Effective advertising/marketing ideas

[PaddyPawsPetServices]

on a shoestring!

I am a new and young business in Kent, desperately trying to kick my business into 2009 on a high.

Im looking for good, effective ( and cheap! LOL ) ways to getting my business going, and am struggling with ideas ( other than flier dropping people's homes, vets, pet shops etc )

Anyone?

[LowcostPR]

Hi there

Just had a look at your website, and I'm going to be brutally honest (but of course, that's why you came here, for total honesty).

The website is not user friendly, and for someone potentially looking to use the kind of service you provide, I would find this to be a real turn-off. I would suggest revisiting not just the layout (I'm not sure why there's almost a whole page gap between the top of the home page and any writing) but the grammar as well.

If you are going to have photos on your site, then they must be relevant to the service, as opposed to personal ones. Again, it draws away from a professional feel, especially as some of them are somewhat shaky and not clear.

I know you've come on here to find a good marketing strategy (something I'm more than happy to help with), not to have me have a dig at the website, but even if you had the best marketing strategy you could possibly have, I will assure you that the majority will be put off by the website so in my opinion this must be your first port of call.

I would invest some money into revamping this into one that has a more professional and user-friendly feel. Once you have a cracking website, then it will be the time to discuss marketing.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear (I know it smarts when someone says that something you have put a lot of love into is not up to par, I've been there myself) but I'd rather be brutally honest with you and see you succeed than be a "yes man" and see all your efforts be for nought.

[30two Design]

I'm going to agree with LowcostPR. While I think it's admirable that you've done the groundwork and created yourself a website with some good content (quite like the quirky blog written by the dogs), I think your business would really benefit with some layout advice from a professional web designer.

I know you're on a shoestring but there are plenty of people here who will give you the guidance you need and won't cost the earth. A little spent now on your website will mean that any marketing in the future will be far more effective in converting to sales.

As for the marketing ideas...when registering for a free trial with KashFlow accounting software, you used to receive a free pdf called "52SimpleMarketingIdeas - One for every week of the year". I'm not sure if they still send it out, but I'm sure Duane Jackson (Mr KashFlow himself) will be able to tell you...

Hope that helps and good luck :)

[admagic]

on a shoestring!

I am a new and young business in Kent, desperately trying to kick my business into 2009 on a high.

Im looking for good, effective ( and cheap! LOL ) ways to getting my business going, and am struggling with ideas ( other than flier dropping people's homes, vets, pet shops etc )

Anyone?

One of the very best forms of marketing for any business is a joint venture

Who has a list of your kind of customer who is willing to promote to their list, for a percentage of whatever it generates in revenue....

eg .... Ask your local vet / boarding kennels/ whether they would be willing to send a flyer out to their list with every vaccination reminder a recommendation to use you in return for £5 or £10 if any of them buy???

Or Offer to FUND their mailing to their customers...if you can drop a flier in to.

List JVs are the fastest way to get new customers... because it isnt just the targetting, it is the fact that you are given credibility by their promoting you...so the trust thing kicks in.

OH and by the way ...

On the website front their are some lovely drag and drop site builders
eg weebly is free!

[DuaneJackson]

As for the marketing ideas...when registering for a free trial with KashFlow accounting software, you used to receive a free pdf called "52SimpleMarketingIdeas - One for every week of the year". I'm not sure if they still send it out, but I'm sure Duane Jackson (Mr KashFlow himself) will be able to tell you...


Yep, it's still being given to anyone that takes a trial. It was meant to have been a short-term thing, but the feedback we had was so good that we've kept it indefinetly.

[PaddyPawsPetServices]

Hi there

Just had a look at your website, and I'm going to be brutally honest (but of course, that's why you came here, for total honesty).

The website is not user friendly, and for someone potentially looking to use the kind of service you provide, I would find this to be a real turn-off. I would suggest revisiting not just the layout (I'm not sure why there's almost a whole page gap between the top of the home page and any writing) but the grammar as well.

If you are going to have photos on your site, then they must be relevant to the service, as opposed to personal ones. Again, it draws away from a professional feel, especially as some of them are somewhat shaky and not clear.

I know you've come on here to find a good marketing strategy (something I'm more than happy to help with), not to have me have a dig at the website, but even if you had the best marketing strategy you could possibly have, I will assure you that the majority will be put off by the website so in my opinion this must be your first port of call.

I would invest some money into revamping this into one that has a more professional and user-friendly feel. Once you have a cracking website, then it will be the time to discuss marketing.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear (I know it smarts when someone says that something you have put a lot of love into is not up to par, I've been there myself) but I'd rather be brutally honest with you and see you succeed than be a "yes man" and see all your efforts be for nought.

The website is a MrSite ( DIY ) so I will get onto that and get it sorted, I admit it has got rather cluttered.

thank you for your advice
Claire

[PaddyPawsPetServices]

Yep, it's still being given to anyone that takes a trial. It was meant to have been a short-term thing, but the feedback we had was so good that we've kept it indefinetly.


thank you I will sign up

Claire