30 minutes on creating your contest including the design brief.

How much does it cost to run a contest?
At astada.com we try to make it possible for all contest holders to afford a design contest. Therefore, the set up fee for a contest is $20.00 US in addition to the prize money offered to the winning designer.  We have a set minimum prize amount; however, we recommend that you as a contest holder award a higher price.  If you find a design that fits your needs, you will need to pay the designer the prize amount you offered once the contests ends.

What is the minimum prize required by astada.com on contests?

Logo Design Minimum Prize: $150 US
Web Page Design Minimum Prize: $250 US
Banner Design Minimum Prize: $120 US
Stationery Minimum Prize: $200 US
Flash Minimum Prize: $250 US
Other Design Tasks Minimum Prize: $100 US
Buttons & Icons Minimum Prize: $100 US

How long does a contest last?
Your contest can run for up to 10 days. If you require an extension of one or two days to get the final product done, please use the “Contact Us” feature and we will add more days to your contest.

What kind of feedback does a contest holder need to give in a contest?
Contest holders must provide feedback to every designer who participates in their contest. When deciding on what feedback to give to a designer, review their design and provide the feedback by clicking on the designer’s entry in the contest.  Feedback is essential to the successful conclusion of any contest.  Contest holders are required to provide feedback to designers within 72 hours from the time an entry has been added.  If feedback is not given within 72 hours, your contest will be suspended and no refund will be issued.  Please note that everyone can read feedback given to a designer so keep this in mind when providing feedback.  Giving good feedback helps other designers gain insight into what you like and do not like.

What is a design brief?
A design brief is a document that specifies what you as a contest holder wants. All the designers rely on the design brief when they are creating their entry. If you made a bad design brief it will be harder to get what you are looking for!  In other words, the more detailed you are in your design brief, the more likely you are to receive a design that meets your needs.

Can I change the details of my contest at a later date?
NO! You cannot edit your contest once you have created it. Once your contest is created, designers will start creating designs to meet your specifications. Changing your design brief will make is unfair to designers who have already started working on a design.  If you made an error in your contest, please contact the astada.com team through the “Contact Us” option and we will edit your contest for you.  If you want to add something or make a small change, you can use the discussion board for your contest and notify the designers of such.

How do I pay the prize money?
You have to pay the designer directly. astada.com is not involved in the financial transaction between the contest holder and the designer in any way.

How do I report a designer?
If you want to report a designer for improper behavior or something like that, then you can use the Contact Us form to report the designer. We will take the proper actions and respond immediately.

Directed to Sellers

 

How can I sell my website, turnkey, template or domain?
If you have not already done so, the first step is to sign up for an account on astada.com. If you already have an account you can start creating your marketplace listing by clicking here.  Once you have created an account, you can launch a marketplace listing. Please note that the more information you provide on the item you are selling, the higher the likelihood that buyers will be interested in your item.

How much does it cost to list an item in the marketplace?
At astada.com we try to make it possible for all sellers to afford a marketplace listing. Therefore, the fee for domain sales is $5.00 US and $20.00 for an established website. It is free to bid on a marketplace listing, but if you are the winning bidder, you are obligated to buy the item listed.

How long does a marketplace listing run?
Your marketplace listing can run for up to 30 days. Under no circumstances can it be extended.

Can I change the details of my listing at a later date?
NO! You cannot edit your listing. If you need to make changes, please contact the astada.com team through the “Contact Us” option and our support team will make the changes or you can provide changes in your marketplace listing discussion board.

How do I get paid?
astada.com is not involved in any financial transactions between the seller and buyer.  We recommend using a third-party service where an escrow payment can be done.  This ensures both parties are protected.

How do I report a buyer?
Use the Contact Us form to report any buyer. We will take the proper actions and respond immediately.

 

Directed to Buyers 

 

How do I become a buyer?
If you have not already done so, the first step is to sign up for an account on astada.com. If you already have an account you can start bidding on any marketplace listings. Please note however that if you are the winning bidder, you are obligated to buy the listed item.

How do I pay for my purchase?
astada.com is not involved in any financial transactions between the seller and buyer.  We recommend using a third-party service where an escrow payment can be done.  This ensures both parties are protected.

How do I report a seller?
Use the Contact Us form to report any seller or marketplace listing. We will take the proper actions and respond immediately.