What's Your Web-Site Grade?

festerized · 02-04-2010, 10:17 AM

http://websitegrader.com/
I have to give credit to Alan for this test that he posted on another thread
A. Traffic Rank : Top 14.692 %
Website Grade
46
Moz Rank
0
Google Indexed Pages
47
Traffic Rank
4,569,052
Blog Grade
Not Graded
Inbound Links
5
del.icio.us Bookmarks
0
Yahoo!

You're ranked number 1
Powered By Yahoo!

Google

You're not ranked in the top 8
Powered By Google

MSN

You're ranked number 9
Powered By MSN

Not bad for a DIY

J. Sullivan · 02-04-2010, 12:59 PM

I have a website grade of 86 (today) and a traffic ranking in the top 3.875% of all websites!!!

Oh wait, that has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I can go on vacation at the end of the month, buy my little princess a new car, or if I can go out to eat three times a week as opposed to just once.

The only tool that will tell you how effective your website is will be your bank account.

Just about everything else is dick measuring.

***Disclaimer***

The above tool will help point out areas of your website you should work on in relation to search engine ranking.

But getting to the top of the search engines is not going to open a flood of customers to your door.

The only thing you gain from getting to the top of search engines is visibility. Think of it as a billboard.

You still need to have the right combination of design and copy that will get the visitors to convert to leads.

Then you need the right sales process to convert leads to customers.

Then you need the right follow up process to convert customers to referral salesman and repeat clients.

--

Marketing on the web is the exact same as any other kind of marketing, it's just a new media. I speak to business owners everyday who think that getting traffic and leads from their website is just the cats ass!

Until I ask them how much extra money their site has put in their pockets. Wah, wah, wah.....

In business it's not about how much you make, it's ALL about how much you keep.

festerized · 02-04-2010, 01:30 PM

After I posted this thread I called yahoo in regards the recommendations from web grader
We corrected the 301 problem and he told me other than that, you’re doing pretty good for a DIY
He did a few keyword searches and told me “good job, your showing up #1&2 on organic searches”
He did give me some advice on how to make my sight even better, just keep this under my hat for now.
I love how every conversation either online or on the phone with advertisers how they try to belittle your skills as effetely promoting business without actually checking. That fact is the market is dead. Ho’s are being careful with their money, as I’m I. There is no room in any contractor’s budget to spend on a chance. With the economy being so slow right now and HO’s looking for the best price, there’s no room in any budget for an extra expense.
Running a tight ship by keeping your cost down and getting your name out there is the name of the game.

cbscreative · 02-04-2010, 02:18 PM

You did it again, J, there's not much I can add to your post. Oh wait, I can add this. I have no idea what my grade is because I don't care.

I can say I had a 3.88 GPA when taking university classes for 5 years (2001-2006), but that would mean nothing either if it didn't help me in business and be better at what I do. Now that I'm out of school, I don't need any more "grades." I agree that we need some measure of performance, but it's too easy to get hung up on it when the best measure is success.

festerized · 02-04-2010, 06:31 PM

LOL looking back at older post I have observed a shift in the condensing replies for the DIY web site builder:
Your site will never make it to the top of a search engine using a DIY method; only a professional can do that
Oh now that you’re at the top you need to be able to keep yourself there; 4 months and still there.
Finally it seems to have shifted to being able to selling jobs and having money in your pocket
LOL pretty funny guys.
We all can produce a successful web-Site at minimal cost, it’s not rocket science.
And yes my phone rings, I sold 3 jobs this week and I have money to go out to eat tonight, my wife is working tonight. I also own a taxi service and a cleaning company both do well with no online presence.

