new to landscape juice years running my gardening firm

firstly id like to say hello I am Dave and I have come across this website and it made for a god read. I have been running my own business for about 3 years using my ford focus no trailer just car. I have always been busy and never once advertised all word of mouth from family and friends and I was fully booked within my first year. anyway this year I have lost lots of customers to the usual 1 season gardeners at 8 pounds per hour to scalp the lawn I have spent 12 months nurturing. I usually take it on the chin but this year I have lost about 15% of my customers and so have decided to get myself a van and have it sign written, I have also decided to build a website ill admit I have never took photos of my work but have found a few on Google images not sure if this is ok I will replace them with actual photos of my work once I have taken some didn't think it would look good if I had no photos on my website. if anybody fancies a nosey then here it is Hindles Landscape Gardening feel free to let me know what you think

Replies

Simply Business May 27, 2015 at 3:43pm

Hi David, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you've lost customers, but they may be back after they see what paying peanuts gets them!

The website looks good IMO. Perhaps add some customer testimonials? Always a nice touch! With regards to using Google images, I'd usually say to avoid them if possible!
- david hindle > Simply Business May 27, 2015 at 4:29pm
  
  Thanks ill be taking pictures for the next few weeks so only going to be on there for a few weeks I was going to add some testimonials but I thought people would not pay much attention as there easily faked maybe I am wrong just my way of thinking I guess
Graeme @ BGS May 27, 2015 at 5:26pm

Wouldn't worry too much, if these ex clients are penny pinches do you really want them anyway?

Not sure if you have been quoting by the hour, but if you are try doing fixed price quotes.

Your web site and professional set-up will all help you gain new clients at the right rate.

Personally, I would loose the Google images. However I have a local gardener around my way who only has generic pictures which he passes off as his own and most of these are clearly from the USA!!
david hindle May 27, 2015 at 6:21pm

I do fixed price tried hourly when i started of and quickly changed to fixed price easier all around imo

i will lose the google pics in next few weeks just don't want someone to go the site and see blank pages