new web site survey..please take a look

[KirbysLawn]

I am preparing my new site and have 2 different styles. I would like to take votes on which you think looks best, please remember they are rough drafts, no corrections needed yet. :) Please indicate your vote on clearly, site #1 or site # 2.

No dimpled or hanging chads will be accepted. :D

Thanks in advance for your time,

Ray

Site # 1: http://www.kirbycuttin.com

Site # 2: http://www.unionturf.com

[landscaper3]

Hi Kirby, my opion / 1st one real nice a little slow on down load and second nice but faster on download. I tried it twice but with heavy traffic that may be why. Good job and both are nice but im partial with black myself. You see my truck youll now why! I tried it a 3rd time uploaded fast go with #1

[guntruck]

Job well done on both Kirby but i think number two looks a little better for the green industry. Maybe its just me but seems to have a professional edge over the black.

Rich
Precision Landscaping LLC

[Eric ELM]

I like number 1 and if it doesn't win, I demand a recount. :D

[KindGardener]

Number two is easier to read.

How much business do y'all actually "get" from the web site (wondering if it's worth the investment of time)

[KirbysLawn]

I have'nt totaled it up yet, but it looks like revinue from web referalls will be around $11-12k.

Ray

[morturf]

i like number 1 look...but it was slow to load. but it gets both my votes!!!

[65hoss]

Ray,
I chose #2. I thought it looked a little more professional. Does the website really bring you any business? Do people in you area do a search and find your site and then contact you for service? Maybe I should think about this in my area. From a psycholgy standpoint, black is the color of a rebel.

[KirbysLawn]

Hoss, see my post 2 above yours. Answer: YES.

[jasonp]

I would go with #2 also for a good pro look.

[Northwest]

Number two is better but something is a little off I am not a graphic artist but I think the background color should be a little darker or different color. Also, the adds are a little distracting. My brother runs accessvegas.com and has adds buts that it most of his business. I think with a lawncare business it would be better not to have adds on the site unless they bring you enough money in. If any of you go to Vegas or are planning to go, go to accessvegas.com and sign up for the free newsletter. It will give you a head start on were to eat and stay and what shows to see.

[Craig Jones]

Ray, I believe both are very well done. I like the format of Number one but like the content better of number two. On number one the links were very slow to load. If you go with number two, I think the background color, design should be different. Both are very well done!! My vote is for number one.

[turfquip]

I like two better....but just slightly. The nav buttons are better. Black is fun though; makes graphics look better and is more 'artsy'.

Don't rely too heavily on javascript scrollers. They lock up older browsers and simply don't appear on others.

[tpirobert]

This reminded me of going for eye check-up: "Is lens one better or number two?" They are almost too close to tell. I'll vote for #1.

[sunrise]

number 2 is the pick for me
it look easy on the eye

[Turfer]

Ray. #2 by a long shot !! Looks cleaner / neater. By the way, I got hooked up with icom.com off your site yesterday !
http://www.caryturf.com coming soon !!

[jkinchla]

Number 2 here also. Looks more professional and the pictures are important to have on your site. I think people really like to see examples of work on a landscape web site, so you are right on the money there! Good luck.

[Greenkeepers]

RAY-
Both are very nice sites and well thought out. Good Job!!
Personally I like #1 with the black background it makes everything more crisp looking. Content on both are excellent, if you'd make the background on #2 darker that would be great also.

What program did you use to design the sites

[Premo Services]

Ray:
I also would pick 2 for the professional look, but when I went to vote the place where I was supposed to punch was a little off and I don`t think I was voting right,so I have hired the VP`s legal team to help me out.We are ready to head to Washington if that is what it takes to get every vote counted! :) :)

[accuratelawn]

i vote the the first web page. Well done Ray

[KirbysLawn]

Looks like the voing is going to be close!

As for the content, it will be the same on either format. I just made a rough draft of #1 so you can see style not content.

#1 was made with Net Fusion, #2 made with MS Frontpage 2000.

[cleancut]

Number 2 with a darker background...Hey Kirby how do u go about making your own website..??This is something I would like to try in the winter but don't know where to start...Thanks for any advice...Clean-Cut

[EarthWorks]

#2 is a little better because of pictures.

[Twotoros]

#2 .

I find dark backgrounds harder to read.

[dfor]

I like #2 better. Easier to look at.

[Scraper]

Tally my vote for #1. Very nice Kirb! I might just have to steal some of that stuff for whenever I get a website of my own. ;) kidding

[cos]

Hey Ray,

Once again, a job well done.


My vote, #1

I think #1 one is better but not by much. #1 Looks alot more professional. Just get rid of the black background and the twisted red look for a heading on the other pages. What also caught my eye was the visa, master card. It looked more professional than all the scrolling letters. Just get rid of the black background and the numerous scrolling words and I think you have a winner.

Just my opinion. I think Charles might disagree. He might demand that the votes be hand recounted though.

