Websites

[lawnmuscle]

I have been running my mowing service part time for a few years now and have decided to take it full time next year. For pre planning, I wanted to get a website up and running over the next few months to prepare for next season.

I have been getting business for the last few years primarily word of mouth and referral, never have done any advertising, just because I did not really have to. I am at that point where the bsuiness is growing beyond part time, but just shy of being able to go full time. I figured it was time to step up some sort of marketing.

I know a website is important no days but maybe some advice and sucess stories about others website company experiences?

[lawnmuscle]

I googled landscape websites and design and requested quotes from these companies. Any experience with them?

http://www.dreamcodesign.com/landscapingwebdesign.php

http://www.landscapermarketing.com/

http://www.landscaperwebdesign.com/

http://www.mylandscapewebsite.com/

http://www.landscaperwebsites.com/

[mdvaden]

The past couple of years, I think the SEO aspect is becoming more of a roll of the dice for new companies.

But I might be more inclined to pick a general website builder / designer, rather than someone who specializes in landscape sites. To remove conflict of interest.

...

[lawnmuscle]

mdvaden - I am curious to the philosphy for using a general website builder / designer?

[lawnmuscle]

I have spoken with all the website design companies I listed above and are compiling their responses. Prior to the conversations, I had not compiled a list of requirements for what I wanted to achive with the project. Upon further thought, here is what I feel are the important items...

Design - 100% Custom - ideas for navigation and pages (Home/About -
Company Page,Staff Page, Owner Page /Services, 6 Service Pages/ Promotions
& Coupons/ Online Payments/ Contact) - I would want the design to be
flexible for the home page so I can promote the service that is most
relevant for particular part of the season - maybe separate
pages/different that I can select for the home page to promote the
particular service.

Easy to use content management system - I would like to make sure, as I
add pages I have the choice to add them to the menu (primarily services).

Customer Access - I am considering adding a view and pay your bill option,
so a secure area for customers to login would be great. I would like to be
able to bulk upload those, maybe by using a spreadsheet and have the data
available for the customer in a user friendly format.

Contact/Quote/Estimate forms that integrate with email marketing, (email
and newsletter template to match website)

Mobile Friendly (maybe even a separate mobile site)

Galleries that are viewable on all devices (no flash) and easlily managed
through the content management system.

Content creation for at least 5-6 pages for the site (primarily services)

SEO - I need to know the cost for preliminary SEO for for my services and
service areas. I think individual geographic and service pages may in
order for a post launch strategy as well.

I also would like to duplicate the site for my winter services (same
layout and design - maybe change colors), use a different logo (Snow
Removal & Holiday Lighting). I will be getting separate domain for this
side of the business.