Another "Look at my website" thread. New business owner, hand coded.

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

So I hand coded it in Notepad++
I have it hosted on Google drive (FREE)
and my domain was $1.18? for a year after those stupid fees

So my website LITERALLY costed me as much as a $1 burger at McDonalds

MrIngrams.com

(I know you don't use capitalization in links, but I feel it makes it easier to read correctly)

I also own:

mringram.tech
charlottepc.tech
locustcomputer.tech
minthill.tech
minthill.online

they all lead to the same site...

My goal with the site were to be:
mobile friendly (it is rather responsive)
SO dead simple ANYONE could use it.
Easy to look at. No clutter.

 

[trevm999]

The problem is nothing stands out. A user google's 'computer repair' clicks on 5 links, spends 5 seconds looking at each one before moving to the next. Nothing catches their eye on yours, so they move on to the next one. You also don't have your phone number on your first page, it should be easy to find right away.

 

[callthatgirl]

I think you accomplished your goal.

Next goal should be upgrading it a bit. I have a simple site too and I also like simple, but it needs graphics and some color, pricing, phone number on the banner, call to actiony stuff. I think anyway.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

The problem is nothing stands out. A user google's 'computer repair' clicks on 5 links, spends 5 seconds looking at each one before moving to the next. Nothing catches their eye on yours, so they move on to the next one. You also don't have your phone number on your first page, it should be easy to find right away.

Do you have any suggestions on how to catch their eye?

You are right, it is very bland and mayyyyyyybbeeeeeee over simplified. but I dont want to bonbared a 70 year old with over flashy images and links out the yahoo.

Except the bit on the first page where it says "we use recycled parts" (paraphrased). Not everyone will find that reassuring.

"I recycle computers!
Old, broken, never used. I will properly dispose of the broken parts, and use the working components to help keep my prices the lowest possible."

Yeah... I now see your point. may re-word that a bit. XD didn't look at it that way!

I think you accomplished your goal.

Next goal should be upgrading it a bit. I have a simple site too and I also like simple, but it needs graphics and some color, pricing, phone number on the banner, call to actiony stuff. I think anyway.

Thank you.
Graphics as in more images? (like a computer with a skull/dead face?)
I do plan on changing up my pricing scheme and I will be advertising them on the site. but as of this moment, I do not advertise price (hitting up the presses for ads on price changes tomorrow.

Digging a bit deeper, I think the clean layout is really good and it's certainly unusual. It tells potential clients what they need to know and it's not full of middle-management marketing boilerplate. Much better than most.

Coding it by hand is obviously just masochism but the result looks nice.

thank you.
I am in general a person of few words. I put everything in "frank English" and don't even pretend to be "professional" (cookie cutter professional)
I do like coding by hand. gives it a warmer feel IMHO (but I may just be crazy)

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Except the bit on the first page where it says "we use recycled parts" (paraphrased). Not everyone will find that reassuring.

changed it from:

I recycle computers!
Old, broken, never used. I will properly dispose of the broken parts, and use the working components to help keep my prices the lowest possible.

to:

I recycle computers!
Old, broken, never used.
Broken components will be used for training, visual examples for teaching, or disposed of properly.
Good conditioned working components will be sold at discount as an alternative option from buying new.

Hopefully that clears it up.


EDIT:
Also debating on deleting the "contact" page and simply putting the email and phone numbers in the main top box on every page?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Much better - few words but good one.

Now all you need is to take a few pointers from Mr Ling (http://www.lingscars.com) and you're done.

I feel violated. ... ... ....

That is a lot to look at!

 

[Bryce W]

No phone number on the home page. Learning why they should choose you and getting your phone number is the #1 reason why they are visiting your page. So give it to them.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

No phone number on the home page. Learning why they should choose you and getting your phone number is the #1 reason why they are visiting your page. So give it to them.

Working on it right now, I got the phone numbers working how I like (they are a button so mobiles can click and call, and it also shows the number on the button so computers can use a phone and read off it.

