wow, did i step on a kitten?

[mike1337]

This afternoon I browsed the web for local companies who had poor quality websites that could my benefit from my services. I had a shortlist of 15-20 businesses that I thought I could improve their current website in some way.

I've emailed/phoned them and sent a short email, nothing spammy, introducing myself, explaining what I do and to give them my contact details. If they're interested, they can get in touch with me (some did ).

However, it seems as if I've inadvertently stepped on another 'webmaster's toes (or a kitten). The site in question is built in frames, takes 13 seconds to load on my 8mb connection and looks like something from the 60's - there is no 'Design By' or anything like that at the bottom so I wasn't to know.

This "webmaster/designer" person has sent me a very aggresive email calling me intrusive and has promised to use "his influence with his contacts" to give me a bad name in the area.

A bit of an overreaction don't you think? I don't see anything wrong in apporaching local businesses? how else does business get done?

I'm not worried - I'll let my work do the talking but just thought the reaction was rather amusing

 

[E Storey]

Would you like me to kill him for you?

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Was it a company based in Ayr?

 

[Andy Walpole]

What did you put in the email? Presumably the company forwarded your email to him with a big question mark over your criticism

 

I should politely tell him to F off.

Rule of life don't talk to people you don't want to.

Earl

 

[mike1337]

What did you put in the email? Presumably the company forwarded your email to him with a big question mark over your criticism

There was no criticism of the site in this email, just a simple introduction of who i am, what i do and who I've worked with etc..

 

[Matty Jay]

This afternoon I browsed the web for local companies who had poor quality websites that could my benefit from my services. I had a shortlist of 15-20 businesses that I thought I could improve their current website in some way.

However, it seems as if I've inadvertently stepped on another 'webmaster's toes (or a kitten). The site in question is built in frames, takes 13 seconds to load on my 8mb connection and looks like something from the 60's - there is no 'Design By' or anything like that at the bottom so I wasn't to know.

This "webmaster/designer" person has sent me a very aggresive email calling me intrusive and has promised to use "his influence with his contacts" to give me a bad name in the area.

A bit of an overreaction don't you think? I don't see anything wrong in apporaching local businesses? how else does business get done?

I'm not worried - I'll let my work do the talking but just thought the reaction was rather amusing

As you say don't be worried. As he has only threatened to bad mouth you rather than put a horses head in your bed I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

I think the problem with a lot of small, often family run businesses (and I say this regretfully) in particular those with older owners who by-and-large were too old to get on board/understand the internet boom of the 90's is that they panic about websites. They understand everyone needs a website now, but they don't understand (and it puzzles me at times why when their site looks like utter crust) what a good website is. So when someone who can hardly design the site themselves offers his/her services they just go with it.

This guy is frightened because he knows his designs are pants and that he'll lose all his business if a competitor alerts his customers to his shoddy services.

As you yourself say, let your business speak for itself. The evidence of your quality work in comparison to his will cancel out any bad-mouthing he can do

 

[matt.chatterley]

I should politely tell him to F off.

Rule of life don't talk to people you don't want to.

Earl

Not sure I'd even bother to reply!

I could almost understand someone copping a bit of an attitude if the OP had deliberately worked his way down one person's client list to attempt a full-on poach (mind you thats hardly rare these days), but even then, very silly.

 

[Wholesale-Dealer]

I am really sick of such sticky stuff i would like to piss on them

 

[Ashley_Price]

I get mail-shots, emails, etc., forwarded to me by my clients from other call answering services. (We even take calls for our clients from our competition!)

I never bother to contact them. So, I think the web designer that contacted you is worried of competition - perhaps he knows his sites aren't that good and is worried that his clients will find this out.

 

[David Earle]

You really need to just ignore people like this. You'll get enough stress by offering this kind of service (web design/development), so don't worry yourself with amateurs like this. If the guy starts turning nasty just go to the police.

 

[sherbert]

I was doing some research for a client when I stumbled upon a website that had a header with the name of the company no copy no links to other pages, no address just a header with a phone number.

I called them as a courtesy to tell them there was a problem with their site and the woman who answered the phone said 'we are perfectly happy with out website thank you!' I said 'but....' she then cut me off.

Another kitten trod on.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I called them as a courtesy to tell them there was a problem with their site and the woman who answered the phone said 'we are perfectly happy with out website thank you!' I said 'but....' she then cut me off.

Never, ever tell someone their website is wrong (or any other advertising, stationery, etc.) there is no point, they will only go on the defensive and you'll never make a sale.

The number of times I used to send a letter back to firms that had sent us a mailshot that was so poorly written. I offered our services, but we never got a job out of it. The number of times I've offered copy-editing services to people because their adverts are so poor - nothing.

Nowadays I simply don't bother, it's a waste of my time. I think to myself, "if they want to present such a poor image of themselves, it's not for me to put them right" (especially several of my competitors).

A local decorator's van has "No Job to big or to small" (my emphasis)! Grrr. Well, guess who won't be getting a call from me, when we next need decorating done.

