[Mike Halliday]

I'm having a website done, but I'm not sure what direction it should take.

is a website a way to educate customers on what we do or is it an introduction to the company so potential customers know who you are.

mine at the moment is more about the company and just gives a short over view of what we actually do.

it is a 'pretty' design with just the basics of what the customer needs to know.

when its finished I'll put up a link.

[derek west]

mike
look at it as an extension of your advertising, for all those bits you can't fit on your leaflet or 1 liner in a free adds paper.
derek

[mark_roberts]

Id say a bit of both but more emphasis towards new potential customers.  I cant see too many of my customers logging onto my site just for information other than say emergency tips.

Mark

PS. make sure you do it right first time as if its a template Mark is selling then its going to be the one I'll be using more than likely.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I get work from my website so it's not just an information piece it's a sales tool but knowing who you are selling to will help with the direction you need to go with the message you are giving.

Shaun

[Mike Halliday]

Mark I think the template will work like this, each page will have a picture in a set position and text in a set position. so all it takes is my picture is removed and yours goes in it place same with the text.

the pages will have a set background and be in a set order.

although it will be a template it will still look like a normal website unless you see 2 website side by side.

mine (IMO) is looking very nice and looks professional.

[clinton]

Mike

Sounds good and i must be the third after derek then

[Mike Osbourne]

A CC website is for making money as far as I'm concerned.

If you don't get the traffic then it's not much use.

In Mike's case with his 3mile exclusion zone there may not be hardly any, but then again there may be quite a few people who never read a leaflet, but do search by where they live and 'carpet cleaner'

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

100% agree CC websites are there to make money, mine have brought in a large amount this week.

Cheers

Doug

[Shaun_Ashmore]

How many cleaning related sites have you got Doug that have your name in it?

Shaun

[mark_roberts]

Have you any suggestion for what website name I should choose.

Ultraclean is my business name but .co.uk and .com have been taken.

thanks
Mark

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Ultracleanbelfast

Shaun

[derek west]

if your from belfast like shaun suggests.
i'd definately have my url as either.....
carpetcleanersbelfast.co.uk
belfastcarpetcleaners.co.uk
belfastcarpetcleaning.co.uk
carpetcleaningbelfast.co.uk

trust me
ditch the ultraclean in your url
no one searches that way unless they know you direct in which case you'll be there abouts anyway with an ultraclean search due to your content.

derek

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Shaun congrats on reaching 4000

I have about 20 to 25 sites which directly effect my CCing.

Cheers

Doug

[mark_roberts]

So do you all ditch your business name and call yourselves carpet cleaning sheffield or where ever.

In advertisments such as YP or on the van do you have your business name and your website address or just the latter.

If I do call myself carpetcleaningbelfast.com will I always be at no 1 in a search if the search is carpet cleaning in belfast.

Im really thick when it comes to computers/web stuff so be gentle.

Mark

[Mike Osbourne]

It will help with rankings but it's not essential.

I found the learning curve very tough at first and I'm just about feeling I know a little