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20 Replies Last post: Jan 8, 2009 9:28 AM by LyndaB

Why can't I find customers?

Dec 12, 2008 7:03 AM

PamperedPaws 7 posts since
Dec 12, 2008

I'm in Pinellas Park, Florida and started my business in July this year. Unfortunately I have not been able to get it off the ground. It's run from my house so the only overhead would be gas for travel and office supplies. I have an area that I would like to serve and am told that it's way too big (all of Pinellas County) but I thought it would be good to start out large and then establish smaller boundaries. Why would I want to turn down a potential customer when I'm just starting merely because they're five miles further? Didn't make sense to me. I joined a petsitting association and they provided me with contracts and the necessary paperwork to cover my backside from a legal standpoint. I have a website, did the leg work, mailed out postcards, posted announcements in restaurants and pet food stores, joined a networking group, got the licensing, etc, but still cannot seem to get my first customer. Does anyone have any suggestions? There's got to be something I'm doing wrong, I just can't figure out what that is; perhaps a fresh eye could figure that out for me. Any assistance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. The website is http://pamperedpaws727.vpweb.com.

Michelle
Pampered Paws of Pinellas

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LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007

1. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 12, 2008 7:44 AM

Why can't I find customers, Welcome Michelle

Start by being positive. Why did you go into this type of business??

Have you checked out your competition?? How about your prices??

My best suggestion is to come up with a gimmick, do something special or different. (Have a fund raiser for pets) then contact your local newspaper, get a reporter to write a story. Almost FREE advertising and great exposure.

Good luck, LUCKIEST

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aamoore 12 posts since
Nov 19, 2008

2. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 13, 2008 5:52 PM

Hi! I clicked your link, but it goes directly to Vistaprint.com, but when i copied and pasted your site, it goes to the website you specified.

You have a great day and all the best with your business.

Ainsworth

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DussaultPR 2 posts since
Dec 14, 2008

3. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 14, 2008 6:06 PM

Hi Michelle,

Searching for "pet sitters pinellas" in Google, It looks like you have quite a bit of competition, so I would compare how you match up price and service wise with your competition.

If the service fees are two low for your liking, then you will need to differentiate yourself from the competition to justify your higher fees.

I also suggest that you get your own domain name to promote your service, and search engine optimize your website to get high rankings.

You can go to https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal to get some keyword ideas, and there's hundreds of sites available that can guide you on how to optimize the website.

Good luck,

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val_cards 166 posts since
Nov 1, 2008

4. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 14, 2008 6:18 PM

michelle, Vista Print is cool...why lead us directly there?.what are they paying you for each click? and is that the way it was designed when one pays per CPA ? I don't think that's the right way to do business Michelle. http://www.pottytrainerforpups.com

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PamperedPaws 7 posts since
Dec 12, 2008

5. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 15, 2008 7:16 AM

in response to: val_cards

Val, not sure what you mean by "why lead us directly there?" The website address goes directly to my site, not to vista print. Also, what do you mean "are they paying you for each click and is that the way it was designed when one pays per CPA." Sorry, totally don't understand what you're talking about.

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BrassJmes 35 posts since
Dec 8, 2008

6. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 15, 2008 8:45 AM

in response to: PamperedPaws

Hi Michelle
There are several ways to get your site into search enginges' first page
It's called SEO or SEM (Search Engine Optimization/Marketing)
In SEOing you modify your website to index and rank better in search engines (like Google) and using other tools
In SEMing you pay to be high up on results (usually using PPC, which stands for Pay Per Click. this service puts your website first for a specific keyword (or other criteria) and charges money whenever a user clicks)
Those are the very basic
I would suggest getting help regarding this field..

Something easy and which doesn't consume too much time that I would suggest, is establishing an online presence through personal pages. Places that build a page for you in a matter of minutes, that are built for SEO and allow you to link back to your website

For example, you can search my name (James Brass) on Google and I'm on the first page, on hit number four. It took me less than 10 minutes to set up my profile and in a matter of a bit more than a week I rank highly on Google

All in all, I wish you the best of luck

Jmes

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Iwrite 1,101 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

7. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 15, 2008 9:09 AM

in response to: PamperedPaws

What she means is that when we click on the above link it takes us to the Vista Print website. I had to cut and pste the address to get your website.

