The Limos.com Forum Has Moved!!!

Hello,

We are are a brand new company. To keep starting costs down I (with limited computer knowledge) built our website. I realize within the next couple of years we will need a professionally built site, but I would like your input on our site we have for now.

www.cedarlimo.com

Thank you all in advance,
Rich Rottier

quote:

Originally posted by classicLimos:
Hi Steve,

Are you a SEO specialist? What do you do exactly? I just notice your postings in this forum..

ClassicLimos,

No, not an SEO specialist, I just understand how to get found using White Hat (legitimate) tactics on the Internet.

I am an interested party in the limousine industry. I have over 20 years in technology marketing and today work for a software company that specialized in software for limousine, executive cars and shuttles.

You will notice I do not comment on many of the nuts & bolts stuff regarding vehicles, but I almost always comment on web, marketing and social media topics - things I CAN make a valid contribution on.

I do the same at other sites pertaining to limousines as well, such as InTheLeftLaneOnline (a site I run and sponsored by the company I work for), the LimoLicious Blog an am always onthe look out for other sites of interest to this industry.

Hi Steve,

Are you a SEO specialist? What do you do exactly? I just notice your postings in this forum..

It is coming along. Perhaps changing the text links to buttons with images on them.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Frugality:
replace pic showing a purse on an empty seat

Thank you for the compliments. I will try something different with that pic, it's actually a basket with hard candies.

Hey site's looking better!!! (still need's touch-up...replace kid pic with an actual driver...lol, replace pic showing a purse on an empty seat, I remember when I first looked at pic, I looked at purse first, not inside of limo, maybe because it looked out of place since nobody was on seat with purse, you want the viewer to FIRST look and remember YOUR limo if your showing a pic of limo on website)

quote:

Originally posted by Cedar Mill Limousine:
Hello,

We are are a brand new company. To keep starting costs down I (with limited computer knowledge) built our website. I realize within the next couple of years we will need a professionally built site, but I would like your input on our site we have for now.

www.cedarlimo.com

Thank you all in advance,
Rich Rottier

Hey Rich,
I am sure you have a ton on your plate with your new venture so I will give you only a few things that came to mind when I check out your site. You can only handle so much in one shot.

Your website is a major "Marketing tool" in this day and age. It must be compelling enough to keep the potential customer on your site before he/she clicks the back button and leaves.

Marketing Point of view:

Create a compelling headline that is geared towards "what is in it for the customer".

A great headline will keep your potential client from leaving your site.

Ex. "7 Things You Must Know About Hiring A Limo Company That Most Limo Companies In Indiana Don't Want You To Know"

or

"Hassle Free Limo Service For Your Wedding! GUARANTEED!"

Powerful headlines increase your conversion rates.

So in a nutshell your home page does not make anyone want to stay on the site.

Looks Wise:

You have the right idea buy including benefits on your home page. (your links in the middle) But I would not do it in the way you did with the links.

Remember like i said before we have to put our egos aside and realize that customers want to know how doing business with you will benefit them.

So benefits like On time, Never Double Booked are great.

Immaculate Coaches and Trained Chauffeurs are features of your business. Now that you told them your features you need to make sure they know how this feature is going to benefit them.

Thats it for now. But hope this stirs up something and gets you going in the right direction.

Have a great weekend.

Leo

thank you for the detail, I think the text overflowing on the pics is coming from the different font I used that isn't showing up on other people's computers.

Well, instead of typing here I'm going to start on some more pages.

quote:

Originally posted by Cedar Mill Limousine:
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice and criticism. A couple of questions for you:

Do the rest of you think the picture with the kid (he has sandles on) is too much (laid-back)? The reason I put it up is that the ladies seem to think it's cute, so I thought they would tell each other to check out site.

Also, what in your opinion makes it busy? I was afraid it was too simple.

Thanks again for all your help.

I personally think that it is a good picture, I smiled when I saw it.

About the site being busy, you have a spider-web of five links that all take the visitor to the "about us" page.

