Response from website - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

MattCoops · 01-07-2008, 06:24 PM

I've been busy on the jobsite lately and haven't been checking our analytics for our website, http://www.cupantileandpaint.com

But the report shows we got 38 visits yesterday, and 3 of those visitors visited the "contact.html" page.
Out of those 3 visits to http://www.cupantileandpaint.com/contact.html NONE filled in our online form and not one phone call (as of yet).

What gives?

Do we need to improve on our contact page?

kevjob · 01-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Matt can you on your conversions put the contact page link to after they submit

IE:

mattcupantle.com/estimatepage

mattcupantile.com/estimate/thnaks

the second one should be after they submit so you know they did look and submit info

some weeks we will 100 clicks and no estimates then next week 0 clicks and 10 estimates, some people I believe are collecting info and wanted to get a feel for your company.

**Ed the Roofer** · 01-07-2008, 06:35 PM

I like the simplicity of it.

If I were to suggest anything, so that lazy people do not have to type in information, would be to have a list of common service requests with a check off bubble next to it, so that they do not even have to leave any written message and still use the open script message box for Other or Any Additional Information or Requests.

Ed

MattCoops · 01-07-2008, 06:50 PM

yeah Ed, I think we should add checkboxes for certain services

thanks

and yeah Kevin, once you submit form it thanks you.

how does it look now? http://www.cupantileandpaint.com/contact.html

the same thing occurs on our sister site: http://www.charlottetilecontractor.com/contact.html

Dustball · 01-07-2008, 07:00 PM

Do you know that the contact page is actually working- meaning once people submit their info, you're receiving it?

kevjob · 01-07-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustball

Do you know that the contact page is actually working- meaning once people submit their info, you're receiving it?

great point I have several peopl test it a couple times a month to make sure, Matt do you use outlook, I had several web estimates sent to junk email and luckily I caught them, one of those actually signed with us last month!

**Ed the Roofer** · 01-07-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

yeah Ed, I think we should add checkboxes for certain services

thanks

and yeah Kevin, once you submit form it thanks you.

how does it look now?

http://www.cupantileandpaint.com/contact.html

the same thing occurs on our sister site: http://www.charlottetilecontractor.com/contact.html

I said check off bubbles not squares.

How dare you!!!

Yeah, I think that will make it easier.

Ed

**ChrWright** · 01-07-2008, 09:15 PM

Consider adding an opt-in option for a free report. This allows you to follow-up to those who have an interest in your services. That way, they get an instant reward for giving you their email address.

People are lazy, especially online. And they're used to being solicited for their contact info--a lot are put off by this. I find it incredibly annoying when I'm trying to find info online and I'm asked to submit a contact page in order to get it. 9 times out of 10 I'll look elsewhere. This is the instant gratification mentality you have to keep in mind when marketing online.

However, if you offer something free--like a free project planning report or a checklist or "the 10 most costly mistakes made when selecting tile for your next bathroom remodel", (remember most of us are more motivated by a desire to avoid pain/loss/etc etc.), you can not only get an additional sales piece in front of them, but more importantly you get their contact info--FOR FREE. With that, you can follow-up and improve the chances that you're the one they'll call when they do decide to have some work done.

I'm trying to add something similar to my own site, in order to convert more visitors to my mailing list. There are a number of services online that will manage your autoresponders and mailing lists for you.

woodmagman · 01-07-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

I've been busy on the jobsite lately and haven't been checking our analytics for our website, http://www.cupantileandpaint.com

But the report shows we got 38 visits yesterday, and 3 of those visitors visited the "contact.html" page.
Out of those 3 visits to http://www.cupantileandpaint.com/contact.html NONE filled in our online form and not one phone call (as of yet).

What gives?

Do we need to improve on our contact page?

I have been to your page and seen the contact page, that does not make me a customer. You are posted on a talk forum with your website listed as your signature. If I was from your area I would check you out just to see who you are, I beleive I went to your site because of something your wrote and it may have sparked my interest. Someone may have gone there looking for roofing tile and realized that you are not the guy, and surfing the net is just that, open every door and peek in, if it is a form run like the wind......

kevjob · 01-07-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrWright

Consider adding an opt-in option for a free report. This allows you to follow-up to those who have an interest in your services. That way, they get an instant reward for giving your their email address.

People are lazy, especially online. And they're used to being solicited for their contact info--a lot are put off by this. I find it incredibly annoying when I'm trying to find info online and I'm asked to submit a contact page in order to get it. 9 times out of 10 I'll look elsewhere. This is the instant gratification mentality you have to keep in mind when marketing online.