Paulie · 02-04-2010, 06:39 PM

Funny I just did that 15 minutes ago. I agree with Mr. Sullivan but it can point out some issues. I guess it doesn't hurt but doesn't get you anywhere either. Oh yeah I got a 60 but nobody called today for a quote that visited my website.

festerized · 02-04-2010, 06:55 PM

There just trying to deter the DIY for the sake of gaining a job, I get it

SLSTech · 02-04-2010, 07:23 PM

Nice job there Festerized - you got the visibility & the content working for you

Oh your original question (88, 80 & 42 on my three diffrent sites) & yes guys, I get calls and sales based off of them

J. Sullivan · 02-04-2010, 07:40 PM

David, you consistently miss the message.

Never once did I (or Steve, or any other web person I follow on here) say that a DIY can't get it done. Or that SEO is voodoo best left to the professionals.

There is no secret sauce, and a million great resources exist for the DIY to learn (for free) how to build a web presence.

After giving advise on the best practices to get real results, we've stated how much more efficient it is to have a professional do it for you.

Basic of business, leverage your resources.

--

But the overwhelming majority of DIYers fall into the "if you build it, they will come" trap. And that's not a knock against any DIYer out there, because web hosts and new technology screams at them daily "Build your own website!" and provides people with a ton of free tools to do so.

The fact remains, no sane business owner wants a website.

They want more leads.
They want easier ways to contact customers.
They want to educate their client and position themselves as an expert.
They want the ability to manage a bunch of different job sites without having to drive around to each of them.
They want to beat their competition

They want to make more money, and gain more discretionary time.

The website is a tool to get you results. And like the adage goes, when all you have is a hammer, everything starts looking like nails.

--

As I said in an earlier post, there is no <make me a ton of money> HTML tag. The same reasons someone would chose a contractor to build an addition are the same reasons they would pick a web guy to build a website.

Let the record state: You can absolutely 100% DIY a website and get results. (I do it all the time

)

Your trade isn't filled with voodoo is it? Anyone with the attitude and the aptitude could learn to become a world class contractor. Rocket Scientist. Brain Surgeon. Plastic Surgeon

But I would hire someone to build my addition (or do my little ladies rack) because:

I don't have the time to invest in learning enough about it to get the result I want.
I wouldn't be able to do as professional a job right off the rip.
I don't have the specialized knowledge that it would require.
I'm not a hack.

Not everyone can afford a web person, and for them I will try and offer all the resources I feasibly can.

But the reasons you smirk when you see a DIY job that drops the ball (and conversely applaud wildly when you see someone who gets it right) are the same reasons for me and websites.

--

If you had gone back and looked at my old posts, you would of found 100 of them where I offer reviews to DIYers on how to improve a site, and a couple where I expressly state the things you need to pay attention to when you DIY. And a couple where I fix your mistakes.

However, on the topic of websites, all I've found from you is at best horrible advice and at worst useless dick measuring. What nugget were you trying to impart when you posted your website grader stats? How does that help the community? Or were you just looking for the pat on the back, that finally a DIYer got it right!

If you want to see an example DIY websites that get it right, go look at ChrWright, or Denver (not saying other members don't have them, but these are the only two I remember off the rip, sorry fellas).

But if you're posting to posture behind a keyboard, or to slam a couple of guys that are trying to be forum resources, don't let the door hit you in balls.

festerized · 02-04-2010, 07:55 PM

Sullivan to be honest I have no idea what those #’s from web grader mean, nor do I care
You guys said I couldn’t do it, and I did
I know my phone is ringing and I’m selling jobs
In past post either you or CB told me “how much time and money are willing to waste before you get it right”& "how much is your time worth"
For me I don’t like being told I can’t do something, I own 3 successful business and working on a 4rth.
Just as you are giving professional advice from your end of the business I’m doing the same from my end.
I know what I’m doing works, no need to get your panties in a bunch, it’s all about helping the fellow man. My grandfather said something to me when I was 18 and I was deciding to into college or not
“An investment in your self is an investment in your future” I live by those words everyday and I’m willing to help anyone who needs help, that’s just me
Hey guys don’t let our bashing deter you from posting your web grade results; it’s for the good of the DIY

Wethead · 02-04-2010, 09:17 PM

Who has the highest grade so far?

