Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: STEVE-UK on November 20, 2012, 09:03:26 am

Title: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 20, 2012, 09:03:26 am
www.southernwindowcleaningltd.co.uk (http://www.southernwindowcleaningltd.co.uk)

gone for a new look....what do you guys think?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: ottra on November 20, 2012, 10:13:43 am
Just a few things mate the abseiling has no tools or doing anything.
And i would shorten your email to SWC like me my one was way to long
offthetopropeaccess no its OTTRA
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Richard iSparkle on November 20, 2012, 10:21:40 am
www.southernwindowcleaningltd.co.uk (http://www.southernwindowcleaningltd.co.uk)

gone for a new look....what do you guys think?

It looks very very good.  Well done.  I can see a lot of work has gone into it.  Gives me food for thought for my commercial advertising too.
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: EandM on November 20, 2012, 10:55:05 am
Very good, very smart looking site.

Just a few thoughts;


Site visit Guarantee

Many of our new clients have contacted us due to poor communication with their previous contractors who were either unreliable or discourteous -  As a Southern Window Cleaning customer we will notify you with a date and an A.M or P.M visit.


Satisfaction Guarantee

A common reason for change of contractor is poor workmanship, At Southern Window Cleaning we have expanded on reputation. We offer a satisfaction guarantee, if there is an issue you are not happy with, simply call us within 24 hours and we will return to rectify any problems.

These are only my thoughts - it's still very good.

Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Frankybadboy on November 20, 2012, 11:02:48 am
like ;)
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: g.brookes on November 20, 2012, 11:57:19 am
thats an excellent site.
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: windiewasher on November 20, 2012, 11:59:37 am
Thats a top website!
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Klean07 on November 20, 2012, 04:31:47 pm
Top site except for your spelling of the word courtesy!

http://www.ask.com/answers/108219641/what-is-courtesy
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: spudd on November 20, 2012, 04:57:24 pm
Nice site Steve, looks fresh.

Hope all is good your end.. :)
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: steve123 on November 20, 2012, 06:07:44 pm
Nice site, did you build it yourself? if so what did you use?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 21, 2012, 08:21:45 am
Thanks for the feedback chaps

will have to change that spelling mistake

I had a company make it up for me, the software used to design is Wordpress

Spikey...doing well thanks mate how about you?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: shina on November 21, 2012, 08:39:39 am
Thanks for the feedback chaps

will have to change that spelling mistake

I had a company make it up for me, the software used to design is Wordpress

Spikey...doing well thanks mate how about you?
How much would a web site like that cost?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 22, 2012, 06:58:59 am
this one cost me a grand to have made
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 22, 2012, 08:38:33 am
this one cost me a grand to have made

A grand?!!! Don't get me wrong, its a nice looking site (In fact I'm building one for a guy now who said he likes the way yours looks)

I was keeping quiet because i thought you'd built it yourself,.. and even for a semi-pro job its good - but its not worth a grand!

1.There are no meta keyword tags (not as important as they used to be - but still shouldn't be ignored)

2. The header includes Flash animation - fine a couple of years ago, but there are compatibility issues with some smartphones & tablets, so its not often used any more.

3. Your page titles are vital to SEO - listing the areas you work in & the services you offer in the page titles is essential.

4. The site is too wordy - no one will read all of that text. Keep it simple & to the point.

5. You don't need a blog page - integration with your facebook business page would be better for SEO

6. The maps on each area page are different - a site should be made to look as uniform as possible.

7. The whole site needs looking at by a proof reader - minor spelling & grammar errors give a bad impression thats easily avoided.


Sorry, I know that list sounds a bit harsh, but if you're paying big money you should be getting top results! You've a lot of pages on the site, so it's going to cost - but I would have thought £600 max personally.

Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: EandM on November 22, 2012, 04:46:06 pm
this one cost me a grand to have made

A grand?!!! Don't get me wrong, its a nice looking site (In fact I'm building one for a guy now who said he likes the way yours looks)

I was keeping quiet because i thought you'd built it yourself,.. and even for a semi-pro job its good - but its not worth a grand!

1.There are no meta keyword tags (not as important as they used to be - but still shouldn't be ignored)

2. The header includes Flash animation - fine a couple of years ago, but there are compatibility issues with some smartphones & tablets, so its not often used any more.

3. Your page titles are vital to SEO - listing the areas you work in & the services you offer in the page titles is essential.

4. The site is too wordy - no one will read all of that text. Keep it simple & to the point.

5. You don't need a blog page - integration with your facebook business page would be better for SEO

6. The maps on each area page are different - a site should be made to look as uniform as possible.

7. The whole site needs looking at by a proof reader - minor spelling & grammar errors give a bad impression thats easily avoided.


Sorry, I know that list sounds a bit harsh, but if you're paying big money you should be getting top results! You've a lot of pages on the site, so it's going to cost - but I would have thought £600 max personally.




I clearly don't know as much about website design as Nathanael Jones but he makes some very valid points about cost and overall result.
I don't possess a degree in English but what stands out to me is the phraseology.
The writing style doesn't flow well, relying on many small words that seem to elongate a sentence whereas a few longer and more descriptive words would convey the point more effectively. If you were a little company covering a small area I'm sure all would be satisfactory. However, looking at your coverage map I'd be concerned that the native text doesn't portray your company in the best possible light. For a £1,000 I too would expect someone to have proof read the text and reviewed the syntax thoroughly.

All that said, it's a good looking site that needs a few tweaks rather than an overhaul.
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 22, 2012, 05:52:00 pm
Thanks chaps, Will be having words the company that built it, I will let you know there response
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 22, 2012, 06:00:00 pm
Nathanael...Would you expect it to be proof read for the price i paid?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: NJones on November 22, 2012, 06:38:47 pm
Yes,... Proof reading should be included as standard - its vital to your business presentation, so needs to be spot on.

