Its been a year or so since I first started my website. Its always going to be a work in progress, I’ve come to realize. But I’ve had a few contacts from people who found me on the web. I just completed a small bathroom remodel (recently posted on Photo Gallery) , and they found me on Google search.
When you search “Bakersfield remodeling contractor” on both Google and Yahoo, I’m usually right there on page 1. Which is a miracle, considering I know virtually nothing about website optimization.
Another job I just got went this way: I was recommended to potential client by a mutual friend. He had three bidders, and I think we were all in the same ballpark. He told me one bidder left his bid stuck in the door, which made him feel slighted. He wanted in person, or at least a follow-up phone call.
Anyhow, the deciding factor seemed to be my website. After our initial meeting, he went on the website, and saw I have a page dedicated to Greene and Greene. He is an arts and crafts collector, his house is Craftsman style, and he made his architect visit Gamble House in Pasadena before drawing it (can you believe I still haven’t gone!). He said that he felt a lot of people don’t understand Craftsman style, but my website page proved that I “get it”.
Another project: They saw my ad in the paper, went to my website because it was listed in my ad, and saw one of my jobs on flickr.com, which was linked from my website. They had printed the flickr scrapbook of my jobsite photos, and liked it because it was similar to what they wanted. So when I went for my initial meeting, I saw their printup of my jobsite photos. I got that job also, and they were excellent customers to work for, a real pleasure of a job.
So my website has been influential in three jobs, one of which actually found me on Google search.
I could be wrong, but I think that the day is coming when having a website will be like having a business card – just a practical necessity if you’re serious about being in business.
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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I could be wrong, but I think that the day is coming when having a website will be like having a business card - just a practical necessity if you're serious about being in business.
That day has come and gone, IMHO. Websites are the new business cards. I haven't had to give a reference since I've had my site up.
View Image
Grant----- I am not sure that is actually correct.
It probably depends on where your customers come from. in my case---- I get asked for a reference MAYBE once a year
because prospective customers almost always got my name from a referall--They already HAVE a reference.
i have been thinking about a web site for maybe 3 years now-----
but i forget to take pictures or think about it in much more detail----and the phone continues to ring I am not certain i would EVER need a web site---and at this point i am maybe shifting into getting out of contracting with the open public so a web site might be a hindrance with that.
stephen
at this point i am maybe shifting into getting out of contracting with the open public so a web site might be a hindrance with that.
I'm going the other way a little. More and more of my jobs are homeowner projects.
My site has helped me show people why their gutter reline costs as much as it does. They can't see it from the ground, so it's not a real thing to them. But they can see some similar ones on the site.
Or they spend a couple of minutes browsing my site and see 15 houses that they are familiar with so then they're familiar with me.
It just adds a little more legitimacy in most people's eyes.
I intend to move away from contracting at some point in the future and just fab. I'm getting about a project a month for just fabrication from my site. I'll be moving the site more in that direction in the coming months.
I often have people use my site just to get my phone #. The print in phone books is so small anymore, I seldom use one if a computer is available. And I don't have any business cards - I just give them my web address.View Image
MHO A web site offers a passive way to sell yourself to a client. Some I've seen besides the obvious load of what we've done photos will have their mission statement, a list if things the client should do and have ready pryor to first contact.
You can even have a list of FAQ's. All to passively get over some time wasteful issues pryor to you first meeting.
All this in their own space at their leisure and comfort. Once they call you except for a few expected questions they should be already, ready to hire you.
Edited 8/17/2008 1:35 pm by jagwah
Grant,
Since I'm back at it and working alone for the most part I'd like to get into more consultation and spec writing for unique projects.
been slow in getting a site up and running , but had lunch again last week with the fellow who'll help me.
I also think it gives good legitamacy to have somewhere to send folks to view the workmanship as you've pointed out. I send out Shutterfly albums now but it has to be started on my end - where a site is accessible by all.
Steve has offered assistance if needed for which I am most grateful.
Walter
Most all irst contacts are made by email from my website. It steers them to my process.
http://www.shelladditions.com
Edited 8/16/2008 11:31 pm ET by shellbuilder
That's the case even in our town: our conservative, blue-collar town.
You see a lot of business vehicles with no contact information aside from the web address. No one remembers phone numbers off a car anyway.
You see a lot of business vehicles with no contact information aside from the web address
I saw a billboard with the website http://www.justice4racheallandjoey.com. Even with the weird spelling, I went home and found it. (interesting story)
I find that the url is generally all people need - 'cause once they find the website, all the other contact info is usually there. Plus email is usually linked, which is good because email's are harder to remember than url's.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
GOOD for you- I applaud that. Here's my problem as a consumer: I used to contact people (small tradespeople all the way up to large Multi-Nationals) via E-mail ALL the time. Notice I said USED to. I virtually NEVER got a response. Even from very large companies. My beef is- if you're going to put the contact info out there, you had better have some resources in place to address contacts made via that channel. Countless times, my contacts have gone unanswered. I've been conditioned to not trust this method by my past experiences. So now I use the phone. Funny thing is, my experience with lots of contractors has been they don't call back then either. I guess my point is for everyone that has a website, be sure you don't get behind on answering your e-mails. I sent an E-mail and follow up voice mail after 3 days to a local stamped concrete contractor. That was three weeks ago. Even if he did call back or E-mail, he wouldn't get the job.
Huck-
Have you tried Google Adwords? Google Adwords and Google Analytics has worked very well.
John
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