I have seen a 96

tinner666 · 02-04-2010, 10:43 PM

I think mine is a 20. But I get jobs most every day from the site.
Sullivan and CBS have been very helpful to us DIY'ers. I read all their posts and they've always been helpful. Many is the time I picked up on something I hadn't tried, or properly utilized.

They are right too about many here not being able to DIY a site. It's all about mindset. I can't do sales. I can't listen to salesmen or commercials either, but what the heck! Others can't grasp a site. (I also hate using mortar.)

BaltimoreGuy · 02-07-2010, 03:18 PM

The upside is limitless (well almost). I got a 4. Yeah baby, a FOUR. In my defense it's a first effort using Go Daddy's website tonight service and I'm (obviously, I guess) pretty green at this. It's great to have a report like this though to have something to help me know what to do. I've been reading all of these threads for months and, to tell the truth, it's a bit overwhelming. All of you fine folks who contribute your knowledge to the cause are to be commended for everything you have shared. But it still takes a while (again, at least for me) to make heads and tails of it as I'm sitting in front of my Go Daddy dashboard trying to figure out the instrumentation. Lot's of small knowledge gaps that really slow me down. I'm plodding onward though but thought I would share the results of my Website Grader test. It made me laugh.

cbscreative · 02-07-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by festerized

In past post either you or CB told me “how much time and money are willing to waste before you get it right”& "how much is your time worth"

That was probably me, I recall saying things like that more than once.

David, it's great that you have had success with a DIY site, but that is definitely not the rule. Most end up like BaltimoreGuy. No offense Baltimore, I'm only saying your experience is more typical.

Quote:

For me I don’t like being told I can’t do something,

I hope I never implied that.

Yes, I would recommend against the DIY approach to web design in most cases just like you would recommend to most restaurant managers not to try to remodel their own kitchen. But if everyone here followed my advice, all of us web guys here would get extremely backed up on workload.

Tinner, thanks for the compliment. There are several other web people here who offer very useful advice in reviewing web sites. Web pros tend to be like that.

One thing I have found from working in this biz is the real pros have a great respect for each other just like true contracting pros should. There is more need and work than any of us could handle (even collectively). It's a great business to be in because we welcome people who make (or want to make) the web better. Just like the construction biz, it's the hacks and pretenders that we dislike.

tinner666 · 02-07-2010, 08:50 PM

Fester. I started like you. A website business card. Very little to no html, and it's stil that way. G tags, content and keyword tags were next. Then, some H1, H2, etc. It evolves regularly. Business is steady.

In my case, I couldn't afford a web guy, and anyway, by time I had pix to email with explanations and text for each, I found I could just pile it onto an empty web page, with links and publish it myself.

Whatever I'm doing, it's working for a strictly targetted audience.

BaltimoreGuy · 02-07-2010, 10:58 PM

I have only been digging into this website development learning curve for a few months. As some of you have discussed, the info is out there in spades for free, it just takes a ton of time and some trial and error to begin to get up to speed. I want, and feel I need, to learn how to do this myself. It's interesting and useful knowledge. I'm just a small show at this stage trying to learn the business. If I could afford a web guy I still might be doing it myself, at least at first. Thanks again to all of you who share your insight so generously.
Peace,
Chris

**Leo G** · 02-07-2010, 11:08 PM

78

.....

SCCTrim · 02-08-2010, 12:44 PM

62...

Martin Co · 02-08-2010, 07:23 PM

Ok, here's my 2cents !

Online hosted website builders absolutely suck the donkey d***! Why? Because that's where I started when I published my first website over a year ago. Let's face it, they look like someone flung dog-poo at it!

Sure, if you really like online website builders, all the power to you, I just couldn't bare to look at it any longer! You're better off creating a Myspace, Facebook, or, a hub page on Squidoo and point your customers there --- At least it would look more pretty

Ok, so what do you do next if you don't like website builders?