I just noticed that the site isn't responsive to different screen sizes either, which should also be standard at that price, especially as its so easy to do in Wordpress.
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 22, 2012, 08:03:38 pm
Yes,... Proof reading should be included as standard - its vital to your business presentation, so needs to be spot on.

I just noticed that the site isn't responsive to different screen sizes either, which should also be standard at that price, especially as its so easy to do in Wordpress.

Sorry, just realised my phone logs on with the wrong account - the above comment is still me though!
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: robbo333 on November 22, 2012, 08:09:33 pm
Sorry to be negative, but i have to agree with NJ.

I think it's a lot of dosh for what you've got.

Have a chat with your web designers and get it sorted.
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: ben M on November 22, 2012, 08:25:59 pm
Yes,... Proof reading should be included as standard - its vital to your business presentation, so needs to be spot on.

I just noticed that the site isn't responsive to different screen sizes either, which should also be standard at that price, especially as its so easy to do in Wordpress.

Sorry, just realised my phone logs on with the wrong account - the above comment is still me though!
you have 2 accounts :o why?
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 22, 2012, 08:57:17 pm
LOL,. forgot my login once after a laptop died - finally remembered a few days later, but by then I'd setup a new account.  ::)
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 23, 2012, 08:09:22 am
Nat...Can you have a look at this site, does it have the same issues as designed by the same people?
http://www.havensecurity.co.uk

Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: STEVE-UK on November 23, 2012, 08:18:20 am
they done this one as well Nat

Neither sites come up well on google search

Ive emailed the website designers to get the issue sorted or i will be instructing another company to rectify problems and look to them for reimbursement, if you think these other companies have similar problems with their sites i will contact them to advise
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 23, 2012, 08:21:53 am
Nat...Can you have a look at this site, does it have the same issues as designed by the same people?
http://www.havensecurity.co.uk



Yep - pretty much the same.

I think to me, the biggest issues are that their sites don't use a dynamic/responsive layout for different screen sizes which has become kinda standard recently, and that they still use flash - flash has patchy support at bet on iPads & tablets, so many viewers wouldn't see the site as its meant to be seen!

To be honest, if it was just a guy doing it on his own or just starting out (and charging a lot less) I'd say they're still good sites - - but when they're calling themselves professional web designers & charging big bucks then I'd expect perfection!
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: ben M on November 23, 2012, 08:52:41 am
Hi Nathanael,

In another post,regarding my website,you said:

No privacy policy or cookie policy?

what do you mean? can you explain more please.

Thanks
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 23, 2012, 09:09:02 am
Hi Nathanael,

In another post,regarding my website,you said:

No privacy policy or cookie policy?

what do you mean? can you explain more please.

Thanks

Google likes to see a "Privacy Policy",.. it will give a small boost to your rankings.

Law requires a cookie policy - your site probably doesn't use cookies, but its still a good idea to have a "Cookie policy" like this one: http://nolanscleaning.co.uk/privacy.html

To be honest, the law is aimed at big businesses collecting information about their users from their browsing, as a small business the most you're going to have is facebook/twitter feeds and some analytics cookies - but its still law that you let your website visitors know (In the UK anyway)

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies.aspx


Disclaimer: I like making websites, but I'm not a professional web designer, I'm a window cleaner. I may just be talking out my arse half the time, so do your own research & reach your own conclusions!!
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: ben M on November 23, 2012, 09:21:19 am
Hi Nathanael,

In another post,regarding my website,you said:

No privacy policy or cookie policy?

what do you mean? can you explain more please.

Thanks

Google likes to see a "Privacy Policy",.. it will give a small boost to your rankings.

Law requires a cookie policy - your site probably doesn't use cookies, but its still a good idea to have a "Cookie policy" like this one: http://nolanscleaning.co.uk/privacy.html

To be honest, the law is aimed at big businesses collecting information about their users from their browsing, as a small business the most you're going to have is facebook/twitter feeds and some analytics cookies - but its still law that you let your website visitors know (In the UK anyway)

http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/privacy_and_electronic_communications/the_guide/cookies.aspx


Disclaimer: I like making websites, but I'm not a professional web designer, I'm a window cleaner. I may just be talking out my arse half the time, so do your own research & reach your own conclusions!!
Thanks for your explanation  :)
Title: Re: New website...what do you guys think?
Post by: Window Washers on November 23, 2012, 12:08:18 pm
this one cost me a grand to have made

A grand?!!! Don't get me wrong, its a nice looking site (In fact I'm building one for a guy now who said he likes the way yours looks)

I was keeping quiet because i thought you'd built it yourself,.. and even for a semi-pro job its good - but its not worth a grand!

1.There are no meta keyword tags (not as important as they used to be - but still shouldn't be ignored)

2. The header includes Flash animation - fine a couple of years ago, but there are compatibility issues with some smartphones & tablets, so its not often used any more.

3. Your page titles are vital to SEO - listing the areas you work in & the services you offer in the page titles is essential.

4. The site is too wordy - no one will read all of that text. Keep it simple & to the point.

5. You don't need a blog page - integration with your facebook business page would be better for SEO

6. The maps on each area page are different - a site should be made to look as uniform as possible.

7. The whole site needs looking at by a proof reader - minor spelling & grammar errors give a bad impression thats easily avoided.


Sorry, I know that list sounds a bit harsh, but if you're paying big money you should be getting top results! You've a lot of pages on the site, so it's going to cost - but I would have thought £600 max personally.


5, you dont need a blog correct, but it is amazingly good for seo if used correctly for internal linking also good for traffic. Having fb and blog is even better for seo