The Landscape Engine is complete

I'm pleased (and really quite relieved) to say that phase one development of the Landscape Engine is now completed.

The aim is to now lever Landscape Juice's strong traffic to drive consumers and landscape managers to the site: our mission is to build a register of UK landscaping businesses.

The site is standalone but it is my intention to use Ning's API to create a single sign-in with LJN so that there's only one set of details to remember.

However, by being standalone it gives businesses the opportunity to join the Landscape Engine without attachment to any perceived attachment to Landscape Juice.

The cost to join Landscape Engine is just £50.00 for the year*.

Membership allows users to benefit from unlimited access. Membership exposes businesses to potential clients looking for anything landscaping, maintenance, design (commercial and domestic).

For example a commercial contracts manager can create a list of compan or sole trader businesses within a certain radius of their base (or the contract) add them to a favourite's list and then send out an offer to tender to only those on the list.

Alternatively a project - whether that's domestic landscaping, maintenance or design or commercial landscaping, maintenance or design - can be posted inviting tenders from registered businesses.

Non-registered businesses will be able to view potential projects but will have to register and pay to have access to the project details.

There is an internal messaging system so that bot parties may exchange details of the project before making any commitment.

Using the internal system, a contractor may submit a proposal whilst the client can accept or reject any contractor, before taking the transaction any further.

Of course, at some stage the transaction will have to become face-to-face. The Landscape Engine gives both parties the opportunity to broker a connection in the first instance.

Once a contract or project is complete, a client may leave feedback on the contractors profile. Only those clients who've had conducted business with a contractor may leave feedback.

*The Landscape Engine is FREE to use for Landscape Juice Premium members.

landscapeengine.co.uk

Replies

Ed Fairman March 21, 2014 at 4:26pm

Thanks Phil I look forward to having a browse soon.
Philip Blair March 21, 2014 at 4:47pm

Hi Phil. The first link you put in doesnt work, you have an extra I after landscape (typo)
Looking great otherwise.
PRO

Phil Voice March 21, 2014 at 4:55pm

Thanks Philip...sorted:)

Philip Blair said:

Hi Phil. The first link you put in doesnt work, you have an extra I after landscape (typo)
Looking great otherwise.
PRO

Phil Voice March 21, 2014 at 5:11pm

If anyone wants help setting up, just ping me an email.
Gary Hedges March 21, 2014 at 6:05pm

Hi Phil have set myself. Would it be possible that instead of find a landscaper you could have find a gardener or find a designer?
PRO

Phil Voice March 21, 2014 at 6:17pm

Hi Gary

I've angst over this for ages. Our problem is to find the most generic cross-industry title.
I think landscaper is our best option.

However when a potential client searches from the drop-down menu on the Landscape Engine they can choose gardener (domestic or commercial) to narrow down options.

If anyone feels there's a better generic term than landscaper, please bung your suggestions in:)

Gary Hedges said:

Hi Phil have set myself. Would it be possible that instead of find a landscaper you could have find a gardener or find a designer?
Gary Hedges March 21, 2014 at 10:17pm

had a long think and your right, I can't think of another all encompassing term either :)
PRO

Brian www.mibservices.co.uk March 21, 2014 at 10:44pm

This is why I posted about pidgeonhole-ing a business, landscaper probably is the best all encompassing term. We will soon see by what comes back from my post :-)

Gary Hedges said:

had a long think and your right, I can't think of another all encompassing term either :)
PRO

Geoffrey King March 23, 2014 at 10:29am

Hi Phil,

When I use the link above (edit i.e the link at the bottom) it goes to a Yahoo search results page

http://us.yhs4.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hspart=newnet&hsimp=...

as of 23/03/14 10.28am

But when I type it in to the URL box it goes direct to landscapeengine
MWJONES March 23, 2014 at 10:35am

Phil,

Why are requests for quotes being listed in the general forum area? (School artificial grass)

What is the point of paying for something others get to see for free? Surely paid members should have first dibs? They if no reply opened up to others? Or need to become a member to submit an interest.