That's not a good idea.Sounds shady what if someone gives you 500.00 and you get ran over by a car or worse.
Not getting customers
- Thread starter RMarkJr
- Start date
That's not a good idea.Sounds shady what if someone gives you 500.00 and you get ran over by a car or worse.
- Thread starter
- #22
lol thats true!
Hi There! I took a look at you website. Here is a bit of a feedback based on my opinion. Ill give my opinion based on the different "tabs/sections" i.e. Home, About, Detailing Packages, etc.
A) Home: There is too much text. It made me feel I was about to read an essay/report. If I was a customer, I would not have taken the time to read it all. Although there is some "sectioning" by the font size, I don't think its enough. May be you could try to play around by moving text sections around to the left and some to the right and proving some pictures to illustrate your point.
For example:
What we are not (Big Font)
1. Car Wash Detailer (Your title)
(Your Idea) text.text,text.text,
Picture(s)
text.text,text.text,text.text,text.text,text.text,text.text,
text.text,text.text,text.text,
2. Production Detailer (Your title)
text,text,text,text,text,text,text,
text,text,text,text,text,text,text,
Picture(s)
(Your Idea) Text,text,text,text,text,text,text,text,text,text,text,
text,text,text,text,text,text,text,
B) About: You should remove all of your work experience in the various sectors mentioned. This makes me feel you are not qualified enough. Maybe just expand on your previous detailing job and how you wanted to set up your own business to provide a better quality service.
C): Detailing Packages: I like how each package is listed in its own box. Very easy to read and comprehend from a customer point of view. I don't have experience in prices so I can't advice on this.
D): Gallery: I like the pictures. Make it easier to read. Maybe put all before pictures on the left side and all After pictures on the right side. Also try to leave the caption before/after fixed. This will make it easier for the customer to know what he is looking at. Picture layout example:
Picture 1 (title)
Before:........................ After:
Picture:....................... Picture
Picture 2 (title)
Before:....................... After:
Picture:...................... Picture
These are some quick items that stood out for me. I will try to think about it more after work. (Currently typing this as I'm eating lunch lol)
One last thing. The biggest thing to take away is to make the website as easy as possible to read/navigate. You are trying to educate the customer on why they should choose you. Also sorry but I probably missed it. Who are you going after? What kind of customers? I think that's how you should build your website around.
He should have waited to do website. There is nothing better than Facebook.I once boosted 20.00 and in return 3000 worth of work from one customer.
Don't know your finances but trying to help.See if you can get a decent van that's clean.Lettering or magnets and nice menu cards.All 3 make you committed in the customers eyes.You make have to start grinding hard at dealers or bodyshops.But you just can't work out of a Honda.I say save some cash for a year and in the meantime let the community know you offer car cleaning services.
I am not a pro, complete noob. I am a car enthusiast, and have been for some time. Please do not take offense - I wish you the best, and these are just some suggestions based on what I see. FWIW, I work with web developers on site feedback, client services standard work in written communication and social media (how things should be said to communicate effectively), and a few other areas that lead to these thoughts.
Looking at the site, strictly as someone who has tried to explain my hobbies to others, here are my thoughts:
1. Home page picture - its a clean Accord, I assume it is yours. Even if I drove a Honda, I want to know my detailer is working on nice cars. I wouldn't think a Ferrari interior shot is needed, but a BMW, Merc, Lexus - something high end. You are offering a "high end" service in detailing (not your local car wash shop), so the little things, like knowing you do this for "high end" clients makes a difference. People are petty and appearances matter, and this is minor, I assure you. But just a thought.
2. Walls of text. This has been hit above, but its true. That is a lot of stuff to read. kind of like this post....
3. Talking down - your "we are not the crappy local brush wash place" is fine, but it is on your home page, and you are essentially saying "if you go to a local car wash place you clearly dont know anything about cleaning your car". Literally -
Also, its nit-picky, but a lot of the people that you are targeting may be offended by "hell on your paint". Hell is still cussing to a lot of people, especially a demographic that wants their car to look good, and is willing to spend $100-200 semi-regularly to keep it looking good...
4. Your site has poor layout. You start the home page with a "quality matters" statement, but in the same paragraph you say "we are not very fast", which may turn off a lot of people, as that is huge for many people - time.
Next, on the exact same page where you say quality matters, the next section is the "dont go to this type of place, or that type of place", and you end with "we are real detailers".
In short, you are starting off your introduction to your company with negative - not about you, but its still negative. Maybe move that stuff to the "about us" section, and point out your good qualities first, leave the negatives to the bottom. If people are looking at you, they already know that they want a step above basic car washes. Sell yourself first, dont point out problems with others. Results speak, so get some more photos like what you have on your gallery page, before and after.
5. Last up, the packages. I like them, and the pricing. I am a dork. I am on a forum for detailing as a hobbiest. I know what a 2 bucket wash is. If you told your neighbors wife "im doing a 2 bucket wash" would she have a clue?
