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-   -   Offering FREE Mobile Sites (https://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-marketing/554868-offering-free-mobile-sites.html)

midasman09 5th March 2012 11:48 AM

Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Has anyone considered offering "FREE" Mobile Sites to biznesses, especially Restaurants?

I have a buddy who's offering FREE, 1-Page Websites with a $59/mo "Hosting/Maintenance" fee....which includes "Analytics-Stats" of how many visitors etc.

He now has over 100 biznesses paying him $59/mo!

So....I looked at DudaMobile and one of their services (for $9/mo) is;
"Stats on Site Usage, Tap To Call Conversions, Visitor Overview, Content Data, Traffic Sources and other Data Metrics!"

Now....one of the questions that comes up when talking about charging a "Monthly Fee" is....JUSTIFYING IT!

So....if you inform your Mobile Prospects that you will provide the above "Stats" on a regular Monthly Report....you CAN charge a Monthly Fee and....have it GLADLY ACCEPTED. (You don't have to use DudaMobile to provide this info. You can use Google Analytics)

So....back to my initial question;
"Has anyone considered offering "FREE" Mobile Sites to biznesses, especially Restaurants?".....BUT....charging a "justifiable" Monthly Fee?

I'm thinking that by offering "FREE" Mobile Sites....you can get Attention AND Mobile Sites much easier! If it only takes a few minutes to create a "Mobile" site....and you receive $59 a month, forever....could you sell 100 in a month or 2?

"$5,900" coming in every month! Works for me!

What say You?

Thank you,
Don Alm

KingMedia 5th March 2012 12:55 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Good idea as not all businesses are interested in "buying" a full blown mobile site.

daveinva 5th March 2012 01:11 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Don:

I love the concept. We've been toying with the idea of going to a model like this as we're selling 'some' mobile sites for front end bucks ($297), but, can't flip them as fast as I'd like.

That's my question...how long would it take to get to 100 sales, etc...

Dave

nickhumph 5th March 2012 04:03 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Midasman,

How would you, or your friend do this?

I mean do you build the websites first and then show the business owner?
Or do you contact the business owner, and ASK if they would like a FREE mobile website? So that gets their curiosity going? And then hopefully get them agreeing to pay that monthly fee?

I mean I really want to do this, but just trying to work out how this would work in the backend of it all.

Thanks
Nick

GIahGroup 5th March 2012 04:58 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I think anything offered for free is a good way in, its then simply a case of proving value to the business as most wont think twice for a $50 / mth subscription.

Steve Solem 5th March 2012 05:05 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by midasman09 (Post 5762659)
So....back to my initial question;
"Has anyone considered offering "FREE" Mobile Sites to biznesses, especially Restaurants?".....BUT....charging a "justifiable" Monthly Fee?

I'm considering offering a free site for someone that signs up for me to manage their sms marketing services, but on it's own, I think $59 for hosting - even if you're doing some kind of ongoing maintenance for a one page site is outrageous.

All they'd have to do is talk to one friend in the business who tells them they pay $6 a month to host a fully featured website and mobile website with hostgator, and I think any trust or goodwill you gained with them would go right out the window.

That's just me though - your customers may certainly feel differently.

Now I could see charging a more reasonable $20 - $30 fee that includes a quick update or two a month as long as your clients know they're paying that in lieu of a upfront design fee of a few hundred dollars.

Meyowza 6th March 2012 12:51 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I offer a free mobile landing page with my $99 SMS plan. It's not really a mobile version of the companies website and it's not meant to be found on google. I specifically designed them to be found in the real world through the use of QR Codes and SMS. My sites are designed to give the audience quick info on products or service and ways to connect.

I would say this model is working well for me.

anwar001 7th March 2012 04:48 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
The idea has potential. If you have some other related service and you can throw a free mobile website version with it, you can have a killer at your hands.

serryjw 10th March 2012 04:48 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Solem (Post 5764735)
I'm considering offering a free site for someone that signs up for me to manage their sms marketing services, but on it's own, I think $59 for hosting - even if you're doing some kind of ongoing maintenance for a one page site is outrageous.

All they'd have to do is talk to one friend in the business who tells them they pay $6 a month to host a fully featured website and mobile website with hostgator, and I think any trust or goodwill you gained with them would go right out the window.

That's just me though - your customers may certainly feel differently.

Now I could see charging a more reasonable $20 - $30 fee that includes a quick update or two a month as long as your clients know they're paying that in lieu of a upfront design fee of a few hundred dollars.

