Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Peter Fogwill on December 24, 2011, 01:54:18 pm
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Hi guys I need some help.
I am developing a new app based software to assist window cleaners when they are out and about working, and looking for some ideas on what you would like to see?
The main feature will be a simple to use calculator. You input your prices and the calculator does the rest. There will also be a round organiser that will keep track of your work, who's paid, due, etc. Now it is in the quite late stages of development and I want to make sure I get this right, and that is the reason I am posting here. I would be looking to sell this on a subscription bases, and need to know what if anything people would be willing to pay for.
Thanks for any help, and I look forward to an in-depth discussion.
Peter Fogwill
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Is this cloud based ?
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Is this cloud based ?
Yes some of it. I am trying to sort out what will be available on the app itself. The whole thing will be too large for the app itself.
Peter
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If its possible a height calculator.
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If its possible a height calculator.
Jeff do you mean a calculator to see what height you are off the ground?
Or do you mean you want to point the device at something to see how high it is off the ground?
If it is the first there already is an app for that. If the second there is an app to measure distances, but it wouldn't go that far I am sure.
Peter
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Peter think about support for this ... look what happened to WCP
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Peter think about support for this ... look what happened to WCP
Whats happened to WCP?
I pay gold support and get help when required.
Development may have stopped now, but that unfortunately is the way of the world, things don't stay still for very long.
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Peter think about support for this ... look what happened to WCP
Firstly it is more of a calculator I am marketing it as rather than a round organiser.
The orginizer part will be very simple .
Hopefully like most apps it will run smoothly with very little support needed. I don't know for sure but I am sure some of the problem with WCP is the fact that it was for a PDA based and not so many people carry them about. Everyone has a phone.
It's like everything else it will rely on good marketing, and a good amount of users. If it does have good support then there is no limit to what useful additions can be added in the future. I want it to have features that will really help in the day to day running of a window cleaning business, with the users input making that possible.
Things are moving fast in the phone world, I for one don't bother with a laptop anymore except for my QB at work.
Peter
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Hi Peter
I think a job estimator would be good type in the name and details of customer. And a means of setting a price for certain types of windows and doors. then you enter the amount of doors and window and it would bring up a one off clean price 4wk 8wk 12wk prices.
Roy
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one of the reason i havent got a round organsie is i can not be bothered to retype all my work in, i would rather import a excel file and it sorts it for me
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An app for android to calculate prices to your own specification would be good. I believe there is one for iphone but not android.
I use a netbook with George on. I tried Aworka but it didn't work on my phone.
Any links for the measurement apps?
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Sorry didn't read Roy's post.
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Hi Peter
I think a job estimator would be good type in the name and details of customer. And a means of setting a price for certain types of windows and doors. then you enter the amount of doors and window and it would bring up a one off clean price 4wk 8wk 12wk prices.
Roy
Yes Roy that's the idea. You can also install the calculator on your website. The idea is the prospective customer lands on your site, inputs their window details in the calculator, and get an instant quote.
Peter
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Peter think about support for this ... look what happened to WCP
Whats happened to WCP?
I pay gold support and get help when required.
Development may have stopped now, but that unfortunately is the way of the world, things don't stay still for very long.
doesn't stop the fact its unstable and can grind you to a hault at any given time
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Hi Peter
How about an app that you put all your debts in and when the get 7 day or 14 or 30 days it sends a automated tex sending the customer a reminder.
Roy
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Hi Peter
How about an app that you put all your debts in and when the get 7 day or 14 or 30 days it sends a automated tex sending the customer a reminder.
Roy
also to text customers the night before to leave gate open/money out.
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Hi Peter
How about an app that you put all your debts in and when the get 7 day or 14 or 30 days it sends a automated tex sending the customer a reminder.
Roy
also to text customers the night before to leave gate open/money out.
You wouldn't want it to send an automatic email the day before you were due, just incase you didn't make it? What about a manual one say 30 minutes before you arrive?
Again for Roy wouldn't it be best sending a manual email to anyone owing money? Both could be done easily with a email template from within the app.
Peter
Peter
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Hi Peter
I do an automated email for late payments. But some don't have email but a mobile.
Roy
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Hi Roy, what program do you use to send your automated emails?
Peter
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I just use a template at the moment and it has a heading do not reply to this email as it is automated.
But it is not, I have generated it manually. I think if the customer says any thing you can say the computer generates it once it falls beyond our credit terms.
So something that would be automated would be good.