However, if you offer something free--like a free project planning report or a checklist or "the 10 most costly mistakes made when selecting tile for your next bathroom remodel", (remember most of us are more motivated by a desire to avoid pain/loss/etc etc.), you can not only get an additional sales piece in front of them, but more importantly you get their contact info--FOR FREE. With that, you can follow-up and improve the chances that you're the one they'll call when they do decide to have some work done.

I'm trying to add something similar to my own site, in order to convert more visitors to my mailing list. There are a number of services online that will manage your autoresponders and mailing lists for you.

well said chris I have a free newsletter that 10 people up for and I thinl I got 2 of them.

HomeGuard · 01-07-2008, 11:26 PM

with analytics you can see where they went after the contact page.
the reason I mention it is that your contact page has a lot of choices to check out other parts of the site maybe the potential customer is getting distracted by the choices and heads to another page before he finishes scrolling to the info catcher.

George Z · 01-08-2008, 11:49 AM

It's a numbers game.
38 visits and three to contact is not a lot.
If you had 120 and 15 to the contact page, it may be a different story.

Also, I think you have too much in your contact page.
The form is actually below the fold.

For that page only,
Try making it down to business:

The form, the menu that's it.
Remove the large picture and the box on the right.

Also, stick to the contact information and just a comment box.

I hope that helps.
Simple(no clutter) is good.
The worlds most popular web page is very plain and simple

MattCoops · 01-08-2008, 10:39 PM

How's this contact page looking? http://www.charlottetilecontractor.com/contact.html

wizendwizard · 01-08-2008, 11:14 PM

Since 1/1/08 i have had 97 hit's and they are only viewing the first page. No one is looking further than that. Mine is not a .com and i built it myself. I'm definately not a web genius or a writer. I can put your cabinet doors back on or fix that hole in your drywall. Can't seem to get this website thing right though.

kevjob · 01-08-2008, 11:42 PM

matt you have two websites? any advantage for it?

wizendwizard · 01-08-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

How's this contact page looking? http://www.charlottetilecontractor.com/contact.html

Shop for your ceramic/stone Tile at www.tileshop.com
This link isn't working on your site.

George Z · 01-09-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattCoops

How's this contact page looking? http://www.charlottetilecontractor.com/contact.html

Much better and more streamlined.

tinner666 · 01-09-2008, 07:43 AM

2nd is much better. I'd brighten the background.

The first one was scary with a 'pop-up appearing' box. I, at least, leave right away when I see that stuff.

KCLicenses · 01-09-2008, 08:08 AM

A couple of thoughts to add:

1. 3 visits may just be some search engine crawlers and robots going through your site. These show up as visits.

2. It's not just laziness that keep people from filling out forms. Most people are hesitant to give out personal information. Even if it's just a first name and an email address. They're concerned they're going to get hit with a ton of marketing emails in their inbox.

A statement about what you will use the info for -- and a privacy statement that you will not share the info with anyone else -- will definitely help. Let them know how often you send emails out. This will help you overcome that fear and make them feel more comfortable about sharing their email address with you.

The free report that was mentioned is an excellent tool for collecting email addresses. Make sure it is a good one, though, because it will probably be the first impression they get of your expertise. If it's junk, they'll think you don't know what you're talking about. But if it's useful, it will strengthen their belief that you are an expert in your field. And still include the statements discussed above.

Hope this helps!

Kristie Cook

KCLicenses · 01-09-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizendwizard

Since 1/1/08 i have had 97 hit's and they are only viewing the first page. No one is looking further than that. Mine is not a .com and i built it myself. I'm definately not a web genius or a writer. I can put your cabinet doors back on or fix that hole in your drywall. Can't seem to get this website thing right though.

Knowing that you are not a web genius or a writer is the first step.

So, if you want the web to work for you, hire a professional. When you get a call for cabinet doors to be hung or drywall holes to be fixed, you probably make the case of why they need to hire a professional to do it. You know what you're doing and it will be done right.

Take your own advice when it comes to areas of your business that you are not good at. Especially when it comes to marketing. You are not in business if you don't make sales. And you can't make sales if you don't have good marketing to bring in the leads. These days, a website is a core piece of any business's marketing. It's often the first impression a prospect has of you and your company. Make sure it's the best that it can be.

Hope this helps!

Kristie Cook