How much business do you get from having a website?

[Mobile detail]

Pretty straight forward. How many of you are contacted by customers that found you on your website alone? Do you get more business from people that you gave your card to and then they went and researched you webpage? Did you design/create your website or did you contract it out? Who does your hosting? How do you go about setting a site up?

[MirandaAutoSpa]

In my area in Richmond VA people search like crazy online. I have had more customers find on online then anything else. I also have the best regular customers find us online also. Having a professional website, that is visually pleasing, simple and very informative is crucial for us.
I regularly update mine and change minor things to keep it fresh.

[PerezDetailing]

Pretty straight forward. How many of you are contacted by customers that found you on your website alone? Do you get more business from people that you gave your card to and then they went and researched you webpage? Did you design/create your website or did you contract it out? Who does your hosting? How do you go about setting a site up?

I have a website and I do get a steady business from the site. But, I have had recent spike in individuals that did a search on YELP and found me via review sites. Just something to think about. I give my cards out always, but we always visit local shops, and car lots as well, and then other social media outlets. Advertising in local paper, magazines, etc. However, I think for every 10 cards I give, I only get 3-4 call backs, because of the website and strong reviews. I have mine through Go Daddy.com. I also hired another person to add and change the templates. The site is easy to set up... however putting information and what you want info you want on the site, is what is going to take time building. Then once your page is up and running, you then, have to get traffic to your page, backlinks,Ad Words, so much more. Because if you do a local search in your area for Mobile Detailing or any variation of that, see who is on the 1st page, this will tell you who is getting the traffic and it takes a lot of work for you to get on that 1st page. Your goal is to be on that page. But, Man there is so much more to a website than just putting up great photos. We are currently in the middle of changing our templates. We always ask our customers:
1. How they found us? (facebook,web search, etc)
2. Why initially chose us?
3. Can they leave a review about us?
4. What can we do to make our site easier for the customer to browse, etc.


But, it takes a revolving effort (WORK) to get your name out there, in the WWW.

If you need help, hit me up. Unless your in the Northern Virginia Area or DC. LOL. even then hit me up.

Jesse

[Agfan]

All depends I guess. I had one person that got their car done because of my website. Had it for two years then got rid of it.

[Mobile detail]

I have a website and I do get a steady business from the site. But, I have had recent spike in individuals that did a search on YELP and found me via review sites. Just something to think about. I give my cards out always, but we always visit local shops, and car lots as well, and then other social media outlets. Advertising in local paper, magazines, etc. However, I think for every 10 cards I give, I only get 3-4 call backs, because of the website and strong reviews. I have mine through Go Daddy.com. I also hired another person to add and change the templates. The site is easy to set up... however putting information and what you want info you want on the site, is what is going to take time building. Then once your page is up and running, you then, have to get traffic to your page, backlinks,Ad Words, so much more. Because if you do a local search in your area for Mobile Detailing or any variation of that, see who is on the 1st page, this will tell you who is getting the traffic and it takes a lot of work for you to get on that 1st page. Your goal is to be on that page. But, Man there is so much more to a website than just putting up great photos. We are currently in the middle of changing our templates. We always ask our customers:
1. How they found us? (facebook,web search, etc)
2. Why initially chose us?
3. Can they leave a review about us?
4. What can we do to make our site easier for the customer to browse, etc.


But, it takes a revolving effort (WORK) to get your name out there, in the WWW.

If you need help, hit me up. Unless your in the Northern Virginia Area or DC. LOL. even then hit me up.

Jesse

Ya I hear you on that bro. Yelp is a blessing and a curse. I actually might hit you up on some more info. I don't get the search engine optimization thing. Is it how you list your pics and stuff? If I set up a site through g daddy, and use there designer,do I get to name my Pics so if someone is searching for detailing, my pic will come up? I guess I'm asking to I get to write HTML code, and how hard is it to set up a site?

[Gurge]

Full time job working mostly on the weekends. My detailing work is primarily through word of mouth. however, I do get a fair amount of business strictly from the website. So I considerate it pretty valuable.

I had it designed for me by someone who kinda focuses on websites for auto reconditioners. I was very pleased with the results and it pretty much immediately paid for itself. done entirely through wordpress so very easy to change even though I'm a noob with web design.

I find I get very few jobs from business cards alone (although I do get some). If I meet someone face to face I'll speak with them for a few, hand them a card, and encourage them to check out the website. It's entirely perception, but I feel people seem to take you more seriously when they hear you have a site.

Contrary to business cards, most people who contact me through internet searching alone see my prices, my face, photos of my work, and often it seems the 'sale' is made before I even answer the phone. As long as I sound personable and intelligent it's usually just a matter of establishing what needs to be done and setting a date. That is invaluable.

I don't do craigslist ads or facebook. I'm listed on most of the free listing sites (google places, yelp, manta, yp). I have an active blog on my site and ultimately I think google likes to refer wordpress blogs for whatever reason. So I come up in the search results even though the site has only been up for roughly 6 months

[PerezDetailing]

Ya I hear you on that bro. Yelp is a blessing and a curse. I actually might hit you up on some more info. I don't get the search engine optimization thing. Is it how you list your pics and stuff? If I set up a site through g daddy, and use there designer,do I get to name my Pics so if someone is searching for detailing, my pic will come up? I guess I'm asking to I get to write HTML code, and how hard is it to set up a site?

Yea man , shoot me a e-mail and I will send you a doc with a break down on it... perezdetailing@gmail.com

[richy]

I just launched my own website too. I do this as a side business and had always just got by on word of mouth. I do think it adds credibility to have a website. Besides, you have total control over how you wish to present yourself, your work, your personality even in how you write it and present it. I just need to get a logo done and then I can get cards made up and magnetic signs for my car.

[Mobile detail]

Logos would be nice. Who is going to do yours? I don't even know where to go to find someone who designs logos

[richy]

Logos would be nice. Who is going to do yours? I don't even know where to go to find someone who designs logos

I am waiting to hear back from someone on AG actually. I'm hopeful I will hear something soon.