[supernova77]

Hi everyone,

Could you please take a look at this and let me know what you think?

http://www.scs.uk.com/bcard_ah2.pdf

It's my business card that I'm planning on using for commercial use only.

Andy

[nat]

simple and slick, just how i like it

how are planning to use these andy? by posting them or are you arranging meetings?

[supernova77]

simple and slick, just how i like it Wink

how are planning to use these andy? by posting them or are you arranging meetings?

Thanks mate

2008 is going to be my "commercial canvassing year"... I'm going to be sending out letters and then will use these business cards when I go to quote a property... I just wanted something that looked professional and business like.

Andy

[nat]

what else are you going to market yourself with?

[supernova77]

what else are you going to market yourself with?

> Direct mail

> Internet marketing (Google Adwords etc...)

> Hopefully a new signwritten van

Andy

[nat]

do you think the google adwords work?

let us know if you get any joy on the direct mail approach though won't ya?

[supernova77]

do you think the google adwords work?

let us know if you get any joy on the direct mail approach though won't ya? Wink

Google adwords has worked very well for me in the past.

Will keep you posted  on the direct mail front!

Andy

[nat]

so how many clicks do you get on your site for google adwords? how much is it costing per month? whats it generating in % on business? can't you just get up the ranks by optimising your site or are you finding that difficult?

sorry for all the questions its good to know other peoples experiences

[supernova77]

Google Adwords is a nice quick way of being able to target exactly the kind of business you want.

Back in the summer I was running an adwords campaign... I ran it for about 4 months at a cost of approx £30 per month... It generated around £1500 of one-off jobs (a mix of commercial and domestic). and £300+ per month of new regular work.

Andy

[windowwashers]

Hi everyone,

Could you please take a look at this and let me know what you think?

http://www.scs.uk.com/bcard_ah2.pdf

It's my business card that I'm planning on using for commercial use only.

Andy

Very nice Andy

clean and simple  and looks pro

only one thing, it does not say anything about window cleaning  :, do you do other cleaning services ?

Ian

[supernova77]

Thanks Ian

It says "Exterior Cleaning Specialists"... Which includes windows, gutters, signs, hard surface cleaning etc...

The people I give the cards to will already know the main service is window cleaning, and will hopefully then ask what other services we offer when they see the "Exterior Cleaning Specialists" text printed on the card.

Andy

[windowwashers]

Thanks Ian

It says "Exterior Cleaning Specialists"... Which includes windows, gutters, signs, hard surface cleaning etc...

The people I give the cards to will already know the main service is window cleaning, and will hopefully then ask what other services we offer when they see the "Exterior Cleaning Specialists" text printed on the card.

Andy

Andy,

Only said that as some people will not know what it means, this is the reason I did not put water fed pole on my van.

Still looks very good IMO

[Cleaner Windows]

Looks pretty good to me mate, I think i've seen your van (one of your vans?) down this way (hosham area) sure I recognise the logo etc

[nat]

Thanks Ian

It says "Exterior Cleaning Specialists"... Which includes windows, gutters, signs, hard surface cleaning etc...

The people I give the cards to will already know the main service is window cleaning, and will hopefully then ask what other services we offer when they see the "Exterior Cleaning Specialists" text printed on the card.

Andy

I did think this last night myself about the exterior cleaning bit. i also thought that if your handing them personally then they will know.

But now thinking about it, i've had business cards in circulation for years and it could be a case of they forget all about you then one day your card pops up on them and they may ring. for that reson alone why not print on the other side of the card what services you do?

back to these adwords, how do you target people that you couldn't target just by getting your site up the search rankings yourself with relevant serch words and phrases?

[windowwashers]

Thanks Ian

It says "Exterior Cleaning Specialists"... Which includes windows, gutters, signs, hard surface cleaning etc...

The people I give the cards to will already know the main service is window cleaning, and will hopefully then ask what other services we offer when they see the "Exterior Cleaning Specialists" text printed on the card.

Andy

I did think this last night myself about the exterior cleaning bit. i also thought that if your handing them personally then they will know.

But now thinking about it, i've had business cards in circulation for years and it could be a case of they forget all about you then one day your card pops up on them and they may ring. for that reson alone why not print on the other side of the card what services you do?

back to these adwords, how do you target people that you couldn't target just by getting your site up the search rankings yourself with relevant serch words and phrases?

you target as you are seen more Nat.
Thing with adwords is it can become very expensive and will become very expensive in time if you think about it

[supernova77]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nat - Good idea about printing the services we offer on the back of the card - I think I'll do that!

With regards to Google etc... I do need to re-word my website with more specific keywords etc... As in the long run I will be higher in the standard search listings... However with Google adwords you can have people finding your site straight away - It's a quick fix.

You then use a list of keywords tagetting the services you offer and the locations you offer them in.

