Website Bio Page Yes or No? Thoughts

[JessyMathers]

Hey, I'm in the middle of creating a website right now and was wondering what you guys at the gopher forum thought of creating a bio page on my website. Basically I'm interested because I feel it gives the customer a better idea of who they are dealing with and gives them a sense of the people not just a business. The Bio would include photos of each worker as well as a couple sentences about their role, as well a a couple things about who they are. What do you think? good idea or bad? all thoughts welcome would love some constructive feedback. Thanks, Jessy

[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by JessyMathers Hey, I'm in the middle of creating a website right now and was wondering what you guys at the gopher forum thought of creating a bio page on my website. Basically I'm interested because I feel it gives the customer a better idea of who they are dealing with and gives them a sense of the people not just a business. The Bio would include photos of each worker as well as a couple sentences about their role, as well a a couple things about who they are. What do you think? good idea or bad? all thoughts welcome would love some constructive feedback. Thanks, Jessy Honestly, I'd love to have a bio - unfortunately I can visualize my customers saying, "Who the heck gives a crap about this guy, I just want my service" There are a lot of things which make it difficult to actually do. There isn't anything worth reading unless it relates to your business. (I haven't figured this one out yet) I can write a nice story about myself, about how I love movies and walking on the beach (lol) but I don't think customers would give a hoot. My company isn't sharing any personal detail, though I do eventually want my grinning face to be my company logo........ HAHAHAHA I can see it now. ///////////////////////// A biography about the company is fine, while keeping it brief and business related when writing about crew members. things like, "I grew up on a farm, and I fell in love with the labor. When I moved to the city, I wanted to stick to my roots and do something related to property care" bla bla I grew up in the city fyi, lol. I'd like to be the Montreal Grass Super Star, that's when I can freely write a biography and KNOW that people are taking interest and spreading the word.

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[JessyMathers]

Lol ha I agree with you on the long walks on the beach, I really have been humming and hawing over this for some time. The thing that sets my company apart is I'm a university student running a business to pay for school. Most of my employees are also students so I figured there might be a niche for adding in some stuff in the bio. When selling my business door to door people often think oh poor kid has to do door to door sales for some company he's probably getting ripped off, as soon as I tell them I am the owner and explain this is my summer business to pay for school they have the feeling that they are making a good choice by supporting a student. I have often scored jobs just because I'm a student. When people see my business name around a town of about 50,000 they start to notice all the work I have been doing. It seems they often figure oh some corporation like Spring Masters is coming through town must be a fly by night business. So my idea was to put a face to the business of who our workers are and a little about there job and best traits about their work give it a personal touch. I'm not sure if I would be wasting my time completely like you say but I'm hung up on this subject.

A little about my business we offer driveway sealing, crack repair, and line painting, going to add aeration this spring.

[wellbiz]

Originally Posted by JessyMathers

Hey,

I'm in the middle of creating a website right now and was wondering what you guys at the gopher forum thought of creating a bio page on my website. Basically I'm interested because I feel it gives the customer a better idea of who they are dealing with and gives them a sense of the people not just a business. The Bio would include photos of each worker as well as a couple sentences about their role, as well a a couple things about who they are. What do you think? good idea or bad? all thoughts welcome would love some constructive feedback.

Thanks,

Jessy

I agree with Breeze. If your bio adds credability to your company (e.g. started the company in 1988 with x number of years experience creating award winning landscapes. Graduated from xxwell known horticultural schoolxx, etc) go for it. However if not I would just keep it short. Maybe a pic of you and your team with a short sentence saying who everyone is and their responsibilities. I do think having a picture of yourself on your website builds trust and can have a postitive affect. However to much unrelated info in your bio could hurt you.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you put to much into saying you are a student it could have a negative affect. To some being a student would say I can hire you for cheap and that once you graduate I will have to find a new guy to take care of my lawn. Dont get me wrong it can also help as your neighbors may hire you to help you out, its just depends on your goals for the business.

