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New Website, need opinions please

EXP Frank
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mspecperformance Mentor

mspecperformance

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Posted

Probably not something a web marketing expert would tell you but I think adding a personal touch to a website with pictures of your facility and staff (smiling staff!) may go a long way. I understand most people make a buying decision within a few seconds of visiting a website but for those who dig in further I think it would make a bit of difference. Just my opinion since I always feel that a business is a lot more friendly with actual human faces and pictures of where I am going are visible.

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nmikmik Enthusiast

nmikmik

Posted
Posted

Probably not something a web marketing expert would tell you but I think adding a personal touch to a website with pictures of your facility and staff (smiling staff!) may go a long way. I understand most people make a buying decision within a few seconds of visiting a website but for those who dig in further I think it would make a bit of difference. Just my opinion since I always feel that a business is a lot more friendly with actual human faces and pictures of where I am going are visible.

I guess it depends what is the reason for your site.

If you want to drive traffic to your site, you need:

a. give them a compelling reason to go there rather than someplace else

b. make that reason a focal point on your site

Having testimonials and Yelp reviews readily visible on the site is also important imo, I'd be wiling to trade the huge logo to a list of Yelp reviews. That of course if you are proud of them :)

GL

EXP Frank Apprentice

EXP Frank

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  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the replies. I think you guys all have valid points and I'm going to implement some of your ideas. We are in a small market and Yelp isn't as popular as it probably is in San Diego. We actually just spent 6 months advertising with yelp and got very little response.

nmikmik Enthusiast

nmikmik

Posted
Posted (edited)

EXP,

in my opinion Yelp or no Yelp, something similar is going to dominate your review market and if you are the first one, it gives you an advantage of just that, been the first one, with most reviews yada,yada, yada.

I would actually advise against advertizing with them unless you are targeting a specific competitor that is already taking away your busies and of course if Yelp is prevalent.

If most people in Kileen use smart phones, they are or will soon use Yelp as well,

my 2c

:)

Edited by nmikmik
  • 2 weeks later...
Nataniel Newbie

Nataniel

Posted
Posted

Hi Frank, I looked into your root code and noticed that your meta-tag Keyword is much larger than Description. Keywords (as meta-tags) are dying out nowadays - I wouldn't expect much from them. While Descriptions are playing a big role for SERP. Write short, generic and beautiful descriptions with 1 or 2 key-words (try to place them at the beginning of the desc-ion) and search Engines will form attractive snippets out of them, which will be seen in SERP. And the Homepage - the main page of your site! What do you have on it - a huge logo. Why not to place more useful information there (pictures, folders, your famous clients at least)?

 

 

 

 

Need to promote your site? Welcome to casino marketing agency!

  • Like 1
mmotley Proficient

mmotley

Posted
Posted

EXP,

in my opinion Yelp or no Yelp, something similar is going to dominate your review market and if you are the first one, it gives you an advantage of just that, been the first one, with most reviews yada,yada, yada.

I would actually advise against advertizing with them unless you are targeting a specific competitor that is already taking away your busies and of course if Yelp is prevalent.

If most people in Kileen use smart phones, they are or will soon use Yelp as well,

my 2c

:)

I agree... kind of. I just got rid of my 254 area code cell phone number this week, so I know the area you are in. Grew up in Glen Rose, have visited buddies going to college in Waco... Nobody around there uses Yelp, period. Well, maybe a few out of towners, but not enough to leave you sleepless if you get a bad review on there. However, Google reviews are different. I have run into quite a few people pay attention to those around here and you part of the woods... After all, your smart phone comes with google maps on it, and the map will give your star rating as soon as your business pops up (excluding iPhones). Anyway, point being, nmikmik is probably right. Ditch the logos and go with some google reviews, or even just a customer quote. Coming from a shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus, I get phone calls and questions from my customers every week, asking if I work on Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and VW, even when the sign says 'Toyota and Lexus Specialists'! So I don't think you'll have an issue with customers wondering if you work on 'their car too'

 

Other than that, I think it looks great. Love that you have a map on the first page. I'm gonna have to apply that to my site. 'Opening Hours' sounds a little weird to me. Maybe try 'hours open' or 'hours of operation'.

Silver Star Apprentice

Silver Star

Posted
Posted

"Frank and his team sponsor well known race event throughout Texas and still manage to support local community events."

 

Try this as an edit to the sentence...

"Frank and his team sponsor well known race events throughout Texas while still supporting local community events."

 

Reading through the first page I think you really need to have someone go through and proof read and make corrections. I know we are not literary scholars but at least in my market I know I would have people pulling up my website to laugh at me rather than do business with me.

 

Frank, I think over all it's nice. I would like to recommend that you simplify the site as much as possible. People only want to know that you can fix their car. The links for the Electrical, Mechanical, and regular maintenance are a great idea but I'm not sure they serve much of a purpose. Reading it as a customer I have a reaction of "This dosent help me". As a shop owner I understand the message you are trying to get across.

 

Make sure your contact information shows up when the first screen shot of the webpage comes up. MAKE SURE IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH SMART PHONES. Check the website on your phone or friends phones, try multiple different ones, iphone and android.

 

We just simplified our website, basically it served our old business of retailing vehicles as well. I put pictures of staff in a separate section for "meeting our staff" address and hours on front page easy to read. I have a blog to discuss stuff like regular maintenance (the things you try to teach your customers to keep car running well and also things you know they should do the manufacture dosent recommend anymore like transmission service, differential fluid changes, ect. I deal with European vehicles so it may just be my brands that have done this) I have had alot of customers tell me they agree with the information in my blog about regular maintenance and thats why they cant stand the dealership because they feel like they are not trying to take care of the vehicle. I'm blown away by this, but what it results in is a new customer, instant loyalty, and the easy work.

 

My 2-3 cents

  • 4 months later...
GermanCArDEpot.com Explorer

GermanCArDEpot.com

Posted
Posted (edited)

I have a new site please comment and check from your phone thats where the magic come into play. The site is only a few days old still working things out. 50% of our traffic is from mobile. .Thank you Ollie

 

www.GermanCarDepot.com

Edited by GermanCArDEpot.com
Sean Enthusiast

Sean

Posted
Posted

I like the website. The mobile version is especially nice. Cool to know you coined the term Ollie as well.

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
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      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
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      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

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