Andy

[nat]

how are you seen more though? surely its still the same process of doing it yourself? i thought it was more for people you don't know how to optimise thier site? i tried it for a little while on an old site, but limited to a certain amount of clicks per day. wasn't successful for me, not nothing i couldn't of done myself anyways

[supernova77]

Thing with adwords is it can become very expensive and will become very expensive in time if you think about it

It can become very expensive, but you can set limits. I was spending £30 a month in the summer for 4 months and gained just over £5k pa work from it!

Also... You just have to make sure you use the right keywords so that your ad is only displayed to people searching for exactly what you offer in the locations you offer it in.

Andy

[nat]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nat - Good idea about printing the services we offer on the back of the card - I think I'll do that!

With regards to Google etc... I do need to re-word my website with more specific keywords etc... As in the long run I will be higher in the standard search listings... However with Google adwords you can have people finding your site straight away - It's a quick fix.

You then use a list of keywords tagetting the services you offer and the locations you offer them in.

Andy

thats what i thought andy, really you just need to build your site with the search engine in mind. adwords is a novices way of promoting there site (i'm not calling you a novice by the way )

[supernova77]

how are you seen more though? surely its still the same process of doing it yourself? i thought it was more for people you don't know how to optimise thier site? i tried it for a little while on an old site, but limited to a certain amount of clicks per day. wasn't successful for me, not nothing i couldn't of done myself anyways

As an example...

My keywords included: window cleaner farnham

So... Someone types into google: window cleaner in farnham

They then see my ad which said: Window Cleaning in Farnham, Surrey blah blah blah

My ad is exactly what they were looking for!

Andy

[nat]

how are you seen more though? surely its still the same process of doing it yourself? i thought it was more for people you don't know how to optimise thier site? i tried it for a little while on an old site, but limited to a certain amount of clicks per day. wasn't successful for me, not nothing i couldn't of done myself anyways

As an example...

My keywords included: window cleaner farnham

So... Someone types into google: window cleaner in farnham

They then see my ad which said: Window Cleaning in Farnham, Surrey blah blah blah

My ad is exactly what they were looking for!

Andy

you can do that on your own anyways though, so why pay someone?

like you say it is a quick fix, its something that you can do yourself plus i find having yoursite on the right hand side of the search page isn't the first place i look, i always look at the main search results on the left hand side

[windowwashers]

how are you seen more though? surely its still the same process of doing it yourself? i thought it was more for people you don't know how to optimise thier site? i tried it for a little while on an old site, but limited to a certain amount of clicks per day. wasn't successful for me, not nothing i couldn't of done myself anyways

As an example...

My keywords included: window cleaner farnham

So... Someone types into google: window cleaner in farnham

They then see my ad which said: Window Cleaning in Farnham, Surrey blah blah blah

My ad is exactly what they were looking for!

Andy

you can do that on your own anyways though, so why pay someone?

like you say it is a quick fix, its something that you can do yourself plus i find having yoursite on the right hand side of the search page isn't the first place i look, i always look at the main search results on the left hand side

Me too, I just look at the real results pages myself, It does work, but I choose not to click on the paid listings

[nat]

its the same with yell.com i have a mian listing in my area. i get some phonecalls and emails from that but other areas where i'm listed small on the right hand side i've never had one customer or contact yet

[supernova77]

Each to there own I suppose

It's worked well for me before, so I'll try it again next year.

Andy

[windowwashers]

Each to there own I suppose

It's worked well for me before, so I'll try it again next year.

Andy

Something will work for one and not for another, why I dont know but thats just the way it seems to be.

If it works for you it is well worth it, and the return you got is great for the outlay. 

[nat]

thats all good then Andy, really not knocking it. i might give it a go as well if i can have my site up on the left of the page as well as the right i believe they call that market domination  

I wern't knocking you andy just asking why it couldn't be done by yourself or what it offers that you couldn't do yourself

[windowwashers]

thats all good then Andy, really not knocking it. i might give it a go as well if i can have my site up on the left of the page as well as the right i believe they call that market domination  

I wern't knocking you andy just asking why it couldn't be done by yourself or what it offers that you couldn't do yourself

Nat, I too will try it in the new year, as you say cant hurt being at the top on both side of the page 
You will have to let me know what areas you are doing as I hate to lose when bidding on something 

[supernova77]

thats all good then Andy, really not knocking it. i might give it a go as well if i can have my site up on the left of the page as well as the right i believe they call that market domination  Grin

I wern't knocking you andy just asking why it couldn't be done by yourself or what it offers that you couldn't do yourself Wink

It's cool - I know you weren't knocking me

Do you have a website at the moment Nat? If so whats the link?

Andy

[windowwashers]

thats all good then Andy, really not knocking it. i might give it a go as well if i can have my site up on the left of the page as well as the right i believe they call that market domination  Grin

I wern't knocking you andy just asking why it couldn't be done by yourself or what it offers that you couldn't do yourself Wink

It's cool - I know you weren't knocking me

Do you have a website at the moment Nat? If so whats the link?

Andy

why you not asking for mine 

[supernova77]

why you not asking for mine  Cry

WindowWashers.co.uk do you have a website? If so whats the link?