Another popular one is the local printers who offer "bespoke wedding stationary", and as for the number of typing services that offer typing of "CV's".

A friend of mine's sister got a job in a local estate agent's office. A number of their properties were "sort after". When she pointed this mistake to the MD, he even got the dictionary out to prove her wrong. And then he realised she was correct and they had to amend them all to "sought after". (She didn't stay for long after that; I don't think the MD was happy he had been shown up in front of the other staff.)

 

[James1980]

This "webmaster/designer" person has sent me a very aggresive email calling me intrusive and has promised to use "his influence with his contacts" to give me a bad name in the area.

The louder they bark, the weaker they fight. I've spoken to clients who claim (and possibly believe??) that they can singlehandedly ruin a company's reputation. Delusional...



James

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Copywriting tip #x: Never tell someone what's wrong with their website, design, copy or anything. Just tell them how you can improve it. There's a thin line between the two, but it makes a massive difference.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Could have been worse.You could have put his kitten into a wheelie bin.

 

[british steve]

This afternoon I browsed the web for local companies who had poor quality websites that could my benefit from my services. I had a shortlist of 15-20 businesses that I thought I could improve their current website in some way.

I've emailed/phoned them and sent a short email, nothing spammy, introducing myself, explaining what I do and to give them my contact details. If they're interested, they can get in touch with me (some did ).

However, it seems as if I've inadvertently stepped on another 'webmaster's toes (or a kitten). The site in question is built in frames, takes 13 seconds to load on my 8mb connection and looks like something from the 60's - there is no 'Design By' or anything like that at the bottom so I wasn't to know.

This "webmaster/designer" person has sent me a very aggresive email calling me intrusive and has promised to use "his influence with his contacts" to give me a bad name in the area.

A bit of an overreaction don't you think? I don't see anything wrong in apporaching local businesses? how else does business get done?

I'm not worried - I'll let my work do the talking but just thought the reaction was rather amusing

Ignore him. Once he gets over his initial anger he will probably forget about you. How is he going to tell everyone about you? Send them all an email? Phone them? I wouldn't lose any sleep over this if I was you!

 

[accountancyextra]

I get mail-shots, emails, etc., forwarded to me by my clients from other call answering services. (We even take calls for our clients from our competition!)

You've just reminded me of a story from a few years back. We were using a virtual PA (who we were delighted with). However, she e mailed me one day to say that she was stopping work as she was pregnant and was handing the business over to another (bigger) firm. Whilst I had no problem giving the new firm a chance, i took the opportunity to apply for quotes on one of those servicefinder websites.

Anyway, a few months later, i got an irate call from the new virtual pa firm, furious that I had asked another firm to quote. Although he refused to pass on the details of the other firm who had called, I worked out that it must have been one of website enquiries (as that was the only time I had asked for quotes), who were very, very late in responding!!

 

[waveneybooks]

Could have been worse.You could have put his kitten into a wheelie bin.

......& I'm surprised that you do. I've read many of your wonderful posts and didn't believe you thought like this.

 

[Waveney Books]

After posting above I realised that I seem to have two accounts :|.
One is Waveney Books and one is waveneybooks :redface:
Could you merge them or delete the latter, please?
How did it happen? No idea. I'm blond and aging. That's probably how.

Tina x

 

[Matty Jay]

......& I'm surprised that you do. I've read many of your wonderful posts and didn't believe you thought like this.

I think it was supposed to be a joke based upon a popular news story today

 

[maxine]

To the op... I would be tempted to reply back just simply saying "Don't be silly"

Never, ever tell someone their website is wrong (or any other advertising, stationery, etc.) there is no point, they will only go on the defensive and you'll never make a sale.

Disagree with this view sorry Ashley. It's not what you say but how you say it. When I have done telemarketing for web design and SEO this is the precisely the approach that I will take and I can get conversion rates of cold calls to qualified leads averaging 90% But, it is about tone, stages, being helpful, and how it comes across. Saying "You have done this wrong you silly muppet now sign up here for me to fix it" in one call doesn't usually work

Good luck to the OP with canvassing (oh and don't forget to call the yell site builder sites too hehe)

 

[Beachcomber]

I'd be tempted to send a polite reply.

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for your message concerning the design of ******'s web site.

I very much look forward to hearing your comments regarding the conduct & performance of my business and will correct your assertions where necessary and pursue private prosecution where slanderous.

Thank you for your time.

Signed .............................."

That should do it.

 

[mit74]

Forward the abusive email to all his clients to tlet them know what kind of person they're dealing with.

 

[the web man]

Never, ever tell someone their website is wrong (or any other advertising, stationery, etc.) there is no point, they will only go on the defensive and you'll never make a sale.

From experience of teleselling in this area I can tell you that people don't know what makes a good website until you tell them, they don't know what a title tag, meta desription, alt tags, call to action, easy navigation, etc are and if they are missing or incorrect.