You and I think alike. That is exactly what I wanted to do...BUT as a newbie I have no idea HOW to do re-directs. HOW do you get access to their main website backdoor without the original designer finding out. I checked several hot nightclub locations and 7/7 where doing JUST a main website re-direct without ANY changes. They all looked horrible and un-readable. There is a HUGE market out there but the re-direct is frightening me.

ADukes81 10th March 2012 05:49 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I am thinking of adding on Google Analytics along with a tracking number so I can send them monthly reports for traffic/incoming calls/conversion. You can get a tracking number for $5/mo and I think this would add great value.

It would also help down the road selling mobile sites as you could say, "Joe, at the pizza shop is averaging 50 visitors/mo with 15 of those turning into phone calls. A 30% conversion rate that he probably was not getting with his non-mobile site"

I would like to see the numbers myself actually. I had a personal injury attorney client get a case from the new mobile site about 2 weeks after we launched it. He was thrilled and I am willing to bet that case covered the cost(investment) of the site.

Anyone offering call tracking & Google Analytics on mobile sites?

Could anyone throw out a fair monthly fee?

I was thinking $30-50 along with the hosting/updates

nickhumph 10th March 2012 06:59 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Can someone please answer my previous question

rainingproblems 10th March 2012 07:18 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by nickhumph (Post 5764357)
Midasman,

How would you, or your friend do this?

I mean do you build the websites first and then show the business owner?
Or do you contact the business owner, and ASK if they would like a FREE mobile website? So that gets their curiosity going? And then hopefully get them agreeing to pay that monthly fee?

I mean I really want to do this, but just trying to work out how this would work in the backend of it all.

Thanks
Nick

Nick,I would think that to truly convince the business owner, you'd have to show him something he can actually see for himself. If you've had success with another owner, you could show this as an example and how it works.

Whether you want to create the site depends on how much time you have on your hands too. Figuring that you'd have to talk to x owners before you get y sales, do you really one to do one for each owner before they accept? an example site would work in this case.

If you do decide to make the free site, check out the main site and be sure it doesn't read "Duplication Prohibited" in the footer.

nickbrander 10th March 2012 08:13 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Very informative topic. Thank you

rlhurst 10th March 2012 11:09 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by nickhumph (Post 5800917)
Can someone please answer my previous question

Nick, I created a site for a pizza place, complete with menu/prices, tap-to-call button, get directions button, etc. I then went inside to order.
When the gal at the counter asked what I would like, I showed her my phone and pointed at the item. She thought it was pretty cool and called the owner out from the back. I offered to give him the site in exchange for letting me put a plastic stand on his counter with a qr code leading to the site. Of course, I had my business name on there since it's a high traffic place.

Now, although I did not get paid for that site, it has led to 2 others that I have gotten paid for. Plus, the owner has given me a couple of pizzas in exchange for updating the site.

This isn't just "theory"... it actually happned. So, get out there and make things happen!!:)

YellowGreenMedia 11th March 2012 03:32 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
No will not give away free sites, i have a policy not to work for free, and also i don't feel a lot for justifying a monthly fee...

The days that business owners where ignorant about the internet are long gone, and they do know what Google analytics is, and they know the price of average hostings plans.... So it will look like you wanna take them for a ride... Din't think that business owners don't check prizes after you have given them your quote.

I will sell them a mobile site for cheap (like a one time $99-) and then upsell them into my Google Places/SEO plan. instead of trying to squeeze out a monthly payment for hosting or updates or something...

nickhumph 11th March 2012 05:43 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by rlhurst (Post 5801865)
Nick, I created a site for a pizza place, complete with menu/prices, tap-to-call button, get directions button, etc. I then went inside to order.
When the gal at the counter asked what I would like, I showed her my phone and pointed at the item. She thought it was pretty cool and called the owner out from the back. I offered to give him the site in exchange for letting me put a plastic stand on his counter with a qr code leading to the site. Of course, I had my business name on there since it's a high traffic place.

Now, although I did not get paid for that site, it has led to 2 others that I have gotten paid for. Plus, the owner has given me a couple of pizzas in exchange for updating the site.

This isn't just "theory"... it actually happned. So, get out there and make things happen!!:)

Thanks! So I guess you take a little bit of a risk creating the sites beforehand - but if you amaze them with their business on a mobile already then you're like already halfway over to getting what you want!

hmm nice

nickhumph 11th March 2012 05:48 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5802618)
No will not give away free sites, i have a policy not to work for free, and also i don't feel a lot for justifying a monthly fee...