Trying to get the email to work correctly at the moment.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Alrighty, made a few changes.
@Computer Bloke
@callthatgirl

Not sure why the email isn't working... it works on the offline version. :[

Edit: got something that works! off to bed now

 

[Bryce W]

I was on mobile before but now I've had a chance to look at it on my PC. Since you asked for feedback, I am going to be straight up with you because I want your business to get the best start it can. Some of this may not be exactly what you want to hear, but kind of what you need to. Im taking the time to write this because I care, so please take it that way.

1. First off, your website will only work for another month and a half until August 31st 2016, as Google Drive is depreciating web-hosting support.
   
   
2. Since the site is using iFrames, its going to very difficult to do any worthwhile SEO on it. Google can see into Iframes but you cant take advantage of the biggest things in SEO like page titles/keyworded-urls because that part of the site never changes. The gain of maybe paying a few bucks a Wordpress setup far outweighs the savings you are getting using Google Sites/Drive
   
   

3. So I hand coded it in Notepad++
   I have it hosted on Google drive (FREE)
   and my domain was $1.18? for a year after those stupid fees
   So my website LITERALLY costed me as much as a $1 burger at McDonalds

   
   As techies, we love to figure things out, its in our blood. But as business owners, you need to change your mindset into how much your time is worth, is this the most effective thing I could be working on right now? The time you spent on hand coding the site most likely pushed your effective hourly rate below a McDonalds worker. Your time may have been better spent getting out there and talking to people/businesses and getting work/leads, and then paying for the site done well. Have a listen to this podcast where I explain that in greater detail: https://www.technibble.com/think-like-a-business-owner-and-not-a-technician/
   
   The thing is, you are a techie and website stuff may not be your key area of knowledge and that's totally OK. You just outsource it to someone who is and earn money doing what you DO know. For example, you may notice that the Technibble forums are fast, even though there is quite a bit of load on it given how popular they are. While I DO know a bit about Linux servers and given enough time I could figure more out, I have @MattW managing the server because its what HE knows and his knowledge blows mine out of the water. I use my time earning money with what I know, and I use that to pay the guy managing the server.
   
   For websites, this is why I recommend Tech Site Builder. This guy seriously knows his stuff when it comes to web development, user experience and SEO. The sites are simple and your customer can get the information they need quickly, which means they convert well and you make more money. The sites are responsive so they work well on mobile and the SEO basics are all there ready to go.
   
   He has already covered essential stuff that most techs dont/wont know about. And you can have all of that for $19 a month. Yes, its an ongoing cost, yes you can get a free Wordpress theme and a real webhost for less than $10 a month. But you need the knowledge on how to choose a good theme, you need to learn SEO to optimize it well, you need to learn about the technical stuff of getting it up there. Maybe backups etc..
   
   You are struggling with the email form right now and I am sure you'll figure it out shortly. But for $19, all of those elements aren't your problem anymore, they are TechSiteBuilders. In Australia, thats 2 McDonalds meals worth for stuff you dont have to deal with, and can use that time to make $60+ per hour. Thats how you make money in this business, you've got to ramp up your effective hourly rate. Dont get stuck doing tasks that someone else can do for less than what you earn per hour.

 

[trevm999]

Do you have any suggestions on how to catch their eye?

You are right, it is very bland and mayyyyyyybbeeeeeee over simplified. but I dont want to bonbared a 70 year old with over flashy images and links out the yahoo.

I think Simple is good, but people only look at one or two things on a website before they make a decision about whether they want to stay on it, you want to control exactly what those things are. Check out these fantastic videos from Bryce

https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-1/
https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-2-flashy-elements-killing-conversions/
https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-3-fine-tuning-sales-copy-user-experience/

EDIT: And also listen to Bryce's excellent advice above

 

[glennd]

Is it ok to say I like it? I agree with the comments about phone number and SEO and call to action and the rest. I especially like the "No appointments necessary, just stop on by ..." but there's no address anywhere (wait, I found it on the Locations page) and pretty much *all* the information is below the fold. But I find the presentation refreshingly different from the usual Wordpress rubbish. And let's face it, doesn't every wordpress web site look the same?

<running for cover now>

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

-snip-.

Whoa, that is a long post!
Thank you for being honest, that is the easiest way to learn! (and I do like easy)

1: crap. I didn't know google was going to kill me off... THANK YOU for letting me know about this, otherwise on Sept. 1st, I'd be absolutely ******.