Well, you could do what I did and use a free crappy template and try to make it look good! Did it, done it, got past it! Learned how to code html

Time

How much time do you really have to dedicate to learning Web design, SEO, marketing, etc.?

Total time for me??? Too many sleepless nights = equaled a lot of crappy moderate productive days doing what I'm professional at doing!

What's my point in posting this?

Unless you have the patients, time, dedication to building a site, then go ahead, go through my misery of doing everything on your own too!

As for me, to the hell with that crap! I'm not a web designer -- I'm a f'n carpenter/builder/owner!!!

Here's a preview of my last DIY website, I hated it! Sure, I got plenty of leads weekly -- it looked cheap, I'm not cheap, are you?

So lets leave it to the professionals, I say it to customers all of the time! Well not quite in that wording but, we see what DIY homeowners attempt to do all of the time! What do we usually leave the home saying to our selves as professionals?!?!?!

Back to the OP's question

I've got a 95 !!! Thanks to J. Sullivan, I've got a beautiful looking site that has a low low google bounce rate and converts! Not too shabby huh? Hey Sullivan, I bet if you put a quick contact form on my main-page I would have a perfect hundred!

I'm not trying to crush anyone's goals here, I'm stating what I went through and it sucked!

So if you've got the extra doe, let a professional web designer do what they do best design!

Mike..

Martin Co · 02-08-2010, 08:34 PM

Oh, and I also forgot to add:

Do you know how many times I wished I had tech support when I couldn't get my DIY site to function correctly? NOBODY!!! Sure, you can call your hosting provider and they might be able to help you -- if you don't mind talking to " ellow, my name is Baboo caahreeem abdul jahheed " Iyaaam frrrrom India -- can I help you my friend! WTF is right!!!

Wanna know what I love now? Anytime I've got a problem with my website, or I've got new Idea's -- a quick phone call or email and it's done, no questions asked!

So guess what I'm doing with all of my extra time? Having fun making money, doing what I do best as a home improvement contractor!

02-04-2010, 12:59 PM	#2
J. Sullivan View Profile J. Sullivan Web Dude Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (153) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Web Dude Trade: Web Stuff Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All the way Western Mass Posts: 153	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? I have a website grade of 86 (today) and a traffic ranking in the top 3.875% of all websites!!! Oh wait, that has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I can go on vacation at the end of the month, buy my little princess a new car, or if I can go out to eat three times a week as opposed to just once. The only tool that will tell you how effective your website is will be your bank account. Just about everything else is dick measuring. *Disclaimer* The above tool will help point out areas of your website you should work on in relation to search engine ranking. But getting to the top of the search engines is not going to open a flood of customers to your door. The only thing you gain from getting to the top of search engines is visibility. Think of it as a billboard. You still need to have the right combination of design and copy that will get the visitors to convert to leads. Then you need the right sales process to convert leads to customers. Then you need the right follow up process to convert customers to referral salesman and repeat clients. -- Marketing on the web is the exact same as any other kind of marketing, it's just a new media. I speak to business owners everyday who think that getting traffic and leads from their website is just the cats ass! Until I ask them how much extra money their site has put in their pockets. Wah, wah, wah..... In business it's not about how much you make, it's ALL about how much you keep. __________________ I'm a web dude, and I do web stuff.

02-04-2010, 01:30 PM	#3
festerized View Profile festerized David Festa Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,018) Photos (3) Reviews (2) Projects (0) Toolbox (10) View All Activity David Festa Trade: Framing Contractor Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,018	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? After I posted this thread I called yahoo in regards the recommendations from web grader We corrected the 301 problem and he told me other than that, you’re doing pretty good for a DIY He did a few keyword searches and told me “good job, your showing up #1&2 on organic searches” He did give me some advice on how to make my sight even better, just keep this under my hat for now. I love how every conversation either online or on the phone with advertisers how they try to belittle your skills as effetely promoting business without actually checking. That fact is the market is dead. Ho’s are being careful with their money, as I’m I. There is no room in any contractor’s budget to spend on a chance. With the economy being so slow right now and HO’s looking for the best price, there’s no room in any budget for an extra expense. Running a tight ship by keeping your cost down and getting your name out there is the name of the game. __________________ Addition Contractor Bayville Home Addition Monmouth Beach NJ Contractor Jackson NJ “Photography is not art, It’s just a Xerox of what just happened”