The days that business owners where ignorant about the internet are long gone, and they do know what Google analytics is, and they know the price of average hostings plans.... So it will look like you wanna take them for a ride... Din't think that business owners don't check prizes after you have given them your quote.

I will sell them a mobile site for cheap (like a one time $99-) and then upsell them into my Google Places/SEO plan. instead of trying to squeeze out a monthly payment for hosting or updates or something...

but you sort of do create free mobile sites? I mean with your postcard method, sending 10-15 businesses postcards, etc. You are still technically 'working for free' until you get a sale..

sorry I thought it was a bit ironic because i always read your other posts

YellowGreenMedia 11th March 2012 06:13 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by nickhumph (Post 5802971)
but you sort of do create free mobile sites? I mean with your postcard method, sending 10-15 businesses postcards, etc. You are still technically 'working for free' until you get a sale..

sorry I thought it was a bit ironic because i always read your other posts

Sure your right, but these are just mockup sites, and they will have to pay for them to get these sites... i will not give them away for free...

nickhumph 11th March 2012 06:24 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5803068)
Sure your right, but these are just mockup sites, and they will have to pay for them to get these sites... i will not give them away for free...

fair enough

Steve Solem 11th March 2012 03:46 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by serryjw (Post 5800477)
You and I think alike. That is exactly what I wanted to do...BUT as a newbie I have no idea HOW to do re-directs. HOW do you get access to their main website backdoor without the original designer finding out. I checked several hot nightclub locations and 7/7 where doing JUST a main website re-direct without ANY changes. They all looked horrible and un-readable. There is a HUGE market out there but the re-direct is frightening me.

You'd be surprised how many web designers have moved on once designing a site for someone or dont have a clue about mobile - so if you have a prospect interested in a mobile site just ask if they know the login info for their hosting account or if they can get it from their web designer.

Worry about it if you contact 7 prospects and all 7 say they can't get you their login info or their web designer won't give it up - but there's no need to worry if you don't know for sure that's the case. :)

midasman09 11th March 2012 06:10 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
"I'm considering offering a free site for someone that signs up for me to manage their sms marketing services, but on it's own, I think $59 for hosting - even if you're doing some kind of ongoing maintenance for a one page site is outrageous"...Steve Solem"

OK! What if I place a Special Card IN....500 hotel rooms....in a Town and on this Card is a "QR Code" and URL of a Mobile Directory (so there's 2 ways to see the Mobi-Directory)

These Cards cost me $2ea....so....my cost would be $1000 (Cost is nil using WillR or Quentin's programs....and I'd only create 1-page sites for participating biznesses. Only takes about 15 min ea)

So....let's say I charge $99 setup and $59/mo to have access to 500 Travelers/Tourists! every month....not including LOCAL Residents that would see my Ads around town.

50 participants = $5,000 initially and $2,950 a Month!

In fact....I'd bet they'd pay $79/mo to be IN 500 rms!

Don Alm

nickhumph 11th March 2012 09:07 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by midasman09 (Post 5806415)
"I'm considering offering a free site for someone that signs up for me to manage their sms marketing services, but on it's own, I think $59 for hosting - even if you're doing some kind of ongoing maintenance for a one page site is outrageous"...Steve Solem"

OK! What if I place a Special Card IN....500 hotel rooms....in a Town and on this Card is a "QR Code" and URL of a Mobile Directory (so there's 2 ways to see the Mobi-Directory)

These Cards cost me $2ea....so....my cost would be $1000 (Cost is nil using WillR or Quentin's programs....and I'd only create 1-page sites for participating biznesses. Only takes about 15 min ea)

So....let's say I charge $99 setup and $59/mo to have access to 500 Travelers/Tourists! every month....not including LOCAL Residents that would see my Ads around town.

50 participants = $5,000 initially and $2,950 a Month!

In fact....I'd bet they'd pay $79/mo to be IN 500 rms!

Don Alm

What if the hotel owners didn't want you to set up a mobile directory for them? It could be a negative experience for them? Let's say the hotel had a resturant and then this mobile directory if it was choc-full of resturants for example, the hotel would lose money.

midasman09 11th March 2012 11:32 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
What if the hotel owners didn't want you to set up a mobile directory for them? It could be a negative experience for them? Let's say the hotel had a resturant and then this mobile directory if it was choc-full of resturants for example, the hotel would lose money.

