Local traders website

[Steve Bullman]

I've just had a look at the website and using the search facility at the bottom of the page, rather than sticking my mobile number in, it seems that they're listing a lot of people. However, either I've been missing something or there are a lot more chimney sweeps around than I thought - about five listed for Coniston for instance - not a chance! It looks like pages thrown together covering every possible keyword combination rather than links to actual people! "Coniston chimney blockage remover" for instance - who is ever going to use a search term like that?! Likewise, the various pages just seem to be collections of keywords and phrases.

 

I get quite a few calls from directories like these - and they all seem to say "we're currently getting 1200 enquiries a month for *insert your trade here* and we have one space left" etc etc. Most of our business probably comes from our listing on google places - which doesn't cost a bean, and which always appears right near the top of any google search results - the little map with the pushpins.

 

I have to say I wonder how many people (ie customers) actually use these directories? Had another one offering leads at a fiver a go - but they'd send me them without contact details for a while so I could see "what a benefit it would be to my business". I think I had one over the course of a couple of months, and that was miles outside my area. I did eventually manage to find my listing with them via a google search for a chimney sweep in my area - somewhere near the bottom of the third page of results. Do many people get that far do you think? Or do they just call the people at the top of the first page - which is where I already am with google places?!

 

I guess the thing to do is to do what a customer would probably do - get on google and search for a tradesman near you, or anywhere else for that matter. Then start scanning the results to see if you can find a listing from this outfit. I found local traders near the bottom of page 2 in my case.

 

It may work for some I guess, but I won't be signing up any time soon!

 

Andy

 

I guess you wont be signing up on the new arbtalk arborist directory then

[County4x4]

Probably not Steve - the majority of my 15 years in tree work and forestry were spent on the ground felling and planting. Did a bit of climbing but nothing like most of the guys here - not particularly keen on heights - though oddly enough don't mind depths if that makes any sense?! Used to be a very keen potholer in me younger days and would abseil down a 300 foot shaft without a care in the world and climb out again. You wouldn't catch me going up a 300 foot tree though!!

 

On the directory front though - I'm guessing the one here at arbtalk would be a much better bet and figure higher in any listings as it's a "proper" website. Google ain't daft, and they know when a site is just a bunch of keywords rather than "real content", and stuff gets ranked accordingly.

 

I might well have a think about the firewood directory though - see if we can flog a few more tonnes of briquettes!

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[Steve Bullman]

Fair comment