Jay

[JessyMathers]

Thanks for the feedback Jay. Raised some interesting points I have never thought of. I think you might be right with customers thinking I might be short term and be able to abuse the fact that I'm a student. My plan is to build the business as large as I can then sell it to someone, and not just anyone a couple years down the road.

[Growing Green]

I think having a personal bio is fine. I actually have a pretty long bio and have got customers just for that reason. They have said that it is very personal and they like that touch. NOW who knows if I've missed customers as well because of it. LOL Guess I'll never know.

BUT we are down here in South Texas in the southern hospitality zone. People in Austin love for people to be local and personal and organic. Might be different around the US or whatever country you are in. Just be you and that is what matters. When you read my bio that is truly who I am. So if you want to be personal in your website, which by the way is how I wanted my whole website to be, then just do it.

Matt

P.S.
Let me throw this disclaimer in. I've only been in business for a little less than 2 months now. So these other guys have been in business a lot longer than I have so might be best to listen to them over me.

[CHEESE2009]

I would love to have a very personalized business

though

It ruins it for me


Too much stress trying to keep people happy, playing the role of the good guy and having no choice but to play the bad guy when the time comes, and it always comes.

I can make a great first impression, and a good bond. One mess up on their part just frustrates me enough to give them up, as I hate conflict and don't want to deal with them for years to come.

I can't wait till I find my one true robot of an employee who can deal with all that crap while I get my work done.

I don't mind being good or bad, but being both - not good for me.

If I have a guy doing lawns, he can be the suck up. I don't mind visiting a customer to tell them how it is then.




/////////////////////////


I do have this very approachable vibe, all of my customers actually really really like me. I've done friendly visits to most of them and have been invited inside to chit chat (I'm a very bored person). The elderly are my favorite, they keep me busy. I think they see that I truly get something out of talking with them, because it's true. More so for me than them most likely.

Unfortunately, I worry that they might miss a payment(s) and the time where I have to draw the line will come into play - which can ultimately ruin me.

When a good customer goes wrong, that can put me in a bad mood for a month.

[Growing Green]

Originally Posted by CHEESE2009

I would love to have a very personalized business

though

It ruins it for me


Too much stress trying to keep people happy, playing the role of the good guy and having no choice but to play the bad guy when the time comes, and it always comes.

I can make a great first impression, and a good bond. One mess up on their part just frustrates me enough to give them up, as I hate conflict and don't want to deal with them for years to come.

I can't wait till I find my one true robot of an employee who can deal with all that crap while I get my work done.

I don't mind being good or bad, but being both - not good for me.

If I have a guy doing lawns, he can be the suck up. I don't mind visiting a customer to tell them how it is then.




/////////////////////////


I do have this very approachable vibe, all of my customers actually really really like me. I've done friendly visits to most of them and have been invited inside to chit chat (I'm a very bored person). The elderly are my favorite, they keep me busy. I think they see that I truly get something out of talking with them, because it's true. More so for me than them most likely.

Unfortunately, I worry that they might miss a payment(s) and the time where I have to draw the line will come into play - which can ultimately ruin me.

When a good customer goes wrong, that can put me in a bad mood for a month.

LOL Scott, I struggle with conflict as well. What you need to do is find a wife who does not fear conflict. That is where she is going to play a major role for me. She doesn't know it yet, but that is where I'm going to use her help in a lot once I start getting those late/no payment customers.

Matt

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Growing Green

LOL Scott, I struggle with conflict as well. What you need to do is find a wife who does not fear conflict. That is where she is going to play a major role for me. She doesn't know it yet, but that is where I'm going to use her help in a lot once I start getting those late/no payment customers.

Matt

I'm not allowed to talk about grass with my girlfriend or else I'll get in trouble.

"Are we still going out tonight, or are you going to sit around and think of grass all day?"

.... lol... that's what she says when she's mad.

When she's really mad, she says,

"I'm going to go grab a handful of grass and shove it up your ***, now do as I say!"

grass can have it's way with me, that's what she doesn't know.. LOL

[Growing Green]

That is hilarious! I'm sure my wife will be saying that to me as well soon.

Matt