Online advertising for tradesmen running a business

[chris10122]

Hi everyone, I have joined your forum hoping to share some ideas about if and how to use the Internet for promoting small businesses and I look forward to hearing the views from other business owners and the professionals on this site.

I run a local electrical services and jet washing business in Wiltshire and the work we get is from word of mouth, local advertising and monthly leaflet drops.

I'm trying to research and gain an understanding if developing an Internet presence and advertising on the net is really worth the output for a local tradesmen like me running a small business.

84% per cent of UK adults sill use the paper based Yellow Pages (if their stats are to believed) and this is a tried and tested method for businesses like mine, and I’m just not sure if using the Internet for my industry would be a worthwhile investment of time and money, and I can't find any real substance to back up it's use.

I would be very interested to hear your views.

[Eagle]

Welcome, Chris.

84% per cent of UK adults sill use the paper based Yellow Pages (if their stats are to believed)

Precisely! The figure is 'probably' accurate that 84% still use it - but what's the percentage of people who do a quick search online first, before even thinking of using that saggy old heavy book? Bear in mind that YP are in serious financial trouble so they'll twist the figures in order to gain business.

[bigtrowel]

hi chris

and have just started a website and am finding i get a lot more interest since my website got going,websites can be very expensive

[streetslocal]

hi chris

and have just started a website and am finding i get a lot more interest since my website got going,websites can be very expensive

Glad to see that your online and its getting you business.
When you say expensive how expensive do you mean?

Because for example i took alook at your site and could have done the exact same for around the £250-£300 mark

[chris10122]

Hi Peter, I think you have created a very good site there, and I'm pleased to hear it has generated some interest, but has it generated any actual jobs for your business?

As when I spoken to other tradesman down here the consensus seems to be that if people want a builder or an electrician etc they sill look in the yellow pages or Thompson directory, or ask family or friends if they know someone trustworthy, and I’m just sure how many customers go trawling the Internet looking for local tradesmen, or if there is any real benefit in pursing online marketing.

[Indizine]

Perhaps the OP means expensive as in the marketing of them after you launch them?

[Mike Seddon]

Just some thoughts on the subject.

I tend to spend a lot of time on the internet so I might not ne your typical user but I stopped using the yellow pages ages ago. It gets recycled as soon as it arrives along with all the other telephone directories.

If I need a tradesman such as an electrician, plumber etc then I agree that my first port of call is recommendations from friends. However if I can't get those then I search the internet.

I found my garden landscaper, electrician, central heating specialist and plumber all through the internet. All local. Also, when I need then again I don't have to hunt through the yellow pages. I can search for them again quickly online.

There are lots of local trademen directories as well as Google maps etc.

Getting a website isn't expensive at all. Especially if all you need initially are a couple of pages with your contact details, testimonials etc.

You can also buy lists of email addresses for people in your local area. So your monthly leaflet drops could be supplemented with email mailings. Leaflets tend to get binned if you don;t need the service immedaitely whereas emails tend to hang around and can be found again when you suddenly need that tradesman.

Anyway - my two pence on the subject.

Cheers
Mike

[streetslocal]

Perhaps the OP means expensive as in the marketing of them after you launch them?

But providing the site is built correctly at the early stages its not a major outlay long term within this business field.

[Indizine]

Also, I think the OP might be saying that generally they can be priced expensively...so shop around.

[lunchbox]

Sorry but for the average small business that trades locally a website is just an expensive luxury. If you have things to sell nationally Amazon or Ebay are best.

Think about it. I'm Joe Bloggs the builder and I work in and close to Nottingham. I spend a lot of money on a ge wiz website. Who's going to see it? How are people who don't know me going to find the site? Only way is to pay google and I'll be paying for hits in timbucktoo. For every 100 hits I get probably 1 will be from Nottingham but I'll pay for all the hits.

I worked in a bakery with a website. In 6 years we got 2 orders through it!

Websites are great if you can build them yourself and find free hosting. Not if you're paying for them.

Far better is your local paper, advertiser, notices in supermarkets, friends, etc.