Recommended Web Designers/Developers

[dcraigdc]

Hi guys just a quick one, I've been posting for a while now in a few of the other topics on this forum but this is only my second venture into this one.

I don't know how relevant this will be to this forum so if it's not please just take the message down.

I help run a directory service called www.TheOnlineDirectory.co.uk. We have scoured the country for a select few web designers in each geographical region that can provide a good level of service for every business client that comes their way.

Each supplier is either a limited company or a partnership and in order to become 'TOD Approved' must have ratings and reviews from three of their clients (which we verify). You are able to view these 8 companies and their details and then contact them with the quote form on the right hand side of the page.

Two things really, 1) If you need an ecommerce solution, check these guys out and 2) What do you think about the site in terms of usablity, design and information? Is there anything we have missed? (Asides from portfolios of each firm, which we are working on)

Any help greatly appreciated!!

 

[Richard Conyard]

A few comments:
You need far more regions at present they are too broad.
The breadth of your companies currently isn't great, I've had a quick look and we'll I know some of the work that some of them put out and I wouldn't recommend them
Reviews are an okay source, however there are other issues which should be considered, technical ability etc. Reviews are often in place with client expectation, as an expert in the field you are in a unique place to filter out two bit companies. When it comes out perhaps you should filter the results in light of PAS-78 from the DRC
There are some good companies, but they are potentially the wrong company. There are plenty of reasons for this, cost is the one that springs foremost of the mind.
One of the key selling points of a design company will be it's portfolio - have you considered adding this to the site?

 

[dcraigdc]

In answer, yep we are working on the portfolios. Eventually we want the site to feature effective "microsites" for each supplier.

The PAS-78 is a fantastic idea, something we had not even considered so thanks a lot for that.

As far as the reviews go, we do actually qualify them (just to make sure they arn't bogus, we have several ways of doing this). The idea is that when you send a lead through and use a firm, you will be able to submit your own review of the firm. Eventually each firm will have 10, 20, 30 reviews and it will really sort the men from the boys.

Region list hasn't been an issue so far, but it is something in the back of our minds. What do the rest of you think? Would this be a major swaying factor for you?

One of the things we ARE working on is EXPLAINING the site better. We know what it does but I think we overlooked explaining the system and of what value it is.

 

[Richard Conyard]

The reason for bring up regions is that at present they are so large. Looking at the South East it seems to include as far west as Bornemouth. From Kent and visa-versa you really wouldn't want to deal with a company where it's an entire day to meet with them.

I understand that reviews are useful. The point where they fall down is client expectation. Our sister company for example could give a range of good to fantastic reviews. Amongst those that would fall into the fantastic category are a lot of the little guys where their work has made a huge difference to the client and they are sitting their directly to see the difference. However amongst those which would be merely good would be the national chains where enthusiam would be somewhat less. So where along the line does a fantastic review from a client with a tiny static site compare to an okay review from a national company that regularly spends tens of thousands in the press?

One thing that I mentioned briefly above that you might consider is to stream agencies. I know that our sister company would not particularly thank you for providing tonnes of required quotations etc. for people that only have £1000 or so to spend.

Perhaps let agencies set their upper and lower brackets for work and browsers enter their @ budget to add an additional filter. Sounds odd saying an upper budget, but there are some smaller agencies that are in no position to go for larger sites and just want to concentrate at the low end niche.

 

[dcraigdc]

I agree with the location view point. It's difficult because it becomes a HUGE uphill struggle to then get on board a certain number of suppliers in each area but I do agree. I'll have to have a think!

To be honest with you we aren't at the stage of sending through the £20 000 deals yet.

Most of the leads that go through are from £1000 to £15000 at the moment. We want to manage everybody's expectations as you mention hence the companies on board. I'm not going to bring a firm on board that is used to getting £50 000 deals because I wont be able to send them the work they want. Eventually as the site grows and we penetrate the market more then it may well be feasible to bring these companies on.

By the way, we do actually verify all of our leads. We qualify the contact details but also we will ring the client up to find exactly what they want. If its a bloke who says "I was in the pub last night and i came up with an idea and i want an all singing all dancing website for £200". Obviously the lead wont go through (unless we determine he can extend the budget by a fair bit!!)

Thanks for the comments so far, UKBusinessForums has been by far the most helpful and informative. It's slow work but I think we'll end up with a winner on our hands!

 

[Richard Conyard]

It's things like the verification of leads where you need to make things slightly more apparent. I thought the form just sent through the details there and then.

Might want to put a little more text on the advertise here page to make that clear. I would also change the terminology away from advertise. Maybe list my company?

 

[Richard Conyard]

Just checking it out - your terms and conditions mention pricing on the order supply form. There is no pricing on the order supply form... currently aborting registration process...

Sorry

 

[dcraigdc]

Again, something that is being sorted. This week is our big revamp so all these things should be done. The answer to that is we used to have a direct application to either a months free trial or a paid listing. We stopped doing the free trial because we proved the service worked (although there is still work to do on some areas) and obviously got a better response to an "apply" than a "pay now" approach.

We actually have a sales team calling suppliers so bringing them on is no problem at the moment. If our marketing and success reaches the level that suppliers sign up of their own accord then obviously thats an area that will require a lot of work. At the moment though our main focus is providing our suppliers with a good strong flow of leads (which we are doing) and then we can move on from there.

 

[Richard Conyard]

What costs are we talking?

 

[dcraigdc]

I've PM'd you the details.