Question

Topic: Website Critique

Please Give Feedback On My Site ~ Thanks!

Posted by Anonymous on 4/28/2008 at 9:00 AM ET 25 Points
I have JUST started this business, and after registering my domain name, I worked up this site using a template from godaddy. I'd like something more professional, but this is what I have for now.

What do you think?

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  • Posted on 4/28/2008 at 9:39 AM Accepted
    Hi..I visited your site and have some serious concerns.

    First, template-designed sites scare me. They look really unprofessional and very generic. You want your business to make the connection with clients. And generic photos won't do it. Your website is one of the most powerful positioning tools you'll have. Spend the time and the energy and yes, the money to have it done correctly.

    You did, however, manage to nail down what your business does and who your target customers are on the first page, a very big plus!

    Second, from a SEO perspective, template/free sites are not your best bet. If you look at the top of the page, there are links to other sites, which will throw the spiders off, meaning it will be harder to get a higher ranking on Google or Yahoo: the search engines and directories that are most relevant. You need to have control over your title, key words and other content that the spiders look for when indexing pages. I don't know how much control, if any, you'll have, over these aspects of the site. These free pages are usually a tactic to increase the offerer's, in this case, Godaddy.com's, active links and therefore their ranking with the search engines. You'll definitely want to take advantage of the free listing on search engines, especially when you're not in a position to spend a lot of money on advertising.

    I think you might have a good idea from the business standpoint. What is unique about your business though? Are their any other businesses like yours in your area? How do you intend to market the business? Local ads, direct mail, telemarketing?

    Think about all of these issues before embarking on a business and definitely have a business plan. Best of luck.
  • Posted on 4/28/2008 at 9:59 AM Member
    Also, I wouldn't nail down rates in a web site. With the price of gas, you could be locking yourself into a situation where you end up losing money. Take each situation on a case by case basis to determine rates.

    I would also look into Paypal as a payment alternative and get some sort of deposit up front. You'd be amazed how many people will enlist your services with no intention of paying you. Give them an estimate for the job with a two-hour minimum due and payable up front. Trust me, it will save you a lot of financial heartache down the line.

    Again, you'll want to invest in getting your own hosting service so you'll have more control over your pages and can embed the Paypal gateway on your pages.

  • Posted on 4/28/2008 at 11:25 AM Author
    Thank you.

    I have a limited budget for my website, but I do agree that it needs to be more professional and that I would benefit from using a hosting service.

    There aren't many services like this in my area, I've researched that and found little competition.
    I am concerned about the financial state of many people and even though it's obvious that so many people are struggling now with the economy and gas prices, I still went ahead with this idea with the hopes that businesses would be my largest target area, as they may have more money to spend on this. I did do a direct mailing with post cards, and I sent them to high-income residents and larger businesses.

    I will do some serious research into a better website, look into using PayPal, and rethinking my rates. I've researched companies like this across the country and see some of them do not have flat rates - they do a consult and determine the charge at that time.

    Thank you for your advice!!!!
  • Posted on 4/29/2008 at 8:19 AM Member
    The mailing is a good idea. I would also look into your local media. Newspapers and local news shows are always looking for interesting stories about local businesses. That would be great free exposure. Send an editor a press release about your business and see if they contact you. Caution, you will probably have to contact them more than once to get through.

    With everyone pressed for time, folks are always looking for a way to delegate as much as possible, so it would make an interesting news story.
  • Posted on 4/30/2008 at 1:15 PM Author
    Thanks!
    I've been making a new site using a hosting company.

    However, I'm running into a problem transferring the domain from GoDaddy to another company.
    Help!

    Thanks!
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