website only for potential clients

[premiere95]

after years of mailing out 4 page letters to potential clients - I took the letter that worked the best and created a simple website.

no buttons, no click thrus...easy loading

I wanted to give potential clients enough reason to use my services - yes a bit of a read but most people who take the time to read it usually call to schedule.

Sorry, we only serve Lancaster County, York, Hershay and Harrisburg PA

[B&T]

I am all for clean carpets . . . but I can't believe that anyone will read all that. I caught about 2 lines per page before moving to the next. I just went to the pricing page and saw that you charge more than the folks we have do ours. No sale.

[premiere95]

thanks for your reply...

and maybe its a long read - but our mailers pull a good rate of return for the last few years - and no I cant sell my services to everyone there are definately markets for my service...

also - nowhere on the site does it show exact pricing
so I could be cheaper - but I doubt it...

we use the free room to get in the door - if the client likes the service (99% do) then we do more work - but a risk free way for people to try us without losing $

the average sale per client is over $225 even with the free room - people just want more - and we dont do high pressure sales of any kind - we just do the best job possible.

We have 32 realtors that know exactly who to refer us to - so the free room offer isnt wasted on people that dont have money

[B&T]

Very interesting . . . you are right . . . I went back and no pricing on the page that lists your options. But when I scanned the site I definately went away thinking that. Very odd. Must be a subliminal message somewhere :)

[premiere95]

subliminal messages...no , but a very good idea for future ads.

thanks for scanning the website and letting me know your thoughts

peace

[YvetteKuhns]

I think there is WAY too much to read. At least to grab the reader. Especially as a website. Websites divide the info into pages: home, about us, products/services, testimonial, contact info, links, privacy/refund/payment policies, additional pages. The home page must be a short description of your services.

Many people get valpak coupons in the mail. There is usually at least one carpet cleaning ad. It fits on the coupon - it is not 4 pages long. Just say what you get for what price, any guarantees, specials, expirations for sales.

The info is okay to include on a website, but the site must be several shorter pages instead of one long one. I had to scroll pretty far until I saw this:

If you call before 02/28/2004 and say, “ please help my carpet” and I will clean one room of carpeting (up to 150 sq.ft) for FREE. No additional cleaning is required. But I'm so confident that you’ll be so happy with the results, you'll want us to clean the rest of your home. Please hurry after 11:59pm on 02/27/2004 this offer expires.

If you had that at the top (on your home page if you separate into several pages), I guarantee you will get more responses. I wasn't interested until I saw that (but I am in Lehigh, darn!).

[premiere95]

thanks for your feedback...

as to a typical website - I didn't want it broken into links...I wanted a simple to use website that was fast loading without all the typical website format... in a normal website people usually only read the first page without ever going to the rest of the site - this way they stay on the first page without having to click onto somewhere else

as to the read - the reason for the lengthy read is for the reader to gain a better understanding of who I am and what I can for them... it's called emotional direct response marketing

in my print ads all I will advertise is my website and they can decide if they want the service or not

if you need a carpet cleaner in Allentown let me know - I do belong to a network of cleaners that believe in the same customer service programs - I could refer you

[YvetteKuhns]

as to a typical website - I didn't want it broken into links...I wanted a simple to use website that was fast loading without all the typical website format... in a normal website people usually only read the first page without ever going to the rest of the site - this way they stay on the first page without having to click onto somewhere else

Smaller pages load faster than one long page. Most people will read other pages if the first page interests them. If the good stuff isn't at the top, the visitors may miss it. I would have if I wasn't trying to comment on the site. Though it is nice to find info on the first page, you must include the highlights first, then the details.

as to the read - the reason for the lengthy read is for the reader to gain a better understanding of who I am and what I can for them... it's called emotional direct response marketing

If someone sees the home page that tells what you do and is interested in the service, that person will click testomonials, about you and other pages. Internet users read web sites differently from paper ads.

Think about a tv show. If the first few minutes don't interest you, you turn the channel. There are so many sites on the Internet and you want to get the message to the visitor asap.

in my print ads all I will advertise is my website and they can decide if they want the service or not

Those who see the print ads will see the same info. But those who find you on the Internet must find the good stuff first. Trust me. If you put the FREE word first on your website, you WILL get more business.

if you need a carpet cleaner in Allentown let me know - I do belong to a network of cleaners that believe in the same customer service programs - I could refer you

Tempting. Though I have a Stanley Steamer carpet cleaner and professional cleaning agents to clean the carpets, I seldom have the time or will to clean everything. With the snow, stones and dirt that is dragged into my home, I vacuum every day, but the carpet doesn't look too clean.

Hmm. Well, that would make a good anniversary gift (April). Like the new Electrolux for my five year anniversary. It will be eight years soon. You can use the Mother's Day special advertising idea. Works for me! ;)