Simple websites for new small business

[GraemeVW]

Im self employed, I basically sub contract to a friend doing general building work, specifically fireplaces.
For various reasons, in the new year, this looks to be coming to an end so I plan to start a new business offering general handyman, item fixing, item restoration etc.
I have alot of tools, alot of skills, but no qualifications. I can make, fix, restore things though. Anything from tiling (my previous trade) to motorcycle restoration services.

Im 46, and to be honest, have always had good luck with working. I've rarely had a 9-5, always just managed to find work. I've never had to advertise etc apart from when I first started tiling 25 years ago.

I'm a little out of touch with finding work in the modern world but figured what I need is a simple website. Just a couple of pages, who I am, skills I have, skills I don't have etc.
I imagine just a main page and then 3 or 4 other pages.

I need to do this myself, and preferably cheaply! A quick look online shows various website builder websites, some you seem to pay, some it looks like you don't.

Can anyone recommend any of them?
I know NOTHING about any of this so it needs to be simple too.
If it makes any difference, I don't have a pc, so will all need to be done from my phone too.

Not quite sure how I will then get word around that my services exist, so any tips on that would be great too.

I've not had to think about anything like this since the days of putting a free add in the local paper once every 3 months! That's no longer a viable option!

Scary times, starting again in a world which is really quite different, but hopefully I can once again manage to not have to get an actual job

Thanks

 

[LiftedDisco]

Have a look at Ionos who will provide both your domain name and the associated hosting.

They have a website builder tool which is just soooo easy to use - basically, if you can copy and paste, the chances are you can create something that will work on both PC and also the various mobile / tablet type options that are out there.

Search engines and placement is a whole different kettle of fish, so your website is more likely to be a validation of what you do (ie if someone mentions you to others and they want to check you out) rather than bringing folks knocking on your door on a daily basis.

 

[8ob]

A sign written van can bring in a fair bit of work.

Bob

 

[GraemeVW]

Have a look at Ionos who will provide both your domain name and the associated hosting.

They have a website builder tool which is just soooo easy to use - basically, if you can copy and paste, the chances are you can create something that will work on both PC and also the various mobile / tablet type options that are out there.

Search engines and placement is a whole different kettle of fish, so your website is more likely to be a validation of what you do (ie if someone mentions you to others and they want to check you out) rather than bringing folks knocking on your door on a daily basis.

I'll check it out.
I see the website as just an online pamflet I can direct people too, rather than something alot of people will find independently.
Just somewhere I can try and explain in more detail the eclectic range of thing I may be able to do for people.

 

[GraemeVW]

A sign written van can bring in a fair bit of work.

Bob

I have a van, hadn't even thought about signwriting it. This is all happening quite suddenly though so maybe I'd have realised at some point.
My skill set is wide and varied, and I really don't want to specialise in anything so I'll have to sum it all up in a small amount if space, and then have the web address so folk can find out more.

The thing I'm mostly unsure about is how to get people to realise I can rebuild their fireplace, put up a shelf, restore that antique heirloom, rebuild their classic motorcycle, fix their HiFi, tile their bathroom, get that broken stud out of their cylinder head, or anything in between!

 

[brightspark]

A sign written van can bring in a fair bit of work.

Bob

yep and advertise in the local rag where everyone else does . a flyer even in the local diy shop windows

 

[MattF]

Your best advertising will be word of mouth, eventually. It's getting that point across initially, as you mention above, which will be awkward.

 

[GraemeVW]

yep and advertise in the local rag where everyone else does . a flyer even in the local diy shop windows

I don't even know if we have a local paper! Do folk even still read them?
I'll look into it.

 

[GraemeVW]

Your best advertising will be word of mouth, eventually. It's getting that point across initially, as you mention above, which will be awkward.

This is what I always relied on.
I tiled bathrooms/kitchens for 15 years. I think i probably put a tiny free add in the local paper, for 1 week, maybe 10 times. It was all word of mouth.

I find it easy to put customers at ease, I'm polite, I actually turn up, I work clean, and I don't take on stuff I don't know I can do well. Word of mouth should, hopefully, spread.

It wpuld be easier if I specialised, but I'm equally happy doing jobs in local customers houses as I am them bringing things to me to fix.

