websites

[stan794]

Hi chaps,
Have many of you guys got a website for your business, I am thinking if getting one but wondered how effective they are in this type of work. I have had some crazy quotes ad well to have one made, but if it brings work in then fine, has anyone done their own.

 

[Cyberprog]

I think that for an Electrician, you probably just want a very simple website, which should be very cheap. Thinking along the lines of 4 pages:
1) Home Page
2) Contact Us/Get A Quote
3) Gallery of Installation Pictures
4) Terms & Conditions of Business
It's more of a Business Card than anything else, you want to encourage people to get in touch with you, and a lot of people prefer to do that electronically...

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Quotes for websites can be ridiculous at times. I know someone that will do a very impressive small website for about £400. But you may want to consider trying yourself with the not very good, yet effective tools that you get with the web space.

 

[1shortcircuit]

Moldable media (I think I got the name right?) do a special offer for members. IIRC it's £250 for design, setup and first year and £60 PA thereafter.

Admin sent an email around mentioning this company so I'm happy to provide you with the link

My funds are being concentrated elsewhere at the moment so if you beat me there I'd love to hear some feedback:thumbsup

 

[Cyberprog]

If you wanted something dead simple, then you can either do it yourself, or it shouldn't cost more than £100-£200 for what I've described above. We do hosting and manage sites for clients, but don't do any design per-se (mainly because I can't draw) and would probably be charging down the lower end for a simple,text only site with a contact/quote form and simple gallery script (You would provide content for the home page, T&C's, and Photos). Ongoing costs would be £15/year on hosting, plus domain names to suit (£10/2 years on .co.uk's, £10/year on .com's).
(Apologies for the blatent advertising here, hope no-one minds)

 

[cadspark]

The important thing with a website is can people find it and thus find you. If you type electrician and your town into google have a look who comes up. In my area I am at the top of the google searches after the sponsored ads. I live in a small town so my competition is only a few other sparks but my website has been optimised by my web designer so it can be found with simple search terms. It's called SEO or search engine optimisation and is probably the most important thing about a website after content.

I would certainly advise anyone having a website and it has covered it's costs for me in the business it has brought in and mine was a professional design costing £400.

 

[Octopus]

Having a website is just part of your marketing. It has to have your home/base address and be clear and simple. Its unlikely to bring in 1000's of customers.

Don't forget that once its set up you'll probably have an annual charge plus costs to make changes.

Personally I paid to have mine done (which cost about £400), costs about £100 per year to host etc and minor changes are very reasonable.

If you're self employed these costs are all business overheads, so on the basis you're paying tax, it won't cost you anything.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

i did my own with web plus software from serif, you can download a free version that will do 4 pages or the full program for about £70. There is no differance apart from the page limit. I had no web design knowedge before using this program and i am not artistic at all, it was a bit of a learning curve but was a bit of fun as well. Serif also have a very good forum of helpful people.

I have made a few sites with it, my electrical one is well out of date but i am too busy doing other stuff at the moment but i am finding more people are finding me on the web as more people get internet savy, i live in the sticks so a high elderely population (non internet) but for guys in towns i think it is a must.

I have even setup a webcam and weather station for the local paragliding club in one of my sites so we can see when its worth downing tools and going flying

The most important thing is getting the wording, page titles, picture names and key words correct so that google can find you when people search for "electrician "your town"" this is called SEO or search engine optimisation and have a link in your sig on forums as this helps your page ranking in google.

my sites if you are interested are

edit to say whats below was not as i typed but how the forum has displayed my links.

calne westbury trowbridge devizes melksham electrician devizes rewire sockets lights house wiring
rybury webcam
Trade Greeting Cards
www.wastevegetableoildevizes.com

 

[Plonker 3]

JUst out of curiosity and along similar lines, does anyone have a Facebook group set up for their company and added all their friends to it for work?

If so did it get any business as afterall it is free advertising.

 

[Deleted member 19807]

i have setup a facebook account for my card site but not had any business from it, i only set it up so that google sees it and gives me a better ranking.

 

[HandySparks]

If you're self employed these costs are all business overheads, so on the basis you're paying tax, it won't cost you anything.

I think what Murdoch means is that it won't cost as much as it seems because, as a business expense, you save the tax and NI on the amount of the website, rather than that it won't cost you anything!

 

[Octopus]

I think what Murdoch means is that it won't cost as much as it seems because, as a business expense, you save the tax and NI on the amount of the website, rather than that it won't cost you anything!

Yes, my earlier post was hastily put together and yes Handysparks you are on the money. I'm still of the opinion that investment in a "good" website is necessary these days and that its simply another annual cost you have to allow for.

 

[Goody]

Hi chaps,
Have many of you guys got a website for your business, I am thinking if getting one but wondered how effective they are in this type of work. I have had some crazy quotes ad well to have one made, but if it brings work in then fine, has anyone done their own.

Buy yourself a domain name and PM me. I will do a website for you at rock bottom price!

 

[telectrix]

might take you up on that, goody. been thinking about a website for a while. i have a hosted domain with 1and1.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Buy yourself a domain name and PM me. I will do a website for you at rock bottom price!

How much would that be then?