Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mike Halliday on November 30, 2010, 06:34:20 am
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we get a lot of talk about websites on here but are they really needed?
anyone know any really big companies that don't have one? and how many of us don't have one?
i know 2 within 6miles of me who are happy to just plod along without one they always seem busy
Mike
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I've just had a new one done...
The C/C I worked for many years ago doesn't have one, but then his business has been established since 1980... He's always busy.
It's certainly a must for us newer C/C's . The way I see it is, if it gets you work, leading on to more work (referrals/repeats/up-sell) then it's worth having one...
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Its a tool for new business
If you dont want new business and have a healthy client list then you wont need one.
If you dont have any regular clients and growing a fledgling business then you are on a highway to nothing if not on the web in todays world
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Do Asda Tesco Sainsburys Morrisons and the like really need them???? But they do. Why????
I am getting more of my new business from the internet then ever before.
So I need my website.
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I do no other advertising than my websites, I have stopped all other advertising, so I could not be without a website.
I do a small amount of marketing when time allows. When I was advertising I had to be very busyjust to pay the bills.
The internet is growing in importance rapidly and people will no doubt get left behind, even the older generations are spending a lot of their time on computers now, I know that there are exceptions but they are getting fewerand fewer more and more peoples live are moving towards the electronc world. There are no dobt businesses that do not need to seek new markets or do not need to do online business but they are in the minority. People with the internet can do their rewsearch anonomously and they do like that I do have a lot of information on the internet and many would be surprised at thetime people spend reading that info.
Peter
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Yellow pages was much more successful for me and was the main source for enquiries, it's what most people did, but it has fallen a lot particularly over the last 2 or 3 years. The website brings in the bulk of new customers but it's repeats and recommendations that are the mainstay. I even have people finding us on mobile phones as it's now so easy to access.
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As has already been said a website is a must for any new business. There are a couple of cleaners around here who don't have one, but they both have a Google map and adverts on Yell.com.
I think any company that doesn't have a website is missing out on a lot of potential customers.
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One of the criticisms of Yellow Pages Phone Books etc its me too advertising
What we want is customer just to consider us
The other problem is Cut Price Companies put their price on Web Sites
Customers start using this as a Guide Price
You May be Number one number two number 3 etc but it would be vanity to think they are just going to look at you
Maybe I am wrong
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its a must have maybe not now but in bout 5 years time you will feel the benifits of starting it now.... also social media has got to be better than a site cant believe no1 on here mentions it... facebook is the 21century word of mouth
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jamie have you got a website?
can I be your facebook friend :-* :-*? what your facebook name?
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not set it all up yet.. ps u at the wind up
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It's one of those things where it's not essential but you feel obliged because everyone else has one. It's just another form of marketing and God help you if that's all you do to get work.
Having said that it's a bit like having your van signed, it's relatively cheap if you go to the right place and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to maintain. So even a few jobs a year make it well worth while.
Unfortunately I no lots of people, not just CC who have a very glossy expensive website, but no one ever finds it. Speaking to someone today they got a nice bill from Getty images for £1600 because their crap webdesigner put a royalty stock image on his site and he's liable - not the webdesigner. :( Be careful who you choose, get recommendations.
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not set it all up yet.. ps u at the wind up
me on the wind up!!! no..... I'm just feeling lonely :'( :'(... I need more friends
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Having said that it's a bit like having your van signed, it's relatively cheap if you go to the right place and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to maintain. So even a few jobs a year make it well worth while.
Unlike a YP ad, you can give as much information as possible and it still only costs the same amount.
You can effectively have your own TV adverts (video) on your site.
If it's your only avenue then you could be in trouble (I guess it depends on the number of searches) but overall, it has to be worth it.
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Yes - it helps, but only if its of good content. Your Website represents your Company, if it look s**t people expect your works to be the same.
We only advertise this way and we are fully booked, daytime, evenings and weekends with new and existing customers
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its a must have maybe not now but in bout 5 years time you will feel the benifits of starting it now.... also social media has got to be better than a site cant believe no1 on here mentions it... facebook is the 21century word of mouth
I've had quite a lot of jobs through Facebook, not their ads though. I just post my details up on various groups called "Buy, Sell & Wanted in..." and it usually brings in a few jobs. Mainly low end though I have to say.
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I had my first site built this year and now have 8, and find that all new customers come via the google / yahoo searches so i think it was money well spent
Mark
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My worry would be if it was my main thing is when Google change things and suddenly the phone stops ringing.
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Google isnt God, people do use other search engines to find CC's
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Yeah link that MSN thing err whats it called?
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bing!
i don't think facebook is the next big way to get business tbh. imo advertising on facebook is for impulse buys or for buying an actual item online, not for hiring a service. people will continue to spend time looking for a carpet cleaner by going to google and typing it in as they'll want more then one choice, where as on facebook you get one company and that's it.
website may not be essential but it'd be silly to be without one if you can afford one.
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Got to agree with you there
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Mike
looking from the outside you never see the full story. they might have other regular work or wife's that work. I think some carpet cleaners that claim to earn big money gamble like this that over a month they will earn good money and if not they regular work or wife's wage will cover the bills.
This way of doing things makes people lazy with marketing just doing what's needed. Its my view that you would find these types really nice guys and would expect them to have lots on repeats and recommendations.
Respect
Ian Harper
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Its my view that you would find these types really nice guys and would expect them to have lots on repeats and recommendations.
Respect
Ian Harper
Thank you
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Thank you
you're coming across as a spammer. look at your post they are thank you posts or short replies increasing the amount of times your link appears when it's not needed. it doens't even make sense with the message you've quoted as you have a website.
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I am not a spammer, if you read throught the other posts in the last 24 hours, you will see that I have actually requested a "like" button. I have also had quite a lot of comments on here recently regarding my website, business etc and have also answered questions relating to SEO, chemicals etc etc
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yeah true just appears a bit spammy from past experience of what spammers do. e.g. one thread you have 3 replies next to each other when you say just a few words in each so a edit of the first post would have been enough. plus like i said before spammers will quote people, saying just thank you and it not making sense.
i could be wrong but it's appearing that way anyways
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sorry, but I get so far through a thread, quote and comment. Then I read another from the same thread and do the same. It is not with intention. I will try and read all before I post in the future.
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sorry, but I get so far through a thread, quote and comment. Then I read another from the same thread and do the same. It is not with intention. I will try and read all before I post in the future.
Thank You
Cleaning Company in Surrey (http://www.cleansurrey.co.uk/)
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In the digital era where people have laptops, ipads, smartphones and so on, it seems that websites are inevitably the way forward. Not necessarily on their own - there will still currently be a market for Yellow Pages, but moving forward, a website or mobile site will probably be a must have, at a minimum - a Google Maps listing
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Its not do you need a website, its do I get any work from it.
A bit like yellow pages, you see all the carpet cleaners in it and think you should be in it aswell.
If you are not earning money out of it, dump it or change it