02-04-2010, 02:18 PM	#4
cbscreative View Profile cbscreative Non-conformist Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (825) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Non-conformist Trade: Builder of businesses Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 825	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? You did it again, J, there's not much I can add to your post. Oh wait, I can add this. I have no idea what my grade is because I don't care. I can say I had a 3.88 GPA when taking university classes for 5 years (2001-2006), but that would mean nothing either if it didn't help me in business and be better at what I do. Now that I'm out of school, I don't need any more "grades." I agree that we need some measure of performance, but it's too easy to get hung up on it when the best measure is success. __________________ Steve Chittenden Web/SEO Geek • Graphic Artist • Writer • Marketing Guy One reason I know so much about the web and marketing is that I don't have to know as much about construction.

02-04-2010, 06:31 PM	#5
festerized View Profile festerized David Festa Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,018) Photos (3) Reviews (2) Projects (0) Toolbox (10) View All Activity David Festa Trade: Framing Contractor Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,018	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? LOL looking back at older post I have observed a shift in the condensing replies for the DIY web site builder: Your site will never make it to the top of a search engine using a DIY method; only a professional can do that Oh now that you’re at the top you need to be able to keep yourself there; 4 months and still there. Finally it seems to have shifted to being able to selling jobs and having money in your pocket LOL pretty funny guys. We all can produce a successful web-Site at minimal cost, it’s not rocket science. And yes my phone rings, I sold 3 jobs this week and I have money to go out to eat tonight, my wife is working tonight. I also own a taxi service and a cleaning company both do well with no online presence. __________________ Addition Contractor Bayville Home Addition Monmouth Beach NJ Contractor Jackson NJ “Photography is not art, It’s just a Xerox of what just happened”

02-04-2010, 06:39 PM	#6
Paulie View Profile Paulie Grand Rapids Remodeling Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,344) Photos (23) Reviews (0) Projects (1) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Grand Rapids Remodeling Trade: Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. Posts: 2,344	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Funny I just did that 15 minutes ago. I agree with Mr. Sullivan but it can point out some issues. I guess it doesn't hurt but doesn't get you anywhere either. Oh yeah I got a 60 but nobody called today for a quote that visited my website. __________________ Grand Rapids Remodeling Grand Rapids Remodeling Contractors

How to effectively use customer testimonials - even if you onl...

Green Framing Presentation - Updated

Greenlee Glo-Stix...

DeWalt Self-Level...

What's Your Web-Site Grade?

What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade?

Join Now... It's Fast and FREE!

Already Have an Account?

02-04-2010, 10:17 AM	#1
festerized View Profile festerized David Festa Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,018) Photos (3) Reviews (2) Projects (0) Toolbox (10) View All Activity David Festa Trade: Framing Contractor Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,018	What's Your Web-Site Grade? http://websitegrader.com/ I have to give credit to Alan for this test that he posted on another thread A. Traffic Rank : Top 14.692 % Website Grade 46 Moz Rank 0 Google Indexed Pages 47 Traffic Rank 4,569,052 Blog Grade Not Graded Inbound Links 5 del.icio.us Bookmarks 0 Yahoo! You're ranked number 1 Powered By Yahoo! Google You're not ranked in the top 8 Powered By Google MSN You're ranked number 9 Powered By MSN Not bad for a DIY __________________ Addition Contractor Bayville Home Addition Monmouth Beach NJ Contractor Jackson NJ “Photography is not art, It’s just a Xerox of what just happened” Last edited by festerized; 02-04-2010 at 04:12 PM.