 

[brightspark]

I don't even know if we have a local paper! Do folk even still read them?
I'll look into it.

our way theres a little magazine comes out once a month local called out and about i wouldnt be spending much on a big ad though if i had to . just a small. one. ive never advertised no name on van and not in telephone book but name passed round for donkeys years . get far too much within 5 miles of my house

 

[Craig-SM]

I’d be looking at social media more than a website. Create a business page or multiple business pages for your different skills and join your local groups and show your before and after jobs. It keeps you relevant and when people are looking for your trade you are already on the tip of their tongue and they can see your past work.
Its free and easy to keep up to date.

I echo what Bob says about a sign written van, cheap to do with vinyl graphics. As well as advertising it gives a more professional impression when you turn up. Only downside if you drive like a tosser it can give you the wrong reputation

 

[brightspark]

. Only downside if you drive like a tosser it can give you the wrong reputation

and you can ring them up on your mobile putting witheld number in and slag em off goodstyle

 

[brightspark]

local facebook can get you a fair bit of work as word gets round. i was getting some and didnt know as i wasnt on it asked the punter where she got my name from and her friend on faceache had used me so gave it to her

 

[GraemeVW]

I’d be looking at social media more than a website. Create a business page or multiple business pages for your different skills and join your local groups and show your before and after jobs. It keeps you relevant and when people are looking for your trade you are already on the tip of their tongue and they can see your past work.
Its free and easy to keep up to date.

I echo what Bob says about a sign written van, cheap to do with vinyl graphics. As well as advertising it gives a more professional impression when you turn up. Only downside if you drive like a tosser it can give you the wrong reputation

Social media will play a big part, at least at first I think.
I can put word out for different think, in different places. Just have it all under the same banner. Then the website can have pages for different aspects.

I want to try and get the point across that, industrial specialisations aside, if they need something mending, making, assembling, building, then I can probably do it no matter how small or obscure, so give me a try.

Vintage valve amplifier need all new capacitors? fine.

Your nan needs her new Ikea furniture assembling? Fine.

Need your 70 year old carburettor boring out and a new slide making? Fine.

 

[keithski122]

I'm trying to start a new business, avoided a website as yet and trying facebook and instagram. I just post stuff once a week or so to keep interest without over posting, doing a bit of subtle plugging on local groups or groups that I think will be interested in my work.

 

[GraemeVW]

I’d be looking at social media more than a website. Create a business page or multiple business pages for your different skills and join your local groups and show your before and after jobs. It keeps you relevant and when people are looking for your trade you are already on the tip of their tongue and they can see your past work.
Its free and easy to keep up to date.

I echo what Bob says about a sign written van, cheap to do with vinyl graphics. As well as advertising it gives a more professional impression when you turn up. Only downside if you drive like a tosser it can give you the wrong reputation

I just need to be grateful my name and number aren't on my motorcycles

In 4 wheeled vehicles, I stick to the rules!

 

[GraemeVW]

I'm trying to start a new business, avoided a website as yet and trying facebook and instagram. I just post stuff once a week or so to keep interest without over posting, doing a bit of subtle plugging on local groups or groups that I think will be interested in my work.

Why avoiding a website?
Just seems like a good way for people to see who you are and what your doing without having to explain everything to everyone all the time.
I guess it depends what your doing though.

 

[Craig-SM]

There is a guy on our local group who boxed in some central heating pipes with MDF, nothing fancy but good workmanship, for his neighbour. Pictures put up on Facebook just because he was happy with the finished job. Got people enquiring for theirs doing, plumbers wanting him to box in their work. Long story short went from helping a neighbour to a side job to now jacked in his delivery driver job to do it full time but offering hidden storage now.

 

[Dev]

A Facebook business page is free and a lot of younger people search there before search engines.

 

[keithski122]

Why avoiding a website?
Just seems like a good way for people to see who you are and what your doing without having to explain everything to everyone all the time.
I guess it depends what your doing though.

Cost, plus as its only a small part time business I don't think its needed. Also I think people are moving away from websites to social media as it easier to update. This afternoon I bought a new piece of equipment, take a quick photo, add a caption, press a couple of buttons and its up on both instagram and facebooks.I try to get a little bit of interaction from anyone whose following(not many!).Even though I don't have many followers any update just adds content for anyone new who should take a look.As yet I've not had any work from this though I've had a few people ask about stuff.Also new posts are more likely to be seen than if you update a website. I will go on facebook myself a few times a day but how often would I go on a businesses website.

https://www.instagram.com/exeterautoseating/ Bang, and I've promoted it again.