Advertising 2 businesses from 1 website

[Kate Coady]

Hi, I have recently taken over a business and started a 2nd similar company to run alongside.

One company is all aspects of carpentry and the other is kitchen supply and fitting. I would like to advertise both on one website, as there is a large overlap in the client base.

Obviously, they will be run as 2 separate financial entities, quoted and billed and registered and filed as separate entities, but i would like to combine the advertising:

E.g., Company one: "Jones Carpentry Services" Company two: "Jones Kitchen Fitting"; website says "Jones Carpentry Services and Kitchen Fitting"

Can I do that or do I need to run 2 separate websites?

Thank you!

 

[Aurelius]

There shouldn't be anything stopping you combining the two onto the one website. As long as you're clear what the set up is so you don't confuse people when they visit the website it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Calvin Crane]

Are there any websites already running? Websites build up equity online and you should think about making the most out of that.
If you have nothing then a simple wordpress site will be your best bet. should cost around 600 upwards..

 

[Graham Tyers]

There shouldn't be anything stopping you combining the two onto the one website. As long as you're clear what the set up is so you don't confuse people when they visit the website it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm already confused just trying to imagine it.

 

[TheWebDesignCompany]

It isn’t ideal really running 2 separate businesses from one website. Each website should be really clear what company it is for.

You would be better off keeping the established website, but adding a page to it advertising the other company, with a link to its own website.

Then you could do the same on the new website, advertising and linking back to the original website.

 

[Graham Tyers]

There's a bit of a misconception that websites are an advert. They're not - they're shopfronts without any passing trade.

If you target people who want a fitted kitchen, you need to direct them to a shopfront that says "Fitted Kitchens" on the front, otherwise they'll walk through the door ( if they haven't already turned tail ) with that "I'm not really sure if I should be in here" look on their face.

That initial feeling that this place isn't the right place to be will suck the life right out of your sales.

Two websites and two domain names will hardly cost much more to run than one.

As TheWebDesignCompanysuggested, by all means promote the other company's non-competing products and services on each other's websites but don't try more than that.

 

[Aaron Starc]

Can I do that or do I need to run 2 separate websites?

Sure can do! Many companies use a single site for operating in multiple businesses. You just need to keep the two separately and well organized. The easier to follow through it is, the better it is. You can easily keep both services on the same website.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

We've had no issues with running two companies from one website... with a front page portal...



Granted, some companies ring one for the other, but we're all in the same building so we just transfer the call when needed.

 

[Inva]

You CAN do it but it's a very bad idea, so DON'T do it.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

You CAN do it but it's a very bad idea, so DON'T do it.

Why is it a bad idea?

Doesn't hurt us in anyway... so a bit more of an explanation would be beneficial to the OP surely...

 

[AllUpHere]

With marketing you are striving to make the communication as targeted and relevant as it can possibly be. You are starting at a disadvantage with one site. Websites cost peanuts these days, so get cracking on a new one.

 

[fisicx]

Keep ‘em separate. Link them together but don’t merge.

 

[Graham Tyers]

Why is it a bad idea?

Doesn't hurt us in anyway... so a bit more of an explanation would be beneficial to the OP surely...

The main reason I wouldn't do it is it makes the site difficult for Google to index properly. They will spider the site and find conflicting content. As a result, the site will either rank very poorly, or your Adwords will cost twice as much. Probably both.