2: So the rest seems pretty much about SEO. Which I still hate. I absolutly HATE SEO.... but I want to learn about it more.... I am trying to get to a point where I can create and manage websites for either small businesses/in home business, religious groups, local non-profits, ect. now using my own website may not be the best way to learn, but I am learning bloody fast!

I will probably end up switching to something better in August when google drive starts swinging my noose. but for the summer, I am going to try it my way

Thanks for taking all the time to write that! I do appreciate it.

I think Simple is good, but people only look at one or two things on a website before they make a decision about whether they want to stay on it, you want to control exactly what those things are. Check out these fantastic videos from Bryce

https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-1/
https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-2-flashy-elements-killing-conversions/
https://www.technibble.com/technician-website-review-3-fine-tuning-sales-copy-user-experience/

EDIT: And also listen to Bryce's excellent advice above

Alrighty, I'll watch these over my meals today! thank ya!

Is it ok to say I like it? I agree with the comments about phone number and SEO and call to action and the rest. I especially like the "No appointments necessary, just stop on by ..." but there's no address anywhere (wait, I found it on the Locations page) and pretty much *all* the information is below the fold. But I find the presentation refreshingly different from the usual Wordpress rubbish. And let's face it, doesn't every wordpress web site look the same?

<running for cover now>

Not sure if sarcastic, or serious?
thank you if serious though

Glad my different is a good different.

 

[Bryce W]

IsBut I find the presentation refreshingly different from the usual Wordpress rubbish. And let's face it, doesn't every wordpress web site look the same?

<running for cover now>

A lot of Wordpress sites are rubbish. They add way too much fancy stuff and lose sight of the important stuff. That is what the three videos linked to above are all about.

However, there is a reason why people choose Wordpress. Its powerful, its pretty good with SEO straight "out of the box" and its not hard to make something that looks great.
There is a reason why a lot of Wordpress sites look the same, because it works. There is room for creativity of course but a lot of the format is the same because it simply works.
Its like doing any sport that requires a certain technique. You cant just say "I am going to do it differently because I want to be unique". Every sportsman does that technique because its the optimal technique and minimizes you hurting yourself.

Same with sites. What is the best place for me to put my phone number? (top/high/above-the-fold). Where is the best place to put the headline to grab their attention quickly? (also top/high/above-the-fold). Very quickly they end up looking largely the same.

 

[callthatgirl]

I agree, WordPress just works. I have had many versions of WP, different templates, widgets, add-ons, plug-ins, etc...and after all these year, I found what works for my business is the "not fancy" skimmed down version. Check out my site here www.callthatgirl.biz

Under the hood is 1000's of blogs, pages, graphics and SEO rich search engine loving. You would never know from front of house. It's all hidden. I need my nav bar clean, easy to know what I do and very few distractions.

 

[MobileTechie]

Hope you don't mind blunt honesty......horrid and looks like it was made in the 1980s

My advice, get word press, pick a free theme that's roughly what you want in terms of the header, footer, typography and menu structure and then buy BeaverBuilder plugin which will enable you to design a site using a live graphical interface. It has page templates and modules for all sorts of stuff. It amazing and allows you to build modern looking sites in hours. Here's one I'm currently doing for a dentist:

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Hope you don't mind blunt honesty......horrid and looks like it was made in the 1980s

My advice, get word press, pick a free theme that's roughly what you want in terms of the header, footer, typography and menu structure and then buy BeaverBuilder plugin which will enable you to design a site using a live graphical interface. It has page templates and modules for all sorts of stuff. It amazing and allows you to build modern looking sites in hours. Here's one I'm currently doing for a dentist:

No link.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Are you suggesting that Mr Ingram pipped Tim Berners-Lee to the post when it comes to inventing the World Wide Web?

We really do have some illustrious members here!

Not to make you all feel old... But I probably wasn't alive then...

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

I think most of us hate you now.

I looked him up. I thought he did VHS tapes and old cringy stuff. didnt know he was still alive.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Sorry can't view it from my current location as this job has personal backup sites blocked aka google drive.