Well my company's web address is www.darmaga.com if you want to take a look and see if there is a banner type thingy such as you are talking about that you could use.
I am a mere employee here (family owned business) ((not my fam. lol))
but I certainly dont see any harm in that sorta thing.

Ken I'd like some info . You can findmy site at heartlandhardwoodflooring.com

And you really believe Perry?

That floor mechanic dude. He's always stirring trubble. To be honest and I'll have to answer that one. There's a discount factor I use when Perry speaks

Kevin:

Does your business sell to the public? I never thought of that. Actually I thought I'd get interest from installers more than anything and I didn't think about distributors. We can still do it but you may get requests from homeowners. I should have checked you out when I was visiting Big Al back in May. It didn't occur to me.

http://hardwoodflooringnut.blogspot.com ... ation.html

Dennis:

Talk to the owners about a website link back to hardwoodinstaller.com. It has to be on the home page.

I would like to take part in this Ken.

I have been out of commission for a bit because I moved. Yes Ken, websites can promote sales I suppose. But many of us ( not Dennis though ) are very small operators. One horse shops really. In my area, 90% of all the jobs I actually end up getting are from referrals. When I have spoken to those who use the web to shop, they say they are mostly looking for low cost. Since I generally do not fit into that category, it does me little good to advertise. Most floor businesses here that advertise ( either in print or on the net ) talk about low prices. I do not get involved in bidding wars. My income needs are not what they used to be so I now I have the luxury of declining to do work for less than what I deem is fair.

I can see how a website can promote a business. But I'm not sure I actually want that. I do not want to deal with "tire kickers" and those shopping for a deal. I mostly get calls from potential customers who have heard about me from other satisfied customers. That process works best for me because there is not much "selling" involved. I simply go to their home/business to see how I can be of service and measure and help the customer select the right product for them. Many of my customers do not even get other bids.

With the economy the way it is, there isn't a lot of remodel or new work going on. Much of it here is rehabbing foreclosures. Those investors want the absolute lowest price and there are those who will give it to them. I cannot compete with that market.

As it is, I do alright by landing a couple of nice jobs a month that net me in the 6K range, which is sufficient for my needs. At nearly 60, I have no desire to work harder, to make more money. There are other things I enjoy doing, that I make time for. I like to help the less informed re: wood floors as well, so that's one reason I volunteer to do that on your site Ken. Plus, I learn as well; about new products and processes and how things are done elsewhere. But I do not think I want to deal with a website. I am in a blues band that has a website. One of the other members deals with it and that's fine with me. BUT, if I were younger, more eager and wanting to be more competitive in the flooring market, then absolutely I would get a site. It's just not a concern of mine right now.

Hey Gary, gotta love the blues, whats the website address?

http://theusedbluesband.shutterfly.com/

Pretty cool Gary

Glad to hear it...but will you be installing when you're 70? Or maybe you have a good retirement set aside?

You'd make a great inspector...hint, hint.

No, I'll not be installing at 70, and I don't have a ton of money set aside ( I have some ). I lost 30% in the stock market crash. Thanks, Wall Street! And it was in "safe" mutual funds! Yeah, right!

I thought of being an inspector. Not sure of how to go about getting the credentials. Ideas?

Get together with Ray Darrah. He's up in the Sacramento area. He's definitely one that has the internet working for him.

http://www.raydarrah.com/

Back to the website thing...

http://marketingyourstore.com/2009/08/3 ... ext-editor

Thanks! I didn't know Ray was here in CA.

Hate to disagree with the boss here but if you like bidding on inspections go for it.

Yea, I thought of that afterwards. Ray wouldn't be any help