[Mike Halliday]

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

[Colin Day]

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...

[Warren Aldridge]

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 

[Joe H]

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.

[peter maybury]

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

[Simon@arenaclean]

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.

[Matt Seymour]

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.

[Ian Gourlay]

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

[Jamie Lindsay]

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

[Mike Halliday]

jamie have you got a website?

can I be your facebook friend ? what your facebook name?

[Jamie Lindsay]

not set it all up yet.. ps u at the wind up

[wynne jones]

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.

[Mike Halliday]

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

[garry22]

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.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

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

[Matt Seymour]

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.

[markpowell]

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

[wynne jones]

My worry would be if it was my main thing is when Google change things and suddenly the phone stops ringing.

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

Google isnt God, people do use other search engines to find CC's

[wynne jones]

Yeah link that MSN thing err whats it called?