Wow! 2 Negs! What if there IS A WAY....to get hotel owners to EAGERLY allow little ol' ME to put something IN ALL THEIR ROOMS?

And...

What if little ol' ME could place something IN THEIR ROOMS....that has.... whoops....careful now....here it comes.....that has "COMPETING RESTAURANTS in it"?

I now have 14 Hotels (that have their own, ON PREMISE, restaurants... and My Promo Stuff, WITH OTHER RESTAURANTS.... IN ALL THEIR ROOMS!

Maybe you should consider NOT being an "Entroopeneer"!

I learned LONG AGO that...."Ya NEVER Know, UNLESS ya TRY!"

And....it's also called, "PAYING YOUR DUES"!

With MOST ALL of my Promo Stuff...whenever I ran into a Problemo...I relentlessly ATTACKED the Problemo....UNTIL I found the Answer!

Don Alm....STILL finding out HOW to "get things done"...relentlessly

YellowGreenMedia 12th March 2012 05:53 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Again where do you get the traffic for a mobile directory... that will only work if you have a "normal' directory to go with it... you can offer them a free placement in a empty site... What good will that do?

Jodik 12th March 2012 07:34 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Do the Hotels charge you? What is the hotels interest? Is it to offer more to the guest or do they get something?

Also to the poster who said he sold thru a pizza shop and got 2 sites to do - What price did you get for these two new sites?
Really want to compete but really stuck on pricing.
Thanks
Jodi

HypeText 13th March 2012 07:49 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5802618)
No will not give away free sites, i have a policy not to work for free, and also i don't feel a lot for justifying a monthly fee...

The days that business owners where ignorant about the internet are long gone, and they do know what Google analytics is, and they know the price of average hostings plans.... So it will look like you wanna take them for a ride... Din't think that business owners don't check prizes after you have given them your quote.

I will sell them a mobile site for cheap (like a one time $99-) and then upsell them into my Google Places/SEO plan. instead of trying to squeeze out a monthly payment for hosting or updates or something...

At $59 a month this isnt giving away the site for free, rather it is more akin to financing the site.

$59.00 X 12 = $708

Would you sell a Mobile site for $708? I know I would!

YellowGreenMedia 13th March 2012 08:07 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by HypeText (Post 5817240)
At $59 a month this isnt giving away the site for free, rather it is more akin to financing the site.

$59.00 X 12 = $708

Would you sell a Mobile site for $708? I know I would!

Well i have tried to go that route when i started out, but business owners where just not interested in extra monthly cost and i don't know how it is where you life, but here in Holland business owners know what is out there and know the price of hosting and such and they will never hire/lease a mobile site....

So for me the best way to do it is to sell these babies cheap (note not for free) and upsell them other high ticket services...

I guess there are many ways to skin a elephant

HypeText 13th March 2012 08:21 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5817354)
Well i have tried to go that route when i started out, but business owners where just not interested in extra monthly cost and i don't know how it is where you life, but here in Holland business owners know what is out there and know the price of hosting and such and they will never hire/lease a mobile site....

So for me the best way to do it is to sell these babies cheap (note not for free) and upsell them other high ticket services...

I guess there are many ways to skin a elephant

I am sure things are a bit different there...and you are right, its simply a Pricing strategy.

Bizzoom 13th March 2012 08:48 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Great attitude. Winners win because they refuse to lose. This is why you are successful.

Dupois 14th March 2012 06:05 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
How can you charge for 'hosting and maintenance' when the new mobile website is put on a subdomain - ie m.domainname.com and attached to the client's pre-existing website? I'm assuming you can't. Whoever developed the client's main website will let them know pretty quickly that there are no extra hosting fees involved with a sub-domain.

Presumably you guys are only charging hosting and maintenance for a mobi extension site? I'm not keen on these - on the one hand I'm reading that the jury's out on which is better, but on the other hand I'm reading that there are real SEO benefits going with the sub-domain option. Additionally, the vast majority of the world's top companies are using the m.domain version so that, in and of itself, has led me to the conclusion that the mobi extension sites are inferior. It's not going to take clients too long to hear that mobi is unnecessary if they have an existing site is it? Then how good do you look?

WayneMoore 14th March 2012 01:41 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I think some people need to stop being so negative here and questioning a business model that DOES work- without a question.. Anyone here read John Durhams 'Bower Method' It is EXCLUSIVELY about selling sites for free with a monthly fee... LOADS of people make great money with this model.