I don't think Vista Print told you the whole truth about how it works, apparently when you offer up a link like you did the user is first routed through the Vista Print website. This is a way to generate clicks for them and evaluate their search status. I have seen a couple of post here like that. You may want to review your contract and contact them about disabling this feature. There is no telling how many visitors you have lost because of this.

You can't find customers because they can't find you, not through this link.

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logikonline 3 posts since
Dec 15, 2008

8. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 15, 2008 5:50 PM

I am not sure a website is what you should be focusing your money on right now. To be honest, in a recession (a severe one at that) - pet serivces will suffer (especially if not directly tied to health of the pet). I would stop focusing on the website and continue to focus on local efforts (flyers, mailers, maybe cross marketting efforts with vacation rentals). And make sure all Vet offices have your flyers!

I saw your rates (and as long as they are competitive) - I would emphasize "drop-ins". You want low impact value added services right now. Make sure your message emphasizes your ability to be flexible.

regards,
Dave

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val_cards 166 posts since
Nov 1, 2008

9. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 16, 2008 2:55 AM

Why can't I find folks that want stuff for free just for visiting? http://www.thesaintclub.com

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webmss 3 posts since
Dec 16, 2008

10. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 16, 2008 8:28 AM

Hi, Michelle
You have a good business and a cute website. I love the orange but you might enlarge the rates and make them clearer. I cannot read them. Also, trying to start a business around the holidays and in a recession will take some time to get established. You might try joining local networking groups and getting out to talk about your business as much as possible. People have to see you and get to know you before leaving their babies in the hands of strangers. Remember, pets are like children to most people.

Since 1997 we have provided word processing, data entry, desktop publishing and transcription at very reasonable rates to individuals and businesses throughout the United States.

Cindy Freland
Maryland Secretarial Services, Inc.
www.webmss.com

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horsesupplies 6 posts since
Dec 17, 2008

11. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 17, 2008 5:37 PM

I have an idea that worked for a local dog grooming company here on the West Coast. She is a customer of mine as I am in the pet industry as well. http://www.horsesandthings.com

She hosted a free bath day - You might start some leads by doing something free to build word of mouth confidence. I have found word of mouth to always be the best for us.

I also agree that your website link should go directly to your site - first impressions are very important, and your rates could be more visible and less complicated. I think about your target and that local groomer I told you about targets high end clients as her market and she said the "recession" has not affected her.

Another something that comes to mind (as I am a 4-dog owner too), when I look for a sitter, I think about cleanliness and referrals. Your policies on that and who can refer you (your experience) did not jump out at me from your website.

So, I wish you all the best - Have fun!

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gmcheeseman 1 posts since
Dec 16, 2008

12. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 17, 2008 8:17 PM

I think you should have your own domain name and put short blog posts with certain key words used several times, such as pet sitting. The goal is for your website to pop up when someone is searching for a pet sitter in your area.

GoDaddy.com is very affordable to purchase your own domain name. I like Wordpress for blog posts.
Gina-Marie Cheeseman

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richmang 6 posts since
Oct 17, 2008

13. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 17, 2008 11:55 PM

yeah your link even looks link an affiliate link, i can't even get to your site clicking or pasting it. Pluse that domain is kinda long and intricate. i like the pamperedpaws but the rest is just too much. And that free pampered paws party is a great idea to your business out there, go to the park talk to people have a conversation.

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PamperedPaws 7 posts since
Dec 12, 2008

14. Re: Why can't I find customers? Dec 18, 2008 7:10 AM

in response to: richmang

Hmmm, I wasn't aware that when you clicked on the link it went to vistaprint first. I don't use the site as a link in anything but here. It's got to be something just with the Bank of America site because when I click on links in other sites, it goes straight to my page not vista print. I'll keep checking though.

Thanks for the "heads up."

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Why can't I find customers?

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