You have GOT to tell them it's wrong - it's your duty! Your doing them a favour by telling them - don't forget this.

Oh, and like Maxine says, call all the Yell sitebuilder websites, not only are they awful they usually have had very bad service from Yell.

 

[Ashley_Price]

You have GOT to tell them it's wrong - it's your duty! Your doing them a favour by telling them - don't forget this.

Yes, if they have approached you. But I would not advise you ringing someone up completely cold and saying to them "Do you know your website is rubbish?" (well, maybe not those words, but similar).

It's like all the emails I receive from website firms telling me how they could get my website to the top of Google. I don't think, "Oh I must use them", they get binned immediately.

I also tell anyone, who rings up purporting to "work in association with Google" on SEO, that we're not interested.

This is not a good marketing ploy.

 

[the web man]

Yes, if they have approached you. But I would not advise you ringing someone up completely cold and saying to them "Do you know your website is rubbish?" (well, maybe not those words, but similar).

Business does not come to you I'm afraid, especially in the early days and no, I wouldnt use those words but if you come across as helpful and considerate they will listen to you, and even if they don't want your service now you would have planted the seed of doubt and they will wake up in a couple of months time, in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, worried sick about their website and fumbling for your phone number in the dark (ok I'm dreaming now but you get the idea!).[/quote]

It's like all the emails I receive from website firms telling me how they could get my website to the top of Google. I don't think, "Oh I must use them", they get binned immediately.

I don't think we were talking about this sort of approuch in this thread, I would never say that and neither should you OP.

I also tell anyone, who rings up purporting to "work in association with Google" on SEO, that we're not interested.

This is not a good marketing ploy.

I would never do this either, but yell would, and have to me not so long ago!

 

[maxine]

Yes, if they have approached you. But I would not advise you ringing someone up completely cold and saying to them "Do you know your website is rubbish?" (well, maybe not those words, but similar).

It's like all the emails I receive from website firms telling me how they could get my website to the top of Google. I don't think, "Oh I must use them", they get binned immediately.

I also tell anyone, who rings up purporting to "work in association with Google" on SEO, that we're not interested.

This is not a good marketing ploy.

Its not the same thing Ashley. The calls for "I can get you to the top of google" are based around a general approach based on a range of services that should ultimately have that outcome without going into detail.

Calling someone and pointing out specific opportunities for improvement, that you have done your homework on their site and rankings in particular will certainly get listened to 9 times out of 10 if out of curiosity than anything else.

I can categorically say it works

 

[vvaannmmaann]

......& I'm surprised that you do. I've read many of your wonderful posts and didn't believe you thought like this.

I have a shocking picture of the treatment of one of our cats.
Poor wee thing being made to suffer like this............

 

[devilmaycry]

I'd be tempted to send a polite reply.

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for your message concerning the design of ******'s web site.

I very much look forward to hearing your comments regarding the conduct & performance of my business and will correct your assertions where necessary and pursue private prosecution where slanderous.

Thank you for your time.

Signed .............................."

That should do it.

Private prosecution refers to criminal proceedings, whereas defamation is a tort and, therefore, a civil wrong. And if he was emailing or writing to people it would be libel, not slander.

Really not criticising or nit-picking here-just trying to help, as I think that would be a good email to send!!

 

[mike1337]

I was very tempted to send something sarcastic like that but decided to just delete it instead and move on. If he sends another one then I may very well send a response similar the one above.

 

[patientlady]

He may have designed the site himself!

 

[maxine]

Vaaannnmaaan, I am intrigued as to what is in that biscuit tin behind the loo?

(I shouldn't have asked should I?) eek!!

 

[internetspaceships]

To the OP

Laugh it up and ignore the idiot. He's obviously got something to be worried about!

Carry on with it too. Don't pull peoples's sites down (as someone else said) just point out some improvements that might improve their income and you'll get enquiries.

Appeal to the greed mate!

10/10 for taking the initiative and completely forget the asshat who mailed you.

Jon

 

[Funny Business Cartoons]

I've been approached by people via email on this very Forum telling me they can rebuild my Website to make it better for free. WHY?
Maybe they just got pissed with having spam mail all the time. Just ignore it and put it all down to experience I say.

 

[internetspaceships]

I've been approached by people via email on this very Forum telling me they can rebuild my Website to make it better for free. WHY?
Maybe they just got pissed with having spam mail all the time. Just ignore it and put it all down to experience I say.

Because a lot of the "web designers" here have nothing better to do? lol

 

Let him huff and puff all he wants. If his work is as shabby as you think, he will only make himself look a fool when he tries to bad mouth you.

I tend to find that those who slander the competition are scared of it for some reason, and the customer is not totally stupid, they pick this up quickly.

 

[eastinflatables]

I am really sick of such sticky stuff i would like to piss on them

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Vaaannnmaaan, I am intrigued as to what is in that biscuit tin behind the loo?

(I shouldn't have asked should I?) eek!!

Orchid bulbs!