[LoneStarLawn]

Number #2


They both loaded slowly and I think there is a website that can reorganize you HTML and help your pics load faster with out changing the look....I'll have to find the webpage though if you want it (its believe it's free too). They did a survey and found alot of people move on after 8 seconds if nothing is loaded completly

[lawrence stone]

Get rid of those banner ads for they make you look like a internet huckster.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

Considering changing the line about associations in the second site from:

Are they associated with any professional associations?

to

Are the members of any professional associations?

The repetition of association doesn't read well.
Otherwise everything looks GREAT!

[Getmow]

Be a "huckster" if you please. Site #1 gets my vote for appearence.

[hogfaneiw]

Number one downloaded just as well for me and has a better look.

[awm]

Customer doesnt know much about license.
Are they properly trained and certified in
safe effective use of herbicides and pesticides
Just a suggestion.2 looks a little smoother
gets my vote.Just mine TMcountry

[dhicks]

I vote for site #1. That's the look that I will be going for come this winter when I redesign our site. Good job!

[thefarmer4]

I vote for site #2 both are well done.

What is ICDirect.com?

[Runner]

Another job well done, Ray. I was gonna say the same thing about the associations there but Vandora beat me to it. I was going to suggest affiliated. Also down where ir sat A professional lawn service should offer....., You started a set of quotation marks, but never concluded them. (Not a biggie) Oh, by the way, we have a rather large outfit up here in Flint called Curbco. They do ALOT of maintenance with several crews and trucks including a lot sweeper. NICE ones! They just did a story on them on our local news about all the plowing they have been doing. They have been turning down over 100 calls a day. Anyway, This guy who is one of the owner's name is Kirby. Do you have any relatives up here?

[mowerman90]

KIRBY,

I like the looks of the 2nd one but it takes longer to load than the first one. I also noticed you have the link for stamps.com on your site, do you use this program for your business. I do and love not having to go to the post office every time I need stamps for over 70 statements. I'd like your opinion of it if you use it.

[ronslawncare]

nice job on both kirby second one looks really professional .i like both but 2 the better 1

[MOW ED]

#2 for me. #1 was neat but not as easy to read as 2.

[KirbysLawn]

Site #1 - 12 votes, site #2 - 20 votes!

mowerman90 - I love Stamps.com, have all my customers in outlook, just click on the ones I want to mail to and the lazer printer does the rest! I really like the professional look of the envelopes also. I get $10 (I think) for anyone who signes up from that link, we'll see what happens.

Thanks, Vandora, I'll fix it.

Thanks everyone for your time.

Ray

[TLS]

Kirby,

I like #2 but I am a little leary of the Christian and God comments. First off, I'm Catholic so it doesn't bother me, but I have quite a few Jewish customers. If I were Jewish, and I was deciding on a lawn service, and I saw your site, and then I saw your competitions site that didnt have the Christian thing, guess who Mr. Jewish would go for. Keep the Holly Roller thing out of your business it just doesn't belong outside of church and family. However, keep stressing the family owned and run aspect. The site looks real good and professional, dont spoil it with religous phrases. Also on the name change, it is worded as if you were bought out by Union Turf or something. I don't know how to word it, but perhaps make it flow as if they are one and the same. Do you really need all the advertisement banners? Definately DO NOT put the lawnsite.com banner on there! This is a site for US...NOT the customer. Too many secrets that I would rather not share with Mr. Customer.

Overall... Excellent Job Kirby!

[EDL]

I liked #2 it was more easier to read, and the earthy colored back ground looks more related to your line of business

[mdb landscaping]

#2

[BUSHMASTER]

i like #2 becuase of quickness........whats it running you a year to have this site?

[Esby]

#2, easier to look at, more professional. I like the website idea!!

[KirbysLawn]

Dixie thanks for the comments. Most, not all Christians prefer to work and trade with fellow Christians if at all possible. If I lose or fail to sign customers because they prefer not to deal with a Christian, so be it, I'll take my chances. I would not disregard doing business...say with a Jewish carpenter just because of his faith.

As for the banners, I'm playing with different formats to see how they run and look, I only plan to have one.

Bushmaster - $15.00 a year for site registeration and $8.75 a month for hosting. Design and publishing free. :D

Ray

[Poplen]

Ray, I voted for number two. Remember to promote your strong points, let the other guy figure what he/she is not doing to increase $$$. Your customers are very educated and appreciate the effort and commitment you provide long after the service.

[Lawnworks]

I think it is awesome that you mentioned you were a Christian on your website. First of all, it cannot be wrong to that in your site. If it scares away business, it is in God's hands and part of his plan. BUT I do not think it will scare away business. I think people will respect you more, will trust that you will not them rip you off, and will believe you do good work because of your moral obligations. Third Day rules!!

[1MajorTom]

I couldn't have said it better myself Lawnworks.

Announcing your faith is not a bad thing, and it will
not inhibit you from gaining customers.


Jodi

[cclllc]

I like number 2 the best.It looks more professional.Maybe cut down on the banners.Hey guys check mine out:
http://cclllc.homestead.com/HOME.html
John.