02-04-2010, 06:55 PM	#7
festerized View Profile festerized David Festa Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,018) Photos (3) Reviews (2) Projects (0) Toolbox (10) View All Activity David Festa Trade: Framing Contractor Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,018	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? There just trying to deter the DIY for the sake of gaining a job, I get it __________________ Addition Contractor Bayville Home Addition Monmouth Beach NJ Contractor Jackson NJ “Photography is not art, It’s just a Xerox of what just happened”

02-04-2010, 07:23 PM	#8
SLSTech View Profile SLSTech Sean Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (4,515) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Sean Trade: General Contractor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cullman, AL Posts: 4,515	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Nice job there Festerized - you got the visibility & the content working for you Oh your original question (88, 80 & 42 on my three diffrent sites) & yes guys, I get calls and sales based off of them __________________ Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

02-04-2010, 07:40 PM	#9
J. Sullivan View Profile J. Sullivan Web Dude Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (153) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Web Dude Trade: Web Stuff Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All the way Western Mass Posts: 153	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? David, you consistently miss the message. Never once did I (or Steve, or any other web person I follow on here) say that a DIY can't get it done. Or that SEO is voodoo best left to the professionals. There is no secret sauce, and a million great resources exist for the DIY to learn (for free) how to build a web presence. After giving advise on the best practices to get real results, we've stated how much more efficient it is to have a professional do it for you. Basic of business, leverage your resources. -- But the overwhelming majority of DIYers fall into the "if you build it, they will come" trap. And that's not a knock against any DIYer out there, because web hosts and new technology screams at them daily "Build your own website!" and provides people with a ton of free tools to do so. The fact remains, no sane business owner wants a website. They want more leads. They want easier ways to contact customers. They want to educate their client and position themselves as an expert. They want the ability to manage a bunch of different job sites without having to drive around to each of them. They want to beat their competition They want to make more money, and gain more discretionary time. The website is a tool to get you results. And like the adage goes, when all you have is a hammer, everything starts looking like nails. -- As I said in an earlier post, there is no <make me a ton of money> HTML tag. The same reasons someone would chose a contractor to build an addition are the same reasons they would pick a web guy to build a website. Let the record state: You can absolutely 100% DIY a website and get results. (I do it all the time ) Your trade isn't filled with voodoo is it? Anyone with the attitude and the aptitude could learn to become a world class contractor. Rocket Scientist. Brain Surgeon. Plastic Surgeon But I would hire someone to build my addition (or do my little ladies rack) because: I don't have the time to invest in learning enough about it to get the result I want. I wouldn't be able to do as professional a job right off the rip. I don't have the specialized knowledge that it would require. I'm not a hack. Not everyone can afford a web person, and for them I will try and offer all the resources I feasibly can. But the reasons you smirk when you see a DIY job that drops the ball (and conversely applaud wildly when you see someone who gets it right) are the same reasons for me and websites. -- If you had gone back and looked at my old posts, you would of found 100 of them where I offer reviews to DIYers on how to improve a site, and a couple where I expressly state the things you need to pay attention to when you DIY. And a couple where I fix your mistakes. However, on the topic of websites, all I've found from you is at best horrible advice and at worst useless dick measuring. What nugget were you trying to impart when you posted your website grader stats? How does that help the community? Or were you just looking for the pat on the back, that finally a DIYer got it right! If you want to see an example DIY websites that get it right, go look at ChrWright, or Denver (not saying other members don't have them, but these are the only two I remember off the rip, sorry fellas). But if you're posting to posture behind a keyboard, or to slam a couple of guys that are trying to be forum resources, don't let the door hit you in balls. __________________ I'm a web dude, and I do web stuff. Last edited by J. Sullivan; 02-04-2010 at 07:42 PM.

