Detailing Website Criticism

So with the growth I've had, I've had to rework my business model. I'm focusing and doing a lot more coatings and corrections now so I wanted to shift my website focus to reflect that. I've dumbed down my long "a la carte" menu to 4 exterior jobs (wash/wax, AIO, one stage, multistage corrections) and 6 coatings (4 ceramic running 1 to 5 years, 2 graphene running 3 to 5 years).

I'm going out on a limb here and asking if some of the folks on this forum that are familiar with detailing (and if you're not) to critique my website: www.fouroneodetailing.com. This is not a "vendor post," but I spent about 10 hours reworking EVERYTHING and would like real criticism (good and bad, mostly the bad) of the website. I tried to make it as layman's terms as possible so that I can accurately convey what sort of detailing I do and what a client should expect.

There are two versions of the website that are formatted slightly differently. It will appear different on desktop versus mobile devices. I pulled an all nighter from 7pm until 2am with the initial adjustments and finished this morning after getting off work so I'm sure there are going to be errors present lol.

Fire away and don't be afraid to bash it...it's what I'm looking for and I have the thick skin for it. There are a few things I have in mind of fixing and consolidating (mainly the PDF files and menu sheets) but my brain is too fried after 2 hours of sleep to do anything at the moment. Thanks folks.

Tagging folks that I know will let me have it: @ToyoMafia @War Machine @briarpatch @Fotnot @Prostar 190

 

Absolutely bro. I’ll take a look tonight.

 

I looked at it quick since I'm at work for a few more minutes on my work computer. I'll try to look at it sometime on my phone. I'm coating my sequoia today after work, so I'll be pretty busy.
I like the layout and that you broke down what's being done! Not too many people will put it simple and let you know what's being done. I'm trying to put myself in the eyes/shoes of an "average joe" to get ideas of what I'd want. The ONLY thing I can think of right now is to (over time) put photos/videos of what's being done. Like a shot of what it looked like before, and what it transformed to. That way people see what you mean since there are lots out there that don't even know what clay bar is, much less iron-x and what it can do/does. But per the desktop version, it looks good and am impressed with it.

 

Website looks good and works good with iPhone. Everything loads right up. Very user friendly.

 

Yeah I deleted my photo album that was on there mainly because they were old photos from when I started documenting things from a business standpoint, but I have a whole album sitting on my desktop I need to go through and add. I tried tossing photos in here and there to keep it interesting but also wanted to avoid clutter hah. Once I get some decent sleep tonight I'll break back into it and get to adding some before/after photos once I organize them. Thanks man!

 

I think it's good to not overload a website with photos. Then it just turns into an album and gets lost in my opinion. But the few you put are good. Agreed on it "keeping it interesting".

 

I was thinking of a carousel style image dump that scrolls through 3 to 5 photos periodically of my most recent work. I just have photos of myself and my family since that "home page" is the about us. I've actually had several cold call clients state they liked seeing a face to the business on the home page, but it definitely needs some reworking. The basic format of the website was created a year ago by myself and I am by no means a website creator lol. I had ideas to adjust that page accordingly but it's a lot of work. Appreciate it! I'll look into a carousel style widget that way there aren't photos all over the place but they will automatically scroll through the photos every 2 to 3 seconds so one widget will actually contain multiple photos that cycle automatically.

 

Everything that’s been said to this point is great advice.

When selling a mobile service as well, adding a pic of your detail/mobile vehicle setup will help too.

 

Ok bro I took a quick look on my phone and I’m gonna give it to ya.

personal info and pics belong in the about us section not on the front page.
Make it look bigger then just a mom and pop op

Show your pics off. Not a ton but some that really drive home the message of ur work.

dumb it down
Most people have no clue the difference in ceramic vrs graphen and they sure don’t know what every step of the process is. It’s why they hire you. You just need to let them know how long it will last and how good of a job you will do.

to much info on the front page most people won’t read much at all. You need to slam them with a good pic and then have a simple clean menu system that gets them to go from a wash/wax to a higher level detail. Up sell is the key here if they come to you with $150 let them leave spending $300


I know you manage expectations very well. Keep that up.

simple clean impactful just like ur work.

you could do a in depth information page for the folks that any to go there.

 

Appreciate that. The front page I havent touched, mainly every single other major page was overhauled. Will make the about us its own page at the bottom of the list and implement these suggestions when I recoooerate the brainpower to dive back into it. Dragging ass this Friday morning lol.