Andy

 

[windowwashers]

why you not asking for mine  Cry

WindowWashers.co.uk do you have a website? If so whats the link?

Andy

 

http://www.windowwashers.co.uk 

[nat]

not at the moment andy, in the middle of building one 

i'll add a link when its finished

[[GQC] Tim]

Get rid of the t : and e :

Will make it even slicker. Then IMO it would be perfect.

[nat]

Get rid of the t : and e :

Will make it even slicker. Then IMO it would be perfect.

why would that make it slicker?

[[GQC] Tim]

Get rid of the t : and e :

Will make it even slicker. Then IMO it would be perfect.

why would that make it slicker?

In my opinion it stands out too much, ruining the overall look of the card. Kinda difficult to explain, just my opinion like I said.

[rhys11]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nat - Good idea about printing the services we offer on the back of the card - I think I'll do that!

With regards to Google etc... I do need to re-word my website with more specific keywords etc... As in the long run I will be higher in the standard search listings... However with Google adwords you can have people finding your site straight away - It's a quick fix.


where are you going to get the cards printed from andy?
You then use a list of keywords tagetting the services you offer and the locations you offer them in.

Andy

[nat]

Get rid of the t : and e :

Will make it even slicker. Then IMO it would be perfect.

why would that make it slicker?

In my opinion it stands out too much, ruining the overall look of the card. Kinda difficult to explain, just my opinion like I said.

I can see where your coming from but i don't think it would look much different with or without the letters

[Jago]

Card looks good Andy
Very Pro from a Pro kinda guy

[rhys11]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Nat - Good idea about printing the services we offer on the back of the card - I think I'll do that!

With regards to Google etc... I do need to re-word my website with more specific keywords etc... As in the long run I will be higher in the standard search listings... However with Google adwords you can have people finding your site straight away - It's a quick fix.


where are you going to get the cards printed from andy?
You then use a list of keywords tagetting the services you offer and the locations you offer them in.

Andy

where are you going to get the cards printed from andy?

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

Not sure about the Managing Director bit .

Just my opinion tho

[nat]

What Job Title would you give yourself bod?

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi
Just had these printed on clear plastic, they a good and it's a good alternative to the usual.

Regards
Karl

[supernova77]

Hi
Just had these printed on clear plastic, they a good and it's a good alternative to the usual.

Regards
Karl

They look good Karl.

How many did you get printed, and how much did it cost to get them done on plastic?

Andy

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi Andy
Thanks. They were £200 + vat for 500. they were printed on frosted plastic in metallic blue and really do look professional. I know they cost more than the usual but the do portray a ggod image. If you email me your address i can send a sample to you, if your interested.

Regards
Karl

[Ian W]

Nice looking card Andy. Clean and simple. Do you get them printed locally or use Vistaprint or something?

BTW I like Farnham. I used to spend my summer holidays there 25 odd years ago at my uncle's place. Do you cover Weydon Hill Road area?

Karl, That's another nice card. Is it printed on something like a credit card?

[supernova77]

Nice looking card Andy. Clean and simple. Do you get them printed locally or use Vistaprint or something?

BTW I like Farnham. I used to spend my summer holidays there 25 odd years ago at my uncle's place. Do you cover Weydon Hill Road area?

Thanks mate.

I use a local company for all of my printing.

Weydon Hill Road... Yeah I know that area, it's only a couple of miles from where I live

Andy

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi Ian
Yes it like a credit card but frosted plastic rather than a solid plastic

Karl

[supernova77]

Not sure about the Managing Director bit .

Just my opinion tho

I've been thinking the same actually... It sounds a bit pompus doesn't it?

I might change it to Operations Manager or something like that?

Andy

[Ian W]

I think if you are MD, why not have it on there? If it is for commercial work then surely you can't go too far wrong with that?

[Ian W]

Karl, is the frosted part the part that is shown as white in your proof?
(Does that make sense?  )

[Karl Wheeler]

Hi Ian
Yes it is?

Thanks
Karl

[Ian W]

Thanks Karl. I have seen a similar card - they do look really good.

[windowwashers]

Not sure about the Managing Director bit .

Just my opinion tho

I've been thinking the same actually... It sounds a bit pompus doesn't it?

I might change it to Operations Manager or something like that?

Andy

Operations Manager  sounds alot better IMO Andy.

Ian

[Bobs Window Cleaning]

Manager would be fine IMO


Bob

[burky-boy]

Nice and simple cards work well I use two sets of cards both double sided one for commercial use
Then the other for residential it just helps the customer enquiry  go to the right person.

[ronnie paton]

were do you get them done?

[burky-boy]

The commercial cards was done by ( is it ok 2 say ) Printing.com
Then the residential ones was done by www.gbs-print.co.uk. My son cleans his house windows so did us a good deal. We just took photos and gave company details then they did the rest

Steve

[Village Gleam]

I'm not a techie- but if you can get a mention on another site.........
I do not mean this in the way you and Ian think I  do.

IE, My village has a website