Do you have a website?

[TWD]

Hi,
I'm revising the Tradesman Web Design packages.

I wonder if you could take a few minutes to help me build an irresistible offering for tradesman - I really need your help if I'm going to create the defacto web design package for Tradesmen.

I also think that it could make interesting reading and we can all learn a bit about what goes into crafting an effective online presence.

I know with your help I can create an amazing offer for site members.

If Yes, why?

• To look professional
• To generate sales
• To build your brand
• To provide product/service details
• To allow people to contact you
• Something else?

If not, why not?

• Do you not see some value in having a website presence?
• Do you find it hard to find someone who knows their stuff
• In reality, do you actually not have the time

Also, if you do have a website are you satisfied with your web presence?
And what do you dislike something specific about your website

 

[jase158]

My website Is there to bring me business.
It does it well (could probably do better)

everything else comes second but it also must:

look good, dont want people clicking off before they ring you
be trueful (never used to think so as even if i have prices people still come and ask "how much" but now people say they have looked at it and read it so definetly cant lie on there)
building brand as people remember logo from van and see it when using website and then when I turn up with t-shirts
be secure, too many junk calls/ emails can be time wasting and very frustrating
contact us pages are a must
poduct details/ services isnt too important as most people just ring after reading "about us" and "contact us" however there are a few that will read a lot of the website

The problem with plumbers is that we can get too busy and spending hundreds of pounds on a website is great when we are quiet but not when we are too busy to take on new work

The main qualities of my website is the testimonials and photo's of previous work, 90 percent of people say they saw the previous work and was impressed by the pics!!

 

[TWD]

Thanks Jase, Very helpful and useful reply.

I do think timing is a big issue - especially to write up decent content.

*NOTE TO MODS - Don't know why I posted this in New Member Intro's - could it be moved to a more appropriate forum please*

 

[Masood]

If Yes, why?

• To look professional
• To generate sales
• To build your brand
• To provide product/service details
• To allow people to contact you
• Something else?

Yes I have a site. Reasons - all of the above

Also, if you do have a website are you satisfied with your web presence?
And what do you dislike something specific about your website

No, not happy. The guy I used has not fully finished the site, there are mistakes and missing bits but despite having FTP access I don't have the time or knowledge to go over it with a fine tooth comb and correct them. He seems disinclined to finish the work now that I've paid in full. Don't think he's dishonest, just disorganised and forgetful and I haven't the time or energy to chase him all the time.

I was thinking of contacting you but then noticed you don't do SEO. I would like my site to:

Reinforce real-world branding such as logo'd vans, workwear etc.
Showcase my work and excellent customer feedback
Have contact details but with some sort of security to prevent spam/malware being sent by bots
Pricing chart with breakdown of hourly / daily rates, out-of-hours rates, etc.
Generate new work by ranking highly in Google searches
Work on mobiles

PM me if you can help with the above!

 

[Ray Stafford]

If Yes, why?

• To look professional
• To generate sales
• To build your brand
• To provide product/service details
• To allow people to contact you
• Something else?

There are only 5 business goals worth pursuing. Any activity you undertake that does not lead directly to one of these five outcomes is a waste of time and resources.

1) Sell more
2) Sell at a higher price
3) Buy cheaper (only applies if you every purchase raw materials or products for re-sale)
4) Cut costs
5) Look after your cash

Most business strategies define the order of priorities behind these. Asda's main strategy is to sell more to a price sensitive demographic, whereas Waitrose's strategy is to sell at a higher price to a quality conscious market. Both succeed because they are clear about strategy.

Strategy should aim to concentrate your finite resources in an area where you are relatively strong (in experience, investment, innovation etc) and where your opposition is relatively weak. Then you look at the various tactical elements needed to deliver on the strategy (like a marketing plan).

The important thing is that you have a strategy, and then align your marketing (including your website) to that strategy.

The most common failing of small businesses is to miss out the strategy part, and activities are therefore unco-ordinated, sometimes contradictory, and often wasteful or counter productive.