 

I get it. Like I said just keep it clean to get them engaged. Most people don’t dig. Your work is awesome and pics convey that. Also make sure you get them to insta Facebook wherever.

 

9 years down, 11 to go (unfortunately). I was once leery of this but doing the work I do (a lot of digital tracking), it is insanely easy to find photographs and information of anyone anymore lol.

 

I would also move the personal pics to its own page from the main page.

I am on a phone, from the main page I hit the menu tab and whatever I select, I see what looks exactly like the main page again until I scroll down to view the info I want to see. Hard to explain so I did screen shots ... I think it would be better to go to a page that looks different and info is on top so you don't have to scroll.
Make your business seem bigger than it is. Less mom and pop as someone else put it.

More pics. Lots of them. Before and after pics for sure. Different pics for each service on that services page if possible. Plus a geral photo gallery.

Have you thought about selling a maintenance package for your coatings?
Let's say you sell a carpro cqauartz coating. Add in an option for 6 month maintenance washed and application of hydro2 of reload. Sell it up front as a package deal at a slight discount compared to having to call and book/pay again in 6 months. Some people may not even come for a wash and reload but you've already sold it and have the money. Some will come and even though it's a slight discount. It's work and guaranteed money.

I have never made a web page. Seems like tons of work. Keep it simple. Lots of pics. Basic info. Don't lose the customers interest while they view your page. Have them email. Call or even text you so you can make the sale.

 

I've begun altering the home page. Inserted a scrolling carousel of 10 photos highlighting corrections, coatings, and displaying a boat, RV, and motorcycle. Altering it to appear correct on mobile devices was a pain in the ass but I think the formatting worked out okay. Swapped the about us to it's separate page where the contact us used to be. Also removed the family/personal photos for the reason of not wanting to seem like a mom and pop shop. I'm working on adding separate selectable tab for RV/boat/motorcycle details as I really do enjoy them (and the money for boats and RVs is unreal lol).

@Pudge , I'm working on the mobile client. It's a lot of formatting issues when viewing in desktop vs mobile. I'll figure it out. The website has always been like this and it's been a pet peeve of mine.

 

I believe I found a fix for the mobile client issue. Had to dumb down the header on the desktop section so that when it transferred to mobile view, it was smaller. Then I hid some elements (a photo, extra text, etc) to decrease the amount of screen space it took up. That way when you access the menu button, the new page appears below and someone will know to scroll. Before it would be a new page but you'd have to get through that massive header to find the new stuff.

 

Created the RV/motorcycle/boat page (full with slideshows that took about an hour to make oof) and included a fun slideshow of a tractor I did a while ago (multistage lol, was comical that someone wanted it done for the cost). Short of making up the menus and replacing the linked buttons to PDF sheets, I'm nearing what I think is completion after taking note of y'alls criticism. Definitely helpful and I appreciate it. Knew I could count on this community.

 

I now nothing about web page design so take this with a grain of salt. This is from my desktop, and I think it would look much better if the content would fill the page. It would also make your pictures look that much better. The content itself is very good!

 

I've been wanting to do this for a while lol....but I started with a pre-designed template and cannot figure out how to change the layout without completely ruining the layout of everything and having to basically redo it all. I sent wix support an email earlier asking how but no response yet. Definitely agree with you.

 

I believe it all looks good. You do awesome work and it speaks for it's self. I think it would also be good to have some testimonials from some of the people that you did work on their stuff.

 

I have a few FB and Google reviews, but it's so damn hard to get people to take the time to write a 20 second "happy with ya work" testimonial. I always end my details with the delivery of their vehicle and ask if they'll do it. Of all the vehicles I've done (320+ accordingly to my business excel spreadsheet), I have 9 FB reviews lol. One of which is my damn wife lol.

 

Come to Ohio I will keep you busy a couple of days.... Then I will write one.

 

Haha that would be the life. I'll copy and paste some google and FB reviews on that home page at the bottom.

 

I won't let to many people near my shit but you Sir could do it anytime.

 

Appreciate that You as well, I keep tabs on folks posting stuff on here too hah.

 

I can tell you word of mouth is the best advertising. My dad has been in the construction business on his own for 36 years and has never once advertised.

 

Yes it is! I try and grab it all but there's so many layers to the website at the moment. Once you convert to mobile view on the editor it doesn't always line up and stuff has to be fixed. Nice find!

I run FB ads every blue moon. I have one now with a bunch of coating jobs and the calls are nonstop. Word of mouth gets me the small jobs. The FB ads help me get the four figure jobs!