[Mike Halliday]

I'm having a new powerwashing website designed and have been looking at other websites for inspiration.

I'm seeing an unusual trend with both carpet cleaning & powerwashing websites that people are trying to look too big & professional, they are small one man bands but you look at their website and you'd think they would give richard Branson a run for his money!

They are one person but use terms like ..... 'our trained staff' or 'trust our team'  &  ' call our office'  when they work from home.

But Is this counter- productive? do people want big, faceless companies ? Would they prefer to deal with small owner operators?  should we be selling ourselves as small and proud .......'small enough to care'

[*Hector*]

Possibly a mixture of both Mike..

Big enough to cope with any challenge... small enough to care...

sort of thing..

[Mike Halliday]

Maybe...  but if your customer base is  99% domestic then why aim your website at  commercial work (which I thinks a lot of websites seem to be aimed at.)  A big things  I see on homepages is the use of photos in commercial settings.

I think the big problem is people not wanting to use personal photographs they have taken  and the availability of professional photos tend to be of a commercial nature. People think their photos are 'amateurish'

[DB]

You have a very valid point Mike

Many times I have obtained work because its 'me' and not a member of staff that turns up...people buy people!

However I do accept that there is a requirement for larger companies where the wording you mentioned is appropriate.. the old adage 'Horses for courses' applies.

[Dave_Lee]

A very good point Mike. I built my main site. I also have two others that were built for me in order to acquire work in areas outside of my own area but nearby.
My self built site works far better than the other two and customers have expressed their like for the site. I have tried to make it obvious that they are dealing with me the 'owner/operator and not a big concern. I'm not trying to say it's the perfect site but I do get an increasing amount of work from it.
When I want some work doing on our house I look for the professional small operator rather than a 'company' as I feel they are more dedicated to their job than an employee.
My self build website www.deepcleandave.co.uk
Dave.

[Neil Jones]

However Mike what makes you such an expert on other people's business, how do you know so much about them? How do you know they don't have staff? How do you know they aren't trained?
I work from home but have an actual office where someone answers the phone a vast majority of the time, so should I put 'call me at home for an unbeatable quote'


I don't understand why trying to look professional is such an issue?

[Mike Halliday]

I'm not putting my self up as an expert just giving my opinion based on my observation.

 I can can say they don't have staff or have training (where do mention them not having training? )as I know them and meet them for coffee and go out for tea with them

As for portraying yourself as professional where do I suggest it's an issue? If anything the only problem I see is people who mislead by lying  which saying 'call our staff' when they don't have staff is.

[Robin Ray]

There is a place for every size of business, But you cant go wrong being the local person who is trust worthy honest and just round the corner.

I was in the local cleaning suppliers near me a few years ago and I got chatting to this guy who lives not far from me. He asked me how far I travel for work. I answered about 10 miles. He told me he had just got back from a contract in Scotland where he spent a couple of days working in a hotel. He likely got the job portraying himself as a larger company ( I don't know that for a fact though). The point is though how does he make any profit driving from Devon to Scotland paying for the fuel the accommodation his mates wages etc.. I thinks its a bit of a badge for some people.. The fact is there is always good work around for the local guy doing a good job for discerning local people and businesses.

[scott johns]

good point about websites mike I have always used my own photos and videos of myself working
not some images off websites you only have to look at some companies all having the same pictures
not very imaginative. like you most of us are 1-2 man team so how would they cope if say weatherspoons contacted them? I keep to a 10mile radius keeps costs down and not driving more time
working also working in small areas you are seen more and recommendations are always easier to get
good luck with pressure washing I have started this year to.

[Dave_Lee]

I think the point Mike is making is about being truthful. It's not really being honest if you portray your business as a multi person one if it a one man band. In the limited amount of marketing that I do these days, but have always done, I try to avoid words such as 'we' and 'our' etc. I don't necessarily replace them with 'I' and 'my', instead I try to find a way of expressing what I want to get across by using my business name.
Dave.

[dan paton]

Not got round to my websites yet but the best thing I ever done was change my leaflet to make it more personal. People buy from people 

[jasonl]

Which is why I have a simple , I am jason , I do a  good job , none of this fake pretend I am big rubbish

www.dry-fresh.co.uk