Do I really need...

[Icemanku]

a website for my business?

[jdmcat]

simple answer is no. i however do have one so when people see the website on my truck they can go there to learn about what i can do for them before they call. they can even request an estimate via email or pay their bill. it's just another form of advertising as far as i'm concerned.

[DLAWNS]

I agree..no you don't need one. Like was said above its advertising and I think it gives you a professional image. I have one and can't wait to add to it and slap it all over my truck.

[fertguy2008]

If you do decide to go with one, plug the name every where you can and make sure your provider is kept up with current photos and addtions to the services you offer. I've seen people leave their websites alone for a long period of time, work photos from five years ago (and now they do more elaborate work and no photos of it on their site), adding services to their business such as irrigation, tree removal, pavers, walls; and their web site still advertising maintenance and fertilization only.

[echeandia]

I would say you do need a website. It is another piece of your marketing. Anyone who says you don't need it probably doesn't know your customer.

[SILVERSTREAK INC]

i did mine up myself and it shows hahaha.....making a website should be left to the pros, im pretty decent with a computer but this was tricky i gotta say, they dont really have any "ladscape company" templates, i prolly have about 15 hours into this one, but definaltely need to take more time, which is perfect for messin around with this time of year

www.silverstreakinc.com

i used bluehost.com, its hosted for 3 years for like 170 bucks if i remember right

[qwerty]

I agree with echeandia. You do need a site. Your clients and prospects are internet savvy. They are also hungry for instant information. When they go online to find information (not if they go online) about tree care services in their area or lawn maintenance companies for their grandmothers you will need to be present to sell your services. While having a website doesn’t guarantee internet success, it is a cost-effective step in your marketing plan. Customers and prospects can find your site and get the information and interaction they are looking for twenty-four hours a day. It’s hard to find a sales rep. to do that for you at the price of a website.

Now, the caveat is that the internet is 90% terrible, amateurish, non user-friendly, non SEO fiendly trash.

You should have a website, and you should work at making it a part of your "electronic landscape" if you will. Put effort into it, build and continue to update it, and it will reinforce your brand image.

Just as your work says something about your company, your appearance, your invoices, your fliers, business cards, yellow page ads, and your website all say something about your business. It can be a powerful and cost-effective tool to communicate with clients and prospects. It just takes a little effort (maybe a lot of effort) and creativity.

Without an electronic storefront, you are just giving money and opportunities to other businesses.

[Exact Rototilling]

There are very few LCO web sites in my area. I plan on using this to my advantage. Many people check their email daily, Google etc. My flyers, door hangers, post cards, newspaper ads, estimate sheet etc. will all have my web address. payup

[jiggz]

NO!
most people could care less.... THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER-- I worked all day, I wanna come home. eat some good dinner watch some Tv, screw my wife and go to bed.. and in between all of that I would not like to cut my grass..

**disclaimer**
if people think you really need a website, your idiots! and i ask you not get mad at me

HIGH FIVE an being an EAGLES FAN!!!!!!!

[Sunstate Lawn]

I can promise you that any commercial or HOA minded contract is going to visit websites online. I don't know much about residential, but if you have any plans of going commercial, you need to compete with the big boys, and you'll need a website.

[Woody82986]

I would say that nobody NEEDS a website. That being said, I did a hell of alot of business last season through my website and I didn't even get it going until late May. This season, I am hoping to do at least half of my business straight through my website and the other half by phone. Sure, I get my fair share of tire kickers online that waste a little of my time, but I think putting up a website was one of the best business decisions I have had to date.

[lawnscapesLLC]

I agree that you don't need one and many customers don't really care if you have one or not---BUT, more people will be able to find your company. Most people do alot of internet research to find what they need. It's super easy for them since they can sit in front of the laptop or pc and search for what they need while watching tv, eating, listening to music or whatever---kind of like what I'm doing now, watching Desperate Landscapes while playing on lawnsite :)

[Frue]

NO!
most people could care less.... THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER-- I worked all day, I wanna come home. eat some good dinner watch some Tv, screw my wife and go to bed.. and in between all of that I would not like to cut my grass..

**disclaimer**
if people think you really need a website, your idiots! and i ask you not get mad at me

HIGH FIVE an being an EAGLES FAN!!!!!!!

Isnt this the truth

[IN2MOWN]

NO!
most people could care less.... THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER-- I worked all day, I wanna come home. eat some good dinner watch some Tv, screw my wife and go to bed.. and in between all of that I would not like to cut my grass..

**disclaimer**
if people think you really need a website, your idiots! and i ask you not get mad at me

HIGH FIVE an being an EAGLES FAN!!!!!!!



1) If you are going to call others idiots then please either learn how to spell or use the spell checker.

2) For everyone out there who thinks you need one you are not an idiot. You are expanding your company and the ways you get your name out to potential clients. The internet is a great tool to have and use.

3) Is it necessary? Probably not. They are nice to have. Im in the process of building mine and Im really looking forward to see how it does. Luckily my wife has a friend who knows how to build them so its costing me next to nothing.

4) The "average" customer still has a computer and still uses the internet to look for companies. I don't think it's necessary to have one in the early stages of your company but its definitely something to think about as you get bigger. Instead of spending 20 minutes on a phone or in person telling people about your company they can go to your site and see for themselves.

[Icemanku]

I can promise you that any commercial or HOA minded contract is going to visit websites online. I don't know much about residential, but if you have any plans of going commercial, you need to compete with the big boys, and you'll need a website.

Great point.