Starting an online business

[skylovessea]

My DH recently suggested that I start selling my services as a professional organizer and am in the process of making a website. There is practically no cost to start this type of business, which is definitely a plus. The most I will have to buy is a filing box and folders for my client's records, project reports, receipts, etc.

If anyone has any ideas on how to make this the best it can be, feel free to let me know. I'm really anxious to get it up and running!

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Do you mean you would offer services tailored to each client individually? Hard for me to imagine how clients would think you could do that online. So I think a major thing your site would have to include is evidence that you can do something for them without ever seeing their problems and space in person.

Do you know who you competition is? There are a lot of forums and websites that take a big stab at organizing the home and office. You need to make it clear to potential client how you would be more beneficial than those. On the other hand, perhaps you could even advertise on some of those existing sites.

I think you had better have a website that is extremely well organized and easy for the user to understand and navigate. Your website will be evidence of just how good you are at your job---so have others test the site before you go live with it.

[skylovessea]

Do you mean you would offer services tailored to each client individually? Hard for me to imagine how clients would think you could do that online.

Do you know who you competition is?

I think you had better have a website that is extremely well organized and easy for the user to understand and navigate.

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

I will be providing hands-on services and online services. The hands-on services will be local only. I live in a fairly high populated area, so that client base should turn out pretty big (eventually).

My services wiill be as follows:

Organizing
Budgeting
Time Management

I am offering free consultations which will result in a price quote.


I have done some research on my competition, and so far the only problem is, like you said, free forums and websites. I am working on getting some testimonials from previous clients when I used to do this locally for extra money. (It was previously just a service listed on CL)

I am very HTML savvy and I'm not releasing the website until it is perfect. My DH is working by my side as basically a judge to let me know if everything looks good, sounds right, and functions perfectly.

[mommyof4]

I would love to see the site when you have it up and running. I wish you the best of luck!

[skylovessea]

I would love to see the site when you have it up and running. I wish you the best of luck!

I'll definitely keep everyone updated!! Do you know if it would be allowed to put a link to my business in my signature?

[skylovessea]

Here is a link to my business! It's up and running. Now I just wait!

http://NoMessStress.weebly.com

-crosses fingers-

[Russell]

Nicole,

It's a good start but a few suggestions:

1. You need more content on your site, as a customer I like to understand exactly how the services will be performed. Use a couple of senarios for each service you offer

2. Use the same fonts and size on each page

3. I think you should use a more catchy webpage template for example: PixelGreen by ealigam

4. Look into adding graphics and pictures for each page

5. The Meta tags look OK

6. Get your own domain name

Gotta make that first impression. Best of luck to you.

[mom-from-missouri]

I like the site, but I think pictures of something well organized would help, such as a desk, office, inside of a file drawer. I am a big one in "before and after" photos.

[disneysteve]

I don't think the statement "recently became a professional organizer" is the best wording. I'd take out the word "recently".

I'm a little torn on mentioning your husband's and son's names on the site. It isn't a very business-like thing to do so if you are trying to look like a serious business, I'd reconsider that. If you are going for a more informal approach as a mom just looking to make a little money on the side, then I think it works fine the way it is.

I agree with Russell that you need more info about what it is you actually do and what services you provide. Give examples (they don't need to be true, just realistic).

[SacredFaerie]

Definitely get testimonials. The service you're providing might be new to some people and seeing that others have tried it might help.

[skylovessea]

Thank you all for the great ideas. I am still working on tweaking the site to perfection, and this is definitely putting me on the right track.

[mom-from-missouri]

I think there is a need on several levels. I sometimes see ads on craigslists for people wanting someone to come in and clean, organize one specific room of their home-usually a kids room, laundry or kitchen or office.

My problem is I can organize yours just fine, but for the life of me I can't do my own!!!

My daughter and niece sometimes trade and clean each others bedrooms when they visit each other.....

[snowboardebater]

Just make sure you get adsense... you'll be glad you did.

[DFrancis]

online business

One of the most important things to do correctly from the start is to have good quality content on your site. This will help you rank higher on search engines in a more timely manner. Look into getting help from someone who knows about SEO to help. You can find a freelancer on odesk.com.

-Best

[nim3]

You need unique content to rank high. Also your site should look professional. Get someone to create the site and build backlinks for you. Also be carefule with adsense placement, it may make your site look tacky depeding on what your offering.