02-04-2010, 07:55 PM	#10
festerized View Profile festerized David Festa Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,018) Photos (3) Reviews (2) Projects (0) Toolbox (10) View All Activity David Festa Trade: Framing Contractor Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,018	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Sullivan to be honest I have no idea what those #’s from web grader mean, nor do I care You guys said I couldn’t do it, and I did I know my phone is ringing and I’m selling jobs In past post either you or CB told me “how much time and money are willing to waste before you get it right”& "how much is your time worth" For me I don’t like being told I can’t do something, I own 3 successful business and working on a 4rth. Just as you are giving professional advice from your end of the business I’m doing the same from my end. I know what I’m doing works, no need to get your panties in a bunch, it’s all about helping the fellow man. My grandfather said something to me when I was 18 and I was deciding to into college or not “An investment in your self is an investment in your future” I live by those words everyday and I’m willing to help anyone who needs help, that’s just me Hey guys don’t let our bashing deter you from posting your web grade results; it’s for the good of the DIY __________________ Addition Contractor Bayville Home Addition Monmouth Beach NJ Contractor Jackson NJ “Photography is not art, It’s just a Xerox of what just happened” Last edited by festerized; 02-04-2010 at 09:32 PM.

02-04-2010, 09:17 PM	#11
Wethead View Profile Wethead Hello There Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (17) Photos (2) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Hello There Trade: Plumber / PoolGuy Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 17	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Who has the highest grade so far? I have seen a 96

02-04-2010, 10:43 PM	#12
tinner666 View Profile tinner666 Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,456) Photos (110) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Roofer, Domains and Hosting Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 2,456	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? I think mine is a 20. But I get jobs most every day from the site. Sullivan and CBS have been very helpful to us DIY'ers. I read all their posts and they've always been helpful. Many is the time I picked up on something I hadn't tried, or properly utilized. They are right too about many here not being able to DIY a site. It's all about mindset. I can't do sales. I can't listen to salesmen or commercials either, but what the heck! Others can't grasp a site. (I also hate using mortar.) __________________ Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va. Last edited by tinner666; 02-05-2010 at 11:50 AM.

02-07-2010, 03:18 PM	#13
BaltimoreGuy View Profile BaltimoreGuy Member Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (33) Photos (9) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Member Trade: I am a remodeler/builder working in Baltimore mostly doing whole house renovations Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Baltimore City, Maryland Posts: 33	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? The upside is limitless (well almost). I got a 4. Yeah baby, a FOUR. In my defense it's a first effort using Go Daddy's website tonight service and I'm (obviously, I guess) pretty green at this. It's great to have a report like this though to have something to help me know what to do. I've been reading all of these threads for months and, to tell the truth, it's a bit overwhelming. All of you fine folks who contribute your knowledge to the cause are to be commended for everything you have shared. But it still takes a while (again, at least for me) to make heads and tails of it as I'm sitting in front of my Go Daddy dashboard trying to figure out the instrumentation. Lot's of small knowledge gaps that really slow me down. I'm plodding onward though but thought I would share the results of my Website Grader test. It made me laugh.

02-07-2010, 08:50 PM	#15
tinner666 View Profile tinner666 Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (2,456) Photos (110) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Roofer, Domains and Hosting Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 2,456	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Fester. I started like you. A website business card. Very little to no html, and it's stil that way. G tags, content and keyword tags were next. Then, some H1, H2, etc. It evolves regularly. Business is steady. In my case, I couldn't afford a web guy, and anyway, by time I had pix to email with explanations and text for each, I found I could just pile it onto an empty web page, with links and publish it myself. Whatever I'm doing, it's working for a strictly targetted audience. __________________ Frank Slate Roof Repairs, Richmond, Va.

