Need some help

[Fastack South]

what am I doing wrong? I had a website built using up all my savings but don't get any business from it as I'm not ranked.

 

[Scalloway]

Googling Solent Sailing schools shows you're in a crowded market. Are you using any other means of advertising?

 

[Clinton]

what am I doing wrong?

Everything.

I had a website built using up all my savings but don't get any business from it as I'm not ranked.

Which smart alec gave you the advice to do that?

Or did you do it of your own accord assuming that if you have a website the business will just start flowing in?

Without some savings, or access to capital elsewhere, how are you going to fund everyday business activities (working capital)? My best advice to you would be to put the business on hold and go sort your finances out first.

 

[Ian J]

May I suggest that you take out a full membership to this forum and then ask for a website review as several knowledgeable people will then be able to comment on any improvements that might increase your conversion rate

 

[Mark T Jones]

Without a cash budget, you are going to have to invest considerable time getting yourself and your site in front of the right audience

I'm afraid I'm not the one to tell you how, but hopefully someone on here can help.

 

[fisicx]

I had a website built using up all my savings but don't get any business from it as I'm not ranked.

Probably because the person who built the site didn't know what they are doing. The list of things wrong gets longer the more I look at your site.

Do as @Ian J says.

PS. Looking at the site suggests all your savings totalled about £150.

 

[billmccallum1957]

A coherent marking strategy might prove useful, as you have found out, a web site is worthless if people cant find it.

Identify your target market and direct your efforts to informing them where they can find you.

 

[Clinton]

May I suggest that you take out a full membership to this forum...

Do as @Ian J says.

Membership, like lots of other things in business, costs money. The OP has none. He spent his last £150 (or whatever) on getting the website made.

 

[Fastack South]

IAt the moment I'm relying on word of mouth, I have been a full time freelance instructor for 6 years. I used all of my capital buying the yacht, equipment and having the website built.
I'm now in a catch 22 area, unless I have have students coming through the door I can't invest in getting ranked.

 

[fisicx]

The problem is the website. Whoever built it focused on the layout. The focus should have been the services you offer. Google can't rank you if it doesn't know what you do.

 

[Fastack South]

How can I fix it?

 

[fisicx]

Pay some to build you a proper website - one that actually sells your services. The site have is built around a free template. All they have done is add some images and done a bit of styling. Probably a day's work - hence the £150 is suggested it is worth.

 

[Website Design Ltd]

As your website is on Wordpress, there are certainly things you can do yourself without too much knowhow. As everyone else has mentioned your website isn't perfect, however looking at some of your competitors it is not the worst in market.

If you feel confident in your, or someone you know's ability to write good content then that is the first place to start, especially while you don't have any money to invest in the website further. Make your services and pricing nice and clear on your site. Keep things simple.

While you are at it, get yourself a verified Google My Business page and start collecting reviews.

Also just noticed Fastack.co.uk (Based in Yorkshire). If you have any allegiance to them I would certainly be asking them for a link through to your site from theirs.

These tips aren't going to make you the market leader in sailing courses, but they might just get you a few extra students.

 

[SamLH]

Don't pay anybody to change your website! If you didn't know what the purpose of your website was when you made this post 3 hours ago I doubt you know what you have a website for now.

You need to be realistic,,, how many people are are searching for your product on Google, I doubt its as many as you think and you have no idea what the competition is. If you want to try reaching customers online get some free PPC/display advertising codes for first timers on Google/MSN/Facebook etc and see if you get any interest.

But realistically, the people who are interested in your service are people who already have a provider and aren't likely to change. If you've been freelance for 6 years you must have gained some rep??? Your best option is word of mouth and direct advterising, go local, go to networking events, be face to face, see what the response is.

 

[Fastack South]

The UK market in my area puts approx 200k people through different training courses per annum, all of which I can teach.
My competition are other companies like mine based in the same area/s (most who I have instructed for) on a freelance basis. They don't do a face to face with their own customers - they rely on me to make the clients experience a good one. I have and still receive positive feedback from my students, who all tell me I should be doing this myself (in my own company). So here I am.. Trying to get off the ground.
The Fastack (in Yorkshire) is owned by my very good friend (where I learned to sail) we are going to link (just don't know how yet? I can sail a yacht and teach people how but struggle with web and computers (we all start somewhere right?)
I have started with Google + recently adding pictures and intend on doing some training demos on YouTube. Check them out and let me know what you all think?

 

[SamLH]

Ask your friends to send some of their students your way for a referal fee?

Aren't there any directories to advertise your self in?

 

[Website Design Ltd]

I would assume the reason you took the Fastack name is because of your friend's success, so I would be asking to get listed on the other site as soon as possible.

I think far more important than a Google+ page is going to be Google My Business listing. It will literally put you on the map, which gives you increased visibility in search results and allows you to collect reviews.

 

[stender]

Try using adwords. Have a look at the amount of searches to see if worthwhile and if it is try advertising with that and see if you get any increase in interest whilst appearing at the top of page 1. Whilst doing that read up about seo or sign up for the course recommended on here. Something to do with bananas I think.

 

[BDLtd]

That site is ok, bit of a curious build but with traffic it would convert. You will need some ad spend to really take off digitally as it's a competitive space. Sponsor some Facebook Ads if you can. For £50 you can get your ad at people in the right geographical area and with an interest in boats etc.

In the meantime, try and write some articles on your craft and get them shared by respected blogs/sites in your niche with a link back to your website. This process improves your organic ranking in time and can also bring genuine conversions if you're lucky. It's sloooow though. Consider finding Facebook groups on the topic and local areas and try drop mention of your services there, you might get kicked for advertising though

Otherwise, try good old fashioned sticking a flyer up at Unis and boating clubs etc. Speak to suppliers, associations of boat related stuff in your area and offer them commission on referrals. You'll be surprised how well that works if you offer a good deal