Is it possible to do domestic work only ?

[Sparx-66]

Hi Everyone, I've just joined & have a fundamental question - is it possible to survive doing domestic work only ? - I've launched a domestic only business just over a year ago, I have been actively canvassing since - High quality leaflets, Yell advert, Which trusted trader, full page advert in an established local magazine delivered to 19000 homes, fully signwritten van,& plenty of cold calling at businesses that are connected with the domestic market. I'm an NICEIC member & that is very prominently featured. The point is that despite all this only a trickle of work comes in & overall having paid out to all this commitment I've earnt significantly less than a part-time shelf-stacker at a supermarket. So is it just a question of time ?

 

[Sparx-66]

With no disrespect intended, that is because only bots will find you if you are on page 2 of Google. Almost no human searching for an Electrician in their area will go to page 2. You need to try (over time) to get to the top of page 1 and then you might start seeing some results.

Yes, thank-you, the bots figure shows as not included in the unique visitors per day, I can see the bots visit on a separate listing, who they are, what time they visited, I know that page 2 isn't great, my web designer/host tells me it takes time to work up the pages, he assures me all the design features wordings etc are correct, but if any-one out there knows more about this subject I would be happy to hear from them.

 

[Leesparkykent]

A local firm near me have had a few door knockers going round offering a free visual inspection report. once they have their foot In the door I suppose this is where the up selling starts board changes, full EICR's etc.

 

[Sparx-66]

A local firm near me have had a few door knockers going round offering a free visual inspection report. once they have their foot In the door I suppose this is where the up selling starts board changes, full EICR's etc.

maybe they could chase up PPI or whip-lash injuries & get you to swap your energy supplier for an amazing deal also whilst there ?

 

[hightower]

OP, it's true about trying to get to page one but it's tricky to do. You're competing with the likes of yell, and some bigger electrical companies possibly. Search engine optimisation is a career in itself. One tip is to have frequent content updates on your site, possibly through way of a news page or blog. That'll get Google indexing your site more frequently, as well as increasing your search term hit range as your articles slowly build up.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[Sparx-66]

OP, it's true about trying to get to page one but it's tricky to do. You're competing with the likes of yell, and some bigger electrical companies possibly. Search engine optimisation is a career in itself. One tip is to have frequent content updates on your site, possibly through way of a news page or blog. That'll get Google indexing your site more frequently, as well as increasing your search term hit range as your articles slowly build up.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Thank-you thats very helpful.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

Take a look a this site. I put my address in and got more than 150 people in a 5 mile rad of my house.
http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Search

I got 43 within 5mile Rad and im in the middle of no where




Guess best thing to do, is to get a GROUP of Electricians around the UK to all Pop in to one BIG name and take areas. North Notts South Notts ETC have them maybe over lap a bit
and if on a big job can ask People around in the Group if they wanted in on the job to get it down quicker but will cost a bit.

Means you can have a FANCY web site, a NAME for the over all company

Bobbies Bits : Daves Electricians

So if Dave wanted to go solo he could, and Bobbies Bits can get another Electrician in the area.

Bobbies Bits : Sally Part Electrician

 

[Octopus]

1 year is nowhere long enough to get a new business from zero to earning a living........ you need to allow 2 to 4 years depending on the area, your competence, your ability to communicate with customers, to build up a network of "other trades".

I'm finding that web enquiries often means people "fishing" for the cheapest price.....

Sorry if this isn't too helpful.

EDIT: Why don't you post a link to your website?

 

[Sparx-66]

1 year is nowhere long enough to get a new business from zero to earning a living........ you need to allow 2 to 4 years depending on the area, your competence, your ability to communicate with customers, to build up a network of "other trades".

I'm finding that web enquiries often means people "fishing" for the cheapest price.....

Sorry if this isn't too helpful.

EDIT: Why don't you post a link to your website?

Your words are undoubtably true, from the stats i see that most visitors typically look at 3 or 4 out of the 8 pages the site has, so yes they probably are looking on that basis. But the website makes it very clear that a free - no obligation quote is available upon enquiry. You suggest that I post a link to my website - wouldn't this just undermine the business though given the nature of this enquiry, bearing in mind that this is a sparky's chat room & not a place that customers are looking ?

 

[DPG]

Why would posting your website undermine your business? Daz

 

[Octopus]

Your words are undoubtably true, from the stats i see that most visitors typically look at 3 or 4 out of the 8 pages the site has, so yes they probably are looking on that basis. But the website makes it very clear that a free - no obligation quote is available upon enquiry. You suggest that I post a link to my website - wouldn't this just undermine the business though given the nature of this enquiry, bearing in mind that this is a sparky's chat room & not a place that customers are looking ?

I think you are hoping for too much from your website... mine has a frame on each page which has my address, land line and mobile numbers. I know from talking to people that a lot of people look at my site before calling me.

Happy to take a look at your site if you want to pm me a link... rather than put it on here.

 

[Sparx-66]

Why would posting your website undermine your business? Daz

Because of potential gossip from other local competition, i.e not been going long, needs more work, etc. ?

 

[Octopus]

Because of potential gossip from other local competition, i.e not been going long, needs more work, etc. ?

I'm surrounded by sparks - most of them don't have websites... yet earn a living. The internet isn't on its own going to lay you a golden egg!

 

[Sparx-66]

Ok but how do i post a link thats not for general viewing ?

 

[Octopus]

Ok but how do i post a link thats not for general viewing ?

you can't and hence why I suggested you pm'ed me a link.

 

[Sparx-66]

sorry you'll have to forgive my ignorance but what is pm'ed a link?