Website Steering

[candyman]

I started my web site 3 years ago and I've had very few calls. I was getting looks but seldom did I get a request, and most of those were for replacement service. I made a few changes on my site in January. During the past 30 days I' ve had 305 looks. 17 contacts. I got 4 insurance referrals by request of the customer looking at my Web ad. 3 Needed replacement. 10 were steered away by the insurance agent or third party administrator. When I talked to the potential customers they said they were told they had to use the service provided by their insurance company. They got my information off the website, then called the number on their insurance card or agent. Had they called me first, I may have got the repair. Iam going back in and change a few things on my information. I plan to include a line that will get them to call me first. Some of you may have the same sistuation. Any Ideas on this subject from some of you that have delt with this issue. What gets me is the fact that Iam also listed on those insurance companies as a mobile repair service. Yet they gave the work to someone else (shop) in some of the cases. I only used the 17 as an example. The other 288 may have been looking for service work also and were steered away. Why else would they be looking. I dont have any means to contact those just looking at the site. If I could talk to just 10 to 15 % of that number, it could increase my sells more than $2000 without adding addtional expenses. I would get a better return on my website. I need a tag that would inspire them to call me prior to the insurance company. If we have some good responses , maybe everyone could benefit on here.

[Big E]

I think the issue here is that the clients were told they had to use the service provided by the insurance company. This is the same wording that one of my clients told me. I have listened in on the conversations with the TPA's in the past and this was never the case. The client was always told that they had the right to choose the shop of their choice, but the TPA's always recommended their own service. Now the client is being told that they have to use their service or the repair won't be covered. I don't know when this change of verbage started or how it is even legal, but it is something we have to deal with. I have been working on some changes to my site to try and avoid this. I'll let you know when I have something I think is compelling, professional, ethical and actually has a good closing rate on clients.

I do feel your pain.

[candyman]

Thanks Big E. I wasnt paying close attention to my website data. When I started looking at the number of hits and the number that actually sent a request to contact, that was a eye opener. I could kick my own butt for such an oversight. I had a client last month call her agent from my office. She was told she had to get approval from the TPA. She called and they told her she needed to use one of their shops. I got on the phone and told them I was listed on their site as a Mobile servie. After about 2 minutes, it was confirmed and they game me a dispatch authorization. I would have lost that if I hadnt taken the phone.

[screenman]

Guys you have got to concentrate on another market.

[Auto Glass Rescue]

Here's what I have on my site - It's new so I'm not sure how it going to work. Let me know what you guys think...

"**Be Aware Of “Preferred Glass Shop Facilities”. When Calling Your Insurance Company, They May Try To Steer You To A Network Of What They Refer To As “Preferred Glass Network”, But Know This Is Illegal For Them To Tell You Where To Go For Any Repairs** "

[pommy]

Hi guys...

Reading between the lines, I think the solution is pretty simple.

Why don't you Google the repairers in your area and look at their sites? See what they do to combat this?

Find it, modify it, use it.

And hey, if they are doing nothing, great! - you're one step ahead

Peace.

[Auto Glass Rescue]

Guys you have got to concentrate on another market.

Can you explain? Thanks!