Need more work want to expand

hi guys new to this sight just been scrolling this sight for about 2 hours lol sad i no but its a Sunday nothing better to do.

 

the problem I'm having is i became self employed about a year ago and really enjoy it actually making money for your self and you've got your own time etc no set routine.

 

I'm having trouble finding work i can't seem to get any anywhere I'm on every website you can imagine MyBuilder, rated people, MyHammer etc. got my own website which is www.dcg-maintenance.co.uk wich is advertised using google Adwords I've got my own business cards which are handed out everywhere about 3000 in total next week i will be in the local paper etc.

 

me and my uncle have just started doing it together well that was the idea anyway

 

we've got a lwb high top transit and a Astra van for the smaller jobs. between us we've got every tool you can imagine everything Stihl so its all top quality gear but the work just isn't coming in at all

 

I've done a college course in civil engineering and also studied at Nottingham Trent university in civil engineering so that helps with concreting fencing decking drives etc with levels and drainage if you get me

 

just wondered how you all got so much work etc are we advertising wrong etc I'm open to any suggestions you have anything at all

 

i seem to think one of the problems is my age which is 22 but now my uncle is with me that helps a bit

 

any ideas would be nice as only had a bit of fence work in weeks which is deal with the wind lol

 

thanks Daniel at DCG

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Anthony @ JDC Maintenance on February 7, 2011 at 9:15

Any paper work i.e. invoices, then yes an address should be on there. As far as websites are concerned, not as i understand it but this maybe different for ltd company etc


Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care said:

Aren't you legally obliged to have your name and trading address on a commercial / business website ?

Dan Frazer Gardening said:
Not necessarily... you can advertise your wares to potential thieves if you do this. Client's don't need to know your postal address, just which town you are from perhaps (but even that's irrelevant to them).

Mick Gammage said:

You need an address on the contact page

Permalink Reply by Mark Bain on February 7, 2011 at 13:28

Daniel,

I'm also 22, sole trader, been self-emplyed for 4 years come May.

I'm only into the garden maintenance side of things, no landscaping. I've had over 150 cutomers since setting up business. Some were just one off jobs but around 1/3 of that 150, they are my regulars. I have adverised mabye in the first two years in business(never really needed to, just wanted to get my name about).

I know i'm young also and it has been difficult when some people see you as a 'young laddie who'll take a fiver to cut my grass' but i beleive if the jobs completed to the cutomers satisfaction, your reliable and attitude is professional they'll tell their friends and family and then word will spread.

The best and low cost way to advertise your business  =  word of mouth.

Good luck,

Mark

 


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on February 7, 2011 at 14:55
I have never heard that one through all of my business gateway training sessions.

Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care said:
Aren't you legally obliged to have your name and trading address on a commercial / business website ?

Dan Frazer Gardening said:
Not necessarily... you can advertise your wares to potential thieves if you do this. Client's don't need to know your postal address, just which town you are from perhaps (but even that's irrelevant to them).

Mick Gammage said:

You need an address on the contact page

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on February 7, 2011 at 15:26
I'm afraid I have to agree with the foregoing comments regarding your web site.  Is there some way you can change the font of the text ?  Also, the grammar could do with a bit of polishing.  I realize you don't need a degree in English to do gardening, landscaping and maintenance etc. but bad English gives a bad impression.
Permalink Reply by Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care on February 7, 2011 at 15:37

I've just done a bit more research and have found the following information:

 

http://out-law.com/page-431

 

It's seems to me like it's a bit of a grey area on whether it is required if you do not have an online store. (well it is to me but I'm a gardener not a lawyer !)


Dan Frazer Gardening said:

I have never heard that one through all of my business gateway training sessions.

Paul @ Ashgate Garden Care said:
Aren't you legally obliged to have your name and trading address on a commercial / business website ?

Dan Frazer Gardening said:
Not necessarily... you can advertise your wares to potential thieves if you do this. Client's don't need to know your postal address, just which town you are from perhaps (but even that's irrelevant to them).

Mick Gammage said:

You need an address on the contact page

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on February 7, 2011 at 16:04
Just had a quick read of that and it seems pretty unambiguous to me in that it states that name and address (plus other details) must be included.  However, from a security point of view, it states that the "registered" address will suffice and that need not be the owner's home or business address.
Permalink Reply by Daniel Gray on February 7, 2011 at 16:57

right thanks for all the ideas guys made a few changes to my website let me no what you think ?

 

as for putting an address down thats like advertising where a van and garage full of tools are kept to me sorry if that sounds offencive but you no what the little B******S are like.

 

got a new job today 4 pannels posts and kickboards £360 if that sounds right, but the only problem at the minute is everyones trying to undercut everone else cause theres no work.but our rate for pannels is £90 a section.

 

as for the testimonies i wanted to do that but when i see that i just think the person who has made the sight has just made it up as i have a few written references here but just doesnt look right to me if its been put up by the website creator.

 

as for the spelling im dislexic and i get it checked whe its all finished and ready thanks

 

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on February 7, 2011 at 17:07

Re my comments, I wasn't trying to cause offence.  If you need your text checking, just send it as a pm to me or anyone else on here who's willing, for checking.
Permalink Reply by Daniel Gray on February 7, 2011 at 17:12

what i normally do is copy and paste into word and use the spell checker that way but if i keep changing the website it gets abit tedious lol

 

no offence taken dont worry and thanks very much for your offer

Permalink Reply by Bigyin on February 7, 2011 at 17:18
OK, thanks for the reassurance.  Anyway, the offer's still there if needed.

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