Websites Generate Business?

[gekog]

I originally posted this under the Business Section, but after some thought, I decided to post it here. I apoogize to the nine people who have looked at this already, but I believe more people will see it here than there.

This is to those of you who have experience with developing a website for your business. I can have the site developed for free, but there are costs associated with making it active, and more costs associated with ensuring that it gets to the top of search engine lists. If you have a site, has it been successful??
I mean, it may generate alot of hits, but has or is it generating any business?

gekog - Junior Member

Posts: 28
Joined: July 8th, 2010, 4:53 pm
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[SGT]

I have a website and personally feel it is as important your overall professional image just like a business card or brochure in electronic format. That being said it does not generate a whole lot of business. It does generate a bunch of calls from people all over that do not look to see where we are located and or that we specialize in repair. I do get jobs from it but I am not setting the world on fire. I do have it pointed but I do not pay for special placing.

[gekog]

Thanks Sgt. I agree 100% with you on the professional image. I guess it's maybe one of those promotional things that may not have a calcuable payback, but you have to trust helps your overall public image package. I was thinking that if I can establish a route of some sort, I may use the site to let people know where I will be (town, location) on what day. I could enter the info daily. Just considering this. Might be too much of a hassle.

Doesn't look like there are alot of website users among us.

[Frank EU]

We indeed have websites, a few in English, a few in Dutch, one in German, one Norwegian and one in Turkish.
When you take business seriously, and want a proper exposure, at low cost (relatively), than you may want to look at having a website.
No matter how big or small your business is. Having a website is always a good thing.

I have seen many, many websites, but the one thing I never understand is why people drop their repair prices there.
To me it is very silly. I would never publish any prices on a website, have the people contacting you.
The problem with publishing our prices is: others read it too, including the networks and insurers.
It is one of the reasons why networks and insurers keep the repair prices low (too low).

Another thing I don't get is why people proudly promote the system they are using.
As if you're saying to your customers/visitors, please start your own venture and go there.

jmho
Good luck with your website. You can go as crazy and expensive as you want. Go get one.

[Ca$h]

Thanks Sgt. I agree 100% with you on the professional image. I guess it's maybe one of those promotional things that may not have a calcuable payback, but you have to trust helps your overall public image package. I was thinking that if I can establish a route of some sort, I may use the site to let people know where I will be (town, location) on what day. I could enter the info daily. Just considering this. Might be too much of a hassle.

Doesn't look like there are alot of website users among us.

Horse Chiropractors are always in high demand on the rodeo circuit. I know several of them that use Facebook or Twitter to let people know where they will be on any given day. You may want to consider setting up an account and having people become a fan of those social networking sites. You should be able to set up a link on your web page for the opportunity to follow you. That way your site stays intact with your information and they can follow you on those other sites.

[candyman]

I agree with SGT and Frank: It cost me about $18 per month and Iam on more than 100 search engines and dont pay any other fees. I Get about 3% of my business from the website. Some go to that site just to check me out. Most of the calls need replacement. I do not advertize my price on my site. I also get calls from far off places. I got a insurance call a few months back from a driver that looked me up after the cell operator gave him my info off my yellow page ad. He drove over 150 miles (detour) for me to do the repair. He choose me because he prefered a repair only tech, becasue he said he had a small break and didn't want to replace his Lexus windshield. He said that he was dissatified with WSR Tech that do both because he almost always was told he needed a replacement, when he felt it was not needed. He called his insurance company while enroute and gave them my information. When he arrived I already had the insurance approval fax, and instructions. I met him at the interstate, made the repair and he was on his way within 45 minutes. I got a letter from Allstate of New Jersey, stating the owner was satisfied and they were pleased with my work. They put me on their list through 2011 as repair only. I thought I was already on the list prior to that call. When I pick my phone up I never know where the call is coming from. Almost none of them send me a message from the website by computer. My web has a page that people can fillin their information and it's routed to my personal email account. The guy was north of Richmond Va /DC and I was the only one showing per the operator. I know there must be others between there and NC.

[gekog]

I am glad to see that all of you agree that even though we may not get a ton of business from a website, having one adds positively to our overall image. I definately agree that we should not publish
our prices on the site....or anywhere else. Foe one thing, I in particular, may need to make slight adjustments up in my prices to cover costs associated with travelling to small towns in the area. I am going to try to service some small communities that don't have a service like this, and to do so means time and fuel.

Also....I am hoping to be able to establish a 'Schedule' page on my site that will let people know when and where I will be in their town. This will come later as I first need to see if the whole thing is actually worth it. You all know the saying....'the best laid plans'

I admith that I am facebook and tweeter ignorant. I will need to ask my grown children about those avenues.

[GlassStarz]

People tend to put way too much info on thier sites Customer could care less what equip you use complicated pricing schedules or tutorials about WR are a waste. They already know what WR is or they wouldnt be there looking for you. Brands of Injectors are completly unknown and of no use to the customer. Dont put any pricing have them call you so you can close the sale a person to person will close a huge percentage a price on a sheet doesnt sell anything KISS tell em what area you cover give em a number to reach you pretty simple

[SGT]

Glass Starz has a good point. Personally my site will put the average consumer to sleep with information overload. Now on the other hand if you are seeking corporate business it may help in the impression department but will probably still put them to sleep also. I think finding a balance between too much and too little is key based on who you want to prospect for business. I think 3-5 pages could convey all the meat and potatoes!

Glad this topic popped up. I "may" actually revamp my site when I get time. KISS is good place to start.

1. Splash page has to be attractive,look professioanl and be inviting
2. Supply just enough info to keep there interest and create a call to action
3. Keep it easy to navagate
4. Make the feel of the site matches the image you are trying to project and the service we provide

[candyman]

Gekog ! Thanks for the suggestion of posting on the web my location. I have on my 3rd page web site, a place to put hours of operation and it gives a map to my Home. I plan to go back to setting up at a Flea market this fall on Saturday's. I hadn't thought about putting my setup location on there. Thats why I like this forum. My first page gives general information, the second page list what I do and my certifications. third page list location and hours and a place for them to enter their contact information or questions, which will transmit to my personal email when they press send. I got a call from Google today wanting to set me up with an account. I declined based on some of the post I read lately. They guarantee contacts , but a charge for everyone wheather I get the job or not. I am stopping my radio ad on the 13 of august. I only had 2 phone calls and that was week one. I started the ads on April 13: I did pick up a small fleet off of one of the two calls. I am keeping a running total each month, the number of repairs and where it generated from. It really opens your eyes when you look at it. It tells me where to concentrate my efforts and spend my money. Referals, Repeat, and Flyers in that order account for more than 70% of my business. Have a nice day.