I do general caprpentry and have a relatively young business. I’ve been thinking of setting up a website as a sort of on-line portfolio. I’m wondering if it’s really worth the time.
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I've never gotten finished with mine, but I think it's helped close some jobs that I would have had to work harder to get if the customer was not able to sit at their desk and peruse my work.
http://grantlogan.net/
It seems to be worth the time not as a primary marketing device, but as a secondary device. If you have print or radio ads you can send people to the website for more information. Also if you get a lot of leads, you can send them to the website and let some of them weed themselves out.
Anyone (myself included) who sets up a website and expects the work to flow in as a result is sadly mistaken.
Assuming you are a self employed guy who does work for HOs, I think it is well worth it if only to show that you are a relatively intelligent guy who isn't living in 1950. Also, it will allow any potential customer to view your work and possibly get some ideas of how to spend their money, while potentially selecting projects that are similar to those you have already done.
It doesn't need to be glitzy for fancy. Just something that is intuitively laid out if not somewhat simple. Once you get it up and running get some people who will be honest to critique it. What is obvious to one person (you) can be confusing to another.
If you have High speed access, to my knowledge, most of these ISPs will provide a small to moderate amount of web space for the basic or a nominal charge. Further at least some ISPs have tools to help you get things going on a web site. I know mine does although admittedly I have never used it.
Further Yahoo, and other large web presents will provide web space for a nominal charge. When I was doing work for HOs I had one that was costing me about $5 a month. They had menu driven tools to set everything up so the actual need for any kind of HTML skills was very minimal.
Your Q was spot on though - Is it worth the TIME - that being the largest cost to you.
my company web site is on the door of my truck and I have seen people write it down at stoplights.i do live in Alabama, so my advice might be worthless
Co. I work for has a pretty lame website and the boss says it bought in several jobs last year.
We do kitchens and baths from the low 30k to well over 100.
Do it right and hire someone.
Look for fatroman here, I believe he has done some work for a few of the regulars here.
[email protected]
I've been working on my web site with Jerrald Hayes. And yes I do think it helps. It validates what you do with photos and statements. Its just another tool for your tool box.
You should speak with Jerrald...I had some great ideas for mine and with help from Jerrald along with his ideas and skills we've built a real nice site for me.
I can't say enough good things about his expertise in this area!
Be well
andy...
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html?ex=1255665600en=890a96189e162076ei=5090
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I won't comment on if a website is right for you, but for any business it needs to be at least as high in quality as your carpentry. It may be "just" a website, but it's part of your collection of artifacts that clients are making decisions with.
Along the same lines, be careful time wise since good layout, graphics, and updates can eat up a great deal of time.
Good publishing!
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I like a web site that changes everyday, something that will calulate. a site that will do something.when I go somewhere that shows a project that was built nine years ago, I usually go "Thats nice" and ten seconds later, dont even remember where it was. Its like when you turn the volume down during commericals.i do live in Alabama, so my advice might be worthless
I like a web site that changes everyday, something that will calulate. a site that will do something.>>>
Good flash...Jerrald was talking with me about just that the other day and is trying to incorporate a Blog of sorts in my site so I can always add/change things as time passes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html?ex=1255665600en=890a96189e162076ei=5090
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I think a web site is like joining the Chamber of Commerce. It really doesn't mean you are or are not a good business but seems to add credibility to prospective clients. We get a few jobs a year from ours but a lot of people tell us during sales calls that they checked out our web site and we seem like a good company.
As far as design and such. I raised a son that is pretty good with computers. I paid him a few hundred to design it and we placed it on Yahoo. Cost $12 a month so I don't have a bunch of overhead in it all. DanT
A few good tips here..
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Top-8-Website-Sins-Part-One&id=27628
I'm a web developer by trade, so perhaps I'm a bit biased, but here's usually the argument I put forth:
Are you in the phone book?
If so, then realize that a lot of folks these days use Google as their phone book.
If so, then realize that a lot of folks these days use Google as their phone book.
If you are only in your local phone book, you limit yourself to local customers. Maybe that's enough; maybe there are no outsiders who would be interested in having work done in your area. But a website is a cheap, easy way to reach folks around the world--I am about to add "finding a contractor and building a house long distance" to my list of things that I've used the internet for.
Be sure your site shows up using a variety of key words! One of the things I dislike about the yellow pages is that I have to figure out how someone else thought something should be categorized.
Kathleen
I'm wondering if it's really worth the time.
Yes, it adds credibility and shows a higher level of professionalism.
This will be a requirement for all businesses in the near future (if not now) just like a phone on the desk (or in your pocket)
“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..†– Hume