Get a $1000 website for $300

6

602rwtq

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<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">If you can afford it, spend a minimum of $1000 on a website for your detailing, PDR, or other automotive appearance business.  Choose someone local with a reputation that you’ve verified.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">If you can’t, do this:
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 


<span style="font-size:18px;">Step 1:  Reserve domain.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Time required:  10 min.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Cost:  $15/yr
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Go to http://namecheap.com and follow the directions.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 


<span style="font-size:18px;">Step 2:  Get a logo.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Time required:  3-5 days.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Cost:  $30
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Go to http://logonerds.com
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Choose a design that’s as simple as possible, and with no more than 2 colors.  You’ll be using this for shirts, letterhead, and vehicle signs, so simplicity and reproducibility will keep costs down.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 


<span style="font-size:18px;">Step 3:  Get a foreign web designer.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Time required:  2-3 weeks
<div style="margin:5px 0px 15px 15px;font-size:16px;background-color:rgb(248,248,248);text-align:center;color:rgb(85,85,85);font-family:arial, sans-serif;">
<p style="font-size:11px;background-color:transparent;font-weight:bold;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Asian web designers work for about $15 an hour and can be found on eLance.com

<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Cost:  $250
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Elance.com connects you to foreign contractors who do amazing work for very little.  Check out this Filipino web designer who works for $15 an hour.  She’s got 23 reviews, all of them 5 stars.  Her portfolio is full of gorgeous stuff.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Create an account and post your job description and budget ($250).  Note that you want your site built on the WordPress platform, as this will make updating the site simple.  Provide as much detail as possible:  how many pages your site will contain, an example of a site that your site should look similar to (but not a copy of), and how long you’re willing to wait (designers prefer 2-3 weeks).
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Within 3 days, you should have at least 20 applicants.  Review their portfolios and reviews and make your choice.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Provide them the following:
  1. Photo of yourself.
  2. Your bio.  How long have you been in business.  What do you love about your job?
  3. Logo.
  4. Before/after photos of your work.  8-20 photos.
  5. What makes you different.  This is critical, so give this some thought.  Maybe your prices are lower than your competition, you’re more experienced, you’re the only mobile service around, you have an unmatched guarantee, you have received awards.  Whatever it is that’s different, make it clear, and make it clear on your home page.
  6. Testimonials, certifications, or awards.  Quotes from customers.  Quotes of reviews on Google Places or Yelp.  Angies List awards, IDA membership.
  7. Services and prices.  How long do your services take, what do they cost, and what are the steps involved.  See how Mr. Sparkle of West Babylon, NY presents his services menu.
  8. Contact info.  Phone numbers, email, and address (if you’re fixed-location).
  9. Meta title information.  This tells Google what you do and where you do it.  Ask your designer to title your home page:  â€�[City you service] [service you offer] by [your business name.]  IE:  â€�Atlanta, GA Mobile Car Detailing by SuperShine.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Over the course of 2-3 weeks, your designer will send over mockups and drafts for your approval.  Don’t be picky.  Trust your designer.  Get it done.  I’ve seen clients drag 2-3 week projects into 2-3 month projects because they didn’t like color schemes and distances between photos.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 


<span style="font-size:18px;">Step 4:  Get hosting.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Time required:  15 minutes
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Cost:  $4.95 a month.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Never use Godaddy.  Ever.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Go to Bluehost.com and sign up for their $4.95/ month hosting.  Decline every upsell.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Email your web designer your Bluehost login and passwords.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Your site will be live within 24 hours.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 


<span style="font-size:18px;">Step 5:  Register with Google Places.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Time required:  15 minutes
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Cost:  Free.
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">Follow the directions in this video:
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3ggved_e-M
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);"> 
<p style="font-size:16px;font-family:arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(85,85,85);">View the complete article here.
 
I thought getting a developer from one of the baby "gig/lance" sites was great advice also.


I also second the "don't godaddy".


Alternative to all the above is adobe creative cloud.

It also includes the hosting for 3 sites.
 
Try moving your domain away, godaddy is notorious for being a pain. They are the walmart of the industry. It's worth paying a little more for good hosting.
 
SilvaBimma said:
Try moving your domain away, godaddy is notorious for being a pain. They are the walmart of the industry. It's worth paying a little more for good hosting.
Click to expand...


 


For hosting I 100% agree; as a registrar only they're fine, though.


 


 


Oh, and as for hiring a foreign web designer, that's something I will never do, nor recommend others do. Two reasons:


 


1) I've been on the "support" end of dealing with them calling the hosting company with issues getting their stuff up and running; it can be a pain.


 


2) This is precisely the practice that costs Americans jobs. I will always choose to support local businesses when I can, and there are plenty of web design firms to choose from right here where I live and do business.
 
Godaddy does have its pluses and negatives.


 


Good:


1. Cheap


2. Does what you need.


 


Bad


1. Not as secure as other hosts.


2. Support is bad.


3. Interface changes every other week.


 


 


We use godaddy for hosting our blog, its fine for what it does. As long as you know what your doing and don't need support. I would not recommend godaddy for anything that stores customer info. They can be hacked easier than alot of hosts. A shopping cart would be a big nono.
 