02-07-2010, 10:58 PM	#16
BaltimoreGuy View Profile BaltimoreGuy Member Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (33) Photos (9) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Member Trade: I am a remodeler/builder working in Baltimore mostly doing whole house renovations Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Baltimore City, Maryland Posts: 33	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? I have only been digging into this website development learning curve for a few months. As some of you have discussed, the info is out there in spades for free, it just takes a ton of time and some trial and error to begin to get up to speed. I want, and feel I need, to learn how to do this myself. It's interesting and useful knowledge. I'm just a small show at this stage trying to learn the business. If I could afford a web guy I still might be doing it myself, at least at first. Thanks again to all of you who share your insight so generously. Peace, Chris

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is this a great site or what?	DaVinciRemodel	General Discussion	17	12-17-2009 10:10 AM
New to the site.	siteservicesllc	Introductions	4	12-02-2009 10:29 PM
Web site questions	Roberts Ren	Websites and SEO	2	10-27-2009 09:58 AM
Just found this site and liking it	Larry D.	Introductions	9	02-18-2009 08:56 AM
Web Site Critique?	Carport King	Landscaping	1	02-17-2009 04:04 PM

02-08-2010, 12:44 PM	#18
SCCTrim View Profile SCCTrim Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (125) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Professional Carpenter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hanover PA Posts: 125	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? 62... __________________ S.Colwell Construction York County Remodeling Adams County Remodeling

02-08-2010, 07:23 PM	#19
Martin Co View Profile Martin Co Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (208) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: General Contractor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 7 oakledge rd. Wakefield, Ma. Posts: 208	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Ok, here's my 2cents ! Online hosted website builders absolutely suck the donkey d*! Why? Because that's where I started when I published my first website over a year ago. Let's face it, they look like someone flung dog-poo at it! Sure, if you really like online website builders, all the power to you, I just couldn't bare to look at it any longer! You're better off creating a Myspace, Facebook, or, a hub page on Squidoo and point your customers there --- At least it would look more pretty Ok, so what do you do next if you don't like website builders? Well, you could do what I did and use a free crappy template and try to make it look good! Did it, done it, got past it! Learned how to code html Time How much time do you really have to dedicate to learning Web design, SEO, marketing, etc.? Total time for me??? Too many sleepless nights = equaled a lot of crappy moderate productive days doing what I'm professional at doing! What's my point in posting this? Unless you have the patients, time, dedication to building a site, then go ahead, go through my misery of doing everything on your own too! As for me, to the hell with that crap! I'm not a web designer -- I'm a f'n carpenter/builder/owner!!! Here's a preview of my last DIY website, I hated it! Sure, I got plenty of leads weekly -- it looked cheap, I'm not cheap, are you? So lets leave it to the professionals, I say it to customers all of the time! Well not quite in that wording but, we see what DIY homeowners attempt to do all of the time! What do we usually leave the home saying to our selves as professionals?!?!?! Back to the OP's question** I've got a 95 !!! Thanks to J. Sullivan, I've got a beautiful looking site that has a low low google bounce rate and converts! Not too shabby huh? Hey Sullivan, I bet if you put a quick contact form on my main-page I would have a perfect hundred! I'm not trying to crush anyone's goals here, I'm stating what I went through and it sucked! So if you've got the extra doe, let a professional web designer do what they do best design! Mike.. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ma siding contractor - residential shingle roofing deck builders ma - Home improvement blog contractors directory Last edited by Martin Co; 02-08-2010 at 07:24 PM. Reason: typo

02-08-2010, 08:34 PM	#20
Martin Co View Profile Martin Co Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (208) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: General Contractor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 7 oakledge rd. Wakefield, Ma. Posts: 208	Re: What's Your Web-Site Grade? Oh, and I also forgot to add: Do you know how many times I wished I had tech support when I couldn't get my DIY site to function correctly? NOBODY!!! Sure, you can call your hosting provider and they might be able to help you -- if you don't mind talking to " ellow, my name is Baboo caahreeem abdul jahheed " Iyaaam frrrrom India -- can I help you my friend! WTF is right!!! Wanna know what I love now? Anytime I've got a problem with my website, or I've got new Idea's -- a quick phone call or email and it's done, no questions asked! So guess what I'm doing with all of my extra time? Having fun making money, doing what I do best as a home improvement contractor! __________________ ma siding contractor - residential shingle roofing deck builders ma - Home improvement blog contractors directory