Leighton Jantz Posted August 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks Tim, I will look into relocation companies. A really good website is out of the budget for now, I might try the free wix thing to build my own website for now.(with the wife's help, I was a framer and cribber before so pretty much computer illiterate.) Leighton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim5055 Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Thanks Tim, I will look into relocation companies. A really good website is out of the budget for now, I might try the free wix thing to build my own website for now.(with the wife's help, I was a framer and cribber before so pretty much computer illiterate.) Leighton JMHO, but you want to own your web domain and not piggyback off a free site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Thanks Tim, I will look into relocation companies. A really good website is out of the budget for now, I might try the free wix thing to build my own website for now.(with the wife's help, I was a framer and cribber before so pretty much computer illiterate.) Leighton If you can't afford a good website then your business is seriously undercapitalized. This is the single biggest problem that I see with new inspectors and it causes them to fail in droves. People tend to focus on technical knowledge as a prerequisite for this business, but that's really only a small part of it. You absolutely, positively have to have to know how to run a business. Stop thinking in terms of working for a salary and start thinking in terms of running a business. Your very next step is to find capital. Either take out a small business loan or get a backer. In order to do that, you'll probably need to work up a business plan to show how you're planning to get from A to B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Yes to the previous two comments. A website isn't a luxury. It's a must have, can't do without, bedrock baseline requirement. Not having one is the equivalent of not having a business card. Not being computer savvy isn't acceptable. It's 2015. You want to make it in this biz, get a good site going. If you think marketing to realtors or sellers is going to get you someplace, you're somewhere in the middle of the pack working backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inspector57 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Speaking of websites, I still need to optimize my site for mobile. I have been reading about the various strategies for this but still not sold on a direction. I have a long established website that used to get pretty good rankings but I have not been paying much attention except to do the test which says google won't like it because it is not mobile optimized. Does anyone have an up-to-date opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Hire a professional. I got excellent service at bargain prices from Mike B. I use the skills I have to reduce the workload he sees. Works great. I'm always on top half of 1st page and it's great on mobile. Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leighton Jantz Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 People tend to focus on technical knowledge as a prerequisite for this business, but that's really only a small part of it. You absolutely, positively have to have to know how to run a business. Stop thinking in terms of working for a salary and start thinking in terms of running a business. You nailed it. I'm going to have to change my thinking. And I am a sponge, not too set in my ways especially about technology, I'm working on being more computer savvy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Speaking of websites, I still need to optimize my site for mobile. I have been reading about the various strategies for this but still not sold on a direction. I have a long established website that used to get pretty good rankings but I have not been paying much attention except to do the test which says google won't like it because it is not mobile optimized. Does anyone have an up-to-date opinion? I rebuilt my website with www.weebly.com Extremely simply to use and maintain. It is inexpensive (they offer a free version but, you don't get much?.) and allows you total control over your site. I did it myself because I got tired of waiting for a company to do it and the fees they wanted to charge. I spent most of a rain soaked Saturday setting it up. The mobile deadline back in April drove me to getting it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I google "home inspector Evanston IL" where I live and I don't even show up. I'm optimized and have a reasonably efficient site. It doesn't seem to be hurting business. I don't understand the fuss about optimization. I'm sure it's important, but you couldn't prove it by me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I google "home inspector Evanston IL" where I live and I don't even show up. I'm optimized and have a reasonably efficient site. It doesn't seem to be hurting business. I don't understand the fuss about optimization. I'm sure it's important, but you couldn't prove it by me. I googled you. You were 10th. Googled myself; 8th. Now, if you & I were just starting out. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I tried it. On top of 1st page. Numero uno! Marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I googled you. You were 10th. Googled myself; 8th. Now, if you & I were just starting out. . . Yeah, I know. Starting out is another matter. I've got the contrarian view that, at this point in my career, I don't necessarily want to be at the top of a Google search, or even show up at all. There was a point where I showed up high in the ranks. I didn't like it. Lots of people calling me and acting like they were doing me a favor by calling. Which they were. But I didn't like it. Too many people asking the 10 Questions to Ask Your Prospective Home Inspector. When I explained they're asking the wrong questions, they'd get indignant. I kinda got a little niche where folks call for special stuff nowadays. I like special stuff. Straight up HI's have kinda burned me out. I still get up for them and do a good job, but they're boring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Kurt, I'm with you! When you have a special niche and a caller has a need that you can deliver on, that is about as good as it gets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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