Everything you might be wondering.
Straight answers on pricing, timelines, process, ownership and more. Can’t find what you need? Just ask us.
General
What does Karivo Technologies do?
We build custom software that solves business problems — websites, custom applications, AI automation, chatbots, dashboards, booking systems and SaaS products. We start with the problem, not the technology, and build the right solution around how your business actually works.
How much does a project cost?
Every project is different, so we don’t publish fixed prices. We price on the value of the problem being solved. After a free discovery call we send a clear, fixed written quote — no hourly surprises, and always with the scope agreed up front.
How long does a software project take?
It depends on scope. A focused business website is typically 1–3 weeks. Custom software, dashboards and SaaS products run in planned, reviewed stages, and we give you a clear timeline in the proposal before anything starts.
Do you build custom software or use templates?
Everything is custom-built. We don’t use website builders or off-the-shelf platforms you have to rent forever. Your software is coded to fit your business and runs on managed infrastructure you own.
Can you work with international clients?
Yes. We work with businesses in South Africa and internationally. Projects run remotely with clear, regular communication, so location is never a barrier.
Can you redesign or fix my existing website or software?
Often, yes. We start with a short review to understand what you have and what’s wrong with it, then propose the best path — whether that’s improving what exists or rebuilding it properly.
Will my software be scalable?
Yes. We build on managed, proven infrastructure that scales with your usage, so your software grows with your business rather than needing a rebuild down the line.
Can you integrate with our existing systems?
Yes — integrating with the tools you already use (Google Workspace, your CRM, accounting, and more) is usually part of the point. We connect to what you have rather than forcing you to replace it.
What is your development process?
Discovery → understand the problem → proposal & quote → signed agreement → build → test → deploy → training if needed → ongoing support. Every deliverable is reviewed for quality before it reaches you.
Do you provide ongoing maintenance and support?
Yes. Software isn’t finished at launch. We attach a support plan to every project — monitoring, security updates, and a clear channel for edits — so your software stays fast, secure and reliable.
Do you use AI responsibly?
Yes. We use AI where it genuinely helps — automating repetitive work, powering assistants, speeding up delivery — with sensible guardrails, transparent costs, and careful handling of data. We don’t bolt on AI for hype.
How do we get started?
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We’ll dig into your business and the problem you’re facing, and if there’s a solution worth building, we’ll follow up with a tailored proposal and quote.
Business Websites
How long does a business website take?
A focused marketing site typically takes 1–3 weeks from signed scope to launch, depending on the number of pages and how ready your content is.
Can you redesign my existing website?
Yes. We frequently rebuild dated or slow sites — keeping what works, fixing what doesn’t, and moving you onto fast, custom-coded pages you own.
Do you use templates or WordPress?
No. Every site is custom-coded and deployed to managed hosting. That means it’s faster, more secure, and yours to keep — with no platform subscriptions we control.
Will my site rank on Google?
We build the technical SEO foundations — speed, semantic structure, metadata, and content hierarchy — that ranking depends on. Ongoing content and authority-building compound from there.
What does it cost?
Every project is scoped to what you actually need. After a short discovery call we send a fixed, written quote — no hourly surprises.
Custom Software
How is custom software priced?
We price on the value of the problem solved, not hours. After discovery we scope the work and send a fixed written quote before anything starts.
Will it integrate with our existing systems?
Yes — integrating with the tools you already use (Google Workspace, your CRM, accounting, and more) is usually part of the point.
Is custom software scalable?
We build on managed, proven infrastructure that scales with your usage, so the system grows with your business rather than needing a rebuild.
Who owns the software?
You do. You own the code and it runs on infrastructure in your control — no lock-in to a platform we hold the keys to.
What happens after launch?
Every build comes with a support plan for maintenance, monitoring, and improvements, so your software stays reliable as your needs change.
AI Automation
What can you actually automate?
Anything repetitive and rule-based: data entry, lead follow-ups, report generation, document processing, inbox triage, and more. AI extends this to tasks like reading, summarising, and drafting.
Do we need to change our current tools?
No. We wire automations into the tools you already use rather than replacing them, unless replacing something is clearly the better call.