Those of you that said 'no one will pay $59 for hosting'

Guess what? You're right! I wouldn't... But i sell benefits- not features... so I am not telling prospects I will sell them hosting for $59 that there is no cost to..

I am saying:

"What we can do for you is provide a mobile website- totally free of charge to you, so we're waivering the $499 design and install cost- we will still design and fully install your site. Then for just $59 per month we will do any required updates, send you monthly tracking reports- and you'll even get FREE subscription to our monthly marketing newsletter- showing you innovative, and often free ways, to get more customers through the door! How does that sound?"

I think you'll agree that's a DAMN good offer...lol If they decline simply go down the route of- and are you spending much money in conventional advertising at the moment? What's your ROI? How much would you say your AVERAGE customer is worth over the year?

So based on that if we got you just 20 customers extra over the year (less than 2 a month) you think that's worth $2 per day??

BOOOM! There we have it! HAHA...:cool:

Daniel LaRusso 14th March 2012 09:23 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I've run some numbers, and, quantitatively, this works.

Compared to a flat initial fee of $297 you make 29% more per year at a $59 per month maintenance fee and $0 up front.

You make less per month until month 6, when you start to make more off your residuals. At $397 you make 3% less this way, and at $497 you make 22% less per year on the monthly, but I suspect sites will go a lot faster at $0 up front with a $59 a month maintenance cost.

Good suggestion!

YellowGreenMedia 15th March 2012 02:13 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
A lot of you people think that business owners are still retarded when it comes to online marketing an websites and stuff....

People know that you can have a website with hosting up and running for less then $10- a month, and there you have also stats and stuff like that... it isn't 2003 anymore, that was the time that business owners indeed where clueless, those days are long gone.


Quote:

Originally Posted by WayneMoore (Post 5826628)
I think some people need to stop being so negative here and questioning a business model that DOES work- without a question.. Anyone here read John Durhams 'Bower Method' It is EXCLUSIVELY about selling sites for free with a monthly fee... LOADS of people make great money with this model.

Those of you that said 'no one will pay $59 for hosting'

Guess what? You're right! I wouldn't... But i sell benefits- not features... so I am not telling prospects I will sell them hosting for $59 that there is no cost to..

I am saying:

"What we can do for you is provide a mobile website- totally free of charge to you, so we're waivering the $499 design and install cost- we will still design and fully install your site. Then for just $59 per month we will do any required updates, send you monthly tracking reports- and you'll even get FREE subscription to our monthly marketing newsletter- showing you innovative, and often free ways, to get more customers through the door! How does that sound?"

I think you'll agree that's a DAMN good offer...lol If they decline simply go down the route of- and are you spending much money in conventional advertising at the moment? What's your ROI? How much would you say your AVERAGE customer is worth over the year?

So based on that if we got you just 20 customers extra over the year (less than 2 a month) you think that's worth $2 per day??

BOOOM! There we have it! HAHA...:cool:


johan75 15th March 2012 04:18 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
WOw that is awesome idea. i am interested in it.

Glenn Leader 15th March 2012 06:02 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I think most people are concentrating too much on how expensive the
hosting is compared to other packages. I would concentrate on adding
value instead.

Why not build a mobile directory that you host? Over time this directory
could become an authority site, attracting more search engine traffic. If
you promote your directories properly, you'll have clients lining up, two
abreast, just to get their free sites. In addition to this, you could build
single directory pages based on keywords and rent the press to call
button.

I would then use software that allows clients to make any changes they
want to their mobile sites, including adding new pages. I have no affiliation
with the software below selling on eBay, and I've not used it, so this isn't
a personal recommendation. Having access to this software alone would be
enough to charge a high price for hosting. Imagine the power if you
installed a simple script that logged every press to call. You could then
send a monthly report to each client justifying their investment, and subtle
marketing messages for your other services.

Work from home create your own highly profitable business selling mobile website | eBay

here's somebody working this exact market, selling on eBay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Create-Mob...item27bdb78b52

HTH

Glenn

BrandyM 15th March 2012 10:20 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I have offered free mobile websites and in this one particular niche they were eager to get a free website but when it came down to the monthly charge they weren't interested. I was offering $50 a month. I only tested the theory in one niche and I justified the costs based on hosting fees, updates, etc and they weren't interested after that. I've been on this forum for awhile and reading everything on mobile marketing and I have done some cold calling and emailing. What I've found is that they usually don't care about the technology or analytics they just want it to bring in customers. But that's cool that your buddy has 100 clients! I hope to one day be there!

redlegrich 15th March 2012 03:42 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
You could easily add a tracking number to the mobile site. Twilio numbers are a buck a whack and a penny a minute. A small hit to your GM$s but a real value to the client.