No offense 602rwtq, but this has to be the worst advice I have seen to the detailer community.  If you are going to be marketing your business to potential clients you shouldn't be skimping on your website.  First, a domain name registrar can be anyone.  Domains are about the only thing GoDaddy is good for.  You can even get domain names way cheaper than $15/year.  Spending $30 for a logo?  Come on, would you spend $30 for someone to detail/paint restoration to your car?  Doubt it so why spend $30 for someone to design you a logo.  "You get what you pay for."  Which in this case might not be much.  Get a foreign designer?  Ha, now that's a good one.  I am with Charles Hahn on this one.  Good luck getting support from them because one, they are half a day/day ahead of you so your awake they're asleep and two, communication barrier would be another negative also.  I have done websites for people who used a "foreign web designer" their first time and had a horrible experience.  Keep jobs in the USA.  Then to suggest BlueHost as a web host provider?  Have you followed them lately?  They are less reliable then GoDaddy.  If I had two options and those were the last resorts I would of just build a web server myself lol.  Both of these providers are not WordPress optimized even if GoDaddy says they now offer managed WP hosting.  It's not lol.  So, this is my 2 cents on this matter but again worst advice ever.
 
Jm, I agree with you, but I disagree.

I 100 percent agree with your point that your

site is important enough to invest more into it.


However, what I always thought this thread was about,

was how someone could get a site for as little as....


This can be a way for people starting out to get a

site up and running for minimal money. Is it the

best way? Not at all. But it is cheap.


This is a noble alternative to a cheap site designed

with a website wizard. I would do many things

differently, but that's just me
 
Oh yeah, there are a of website wizards that are way cheaper than $300 lol and to be honest some are actually pretty good.  I'd be all for someone using a wizard then a "foreign" designer anyday.  You are correct, not the best way but it will work.  What most detailers don't realize is you have to actually be proactive in your website for it to actually be a good ROI.  As you can tell I am a web developer/designer by profession and a weekend warrior detailer lol.  Always up to give my two pennies.
 
For comparison, how much would you

charge for a detailing site?


People must remember that you knowing

this industry is valuable, as it can be more

intuitive.


Asking just for a good base site, nothing special.

Could you do a decent one for 250? 350?
 
For $250, $350 you'd get more like a landing page lol that is static and not easily editable.  For most detailers I charge $750+ and that is only because I know the industry and know what you guys want in a site so most of the questions have already been answered.  Where as business outside of the detailing community start at $1500+ and really is not like set figure.  I have a FT job and make good money with that so these sites outside are more for experimenting and just supplemental income.  If your looking for SEO that has many variables that are involved.  Many people think it's easy work getting on first page of results and get upset when they pay monthly premiums to try getting there with no prevail.  With Google changing their search algorithm almost as frequently as I change my underwear it is very difficult.  I mean, I have gotten people on first page results with very little work and then some still struggling to get there.  All depends on how the site is built and how semantic it is.  As a comparison my company I work for spends anywhere from $10k-$15k/month for SEO so basically when it comes to SEO it can get very expensive very quickly.  Feel free to ask me any questions, QA are free ;-)
 
Great advice, wish I read this before I built my whole website on godaddy. Then again I only pay a couple dollars more a month so its not to big of a deal.


www.colinsautodetailing.com
 
Excellent discussion!! I hope the Original Poster responds to some of the objective comments that some of the other posters made. Seems like quite a bit of differences. 


 


I actually know of a person that happens to be foreign web designer that has a pretty bad reputation for not knowing what he is doing in respect to building websites. I happened to laugh when I read the comment suggesting this above. :) 
 
on the contrary david, I know a couple INDIA developers with Great Reps who pump out good work.


 


Im also about to have my site redone (yes, again) as I was told a wordpress site is boatloads better than a WIX site for SEO....new site, new business cards, new ads!!!!  Plus marketing and SEO help for a year!
 
Good luck with that toyotaguy!  Is your current site a wix site?  Marketing and SEO help for a year?  Interesting to see how that turns out.  
 
There are plenty of qualified and quality software folks in India that are honest and hard working. There are plenty of crooks that are Americans as well. It's good knowing each of us are judged on the merit of who we are not where we are from.


 


I would say the biggest challenge in working with someone from another country is understanding the cultural differences and language barriers. Once those walls come down, you have an opportunity to create a long lasting business relationship where it's mutually beneficial.
 
toyotaguy said:
on the contrary david, I know a couple INDIA developers with Great Reps who pump out good work.


 
Click to expand...


 


 
Detailed Designs Auto Spa said:
There are plenty of qualified and quality software folks in India that are honest and hard working. 
Click to expand...


 


 


Can you guys please provide us with their contact information? 
 
I'd rather not David. Quite frankly, I may contract out some of his work in the near future. I've given my contact's information to a few detailers that I personally wish to have it though.


 


Like anything, some searching will help you find a quality person. I searched for a few months to find the best candidate. As I mentioned, the biggest wall to overcome was the business culture and language. Indian businessmen are quite literal in business and are a hard bargaining people from my experience. Making sure your complete expectations are clear and in print is important. Also, kindness and showing personal interest goes a long way. I naturally like learning from people of other lands how they live and what life is like, so that last bit was natural for me.


 


eLance is a great tool for searching for skilled software programmers. No matter the land.
 
Detailed Designs Auto Spa said:
I would say the biggest challenge in working with someone from another country is understanding the cultural differences and language barriers. Once those walls come down, you have an opportunity to create a long lasting business relationship where it's mutually beneficial.
Click to expand...


 


There is another aspect of sticking with local creative firms that can be beneficial; often times these companies will provide a suite of services that include not only site design and layout, but also SEO and even social media integration and engagement. While foreign firms may also offer these services, dealing with someone who is already familiar with your market demographics and deals with other local businesses as well gives you a bit of a leg up since they can guide you to what platforms can produce the best ROI (e.g. if there is higher conversion on Instagram or Pinterest as opposed to Facebook/Twitter in your area, etc.)


 


So while yes, it is absolutely possible to find reputable foreign developers, I personally feel that there are significant advantages to local firms that should not be overlooked during the selection process. Just my $0.02
 
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