[michael papworth]

Looked quite good, but the price per panel on conservatories made me laugh/gasp/be jealous etc etc.

That price is for the GOLD service which is cleaning the roof, ridge cappings and finials, clearing and cleaning the gutters and supports. That's why the rate is lower for a smaller lean-to - because there are no cappings and less guttering to clean.

I don't know, though. Maybe the prices are wrong, but that method of calculation seems to give reasonable (to me) prices and is transparent to the customer.

Anyone got a better method of pricing, I'm VERY willing to listen and learn.[

[steve.ternent]

  It's good for a first attempt!
I haven't had the guts to even start mine yet 

However I have learned quite a bit about it!

Firstly its all about getting on the first page of a search engine 

You need the words on your sight title ... that people type in!

If I was looking for a window cleaner in Evesham I would type in...

Window Cleaner in Evesham

... other words you could add ...Commercial, Domestic!

Picture help/add a lot  ("A picture paints a thousand words")
But they must be your own (or have permission to use)

I'm not an expert and I'm sure there are many here who could help you more than me!   

[jonah]

Are you a muppet ?

[michael papworth]

Are you a muppet ?

No. Why? Are you a wooden character called Brains?

[jonah]

Are you a muppet ?

No. Why? Are you a wooden character called Brains?

some say I am wooden 

[michael papworth]

My wife and kids think I'm a muppet ... but I know better.

[Art]

Looks good except for the picture of the muppet

There's some wording that i'd change: Occasionally, when soiling is very deep, we need to use chemical cleaning agents. The agents we use are chosen to be environmentally benign, bio-degradable and non-toxic as well as highly effective at cleaning.

I'd replace chemical with other, then you'll sound more appealing to customers who like the eco approach. I'd also replace benign with friendly

Arthur

[russ_clark]

FAO Jaykie

Yes the photos on my site were all done by my company.
The posting you are refering to is a year old
when I respectfully requested the assistance
of some cons roof pics to use on my site.
Some people were kind enough to reply.

There is nothing like asking first is there??
Russ

[jaykie]

I was asking out of curiosity thats why i did it as 2 seperate answers as the link was for wally to find pics others had posted of there jobs

[michael papworth]

Thanks for the help and advice.

I've got rid of the Muppet and replaced the offending before/after photos with some taken (legally, I hope) from the link provided by Rupert.

The video links are now working and there are a few more photos.

It CAN be time-consuming to build a web site. I wonder if the time I've spent on this site today wouldn't have been better spent in leafletting. Still, at least I have a web site for the leaflets to send a customer to.

[Art]

Put a links page on it aswell and exchange links with other peoples sites. It'll help with google rankings 

Arthur

[steve.ternent]

  Wally I loved the video's I watched them all, great!     

I know I am new to this forum, but I have to tell you...

I typed in Window Cleaners in Evesham
I typed in Window washers in Evesham
I typed in Wally the window washer in Evesham

I could not find you...I don't know the solution, only the problem!
Only the people who know your web address will find you!

Please don't shoot the messenger!

[poleman]

This is said with the upper most respect!

You name!

Wally The Window Washer, sounds like something from CBeebies 

[groundhog]

I agree with wc! Not a bad site though for a first attempt. I don't think you will attract a lot of commercial customers though, especially with that name!!! 

[michael papworth]

The site only went live on Saturday, and it can take several days before a site is found by crawlers. I wouldn't expect to find it on a search engine for many weeks yet.

As you know, there's a much better chance of being well ranked when you've got plenty of links. I'll start collecting links via the forum in a day or two. This is something that would benefit ALL of us. If every one of us who has a web site links to everyone else, we'll ALL get the rankings benefit.

(The maths behind this is fascinating - and is known as the handshake problem. I'll bore you with it if we meet up sometime.)

The main point of the site is as somewhere for people to go if they are thinking about getting me to clean their windows or conservatory. I put the web site address on all the leaflets and I'll get it on my business cards and van etc. Three customers pays for a year's hosting, so that's OK. If it gets customers who are searching a bit later, that's good as well.

Yes, I know what you mean about the name. It's a bit childish, but people like it and, importantly, remember it. Michael's Window Cleaning Services might sound more professional, but is instantly forgettable. I've had lots of people tell me that the name made them laugh, and that's a very positive emotion.

If I want to enter the commercial market, I can always operate under another name for that side. It's not a major consideration at this moment. The few shops I do don't care about the name. The main reason I do them is because they keep some of my leaflets on their counters.

[Art]

What's the handshake problem?

[michael papworth]

What's the handshake problem?

When two (A and B) people meet, they shake hands with each other 

A_B - and that's one handshake ... and it's important to realise that A shaking hands with B is the same as B shaking hands with A.

When 3 people (A, B and C) meet, they all shake hands

A_B
A_C
B_C

Each shakes hands with two people, and there are three handshakes.

When 4 people meet (A, B, C and D) they all shake hands

A_B
A_C
A_D
B_C
B_D
C_D

there are 6 handshakes

The way I've written it provides the clue to the solution.

When 5 people meet there are 10 handshakes

Can you see the pattern?

Well, it's the same with linking to other people's web sites. If, say, 20 of us all linked to each other's web sites, there would be 190 links -  which would do everyone a bit of good.

[Art]

That's very good. It reminds me of algebra. Why not just simplify things and add a links page. Have you been reading up on SEO?

[david wood]

the photo of the green brush and yellow pole an inside shot was taken by me ;Dbut you are very welcome to use it or any other photos i have.

[Jimmy1]

Wally - love the website, also love the name its different and your right it wouldnt be forgotten easily. When you start to put links on let me know as I'll be very happy to exchange links - Jimmy