The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

I have been running my limousine company for a few years and have the yellowpages ad and do the Adwords for google and yahoo... while we do ok there are companies here in Orlando that have massive fleets and every time I drive down the road when my limousines are not busy I see a lot of other cars.
What am I missing? I have tried getting an affiliate program but it seems like every major place like Boston Coach etc are full with no room. Also have tried contacting hotels and every major hotel has a contract so I am kind of stuck

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ray

Hello RayC We are in Palm Coast FL. You should be kicking but at MCO.The summer is bad in FL for Limos but the airport keeps us busy.If you dont have a sedan get one,you have the advantage being close to the airport.You could do short airport transfers mon-fri they make up for the slow times.We get calls all the time for local mco pickups ,give us a call maybe we can help eachother out.Mike and Marlo Elegant Limousines of Palm Coast.386-793-1077 www.pclimos1.com

quote:

Originally posted by RayC:
I think there might be some confusion on our website.

You are correct, I was looking at the site listed in your profile on here. The other site looks great, and other than it telling me I need to install Java Runtine, I like it.

I heard from the limo company that I used to do a site for, they wanted me to do them another site since AT&T was charging them a fortune. (I don't do freelance web work now, just as a hobby help people fix their sites).

You many want to contact First Class Limo on here for help with SEO to get better rankings. Some of the sites he's worked on have great rankings. (Although one of top search results for "Orlando Limo" happened to be a site that has the same color scheme/layout as his, so he may already have a customer in your area; if so, case in point of how well his work is

One last comment, and this is just my opinion base on seeing many limo sites, try to get some good interior pictures of your cars in good locations where you do not need the "stock" city skyline out the windows that make the cars look like they are floating up in the air to get that angle.

Good choice though on knowing when to have someone else do the site for you.

-Greg

Ryan,

Many companies have done away with the mandatory gratuity including Boston Coach. I also charge a service charge but use the money to make sure everyone in our company makes a good living. They end up staying year after year. Here is my statement:

"A 15% service charge is automatically added to your total charge. This allows us to fairly compensate all of our professional team members who contributed to your travel experience, including reservationists, trainers, mechanics, dispatchers, car washers and of course your chauffuer. Additional gratuities to your chauffeur are always appreciated but left to your discretion".

Most companies that implement this method prohibit their chauffeurs from accepting cash tips from the client.

The mandatory gratuity is simply bad business. Gratuity is defined in the dictionary as a "gift" bestowed in appreciation of one's services. If you make it mandatory, it is certainly no longer a gift and there is absolutely no incentive for a chauffeur to perform to any standard as the tip has been collected before the chauffeur ever heard the alarm clock ring this morning. As such, dirty glassware, carpets and failing to tend to doors doesn't matter - the chauffeur gets the tip regardless of what crappy service he/she might deliver. People should work for tips. When I dine out, I tip big for good service and 15% for okay service and a nickle for service that was so bad they deserve nothing. The nickle lets them know I did not forget the tip.

I think there might be some confusion on our website. I had designed the old one myself... and I know it was horrible. AT&T does our site now and it is www.partyh2.com and I thought it looked very good. Is that the website you are saying is terrible? Please reply....
thanks
Ray
www.partyh2.com

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan_R:
So on your site the service charge, is that so you can skirt the labor laws and take some of your driver's gratuity? I know it says NOT GRATUITY but what in the hell does that even mean, you charge them a 20% service charge for what? In customer's eyes it is gratuity, there is a company around here that does the same thing and keeps half the driver's gratuity, just shameful.

Our company website is www.partyh2.com I am not sure if you are looking at the old website being terrible ( it was ) We do not include a gratuity in our charges and the customers initial that they understand this both on the phone for the reservation as well as the waiver they sign before the trip begins. We do not keep any portion of our drivers tips!!

So on your site the service charge, is that so you can skirt the labor laws and take some of your driver's gratuity? I know it says NOT GRATUITY but what in the hell does that even mean, you charge them a 20% service charge for what? In customer's eyes it is gratuity, there is a company around here that does the same thing and keeps half the driver's gratuity, just shameful.