Roy
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Hi Peter
I think a job estimator would be good type in the name and details of customer. And a means of setting a price for certain types of windows and doors. then you enter the amount of doors and window and it would bring up a one off clean price 4wk 8wk 12wk prices.
Roy
Yes Roy that's the idea. You can also install the calculator on your website. The idea is the prospective customer lands on your site, inputs their window details in the calculator, and get an instant quote.
Peter
personally I would not want people price shopping from a website calulator, loads already do this and are pointless as it says its a guide, I guess compares to a chocolate teapot.
payment reminder would be great, able to use on multiple platforms | pc/mac/iphone/ipad/andriod and auto sync feature
a option to message the night before a clean (as in ones you have in cue to clean) you hit send it does it for you.
an option where it cannot make double entries into the database (like WCP does sometimes)
if I had the full control of the app and data base and program I would pay a monthly fee, if it was anything like wcp (where you cant just reinstall with your own product key etc, then would not be wanting to pay extra per month.
Steve CM: have you found an alternative yet Steve ? I so nearly had my own designed due to errors in wcp
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no, stopped looking as its not needed now i only have a handful of customers.
Gonna start to use sage for my accounts though
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Hi Window Washer, sorry I don't know your name.
We all know that customers don't just go with price alone, the reviews left for any particular cleaner will add some weight as well. I know for a fact I wouldn't dream of going on holiday without reading reviews first. Some might be a bit afraid of the reviews they get, but I am sure the professional window cleaner would have nothing to be frightened of. Unscrupulous people would not want reviews. It seems to be the way things are going with people looking for reviews now on most things they buy.
The calculator can be subject to survey if that is what you want, but it will really be very easy to get your pricing structure set up so as you get it right. The fact that you will have it with you will go a long way to achieving this. You can try it out on each job you finish just to make sure it is giving you the prices you charge. Set it a bit higher and this will give you the confidence to charge that little bit more, instead of backing down when you are face to face, because you don't think you will get it.
The calculator on your website won't be the same. People shopping around will be getting a quote from you there and then. How many websites have you been on and get off as soon as you realise that there are no prices? The calculator on your website will give people a price instantly once they have inputed the information the calculator needs.
Some of it will be done on a mobile website as opposed to the app, and for someone who does not have an iPhone will be able to do everything on a mobile website.
Tell me more about the scheduling you would want to do? What would be your ideal setup? What fields would you like to see?
Thanks for your help.
Peter
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Hi Window Washer, sorry I don't know your name.
We all know that customers don't just go with price alone, the reviews left for any particular cleaner will add some weight as well. I know for a fact I wouldn't dream of going on holiday without reading reviews first. Some might be a bit afraid of the reviews they get, but I am sure the professional window cleaner would have nothing to be frightened of. Unscrupulous people would not want reviews. It seems to be the way things are going with people looking for reviews now on most things they buy.
The calculator can be subject to survey if that is what you want, but it will really be very easy to get your pricing structure set up so as you get it right. The fact that you will have it with you will go a long way to achieving this. You can try it out on each job you finish just to make sure it is giving you the prices you charge. Set it a bit higher and this will give you the confidence to charge that little bit more, instead of backing down when you are face to face, because you don't think you will get it.
The calculator on your website won't be the same. People shopping around will be getting a quote from you there and then. How many websites have you been on and get off as soon as you realise that there are no prices? The calculator on your website will give people a price instantly once they have inputed the information the calculator needs.
Some of it will be done on a mobile website as opposed to the app, and for someone who does not have an iPhone will be able to do everything on a mobile website.
Tell me more about the scheduling you would want to do? What would be your ideal setup? What fields would you like to see?
Thanks for your help.
Peter
Hi Peter,
I never said anything about reviews as far as I am aware I think there a good thing.
The pricing from a site i think is counter productive, although surveying people would be the best way to find out (non window cleaners of course)
if you designing something that is for round scheduling ect then I guess off the bat: name, phone number, address, postcode, how they pay, freqency (if this is not connected to cloud/main program at base) price, notes, add on next time, extra job
Ian
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Hi Ian,
I just thought I would mention the reviews as I was trying to get across that price is not everything.
I am trying to keep everything as easy to use as possible, and once it is up and running and hopefully paying for itself then there is no limit to features that can be added.
What does people think of online reviews? Would you rather personally post customer testimonials where you chose what is posted? Or would you rather have a review where it got posted straight to the review page by the customer? Unreasonable reviews could still be deleted.
Peter