What can one do to enhance web site visibility without spending a bezillion ?
In other words: what works ? What should be avoided ?
Thanks in advance for the input.
C.
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Replies
citrouille,
Go to Google and type "how to increase web traffic". You should get tons of hits. Google also provides a service, but don't know what costs are involved.
The biggest thing is that search engines must be able to find your site easily. This means hat keywords need to be defined that relate to things people typically search for, the more the better to a degree.
The question is a great one, but in this case great is complex.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
It seams that everyone has a web site, what about local Radio.
It's funny, I was just thinking about underwriting my local public radio, my problem though is my name (and my web site address) nobody can pronounce it right, never mind spelling it correctly !C.
Very expensive, and most shops would not wish to cast such a wide net. Targeted mailing campaigns are one of the most effective dollar return forms of advertising in this industry, there are companies that specialize in this. A close second is advertising in the local paper's "Lifestyle" section, or whatever they call it. Sometimes they come in the Friday or Saturday edition and some come in the mail. If you live in a Metro area there will be localised "high society" mailers that are full format, glossy magazines with short articles on cooking, remodeling and plastic surgery that are mailed to the more affluent neighborhoods. They are 80% adds, and the adds are for expensive cars, boob jobs, restraunts and remodeling service providers. These are very effective as well.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
Some radio stations are expensive but there are others that are not, in the Long Island New York area there are radio stations that will advertise your company twice a week for 52 weeks cost about $1000.00 thats about $10.00 for each commercial. This station targets an audience 45 years and older it plays rock and roll from the 50,60 & 70 and they are the ones with $$$$.Just take a look at who is boarding the cruise ships.
Edited 9/9/2007 1:56 am ET by woodenhead
The simple truth is that you get what you pay for. For rates that low I suspect the station has low numbers and a not so great demo.
But the real issue is not the cost, but the type of response. If you want the call volume of a Home Depot type cabinet store it is great. Few good shops even list in the yellow pages because of the "get 10 bids and shop for the deal" customers. I was a member of the BBB for 5 years and cancelled it last year because the shoppers were wasting my time. I have the advantage of being established enough that referals are enough to keep me buisy. However direct mail is a very effective way to zone in on specific customers. You should look into attending upcomming industry shows. They have seminars on these subjects that are very informative and taught by experienced industry leaders.Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
When i get direct mail every day i just throw it in the trash after cutting it into three pieces. As to radio you won't know until you try it. And yes the best advertisement is word of mouth,and that has been the most positive impact on my business.
One thing you could do is put the URL in your posts here and elsewhere. I clicked the "Visit Website" in your profile, and it just takes me to the Taunton main page.
My personlay thoughts are that a website these days is not your main way of advertising. It is more of a portfolio and brochure that you can change pretty easy and cheap.
With that said a website is important especially for potential clients. One way that I have used to increase exposure is use the google service called adwords. You pay per click to your site. Research it, I generally paid at most 100.00 dollars a month. But that gave me at least 2500.00 in business.
Give it a try.
http://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com
Here's the gold standard website for a furnituremaker:
http://www.pollaro.com/welcome.php
Check out the work he did for Tiffany & Co, President of Yahoo, et al.
Edited 9/11/2007 11:27 am ET by TaunTonMacoute
Wow! Solid Ivory Hardware! That excites me and offends me all at the same time.
I'm quite offended too.
My organization, Save The Gay Baby Wales With Aids, is trying to stop such atrocities around the globe.
Together we can make a difference.
I'm sure the Welsh might have a quibble with your statement. Whales might too.
Thats the first and last time I post on this forum...Thanks for being a jerk, it works for you.
Good thing, cause if that pi$$ed you off you wouldn't be around here too long anyway.
Stick to Sawmill Creek, nobody there will ever disagree with you or have a conflicting opinion about anything you say.
By the way, why would you be offended if Frank Pollaro uses ivory for his furniture hardware? Are you insinuating that he travels to Africa and shoots baby elephants so he can make some cool pulls for his cabinets?
Lee
I can't believe how a thread goes from asking a simple question about website visiblity to a this. I personally realize that you most likely were joking about the whales and Aids comment. But this is not the place for crap like that. There's no need to for it. This is a woodworking forum and that's it. Talk about thatKaleo
http://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com
Lee, FWIW, I thought it was funny. Humor is about being able to laugh, knowing it's not serious.
I laughed. Not long, mind you, but I laughed. And I can sleep tonight without being offended by it.
Isn't laughing better than the old, wrinkled panties in a wad?
Jerry
I'm glad to see someone saw my post for the joke that it was.
It's just that I have a problem with people jumping to conclusions - why is using elephant ivory offensive unless it is obtained illegally? And why am I a jerk, because I commented on someone being offended by it's use?
If you read through the whole website, Frank Pollaro bought out a huge flitch of brazilian rosewood (some 20 inches wide!) from a large furniture manufacturer, who obtained the material many years ago (pre - cites). Is Frank contributing to the demise of the rainforest because he obtained a protected resource legally? Does anyone honestly think that Frank Pollaro would use illegally obtained ivory on his creations? Give me a break. And on top of all of that, what about the tens of thousands of elephants slaughtered for ivory piano keys? If that's the case, I'm offended by Elton John because he plays the piano.
OK, I'm off the soapbox now. Have a great day!
Lee
TaunTon,
It's not necessarily what you see that attracts traffic to a WEBsite, as the OP asked for help with. One needs to know how search engines find sites to store in their databases.
Also, the almighty dollar in the right hands tends to grease the skids.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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