I also disagree that business owners are all savvy to the Internet. Most of them do not know a darn thing about this. Plenty do of course, they are not a target market for this.

Businesses just want leads, if you deliver them they will be happy to pay $59, or more for a mobile site.

mmsearch 15th March 2012 04:12 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5830215)
A lot of you people think that business owners are still retarded when it comes to online marketing an websites and stuff....

People know that you can have a website with hosting up and running for less then $10- a month, and there you have also stats and stuff like that... it isn't 2003 anymore, that was the time that business owners indeed where clueless, those days are long gone.

I think in alot of cases that this is true- especially in larger urban areas.

However, in the town I live in (pop 120 000) I can assure you that business owners here are in the dark ages when it comes to websites, seo, google places and such.
I guarantee that most dont even know what seo means, know nothing about mobile marketing, mobile websites and on and on. The majority of them probably paid on of the local firms a couple grand to design their website for them and basically handed them the keys to it and pay them to add what they want. LOL they probably dont even know how to log into their own site if they had to.

In addition, I have found only ONE business in town that has a mobile friendly version of their site and NO ONE here is providing this service. I highly doubt that the service providers who build websites for companies around here even know how to create mobile sites at this time.

It's actually a little laughable looking at some website providers and their work in my town- the sites they are building look like circa 2000 or something lol.

And I know the ones that are actually building decent sites using wordpress etc are charging an arm and a leg for them.

Anyway, i plan on offering this service here in my town and perhaps adding website design/website upgrading as a lot of the websites I see around these parts are downright horrendous.

Which leads me to the idea of monthly hosting/maintenance fees. We have all heard the stories of people who offered to build regular websites for companies for ultra cheap only to then find that the client they are working with wants the moon and stars thrown in in terms of changing designs, constant updates etc.

I dont think that it would be much different for mobile sites. A lot of clients will want ongoing maintenance and changes made to their sites.
Therefore, I dont see why I should not charge say 30 bucks a month or whatever for hosting/stats/1 or 2 updates/changes a month.

I would charge even more if they want extra pages added or more than 2 changes a month.

I mean, these are businesses that right now are paying like a couple grand a month to have a full page ad in my local yellow pages.

To make a long story short, I think my plan will be to sell the intial mobile website in the 300 dollar range and charge in the 30 dollar a month range for maintenance/stats/updates.

MoBuzz 16th March 2012 12:23 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
I offer my clients a free Mobile Site when they sign up for our local marketing program. It is free as long as we are working together, if they choose to move on for whatever reason they can buy it for 199.00.

YellowGreenMedia 16th March 2012 12:49 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by redlegrich (Post 5834183)

I also disagree that business owners are all savvy to the Internet. Most of them do not know a darn thing about this. Plenty do of course, they are not a target market for this.

I can not disagree more with this then i do right now... i speak business owners on a daily basis and 80% knows what's up... and even when they didn't don't you think they know how to use Google by now... They will check you and the service you offer out and compare them with others... but he... if you can make your money that way... have at it.. :)

Daniel LaRusso 16th March 2012 08:12 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5836629)
I can not disagree more with this then i do right now... i speak business owners on a daily basis and 80% knows what's up... and even when they didn't don't you think they know how to use Google by now... They will check you and the service you offer out and compare them with others... but he... if you can make your money that way... have at it.. :)

Some may shop you around, and that's fine. If someone wants to get a service.based on price alone, you're fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. Provide value and help a business owner increase their.profits by way more than your charge, and they have no reason to shop you or drop you.

One thing that people don't understand is that by going this route, you are NOT charging a "hosting charge" alone, you're charging for maintenance, but you're also basically financing.the cost of a site for someone.

I've rarely met anyone outside of this forum who can tell me how much their GoDaddy hosting (which most people use) costs.

It goes beyond price alone to the value you deliver.

If you need a lawn service to maintain your lawn, you understand that having your lawn look great all the time is the benefit to you, and that goes beyond the cost of gas and labor to the guys who actually did the work.

You basically are paid for results and convenience.

