Websites And Other Internet Marketing

 
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Old 07-31-2006, 02:17 PM   #1
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Websites And Other Internet Marketing


Although I realize the absolute best form of marketing is word of mouth, I am still working on building the clientale and reputation that will allow that. In the mean time, I am distributing business cards, classifieds, display ads. I am interested in building a website that I can do myself to minimize the cost(it would look professionally done) that I can cross promote in my other marketing. I would like to direct potential clients to the site in the other marketing and the site can do a much more thorough job of selling them on our services. Additionally, I would like it to capture leads and allow potential clients to make request for estimates. My question is, does anyone have any experience with doing this and any lessons learned on how to incorporate websites and other forms of internet marketing into general contracting business?

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Old 08-01-2006, 12:07 AM   #2
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


Quote:
Originally Posted by ktaylor
Although I realize the absolute best form of marketing is word of mouth, I am still working on building the clientale and reputation that will allow that. In the mean time, I am distributing business cards, classifieds, display ads. I am interested in building a website that I can do myself to minimize the cost(it would look professionally done) that I can cross promote in my other marketing. I would like to direct potential clients to the site in the other marketing and the site can do a much more thorough job of selling them on our services. Additionally, I would like it to capture leads and allow potential clients to make request for estimates. My question is, does anyone have any experience with doing this and any lessons learned on how to incorporate websites and other forms of internet marketing into general contracting business?
search and you will find

It's been discussed here a lot.
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Old 08-01-2006, 12:57 AM   #3
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


Quote:
Originally Posted by ktaylor
Although I realize the absolute best form of marketing is word of mouth, I am still working on building the clientale and reputation that will allow that. In the mean time, I am distributing business cards, classifieds, display ads. I am interested in building a website that I can do myself to minimize the cost(it would look professionally done) that I can cross promote in my other marketing. I would like to direct potential clients to the site in the other marketing and the site can do a much more thorough job of selling them on our services. Additionally, I would like it to capture leads and allow potential clients to make request for estimates. My question is, does anyone have any experience with doing this and any lessons learned on how to incorporate websites and other forms of internet marketing into general contracting business?
Keep in mind what you are after is "Far Easier Said Than Done!"

Your effort to "Minimize Cost" could very well end up costing you alot more than you would hope.
My research shows me that there is a great deal of time and effort required to build a Website of Quality Content that could serve the Multiple Purposes you mentioned.
Unless you have the Knowledge required to put the thing together in a short time or even longer, You might want to reconsider trying to do the work yourself.
Just my $.02
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Old 08-01-2006, 06:43 AM   #4
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


A website can be a wonderful tool. As posted above, if you don't know how to do it, Hire someone! Website building is kinda like construction, you will never learn it all, Trends and etc change constantly. You can buy a template and have someone put your info on it fairly cheap. I personally do my own and it can be time consuming. When business gets real busy, the website is the first to get neglected, It shouldn.t be that way. But it is my hobby, and I enjoy the learning that comes with it.
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Old 08-01-2006, 03:07 PM   #5
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


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A website can be a wonderful tool. As posted above, if you don't know how to do it, Hire someone! Website building is kinda like construction, you will never learn it all, Trends and etc change constantly. You can buy a template and have someone put your info on it fairly cheap. I personally do my own and it can be time consuming. When business gets real busy, the website is the first to get neglected, It shouldn.t be that way. But it is my hobby, and I enjoy the learning that comes with it.
I am experienced in web design and in internet marketing. Although I am capable of doing it, I don't know how effective a website would be for a local, grass roots business. I do understand that the maintenance and updates would suffer if other business concerns would dictate, but I am willing to contract out the maintenance should that become an issue. What experience have you had with your site?
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Old 08-01-2006, 03:45 PM   #6
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


Quote:
Originally Posted by ktaylor
I am experienced in web design and in internet marketing. Although I am capable of doing it, I don't know how effective a website would be for a local, grass roots business. I do understand that the maintenance and updates would suffer if other business concerns would dictate, but I am willing to contract out the maintenance should that become an issue. What experience have you had with your site?
The absolute best thing I ever did. A good website is worth more than gold.
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Old 08-01-2006, 04:47 PM   #7
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


I personaly have had good results, mainly due to the fact that I live in an area that many are moving to and or buying retirement or second homes. Most (not all)that contact me are from out of state.
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Old 08-01-2006, 06:19 PM   #8
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Re: Websites And Other Internet Marketing


Like Goerge said this has been disscussed a lot on these forums. There is a lot of very good infomation to be found by reading some posts here:Websites & Technical Help.
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