My Tractor Business Website

[azkubotaguy]

I would not list your pricing. You want people to inquire instead. I would not slam potential competitor's regardless of what equipment they might bring to a potential customer's jobsite. Same with mentioning specific model and year of equipment. Soon enough 2013 will be a year old. Mention instead that you employ the latest Kubota and Toyota offer to get the job done right the first time with less chance of downtime due to running new equipment....
I'd also separate your words with a space in your logo- it's easier for the brain to process and visually more pleasing.

Great feedback, makes a lot of sense - appreciate it.

 

[smstonypoint]

I would not list your pricing. You want people to inquire instead. I would not slam potential competitor's regardless of what equipment they might bring to a potential customer's jobsite. Same with mentioning specific model and year of equipment. Soon enough 2013 will be a year old. Mention instead that you employ the latest Kubota and Toyota offer to get the job done right the first time with less chance of downtime due to running new equipment....
I'd also separate your words with a space in your logo- it's easier for the brain to process and visually more pleasing.

Good points. I don't even know that I would mention Kubota and Toyota by name.

Also you say "We love our community and we strive to make it more beautiful by assisting residential customers who want to make improvements to their properties." That reads as if you aren't interested in dealing with business customers.

Steve

 

[arrow]

I would not post either your rates or your minimum.



You could add a section showing before and after pictures of your work. Then add testimonials when they come in.

Good luck.

Steve

This is good advice.
When I tried the same thing many years ago, I got hardly any work. It seemed people doubted the efficacy of a "compact tractor" doing real work. I took the the "tractor" designation out of my local ads and then the phone started ringing. (Al Gore had not invented the internet yet) I do not think people care what you use to do the work, they're just interested in getting it done. I did it for a couple of years then just got sick of dealing with people making excuses why they thought what I did wasn't worth $20 an hr. Don't mean to put a damper on your attempt but just sharing my story. Like your logo.

 

[azkubotaguy]

Good points. I don't even know that I would mention Kubota and Toyota by name.

Also you say "We love our community and we strive to make it more beautiful by assisting residential customers who want to make improvements to their properties." That reads as if you aren't interested in dealing with business customers.

Steve

I am focusing on the residential market, we have a lot of new construction, I have several builders that hire me to do work for them and then I naturally have an in with the new homeowners for improvement projects. The commercial market is full with the big boys with big equipment. It's important to note this is not going to be my full time business as I already own a Telecommunications Consulting Firm, this business is to fill in the gaps in my schedule and hopefully will get out of telecommunications down the road - read burnt out after 20 years.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

I'm going to try my very best John Wayne impression...looks good pilgrim

 

[sweettractors]

Good clean site! I like it. Maybe a few more pics of the equipment? Ken Sweet

 

[tkappeler]

I am focusing on the residential market, we have a lot of new construction, I have several builders that hire me to do work for them and then I naturally have an in with the new homeowners for improvement projects. The commercial market is full with the big boys with big equipment. It's important to note this is not going to be my full time business as I already own a Telecommunications Consulting Firm, this business is to fill in the gaps in my schedule and hopefully will get out of telecommunications down the road - read burnt out after 20 years.

I have a couple of suggestions:

1) I would consider removing the calendar. It serves little purpose unless you are posting some events or other information INTO the calendar.
2) I would also consider removing the link to the designer. Unless you are being compensated or other contractual obligation, why provide free advertising for him?
3) If you are working with other builders, list them and link them (with permission of course). Cross marketing is usually a good thing. Cross linking to other sites also raises you in the google search algorithms.

Good luck!!

 

[Coyote machine]

Great feedback, makes a lot of sense - appreciate it.

Thanks. You're welcome.
And reading other's comments below mine I agree kill the calender, the free ad for your web designer, and mention of 'residential', instead say 'customer's site' and how you use the latest technology to get the work done in a more timely fashion.

 

[TSO]

I appreciate what you're trying to do with the site. In the "about us" tab, you highlight the model of your tractor, along with the specific equipment you have at your disposal. Knowing the capabilities of the L3800 and the capabilities/sizes of your equipment, I think listing the size & models of them all is redundant and maybe a bit "tacky". Besides, what if another guy posts that he uses an L4240 and a 6' box blade, 72" rotary cutter, etc etc etc ... that guy has truly more technology (you claim the newest tech, but the Grand L series has more tech by far) and more power. You're exposing your limitations, and in truth, the people that may hire you probably don't care much about the specific equipment you use anyhow. They don't even know what a box-blade is, they just want the work done.

If I may offer an alternative ... instead of boasting about your equipment, just show it in "action" shots. Label the shots like "grading a driveway with a box-blade" ... or "clearing a field with the rotary shredder" ... or "grooming an arena with a york rake" etc etc, you get the idea. Give the people an understanding of what your tools can accomplish, not what they're called. Like has been said before, before & after photos would be cool, and action shots of everything you do speak VOLUMES more than your words that people don't understand or care about.

My humble opinion anyhow. Also, nice truck. I've owned 2 of them, and I miss them alot (just needed more capacity and had to jump ship to a true 3/4 ton with more payload).

Good luck!

 

[troutsqueezer]

I think you did a good job on the logo. Until I went to your site, I thought your business was servicing tractors, judging by the name. Maybe change the name to Dan's Tractor Services?

 

[TerryR]

I don't see the issue with the website designer's mention. To me that says you are a professional business who hired a professional designer to do your site, not some amateur who cobbled together his own site because he was too under-funded to get it done right.

Terry

 

[RDrancher]

I don't see the issue with the website designer's mention. To me that says you are a professional business who hired a professional designer to do your site, not some amateur who cobbled together his own site because he was too under-funded to get it done right.

Hmmm...I "cobbled" mine together. I think it looks okay. :confused3:

 

[troutsqueezer]

Designing a website is not rocket surgery.

 

[GManBart]

It's a requirement here in Arizona, if you are not a licensed contractor you can operate under the handyman clause, but you have to state in all advertisements "Not a Licensed Contractor". To become licensed they do not count years of operating machinery, they want you to show W-2's for three years working under a company. It would be nice if they had a large dirt lot and they tested you on your ability. So in three years I can show them my tax returns and become licensed, it's really another case of government hindrance of small business.

Yeh, but it also prevents unethical, unreliable, untrained people fom claiming they know what they're doing.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Yeh, but it also prevents unethical, unreliable, untrained people fom claiming they know what they're doing.

Can we get this instituted for Congress?

 

[sd455dan]

Here we have people say they are a licensed Roofer when there is no such license.

Must be licensed to Drive to the work site :laughing:

 

[tkappeler]

Designing a website is not rocket surgery.

Especially when the link to the login goes to WordPress.

OK with the designer name, just don't link to him. IMHO.

edit: fixed link to login, not link to designer.

 

[orezok]

I believe that AZ law requires a contractors license for any work over $1,000. Penalties for not having one can be severe.

 

[azkubotaguy]

I believe that AZ law requires a contractors license for any work over $1,000. Penalties for not having one can be severe.

You are correct, any work has to be under $1000.00 per job.

 

[RDrancher]

Gravel driveway prep $999.99
Gravel delivery $999.99
Gravel install $999.99

Separate contracts of course...

I was a licensed concrete and general contractor in SoCal for over 20 years before moving here. There were still more guys out there flying under the radar than not. That's why I went commercial. Here in Texas there are no licensing requirements for most trades. Except for those of us with liability insurance and those without, it does make for a more level playing field.