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Independent Contractors - Selling Your Services Online
by Madison Lockwood
Take your contracting business to the next level online. Learn what makes a great website to sell your unique services online. Showcase your work with images, allow people to request a quote, and other tips that can help bring your "brick and mortar" business to the Internet world.
There are many ways for an independent contractor to market themselves and their services - be it drywalling or custom landscaping. Traditional means include print ads, Yellow Pages, billboards and the like. However, today the way to go is a website that walks potential customers around your business and provides them with all sorts of interesting information.
- First and foremost, be very specific why your company or service is far
superior to anything or anyone else who does the same thing. How many years
of experience and/or education do you offer? Is your staff well trained? Are
you able to produce the product quickly (give examples, if possible)? Are
you conveniently located? Do you offer pick-up and delivery services? Are
your hours better than similar vendors? This is the section where you should
blatantly boast.
- Are photographs a viable way to describe what you do? For example, if
you offer custom framing, take pictures of your most unique work and include
them on your website. Potential customers are always stimulated when they
see an attractive painting matted in a ebony frame with five different mats.
This photo might just induce them to get that print out of the closet, where
it's been for years, and have it framed so it can hang in their home's entry-way.
Even if you are not selling a product that is appropriate for photographs, your website design might use "props" to make it more interesting and visually stimulating. Remember, the bottom line is to capture their dollars before someone else beats you to them.
- Through your website, be sure to maintain a high level of quality as related
to your product or service. Steer away from anything negative at all cost.
- Keep your website simple and easy to navigate. For example, make sure
that the color of your text stands out clearly against the background you've
chosen. Don't make your "visitors" strain to read about your product
or service. Also, make sure that all words are spelled correctly and that
your syntax is correct. Professional presentation is a must for any "professional's" website.
- You might consider a FAQ section, if there are questions that you are
always asked. For example, what are your rates (by the job, by the hour, etc.)
or what are your shipping charges?
- By referring to yourself as a "contractor," is a contract actually
required prior to starting work? Almost any lawyer will quickly advise you
that it's wise and best to cover yourself and your business with a simple
contract that outlines the details of the work to be done or the product to
be delivered. Consider a contract a safety net when it comes to all business
dealings conducted via a website.
- When dealing with customers and potential customers through a website, remember that the customer is still always right. If your negotiations involve "conversation" via e-mail keep your tone calm and courteous, no matter what the issue is. Not only is this important in maintaining a comfortable tone related to this purchase, it's also important when considering a satisfied, return customer who will spread their good experience with their other Internet friends.
About The Author
Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate for ApolloHosting.com.
She brings years of experience as a small business consultant to helping
prospective clients understand the ways in which a website may benefit
them both personally and professionally. Apollo Hosting provides website
hosting, ecommerce
hosting, vps
hosting, and web design
services to a wide range of customers. Established in 1999, Apollo prides
itself on the highest levels of customer support. Click for more hosting
articles.
Note: These articles are provided for general interest and content purposes only, and should not be construed as "support" materials. Apollo Hosting does not guarantee the information contained within. All articles are free to reprint so long as they remain unchanged, the "About the Author" section remains, all hyperlinks are preserved, and the rel="nofollow" tag is not added to the hyperlinks.