Maximize your dollars spent on adwords by giving them a site that will convert to reservations!

I'm not trying to be rude, but your site needs a major redo before spending another dime advertising it.

I know not everyone thinks like I do, but your site is my first impression of your company, and what do I see but a site that reminds me of sites from a decade ago. front page a huge link to go away from your site. A link to find out about pricing that simply says to contact you... Your mission statement talks about high quality and attention to detail, yet the site doesn't demonstrate it. And that and a few pictures is all the site offers me.

Again, I know that being in the web industry, I had a different perspective on what I see in a web site, but do a google for "Orlando limo" and take a look at what other have. I did, even some that I thought were too "busy" looking still impressed upon me more than yours which looks so "old school"

One thing to remember, you can have the best service in the world, however, until they try your service, they will not know. So you need to put that same quality and dedication to giving the best customer experience in ALL means of first contact with people. In the world we are in today, it is a mistake to not invest in a website.

Now, I'm not against trying it yourself, but there comes a time when you have to recognize when to spend the money and get quality for your potential customers to see.

Think of it this way: If you knew someone who owned a company, and they had a VIP potential buyer coming into town they were trying to impress to make a sale, and this VIP would want to be taken out for dinner and the nightlife, would you recommend the company get just anyone who can drive even if they don't know the best places in town, to use their non-luxury personal car, or would you recommend that to impress the potential client, it is well worth the money spent to hire your company to see this VIP gets where he is going in high quality style.

I can almost guarantee you could think of many reasons why they should ignore the fact that hiring you is going to be an expense.

And you may look at the cost of a website, and think "that is too much", but as you would point out to a group of people hiring your service, you need to take that lump sum amount, and divide it over the number of people using it. A well done website may cost a pretty penny up front, but being well done, it should be able to last for a while, with minimal costs to maintain it down the road. And as always GET REFERENCES, and check those references on multiple platforms/browsers. Once you find out what the reference site is about, do a search for something reasonable that should bring it up, see where they are in the results.

Just like you would recommend someone to shop wisely for a limo and not just find the cheapest price, do the same for web design, and also the same, usually the price DOES reflect the service.

I hope you take this message in the spirit it was intended; to help you, not criticize you.

-Greg

Ray, What kind of vehicles do you have in your fleet ? What is the prime focus of your business. Who are your clients ? Don't worry about the big shops-just develop your business. I started with one car many years ago. Email me at info@signaturelivery.com and I will assist you anyway I can.

quote:

Originally posted by RayC:
I have been running my limousine company for a few years and have the yellowpages ad and do the Adwords for google and yahoo... while we do ok there are companies here in Orlando that have massive fleets and every time I drive down the road when my limousines are not busy I see a lot of other cars.
What am I missing? I have tried getting an affiliate program but it seems like every major place like Boston Coach etc are full with no room. Also have tried contacting hotels and every major hotel has a contract so I am kind of stuck

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Ray

Anyone have any ideas they can throw out there as to get corporate accounts or contracts with companies or any way a small operator in Orlando can get more business?

The fleet we have is beautiful and our chauffers are very professional and people who use our service are happy.... so any help would be great.

Ray your area is loaded to the gills with operators. Some have long standing accounts and it's hard to take an account away unless they screw up. Also the prices are very low in your area because of the competition. The simple question is what are you offering them that the established competition is not? People are really pulling back right now also. This will be a tough summer for all deep south companies.

Perhaps your competition is selling cars for dirt just to have it rolling (I see that a lot in NY).

Its not only the internet that brings you business. YOu have to advertise everywhere. A little bit from each source makes your cars roll.

What is your fleet make up?

What is the composition of your target market?

Are you targeting various types of markets?

What ports do you serve/have permits for?

I visited your website & don't feel that you are maximizing use of it as it is set up.

If you would like to discuss various issues & ideas, contact me via e-mail as posted on my profile.