for those of you who make your own websites. . . .

[sparkyjim]

Well this thread has given me much to think about. Oldest child was "building" a site for me and left for college without finishing. I've bought through 1 & 1 and Go Daddy but wasn't impressed. Any suggestions?

 

[ramsy]

Oldest child was "building" a site for me and left for college without finishing.

Websites are done remotely. Pay Son to finish project & train you to maintain the website.
Give the college student an alternative to all-nighters with Myspace & facebook.
Besides teaching him electrical, this gives the student another skill to develop, in addition to the useless-college degree.

 

[sfav8r]

Mine is not fancy, just "to the point" information too... but I have been told that mine is bland, and quite boring...

So, I wanted to "spruce" things up.

Were the people who told you your site was boring potential customers? People searching for an electrician are typically in a different mind set than a friend your happen to ask what he thinks about your web site. The LAST person you should ask is an artist. I mean absolutely no disrespect to artists for whom I have a great appreciation. But your website is a marketing tool...not a show piece. Not to say it should look clean and professional, just stay focused on the goal.

 

[Greg Swartz]

Were the people who told you your site was boring potential customers? ...

Unfortunately, a couple were.

I told them, I wanted a plain, basic site that gave information, that was easy to navigate.

They told me:

Well, we figured you were lower because the quality of your website was less. We almost didn't call you. But on the other hand, we looked at XXXX site, and didn't call them because they had a fancy site, and figured we'd be paying for that site.

With answers like that, you've got a catch 22.

So, I am not worried anymore. I just want a nice site. Nothing fancy... seen a lot of flash sites lately.

All I know, is that I am on page 1 of google in Colorado Springs... for Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors...
That's what matters. I keep my contact information nearly everywhere now!

 

[480sparky]

Unfortunately, a couple were.

I told them, I wanted a plain, basic site that gave information, that was easy to navigate.

They told me:


With answers like that, you've got a catch 22......

Someone almost didn't call you because of the appearance of your web site?

I know what you mean. I found an ad on Cragilist looking for an electrician and responded. Guy emailed me his number, I called, and went out to look at the job.

As we were talking, he commented that he had seen my website, but didn't call me because he thought I was a huge outfit with hundreds of employees, and he didn't want to pay for all that.

So it's a 'darned if you do, darned if you don't' proposition. Just tell folks they can't judge a book by it's cover.

 

[Greg Swartz]

Someone almost didn't call you because of the appearance of your web site?

I know what you mean. I found an ad on Cragilist looking for an electrician and responded. Guy emailed me his number, I called, and went out to look at the job.

As we were talking, he commented that he had seen my website, but didn't call me because he thought I was a huge outfit with hundreds of employees, and he didn't want to pay for all that.

So it's a 'darned if you do, darned if you don't' proposition. Just tell folks they can't judge a book by it's cover.

I can't believe that... I think you have a great website. In fact, it's one I keep referring back to when I am looking at information I want to add on mine. I wouldn't think you had hundreds of employees... 20 maybe... but not hundreds...