getting frustrated

[liamx1234]

trying to get my business name out there! but its like hitting your head against a brick wall!

got my website
full van sign written up
i advertise on gumtree
bought some domains that link my area and the removals by them for google...
wear uniform?

i know everyone searchs on google these days for a removal company but i fail to be on the 1st page and the prices some of the seo people want £500 per month now come on!

 

[ethical PR]

What sort on online advertising have you invested in?

Have you identified third parties such as estate agents to build relationships with - with a view to be recommended as a supplier?


£500 a month for SEO is not a lot.

 

[liamx1234]

not willing too spend £500 a month on seo far too much

 

[ethical PR]

I wasn't suggesting you did I was just pointing out it wasn't expensive. I have suggested two other options for you to consider.

There is a Fresh Bananas SEO course offered by a long standing member here that would be worth investing in.

 

[Scott@KarmaContent]

Local Facebook groups are a good, free option for local business' such as yours. The local buy/sell ones would be especially applicable because some people will be selling bulky items on there so those people looking to purchase and don't have their own transport will be interested in a man with a van service such as yourself. I know of a couple of man with van services who get a lot of their business from such groups and the resultant recommendations/referrals.

 

[Phillip Pilkington]

I would say that other domains take traffic away from your main domain, If someone searches for removals sheffield and you get the hit from your other domain, your main domain has missed that searchable term being used for its own google rankings. I say don't use other domains, keep your main one.

I can help out with organic SEO but it does mean a new site also. Both from me would cost the same as 2 months with a big SEO comapany. I would also throw in Professional photography...

 

[Turnkey Businesses]

there is a site out there that is a compare the market type site for removal companies. i don't think i'm allowed to post links since i've already had a post edited by a mod for it, but if you search for it in google i'm sure you will find it. see if there are any other of those types out there for your industry. they should be your main focus as everyone on there looking for a company already needs your service.

if your local you do local advertising methods, leaflet distribution, posters at supermarkets and such. being on google as you say is essential these days, you don't need to pay an seo company tons of cash though. get social media accounts going, get links back from directories, similar sites, sister sites, uk sites. update your site fairly often and other basic seo essentials. then set up an adwords account and set your daily limit for your budget. you will need adwords as your seo wont have much effect for a good few months, google will not see you as important for a long time no matter what you do, so adwords is essential at the start. you'll need to spend money either way though.

 

[richb330]

Keep going and don't give up. It sounds like you've spent a lot of time in getting to the point you are. Online is only one way of getting your name out there but i wouldn't put everything on it. You could learn a bit of SEO and most web hosting packages come with some. or PM some of the people who post on these forums, i was reading one earlier about a guy who's finding it hard picking up new web business...

i presume you've tried advertising in the local paper and local trade press. As has been suggested, pop into all the estate agents in your town with a couple of flyers and business cards - get these professionally made up, don't rely on a free bit of software, Microsoft word or absolutely, most definitely not those horrible free pamphlet creation tools on the web sites that send you 1000 copies for £9.99.... if you are serious, drop the £500 that was stated on SEO on a local marketing company to produce a flyer and a business card for you then get it printed up. hand these out.

Also, as you've got the van, could you use it for anything else, delivery's perhaps, or rubbish removal/disposal, could you get some thick plastic sheeting to protect the inside of your van?

 

[HFE Signs]

The more generic the keyword is the more competitive it is, hence the cost. I would suggest starting with the long tail keywords, include your area, this will make it less competitive and a lot cheaper.. good luck with it all..

 

[Chris Ashdown]

No mention of Pay per click on Google if you select a local area the costs should not be to much

SEO is a very long term aim but i presume you have quite a small simple web site so should be quite simple to do yourself, but without PPC you will stand virtually no chance of getting onto the first two pages apart from local search as most places will be filled by the bigger boys

Think who uses removal people and try to get to them rather than a all out approach to the town most of whom will not move for decades, as said before Estate agents, House renting companies, Councils, Second hand shops other van men who need a help,look up deaths in local paper and drop a leaflet through the door,Parish churches often have a local newsletter which is cheap to advertise in so in Three words "Target your customers" Dont use a scatter gun approach

 

[Tai Chau]

Before i could give you some advice, at least tell me what's is your business ? SEO is a good tool but that's not the only way, which is the best marketing tool for you depend on what field are you in buddy.