I will admit, I dont know the best way to word this, but here is a quick re-write that you may, or may not like.
Turns into
Says the same thing, but it gives the uneducated a quick look to compare your services to items they know, and describes how it helps them.
I know my mom, or wife would know exactly what to expect, vs having someone who on this forum knowing what to expect.
Looking at the site, strictly as someone who has tried to explain my hobbies to others, here are my thoughts:
1. Home page picture - its a clean Accord, I assume it is yours. Even if I drove a Honda, I want to know my detailer is working on nice cars. I wouldn't think a Ferrari interior shot is needed, but a BMW, Merc, Lexus - something high end. You are offering a "high end" service in detailing (not your local car wash shop), so the little things, like knowing you do this for "high end" clients makes a difference. People are petty and appearances matter, and this is minor, I assure you. But just a thought.
2. Walls of text. This has been hit above, but its true. That is a lot of stuff to read. kind of like this post....
3. Talking down - your "we are not the crappy local brush wash place" is fine, but it is on your home page, and you are essentially saying "if you go to a local car wash place you clearly dont know anything about cleaning your car". Literally -
Also, its nit-picky, but a lot of the people that you are targeting may be offended by "hell on your paint". Hell is still cussing to a lot of people, especially a demographic that wants their car to look good, and is willing to spend $100-200 semi-regularly to keep it looking good...
4. Your site has poor layout. You start the home page with a "quality matters" statement, but in the same paragraph you say "we are not very fast", which may turn off a lot of people, as that is huge for many people - time.
Next, on the exact same page where you say quality matters, the next section is the "dont go to this type of place, or that type of place", and you end with "we are real detailers".
In short, you are starting off your introduction to your company with negative - not about you, but its still negative. Maybe move that stuff to the "about us" section, and point out your good qualities first, leave the negatives to the bottom. If people are looking at you, they already know that they want a step above basic car washes. Sell yourself first, dont point out problems with others. Results speak, so get some more photos like what you have on your gallery page, before and after.
5. Last up, the packages. I like them, and the pricing. I am a dork. I am on a forum for detailing as a hobbiest. I know what a 2 bucket wash is. If you told your neighbors wife "im doing a 2 bucket wash" would she have a clue?
I will admit, I dont know the best way to word this, but here is a quick re-write that you may, or may not like.
your site said:
Turns into
Says the same thing, but it gives the uneducated a quick look to compare your services to items they know, and describes how it helps them.
I know my mom, or wife would know exactly what to expect, vs having someone who on this forum knowing what to expect.
custmsprty
New member
- Apr 11, 2012
- 7,496
- 0
Great advice ^^^^^ above.
Like I always say, it's not how you perceive it, it's how they receive it.
I live by this saying when communicating with my customers. I've been a 100% commisioned sales rep since 1991.
I apply this to what I do every day, especially when sending emails to my customers.
Like I always say, it's not how you perceive it, it's how they receive it.
I live by this saying when communicating with my customers. I've been a 100% commisioned sales rep since 1991.
I apply this to what I do every day, especially when sending emails to my customers.
Brandon Wetch
New member
- Sep 15, 2016
- 224
- 0
Have you tried the NextDoor website? Pretty much like FB but I just logged on said I was a mobile detailer with a few pics of my work and now I'm the king there. Someone else asks about a detailer recommendation, 10 people will say my name.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
- Thread starter
- #33
I have a facebook business profile too.. I have boosted the hell out of a few posts and I have gotten two messages from different people.
- Thread starter
- #34
I cant say that I have heard of it ... I will have to check it out
- Thread starter
- #35
wow lots of good stuff there .. I am gonna have to take some time to go through this and look at stuff! Thanks .. also I dont car much for my site . I am litterally trying to code a site from scratch. I posted the home page screenshot on the first or second page of this.
- Thread starter
- #36
Trying to go for the ones that go for quality over speed like the mister wash places around here that are automatic car washes and offer "detail packages"
Anthony Orosco
New member
- Dec 17, 2006
- 356
- 0
Don't worry about "others" or seeking to compare yourself to them and what sets you apart. No one wants to read fluff and crap really cause most attention spans are so short they get bored and disinterested.
Just work on your stuff, you need to earn the work, polish your reputation and your clients will speak highly of you. That in turn is your best advertising.
DO GET a website. At least 80% of our clients find us thru our reviews and Google, the rest come from word of mouth.
You do NOT have to be mobile. There is a whole area of being mobile that sucks, it's an area that mobile as well as building have their pros and cons but from doing both I can say that having a set location makes you more professional among people over being mobile. Mobile has the advantage of convenience for client.
Do NOT play the "undercut" game. Set your prices and stick to them. People will come to you after they see the value of your work.
Anthony
LSNAutoDetailing
Active member
- Jun 21, 2014
- 3,373
- 21
Why bother telling customers what you are not??? Stay focused on what you do, target towards the customers you want.... The customers that come to you do so because (hopefully) they know what they don't want already.
