Websites...are they really worth it?

March is coming soon again, time to renew my website provider. But before I decided whether I do want to renew or not, do you guys actually think that a website is worth it to a service provider? How many customers have you really received off from it? Is it just mostly for show and not to get customers? Since I have had my new site up and going since March, I have had only about 800 visitors. I have had only really two people actually talk about my website. So once again, is it worth it?

[kc2006]

Lawn care business tips

My website costs me 4.95 a month to host and use godaddy's junk editor, the price of having it there isn't that bad. I use it mainly as a "reference". If someone see's my truck and forgets the number or just remembers part of the name they can go online and search for it and it will mostlikely come back with my site since the site adress is the same as the name. If they do find it and look at it I figure I have them half way there, now they're going to read the about us page and learn about the business. I've only gotten 1 job from it this year but it was a very profitable landscaping job. Technically that one job paid for the website for about 10 years if you want to think of it that way. Plus it makes me stand out from the competition since no one has a site around here. The largest landscaping company around here that has 15 or more crews and is very top notch doesn't even have one yet. I like that I have one and they don't.

__________________
\"Every strike brings me closer to the next home run\"

I guess the question then is to ask you, Why does the largest landscaping company that is very top notch not have a website?

I mean, I have a similar situation here. I am one of only two local companies that have websites. The largest company here as well, that has approx 4 crews, does not have a website as well. Why is that I wonder

Websites for the green industry seem to serve more as a online portfolio. The final place where you can capture your potential client. It shows off your work and tells the visitor more about your company. Unless you rank very high in the search engines potential clients from your area probably will not find you on the net...however, if you market your services (flyers, postcards, newprint, radio etc...) and put your www address on the materials most people will visit your site to find out more information on services, quality of work, read testimonials, etc. I think that a website serves a very important role in your business. Think of this...if a company puts up a professional website, it shows me that they want to go the extra distance to serve me. You can take online payments to better serve your clients too! It is probably the most inexpensive marketing tool you can have (next to word of mouth).

Some things to think about...

[Steve]

Hi tiedeman,

Here is my thought.
Do you need a website? No
Will it help compliment your marketing strategy? Yes

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Why does the largest landscaping company that is very top notch not have a website?

Here is my view on that. I think they should have a website to attract more business. I have talked to many large LCO's who don't do much in the way of advertising except for word of mouth.
That may work for them once they hit critical mass. By critical mass in this example I mean they have enough customers to fuel their desire to reach out to other customers.
Different marketing strategies will work best for different size companies depending on their goals.

You already have a nice website and hosting is very cheap now a days.

Any thoughts on why you would consider taking it down?

getting going through and finding ways to cut the budget here and there. Sometimes the little things cut as well. WOuld I be cutting my throat by shutting down my website? How many customers would I gain or lose?

I guess that you could look at the long term advantage as well, but if I am only servicing a 5 to 8 mile radius area, would it be worth it. Wouldn't it be more worth it if I was servicing a larger area, say 30 mile radius?

[Steve]

How much do you pay monthly for hosting now?

$20 per month, and a $30 domain name fee for the year, so basically $270 for the year

[NickN]

Check into Omnis web hosting.www.omnis.com
I paid for mine for 3 or 4 years,but if I remember,it was only 8 bucks a month.
As for the effectiveness of a website,ritchiem made very good points.All of my marketing materials have the website url on them.I went so far as to advertise the website via brochures.I notice that almost every prospect that I leave a brochure with,visits the website.I know this because I get their email address.When I check my stats,I notice their service provider is listed.
Also,I'm getting lots of visits from out of staters who are moving to the area due the BRAC reallignment.With no other lawn and landscaper in my area having a website,I've got a bit of an edge with these out of staters.I pay to advertise the site on a community website that lists business' in the area.They show up first on every search for my location,which helps people find my website listing.

[Steve]

Hi tiedeman,

Check this out. We just recently got this web offer to promote. If you think it would be good for you, contact Chuck Sinclair about it.

Also once you contact him, please feel free to promote this on other sites as well. He is giving away 15 free 3 month hostings and then a very reasonable price per month after.

Let me know what you think.