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paul alan

  • Posts: 1683
Does anyone use checkatrade??
« on: January 31, 2017, 06:11:33 pm »
Hi,

Does anyone use checkatrade?

Seems pricey but i am interested, any experience anyone?

Also does a website make much difference in terms of bringing work in?

Im 6 years in and would like to expand by x2, its usualy leaflets then door knocking only for me,
I dont know much about marketing but im willing to learn and invest if its going to be worth it!

Many thanks

Paul


Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2017, 07:31:42 pm »
We use it and it works well but we have low competition.

Had two or three regular window cleaning jobs from it which has more or less paid for it over the year.

We get a lot of other types of works from it.

The next job we are doing will pay for the years subscription.

paul alan

  • Posts: 1683
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2017, 08:07:21 pm »
How much is the years subs?

It says something about being £12 per week equvialent?

Do you have a website?

Cheers

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2017, 08:39:11 pm »
Yeah its between £500 - £600 for the basic package on their site.

If you want to go into their magazines its about £1100. We went into two and got one call = time waster.

yep got a www :)

paul alan

  • Posts: 1683
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2017, 09:01:17 pm »
Have you found www. To be beneficial?

Cheers

DaveG

  • Posts: 6347
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2017, 09:09:16 pm »
I've been with them for 5 years. Was ok at first but now the flood gates seem to have opened up and there are loads of window cleaners on there.
You can't polish a turd

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2017, 09:14:02 pm »
Have you found www. To be beneficial?

Cheers

Yeah a good www brings in decent work.

Klean07

  • Posts: 3225
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2017, 08:52:31 am »
They ran a free promotion last year meaning that I got the full package including being in mag every 3 months and signs for my van. I made around £600 from them but wouldn't commit to a paid subscription this year around £1200 including vat so I opted out!
I paid £500 for my website but need to tweek a few things to enable me to get on page 1 of Google!
kkleanwindowcleaning.co.uk

Keiron Bradley

  • Posts: 55
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2017, 11:55:44 am »
Hi Paul,
I don't use Checkatrade because doesn't seem worth the cost.

But r.e. website a high ranking site on Google search results is priceless. ALL my work comes from my site and even though window cleaning is more of an add on for me now I still get lots of enquiries.
I highly recommend Nathanael Jones at https://avondhu-internet.com/
He is a really top fella and does very reasonable monthly packages as well as buying your site outright.
The sites are Wordpress which is easy to learn and make updates yourself.
You should also claim a free listing on sites like YELL.com

Michael H Jones

  • Posts: 161
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2017, 12:23:34 pm »
Does your website guy do one-off builds? I'm thinking of switching to Wordpress and feel reasonably confident that I can run it myself - it's just the initial build that puts me off. Also, do you have the full package that accepts Google Analytics (which I seem to remember was a bit pricey) or have they changed it since I last looked?

Keiron Bradley

  • Posts: 55
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2017, 08:08:41 pm »
Yeah he does one-off's primarily I believe and at a reasonable price. The pay monthly option was a more recent introduction for those wanting to avoid the initial outlay. But yes definitely one-off builds are his main work and he'll work with you to get the look you want.
 Also if you go to Nathanael Jones he won't just take your money and leave you to get on with it. Any problems or advice he's fantastic and VERY prompt. I've emailed him before in the evening or over the weekend not expecting to  hear until the next working day at least ,and half hour later he's replied. He's a really nice bloke and can't fault him and believe me I've made a nuisance of myself in the past asking him stuff. I've got mates who have gone to OTHER web designers and they are a nightmare it seems - no comparison.

I can't stress how easy to use Wordpress is. My first website was done by a DIFFERENT  company based in London and not designed on wordpress and working it out was like trying to decipher hieroglyphics . Wordpress is the total opposite and I had no I.T. knowledge.
You don't need to understand code/HTML and just write in normal language. If you add (free) Yoast SEO plugin it analyzes your page titles,url,keyword usage,alt tags,content,meta description etc and tells you what needs attention . And all the features like adding or amending content, images and where you place them and their size,single image,gallery style etc,adding new pages/blog posts,menu layout and content.... it's just all designed for ease of use. Obviously there is a certain amount of trial and error but when I'm not sure about something I just create a new page,try out whatever it is to see what happens and then when I'm happy with what's what I delete the page or you can keep it as an unpublished draft.
Another great free plugin is 301 redirects which allows you to change URL's and automatically redirects old url. And there's loads of different plugins to make life easier which is another plus point.

R.E. Google analytics - it's free. Just go to search console - https://www.google.com/webmasters/#?modal_active=none
and register for free. Follow the instructions for analytics and they'll give you a piece of code that needs adding to your site for verification purposes - Nathanael would do this for you if you had a site with him and not charge you either like most web designers would. He did mine.  Then hey presto all set up.
Did you know you can also get analytics info from your Google My Business listing and info on number of visitors,referral method etc? It's at the bottom of the 'insights' page.

Hope this helps.

Michael H Jones

  • Posts: 161
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2017, 08:54:28 pm »
Cheers for that then, I'll have a think and maybe give him a call......

Tosh

  • Posts: 2964
Re: Does anyone use checkatrade??
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2017, 09:00:31 pm »
I got a phone call a few weeks ago about advertising in a magazine for doctors and nurses. I thought I'd give it a go.

Then last week I got another call about advertising in a magazine for firemen. Well, why not I thought.

Today I got a call about advertising in a magazine for teachers.

Guess what.

Well...... why not?
*A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE - THE SHORT STORY* 'Hydrogen is a light, odorless gas, which, given enough time, turns into people.'