I picked up one of my best customers last year and it was funny because he actually told me what brand of coating he wanted on his car. I love those kinds of customers... Why? Because they know what they want and they know the value and appreciate the work that has to go into prepping for a coating.
The use of your Honda for photo's is just fine. It's better to have a gallery of the cars you have done vs. ones you have not. There was another startup here last year that had Shelby Cobra's on his website. It's misleading to promote to Shelby Cobra owners if you've never done one... Worse the pics were taken from the inter-webs.
Here is a few tips that may help if this is NOT your full-time gig but you want to grow it:
1.) Got to your Doctor, your Chiropractor, Dentist, anyone who you do business with that has a nice car... (i.e. nice truck, SUV, Merc, BMW)... Inform them that you'll barter for services if you can detail their car and showcase it on your web/insta/fb/ (you name the social media). You have to start somewhere right?
2.) If they agree, do your process, VIF, good before photo's, work up a quote as you normally would do.
3.) Take lots of good before photo's of everything. Document them, meaning, tell the view what they are looking at.
4.) Photo Document the process with good text and labels on the photo, to include a watermark or company logo.
5.) Take good after glamour shots and document them.
Got the Show-N-Shine section of this forum and look at what and how others have done it.
Then post only certain selective photo's on your web... No one needs to see the 7 stages of grime being released from wheels. Tell your barterers that now you need their friends, family, anyone who has a car.... you need three referrals from them.
Lastly offer good customer service, maintenance tips, gifts, etc... ask for testimonials. Those are the most important. Let your clients tell others how good you are. There is nothing like the power of a testimonial.
I picked up one of my best customers last year and it was funny because he actually told me what brand of coating he wanted on his car. I love those kinds of customers... Why? Because they know what they want and they know the value and appreciate the work that has to go into prepping for a coating.
The use of your Honda for photo's is just fine. It's better to have a gallery of the cars you have done vs. ones you have not. There was another startup here last year that had Shelby Cobra's on his website. It's misleading to promote to Shelby Cobra owners if you've never done one... Worse the pics were taken from the inter-webs.
Here is a few tips that may help if this is NOT your full-time gig but you want to grow it:
1.) Got to your Doctor, your Chiropractor, Dentist, anyone who you do business with that has a nice car... (i.e. nice truck, SUV, Merc, BMW)... Inform them that you'll barter for services if you can detail their car and showcase it on your web/insta/fb/ (you name the social media). You have to start somewhere right?
2.) If they agree, do your process, VIF, good before photo's, work up a quote as you normally would do.
3.) Take lots of good before photo's of everything. Document them, meaning, tell the view what they are looking at.
4.) Photo Document the process with good text and labels on the photo, to include a watermark or company logo.
5.) Take good after glamour shots and document them.
Got the Show-N-Shine section of this forum and look at what and how others have done it.
Then post only certain selective photo's on your web... No one needs to see the 7 stages of grime being released from wheels. Tell your barterers that now you need their friends, family, anyone who has a car.... you need three referrals from them.
Lastly offer good customer service, maintenance tips, gifts, etc... ask for testimonials. Those are the most important. Let your clients tell others how good you are. There is nothing like the power of a testimonial.
ELEVATED
New member
- Jun 5, 2017
- 25
- 0
Subscribed...lots of useful info here! Thanks
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Autogeekonline mobile app
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Autogeekonline mobile app
Dan Tran
New member
- Sep 10, 2015
- 1,055
- 0
I agree, do not make deals over the phone.
As a matter of fact, I have my own rule that I follow—that is if they are willing to meet you in person, their money is half way out of their pocket. I make them know kindly that I need an in-person vehicle inspection.
I have found high success with this—of all the people willing to meet me in person, I was able to close deals 100% of the time (I am not showing off or exaggerating).
Trust me, I am not perfect. I have declined work in the past because of people wanting to conduct business over the phone.
What really helps with in-person business is the FACT that they can see my PASSION & ENTHUSIASM.
I have had many clients say they can SEE that I know what I am talking about. KNOWLEDGE.
I WROTE comment recently on this forum...to believe in your business. Do not underestimate your skills. Sure you want to match your services to your clients, but it also means being profitable by matching your prices to your skills.
I forget who it was, may have even been Zach McGovern, BUT they said to charge what you want to charge and it will come...worth it. I know Larry from Ammo NYC had said the same thing.
Don't worry about your competition.
Sure it's always scary, but it will happen. Visual Pro Detailing told me also 99% reason of a failing business is obscurity. This is an on going battle. This is a subject on its own for another thread.
I went through the same...
Then BAM happened—people saw that I was a new detailer, so they shopped me for cheap prices.
That wave has past, the ones coming in are the people who know I am SERIOUS about detailing. Those are the people who are now willing to pay what I charged. FYI, I was close to lowering my prices, but I never did.
As a mobile detailer in NH, I AVERAGE $400 per package I sell per car. I was once told by many people that I will NEVER find people to pay up.
I used that as fuel to succeed!
--
I wish you the best! Keep going.