Who pays for the AI usage?
AI usage costs are passed through transparently — typically on your own AI account, or on ours with a clear markup. We never hide margin in it.
Is it reliable?
Automations run on managed infrastructure and are monitored. We build in guardrails and error handling so failures are caught, not silent.
How fast do we see results?
Most first automations are live within a few weeks, and the time savings are immediate and measurable from day one.
AI Chatbots
How is this different from a generic chatbot?
It’s trained specifically on your business and built into your own site. It answers in your voice, understands your services, qualifies leads, and hands off to your team — rather than reciting canned replies.
Which AI does it use?
We build on modern AI models such as Claude, chosen for accuracy and safety. The setup is designed so it can grow with your knowledge base, case studies, and content over time.
Who pays for the AI usage?
Usage costs are passed through transparently — typically on your own AI account, or on ours with a clear markup. You’re never surprised by it.
Can it book meetings?
Yes. When a visitor is ready, it guides them straight to booking a call or handing off to your team, so warm leads don’t slip away.
What if it can’t answer something?
We build in sensible guardrails. When a question is beyond its scope, it escalates to a human or a contact form rather than guessing.
Dashboards & Reporting
Where does the data come from?
From the tools you already use — spreadsheets, your CRM, databases, accounting, and more. We connect to your sources and bring them into one live view.
Is our data secure?
Yes. We keep data access minimal and role-based, run on managed infrastructure, and follow POPIA principles — collecting and exposing only what’s needed.
Can different people see different things?
Yes. We set role-based access so each person sees the metrics relevant to them, on any device.
Does it update automatically?
Yes — that’s the point. The dashboard refreshes from your live data, so you’re never looking at stale numbers.
What does it cost?
It depends on the number of data sources and the complexity of the views. After a discovery call we send a fixed written quote.
Booking Systems
Can it handle our specific booking rules?
Yes. We build to your rules — services, staff, working hours, capacity, buffers, and lead times — rather than forcing you into a rigid template.
Will it send reminders?
Yes. Automatic confirmations and reminders are built in, which is the single most effective way to reduce no-shows.
Does it take payments?
It can integrate with a payment provider where that fits your business. We scope payment handling carefully, since it carries extra compliance considerations.
Can customers manage their own bookings?
Yes — customers can book, reschedule, or cancel within the rules you set, which cuts the admin load on your team.
Where does the data live?
On a secure, managed backend that you own. We keep data minimal and follow POPIA principles.
SaaS Development
Should I build the whole product at once?
No. We help you launch a focused first version that proves value quickly, then grow it based on real user feedback rather than guesses. It saves time and money.
Can it handle payments and subscriptions?
Yes. Secure accounts and subscription billing are core to most SaaS products, and we build them in with the appropriate care around sensitive data.
Will it scale as we grow?
Yes. We build on managed, proven infrastructure that scales with usage, so you grow without hitting a wall or needing a rebuild.
Who owns the product?
You do — the code and the product are yours. We build you a real, ownable business asset, not a rental.
How is a SaaS project priced?
We scope the first version carefully and quote it in writing, then work in planned stages so cost stays predictable as the product grows.
Software Maintenance
What does a care plan cover?
Typically: monitoring, security and dependency updates, backups, and a set channel for edits and small changes. We scope inclusions clearly in writing so you know exactly what you get.
Do you maintain software you didn’t build?
Often, yes. We start with a review to understand the system and its risks, then propose a plan. Some builds are healthier to take on than others — we’ll be straight with you.
What if something breaks?
You have a team that already knows your system and a clear channel to reach us, so fixes happen quickly rather than starting from scratch under pressure.
How is maintenance priced?
As a simple monthly plan scoped to your software’s size and needs. Larger AI or third-party usage costs are passed through transparently.
Can we change the plan later?
Yes. Plans scale up or down as your software and needs change — you’re not locked into a fixed tier forever.
Tell us the problem. We’ll show you the software.
Book a free 30-minute discovery call. We’ll dig into your business, your bottlenecks, and whether there’s a solution worth building — no pressure, no jargon.