[/lecture mode>

🙂

 

[smartprofits]

The problem with plumbers is that we can get too busy and spending hundreds of pounds on a website is great when we are quiet but not when we are too busy to take on new work

!!

hi Jase is that really a problem though? You can quote for the job and get a trusted mate to do the job on your behalf ie sub contracting? I am sure you have other plumbers whose work you can vouch for why not get them to work for you? This way you will earn on the job you're on physically as well as the one you sub contract? Just an idea to think about? Are you a tradesman or a businessman - food for thought 🙂

 

[Masood]

The most common failing of small businesses is to miss out the strategy part, and activities are therefore unco-ordinated, sometimes contradictory, and often wasteful or counter productive.

This. My biggest challenge as I grow. Taking too much low-quality work and getting too strung out to focus on the upper end of the market that pays equally for fewer hours/aches and pains.

Takes a braver man than me to make the conscious decision to say "no" to the Asda end of the market and hold out for the Waitrose customers. And with that inability comes the inability to give the quality customers the focus and attention that drives added value and upselling...

Still need a quality website though!

 

[Dotty]

Moved Mike.

 

[jase158]

hi Jase is that really a problem though? You can quote for the job and get a trusted mate to do the job on your behalf ie sub contracting? I am sure you have other plumbers whose work you can vouch for why not get them to work for you? This way you will earn on the job you're on physically as well as the one you sub contract? Just an idea to think about? Are you a tradesman or a businessman - food for thought 🙂

Yes good idea but anybody who is good is busy (or charges ridiculous prices) anybody not good aint worth using!!!

Everyone I met at college either gave up plumbing 18 out of the 20
or is employed by another company 1 out of the 20!!
All other plumbers I know are either super busy, do commercial work or charge £750 per day!!

 

[Masood]

charge £750 per day!!

:whatchutalkingabout:whatchutalkingabout:whatchutalkingabout

 

[helpsy]

TWD
I have a website that seems to do good for me.... I'm open to constructive criticism if anyone feels free to comment. I had someone claiming to do Google Adwords and get more work for £99 a month I told them I didn't want anymore work as I had enough and thought it may have a negative effect making me appear unreliable. He sounded amazed that I didn't want more work!
My website:- Simon Helps - reliable and friendly plumber serving Bath and North West Wiltshire

 

[TWD]

Thank you for this.

Three great features mentioned in this post are Testimonials, Gallery of Work Completed and Contact Page.

My website Is there to bring me business.
It does it well (could probably do better)

everything else comes second but it also must:

look good, dont want people clicking off before they ring you
be trueful (never used to think so as even if i have prices people still come and ask "how much" but now people say they have looked at it and read it so definetly cant lie on there)
building brand as people remember logo from van and see it when using website and then when I turn up with t-shirts
be secure, too many junk calls/ emails can be time wasting and very frustrating
contact us pages are a must
poduct details/ services isnt too important as most people just ring after reading "about us" and "contact us" however there are a few that will read a lot of the website

The problem with plumbers is that we can get too busy and spending hundreds of pounds on a website is great when we are quiet but not when we are too busy to take on new work

The main qualities of my website is the testimonials and photo's of previous work, 90 percent of people say they saw the previous work and was impressed by the pics!!

 

[village idiot]

TWD, out of interest (and not in line with your OP), what happened to all those websites that you have done or should have done for folks on here? You told us the first batch should be done by end of June. It's now October. Can we have a look at some of them? I know Billy King said he was happy for you to show off his. Can we have a look?

 

[TWD]

TWD, out of interest (and not in line with your OP), what happened to all those websites that you have done or should have done for folks on here? You told us the first batch should be done by end of June. It's now October. Can we have a look at some of them? I know Billy King said he was happy for you to show off his. Can we have a look?

Hi Village,

Without going into specific usernames I had 4 projects being undertaken.

1 Launched, 2 Designs completed but awaiting content, 1 On hold