DougPage 16th March 2012 12:55 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5836629)
I can not disagree more with this then i do right now... i speak business owners on a daily basis and 80% knows what's up... and even when they didn't don't you think they know how to use Google by now... They will check you and the service you offer out and compare them with others... but he... if you can make your money that way... have at it.. :)

I think you need to get past just looking at costs because they are mostly irrelevant and just stop you from trying. It helps eliminate the bad from the good. What is important, as many have already said, is what you bring to the table. Don Alm has been making posts like this many times and does a great job at trying to get people to wake up and look at things differently. It's a free WSO just to do searches on his threads.

Frankly, I don't want clients that are just going to be looking at costs and holding me to the fire. They are not long term clients and I want the recurring to keep coming. So I wouldn't waste my time with them. I want clients that want to spend their time doing what makes them money and letting someone else offer ideas and implement them to ADD to his revenue stream. And as Daniel said, if the incoming outweighs the out going, you both win - and that is the most important thing to happen in every relationship! You then become a TEAM. Team members rely on one another!

What are things that I can think I would offer to someone with a free website design after looking at this thread for the past few minutes:

1. Some keyword analysis and suggestions as most local clinets don't even know what this is (gee why didn't the guy that did their main site talk about this)
2. Free website design and installation with "correct" redirection methods.
3. Analytics to see what is happening on your site.
4. An analytics on "Tap To Call" to let them know how many phone calls have come to them from this site.
5. Squeeze Page to build an email list for advertising. (setup MailChimp-free)
6. Offer to put a squeeze page on main site to increase email address capture (chargeable)
7. Mail blasts with above lists
8. 1/2 hour of site changes per month. Charge for additional.
9. Intro SMS services to client where it fits - Potential new business
10. Setup Local Business Directory and Mobile Directory. They are included for free and bothsites could help bring you more traffic and business.
11. Make suggestions along the way that improves their main site (on a charge basis)

And, of course, they are getting your marketing expertise thrown in to the deal!

All this for $60/mo. Pretty damn cheap if you ask me. Might actually have to charge more.

Now if I was just looking for a quick score, not wanting to help my clients increase their business, not be able to offer my marketing skills, not keep in constant contact with the client to see what new things they are planning and just generally not care about them once I got their money, then I might be worried about trying this because I wouldn't be offering $60/mo worth of service. However, that list above is worth way more.

Another great post by Don Alm!

TribalStyleMarketing 16th March 2012 10:27 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia (Post 5830215)
A lot of you people think that business owners are still retarded when it comes to online marketing an websites and stuff....

People know that you can have a website with hosting up and running for less then $10- a month, and there you have also stats and stuff like that... it isn't 2003 anymore, that was the time that business owners indeed where clueless, those days are long gone.

I think what Don & others are trying to get across to you & believe you me, I was having a hard time learning this as well...They're paying you for your expertise, your knowledge, you're consulting advice, & of course the LABOR that it takes to do this. Just because you know this stuff like the back of your hand, & they know how much Hosting is, doesn't mean that you can't charge them a fair amount for your time & years+ invested in knowledge & technology.

carmack 17th March 2012 07:38 AM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DougPage (Post 5840310)
4. An analytics on "Tap To Call" to let them know how many phone calls have come to them from this site.

Doug - I would love to know how to do this. Can you tell me how you set up analytics on the tap to call?

DougPage 17th March 2012 12:24 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by carmack (Post 5844843)
Doug - I would love to know how to do this. Can you tell me how you set up analytics on the tap to call?

There are coding ways to do this but somewhat more complicated. The simplest way is to get a tracking number and hide it with the Tap To Call image. It will be immediately forwarded to the correct number and all analytics are done by the company providing you with the tracking number. Lots of companies out there offering tracking numbers. Just have to find one that suits your needs for analytics and cost. Ususally anywhere from $1/mo to $5/mo.

DougPage 17th March 2012 12:29 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by vikap10 (Post 5843900)
Is there any service which can convert the current website to mobile site for free?

Sure there are... but what do you end up with ---- something that is nearly as useless as the original desktop version. Creating a decent mobile site requires a lot of thought and planning to make it useable for a phone with small screen. The needs of a mobile user are VERY different to the needs and wants of a desktop user. That has to be "converted" using brain power after discussion with the client. At this point, nothing comes close.

midasman09 17th March 2012 12:43 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Here's some add'l info on this Topic;

1) Create a "Mobile Directory" for a Town showing Categories of;
Where To Eat - Where To Shop - Attractions - Services (In the Where To Eat category, include Food Categories in alphabetical order; American - BBQ - Chinese - Italian etc)

2) Provide ONE Page for each biz (Logo or Photo at top of page - Paragraph about the biz - Address, Phone - Tap To Call button - MAP

3) Place a Display Stand on the Front Desk of every Hotel/Motel with a QR Code (and URL to the Directory) (Every Hotel/Motel should allow because you are providing them with a Convenience at NO charge)

4) You will also place Ads in local papers and a sign for each participant to put in their biz (on the back of their cash register or in window)

...all for just $59 a Month!

