Thoughts to improve my site - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

hammer11379 · 10-11-2009, 11:05 AM

I would like to know what you think of my site
I cant post link because I'm New to posting here but if you like
check out American-HomeImprovements.com

**ChrWright** · 10-11-2009, 12:14 PM

www.American-HomeImprovements.com

How long have you had this site. What kind of results are you getting from it now?

What are your specific goals for your website?

MattCoops · 10-11-2009, 03:38 PM

First, I'd invest in a better camera. Pictures sell work.
We know you are not a photographer. But, crisp, clean visuals show your attention to detail.
Everything you show a customer (your business card, a printed proposal, your website, portfolio pictures) should reveal your style. And you don't want your style to look rushed or thrown together. You want it to look neat and organized.

There are ways to use Photoshop to edit images to enhance the quality. But it's a lot easier to have a better camera to snap quality pics from the getgo.

I like your navigation, and I think people can find what they're looking for.
But I think your color palette could use some work. The colors are complimentary, but I would adjust the hues a bit for better harmony.

With all the splendor of cascading style sheets, I'd add some elegance to the typography. I personally like sans-serif font for copy and nav elements. And large, serif font, with some kind of border or background effect for headings.

Maybe during halftime, I'll come up with a web template that may have better appeal.

MattCoops · 10-11-2009, 03:39 PM

p.s. Do my eyes decieve me, or is there a tiled tub surround with CARPET flooring in one of your bathroom pictures? Is that the before?

hammer11379 · 10-11-2009, 04:48 PM

No Matt, you are right the "designer"(homeowner) wouldn't budge on the carpet.
As far as the site, I feel like its just not quite polished enough and yes i agree about the pics.
Thanks for your input.

Chuck
P.S. I did get them to go with ceramic in the commode!

hammer11379 · 10-11-2009, 04:53 PM

I have had a site for a few years but re-worked it about 8 months ago. Since then i have had about 8 form submissions and landed a partial finished basement , a high end bath remodel, and a nice tile job.

I would like to see 4-5 forms a week coming in but it has covered its cost already.

karunnt · 10-11-2009, 10:40 PM

It's very impersonal.

- more description of what you did and how it helped the home owner (under budget, increase in home value, more living space, lower energy bills)

- blog with pictures of yourself, video of your customers giving testimonials

- get a low light camera like the fuji f10 (was cutting edge a few years ago, better options now)

- a longer form that gets more information. You can put a form that had 100 questions and allows them to upload pics of their basement. You can get it through email (pics attached) and give them a rough estimate by email.

- get on twitter and post every day. It's not like your customers are going to follow you (or even if they have a twitter account) but you can link to your twitter page from your site and they can take a look at what kind of person you are. I've seen people refer people they have never met simply because they liked their twitter page.

MattCoops · 10-13-2009, 10:14 PM

Chuck, you can use the User CP to create a signature for your posts that has your name on it. So ignorant contractors like me don't call you "hammer".
But actually, I think that nickname might catch on rather nicely.

On a side note. I think the image of your "truck" (some call it a van) looks well drafted.

If Bob Ross was alive, he may call it a "Happy little go-lucky money maker." (And just "paint" it right here, in the header)

MattCoops · 10-13-2009, 10:45 PM

Also, on a search engine marketing note (not "seo" - but marketing)...

just leave your website in your "homepage" on your public profile in any forum, whether it be this one or the virtual thousands of other contractor "forums" on the World Wide Web.

$0.02

MattCoops · 10-13-2009, 11:22 PM

The cost of Adobe(where is the registered "r" button?) Photoshop CS4 is $699 (to buy). You can download illegal software and "crack" around the web, but it is illegal and you can pay a fine and possibly go to jail for it.

You can also check around local IT shops for Adobe Photoshop version 6.0 it works best on Windows 2000 operating systems (if you have a spare desktop handy). You can probably get away with that version for around 60 "bucks".

And you can learn HTML and CSS at a computer markup code website that I Stumble[ed]Upon last night.

Enough of my rants. Got to get a tarp over the cement before it starts to rain this morning.
Night shift is tough when the county doesn't issue permits after 5pm.

Pro Builder · 10-14-2009, 03:28 AM

Your site is better than most. Lots of great advice in here. I definitely think the camera idea is good. Have you thought about doing any marketing?

GlencoeRemodel · 10-21-2009, 11:04 AM

I definitely enjoy the site, great content.

I also agree about the camera, investing in high quality photos really does sell work.

Also, I would make sure that you've chose then right keywords for the title tag in the meta data of your website. That is key for SEO.