Something like that, I suppose.   My initial plan was to do one of these every day for 30 days.  Not because I want the business, because I'm a one man shop, I couldn't handle it.

The intention is to make guys aware of the first impression they may be giving a potential customer.

I obviously sent the video to him.  He responded. (Nicely I might add).

I asked him a few questions, I'll share the answers when/if I get them.


So, what's the purpose of the video? I think of many in this industry as my friends, even if I've never personally met them.   Now that I do websites, I get calls on a regular basis from guys who've been doing it a long time, do excellent work, and they're honestly struggling to stay afloat. I'm not talking about 2-3 guys. I'm talking about dozens and dozens of companies.  They're in a panic trying to figure out what to do. Potential visitors aren't seeing the value in doing business with them.


Some have Google analytics installed, some don't. On the occasion that I can look at their analytics, I generally see that they're consistently getting local traffic, but that same traffic is clicking away before they view the contact page.. So, it's clear they're losing opportunities.

Just look at the traffic and frequency of posts on this site.  Just a few years ago, you could post something and within a matter of minutes you'd have multiple responses.  It's not that way anymore, guys are vanishing.

Now, I'm not saying that you're going to sell a $40-50k system from a blind search to your website, it happens...but it's not  common. Most of those folks will be referrals.

What happens when your newly referred customer goes to your website, and something on your website gives him an uneasy feeling and he calls your competitor instead? It happens all the time.   That's when the company has a problem on it's hands.

We've all done it. We've visited a website, the website wasn't good and we clicked away and gave our money to a different company.  A lot of guys are selling big ticket items, working in beautiful homes.  Shouldn't the website make the customer feel comfortable with the purchase? That they're decision is the correct one?

Think about some of the products these folks buy. Mercedes, Cadillac, BMW, Rolex, Breitling, etc. Shouldn't CI's website have a similar feel? I think so.  If that's your market.  If you're selling luxury, your website should say that in it's words and images.  Unfortunately most don't.

How can the industry make claims of being "state of the art" "luxury" "technology driven"  when there is no reflection of that on their website? 

Here's a site I found for a company in Ohio. They're a Control4 dealer.  If you think this is the worst one I've ever seen, you'd be shocked.

http://www.wirefreehomeautomation.com/

In the end, I guess I'm just trying to start a conversation about why the industry (manufacturers included) feel like they can neglect something that is so vital to the identity of their business.

But you have time to search the web each day and make a video review... each day!?!?
Hmmm...

Might I suggest a different hobby :)

Only takes 30 min Brad. You act like I'm filming star wars. :) 

The last starwars looked like the script was written in 30 minutes.

I haven't seen a Star Wars movie since The Return of The Jedi.  My wife blessed me with 2 dorky sons who love all things Star Wars....

They claim and I quote..."This was the best one yet".....

But they say that after every one.

I need to sit them down and show them the GodFather.

That's all fine and good, so why not just email your review privately?

I did.

I've read a good amount about marketing and website building. There's a very good book "Building a Story Brand" that talks mostly about simplying your message- "If you confuse, you lose"- They referance several websites they or their affiliates have done in the book, they actually referance one from our industry- They don't critique any in there.

They encourage having a tag line that make what you do clear very quickly, and make it clear what you would like them to do next- Get Quote or Call Now in top right and or center. They also say pictures of people enjoying your product/service works best.

I listened the first few minutes of this video and did not hear these things addressed, I could have missed them. Most people are using your site to find your contact info and see if you can help them, not some deep dive into your company. The simpler, the better

Can you post some examples of your work Hasbeen?

TV wants to post a video critiquing them lol.

Not at all, I just really like this stuff, obviously he does too.

Your websites purpose is to get the person to contact you.
You need to get their attention and make them think you can solve their problem within 15 seconds, then you have to make it easy to contact you. Think about how you surf the internet.

This is the website the book referenced, I'd like to see one better http://www.relytechnology.com/

Control 4 does an excellent job marketing in this fashion also, I think it's alot of the reason they're doing so well.

I just noticed it's not https: Probably should be but I don't think anyone in our market would notice that, could be wrong.

It's not that anyone in your market will notice...Google knows what sites are secure and not secure, and since October of last year Google is branding those sites with NOT SECURE. Not a big deal, when guys aren't selling things on line, but what about the contact forms and the visitors personal information?  That's what Google is trying to protect by requesting this everywhere.

They're also letting sites that are secure with SSL  move ahead in the rankings of those that aren't.  Here's an article.
[Link: ipartnermedia.com]

You can find examples of my work on my site.

Then there's this article from Jason Knott just yesterday.   Today is the day that Google is requesting mobile first.

[Link: cepro.com]

So, I figured I'd post an update to this thread.  Shortly after I posted this video (and sent it to the site owner).  We started talking about redesigning his site.

As it turns out, he lives on the other side of the state from me, before we got started, I drove out and met with Jason, talked a little shop, discussed ideas for the site, and plans for the business.  Here's what we came up with.

And to answer the question.  No he wasn't pissed about the video, he actually liked it.

Here's the new site.

https://jbmautomation.com

Good for him. That site definitely needs redesigning.

ONYD!