Need tips

Malachi

Hello all! I am new to the forum, so let me begin by giving a little information about myself & my company. I'm 29 years old and have been in the roofing trade all my life. I recently inherited a roofing business from my father who is no longer able to take care of it due to health reasons. The business has been operating for over 40 years, but is very small due to my fathers unwillingness to expand into bigger markets. I, on the other hand am very ambitious to move to the bigger markets. For years my father relied on word of mouth mainly to get his name out there and a few local phone ads. He grew up in an Amish family so he only has an 8th grade education level, so he never used, or new how to operate computers. Everything he did was hand written and he operated everything out of his house. One of my first acts as new boss was to build a new office away from the house & to intergrate everything into being computerized. Another thing I did was to launch a website.

Ok life story is over So I ask of you those who have been running your own business' for years, what computer programs do you think are a must when it comes to operating your business. What things do you do that give you an edge when it comes to getting your name out there to bigger markets? Do you have any general tips? Thanks in advance.

Malachi Yoder
Yoder's Home Improvement

Grumpy

Excell, word and Quickbooks are a must.

As for your recent changes I say this: There are many a business who's second generation ran it into the ground with hig ambitions. Uncontrolled ambition is a bad thing, Trust me I know. controlled growth is important, a website is a mut and an office is important but don't spend money in the anticipation of returns. It seldom works out in business. Or at least I should say it hasn't worked for me.

Past customers are the best, word of mouth referrals are excellent. A website is ultimately important because if you want what it seems you want, you're going to need more leads than past customers and referrals can provide. But it's not true. If you build it that doesn't necessary mean they will come. You have to promote it. Everywhere you put your phone number, you should also put your website. Find out how or pay someone to promote the website online. If you decide to pays omeone BE CAREFUL, there are more scams in SEO than in the roofing industry.

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-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

Malachi

Any SEO suggestions?

MetroRoof

You can do SEO yourself pretty easy.


These SEO blogs offer alot of DIY information and tools:

SEOBook.com
SEOrankings.com
SEOmoz.org