Now....if restaurants want to add their Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Menus....= extra fee.

If they want their own Full-Fledged Mobile Site with a Re-Direct on their regular website....= extra fee....etc

Don Alm

Also....one town I'm working has 3 Theatres that people from hundreds of miles away, come to. As a convenience for Theatre Goers....the Theatres offer a QR Code to MY Diretory...so their Ticket Holders can easily find "Where To Eat...etc"....In Fact....because MOST theatre goers are coming a long distance so....I will include "Where To Stay"...with local Hotels/Motels PAYING to be included! (a LOT more than $59/mo since the average Hotel/Motel room rate is over $100 per night)

Also....I'm using Quentin's script for this (WillR's can be used as well)

MoBuzz 17th March 2012 01:06 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Hi is there anyway we can see one of the directories that you have created, I really love this idea and I am putting it into action as we speak. I am just having a bit of trouble deciding what the home page of the directory should look like. Is it basically just a logo/directory name with a list of categories? Then when you click on a category it takes you to a page with options in that category ect? Do you keep it exclusive, as in only one pizza place ect?

Thanks for the great idea

Daniel LaRusso 17th March 2012 06:38 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by midasman09 (Post 5846337)
Here's some add'l info on this Topic;

1) Create a "Mobile Directory" for a Town showing Categories of;
Where To Eat - Where To Shop - Attractions - Services (In the Where To Eat category, include Food Categories in alphabetical order; American - BBQ - Chinese - Italian etc)

2) Provide ONE Page for each biz (Logo or Photo at top of page - Paragraph about the biz - Address, Phone - Tap To Call button - MAP

3) Place a Display Stand on the Front Desk of every Hotel/Motel with a QR Code (and URL to the Directory) (Every Hotel/Motel should allow because you are providing them with a Convenience at NO charge)

4) You will also place Ads in local papers and a sign for each participant to put in their biz (on the back of their cash register or in window)

...all for just $59 a Month!

Now....if restaurants want to add their Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Menus....= extra fee.

If they want their own Full-Fledged Mobile Site with a Re-Direct on their regular website....= extra fee....etc

Don Alm

Also....one town I'm working has 3 Theatres that people from hundreds of miles away, come to. As a convenience for Theatre Goers....the Theatres offer a QR Code to MY Diretory...so their Ticket Holders can easily find "Where To Eat...etc"....In Fact....because MOST theatre goers are coming a long distance so....I will include "Where To Stay"...with local Hotels/Motels PAYING to be included! (a LOT more than $59/mo since the average Hotel/Motel room rate is over $100 per night)

Also....I'm using Quentin's script for this (WillR's can be used as well)

Man, I think I had a light bulb moment about this whole method after reading this post from you!!

I was driving myself goofy trying to figure out how you did the directory, because I was thinking about it wrong. I was thinking this was a MAJOR mobile directory, like something that pulls data from yp.com or something, and had a ton of local restaurants. But I think I finally got it now - it's not that at all! It's more of an exclusive directory of the activities and restaurants that one hotel recommends, so it would be much smaller than one of the big directory sites.

So, you could name the site something like: joeshotelrecommends.mobi or something like that, get recommendations for great restaurants and local activities from THAT hotel (which many may have an old print directory), and build out your mobile directory just like you described in your post.

You're not trying to, as the old joke goes, run down the hill to get one cow, you're walking to get them all! By being more exclusive and sort of targeted to each hotel, you control what you do on your end building the site, you keep the hotel happy because you show just what they recommend, guests love it because EVERYONE has a smartphone these days, and the local businesses love it.

I think I got it!!

Here's a thought I had in addition to doing this at apartments - put beneath the QR code to go to X website (use your favorite) to get a FREE QR code scanner.

Am I on the right track here, midasman?

Adwizard 17th March 2012 10:25 PM

Re: Offering FREE Mobile Sites
 
Thanks... Excellent advice!!! One can talk themselves right out of something great. I choose to "speak" to the mountain and cast it into the sea! Again... "just go out and make it happen"!


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