On Time - This page should describe Cedar Mill's customer service policy that explains to the client why they should use a service that is on time and what steps you as a company takes in order to guarantee such service.

Immaculate Coaches - nothing about your fleet. This page should take the user to a page describing your fleet.

Highly Trained Chauffeurs - nothing about the chauffeurs or training provided. This should be the place for you to sell the experience and required training and continuing education that the chauffeurs receive/are expected to possess prior to Cedar Mill hiring them.

Never Double Booked - (this could most likely be placed in the "On Time" page) this should be the place that the user is given information about double bookings and your guarantee that it will not happen.

Requested Amenities - This should probably be retitled "Available Amenities" as they have not requested anything. Provide a list of what is included in the base rate and extras that they can purchase.

When the user does click one of the links or the "About Us" link, the text overflows on top of the pic of your stretch and the pic of the stretch is out of place and when the user clicks the "Lincoln 120" stretch" link, the pics of the stretch are over the text.

Nothing huge, just some things that you may want to tweek a bit. These things take time to work out when you are doing it yourself. Like the veterans here say, it is more about your service than anything.

quote:

Originally posted by gunny:

quote:

Originally posted by Limo Insurance King:

In keeping up with another thread on this forum, go ahead and throw in a couple of awards that say you are the greatest, best, etc. limousine operation in Crown Point!

A little "jab - jab" LIK? I think voted
#1 by the area Bartenders is the best to advertise!! Definitely a good one & a easy vote to get (just tip good).

lol, I had to.

I like the "Voted #1 by Area Bartenders"

I agree w/ Mr. F; if this is your business, please put a line item in the budget for a website. I know they can be had for not a lot of money and you need it to represent you, your company and the quality service you want to deliver.

I do like the kid pic, but not on a business site professing professionalism and quality.

Put it on Flickr or open an account at InTheLeftLaneOnline.com for free and share it there. We love to see kid pics there!

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice and criticism. A couple of questions for you:

Do the rest of you think the picture with the kid (he has sandles on) is too much (laid-back)? The reason I put it up is that the ladies seem to think it's cute, so I thought they would tell each other to check out site.

Also, what in your opinion makes it busy? I was afraid it was too simple.

Thanks again for all your help.

quote:

Originally posted by Limo Insurance King:

In keeping up with another thread on this forum, go ahead and throw in a couple of awards that say you are the greatest, best, etc. limousine operation in Crown Point!

A little "jab - jab" LIK? I think voted
#1 by the area Bartenders is the best to advertise!! Definitely a good one & a easy vote to get (just tip good).

You have your contact information on the home page at the top so that is a plus.

It is very busy though.

You should also think about making it appear as if you have a diverse fleet (van, suv, sedan). Just make sure that you will either have access ton the types of vehicles that you advertise or will be able to farm the runs to a reputable operation in your area.

In keeping up with another thread on this forum, go ahead and throw in a couple of awards that say you are the greatest, best, etc. limousine operation in Crown Point!

I had a Go Daddy build your own & a year ago discovered YAHOO. Most excellent for the computer impaired (like me)& a very reasonable price.

List the operating permits that you hold and the associations that you belong to. Talk about how your chauffeurs are hired and trained. List any and all community service programs that you are involved with.

Rich, this is your biz, not an experiment, right? Well, your site look's more like an experiment at the least. Almost look's like an experimental site i'm messing with that has nothing to do with limos (shadydates.com) Sorry, just being honest I can see at least 10 thing's wrong, usually I charge anywhere from $300-500 for website consulting (this is a side thing I do as well) which will conclude with revenue generating solution's. BUTTT I will give some free advice, just a few....First, your homepage is too BUSY. Meaning too much is going on. And last word of advice for free, lose the pic with the kid in it, it's cute but not taken seriously, especially when it's summer and it look's like you forgot to update your page showing kid in gloves/hat...lol...meaning you want the viewer to take your website with enough humor/seriousness combination, too much of one can be a dissaster, remember, all it takes is one click to go to next website, instead, add an address, even a po box in contact page to show some ligitimicy.