I don’t. And with regard to NAP… neither does Google.
“A” is important for Brick and Mortar stores.
If you work on site such as in the service industry then service area is more important.
Lets say you live in a tiny town with nothing but industry and you get your work 15 miles away for 90% of the gigs.
Why would you want to look as you are out of your target consumers area and harm yourself ?
Certain Inspectors here actually rent P.O Mailboxes or pay fees for virtual offices just to give the false impression they are in a more convenient location.
Google maps allows you to use a service area for that very reason.
When Google maps first came on the scene there was no service area allocation allowed but because of a large number of complaints from those in the onsite service industry Google changed that policy.
There ya go. NAP is so important to local searches that Google is having to deal with mail centers where more than one business shares an address.
http://www.higherpowerseo.com/local-seo-nap-matters/
http://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2014/03/10/10-guidelines-for-putting-nap-info-on-your-site-for-local-seo/
http://grasshopper.com/blog/local-business-seo-take-your-nap/
and 100,000 other articles about the importance of NAP.
Anyway, you are free to take your marketing advice from someone who tells you not to include your address on your website. I know for certain that I’m right and he (and you) are very, very wrong. But do what you want.
NAP is EXTREMELY important right now. Name, Address, Phone Number. Get it onto every page of your website. Then make sure your NAP appears on other websites like schools you went to, business directories, etc. This is one of the main things that Google uses now to rank sites and Google Map Listings.
Thanks Dom. Bob, get your address on your website.
From my site:
BUYER BEWARE!
The lowest fee quoted for inspection services, or for the matter, any service should raise a red flag.
Do not expect to receive quality, experienced and thoughtful work for a cut rate price.
As the proven words reflect, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!
WHY WE CHARGE MORE (example)
Inspector… if there is hidden moisture in the walls that can be conducive to mold, decay or wood destroying insects, do you want us to include this information in the report?
Client… YES, that is important information.
Inspector… That is one of the reasons we charge more than other inspectors in the area, because these types of hidden defects are not easy to find, but can sometimes cost you thousands of dollars to deal with. We will be bringing to the inspection a variety of tools and training that is very expensive and we take longer than other inspectors because we specialize in finding these types of hidden issues. We will not end the inspection process until all your questions are answered and you are happy with our service. Please make plans to allow enough time for this process, because sometimes it can get fairly complex. We want you to be there with us as we go thru the entire house, step by step, as we do an exhaustive inspection. We include color photos and thermal images, if needed, of everything we report and explain things in an easy to understand manner. You can ask more questions after you read the report because your satisfaction is our primary goal.
The client must be educated to see YOUR value and your concern for their personal needs, which causes peace of mind on their part. Without this education, many clients believe all inspectors have about the same value for the same level of service.
That would be good for 2 at Outback or some other chain steakhouse. But I agree it wouldn’t cut it lets say in downtown MPLS. Still an evening out (if you remain sober ) with $100 is still a nice evening, you add a couple of drinks and $100 is the beginning of a night out.
I publish my starter prices on my website. The people that schedule my services like me being upfront with them. You use starter prices to pull clients in. You want to price at just below your highest priced competetion. You never want to price too low because that will just attract the cheap sakes. I am $30.00 cheaper than the most expensive home inspector for a house up to 2,000 square feet in my area. I then charge $10 for each additional 100 sq. feet after the 2000 sq. ft… That way I am a good $200 higher than the highest priced competitor on a 5,000 sq. ft. home. Then you sell them auxiliary services on top of that. It is not hard to get $1500 for one of day work, with a help of another inspector, on a residential property. When I tell my local inspectors about this, they just acted baffled about how I do it. The way I see it, the bigger the home a buyer can buy, more they can afford to pay for a home inspection. I am planning on raising my prices, but I will probably keep the starting price and drop the sq. ft. to 1500, that way I do not keep the lower priced clients from using my services.
Just stay away from those res casinos out there.
James writes:
Excellent post. Thanks for sharing your strategy. It’s really helpful.
I’ll second that!
My stragety will not work with Realtor referrals, because most Realtors will not allow the up sale of services. I have tried though. That was one of the reasons I decided to break away from the Realtors.
sounds like it may be good…
I think it is good, can not hurt.
I charge more and want to be on the top of the list and Nick I will buy your steak dinner and a bottle of Root Beer if you can find anyone in the United States that is a Certified Master inspector, a Master HVAC Tech and a level lll Thermographer all in one. I do charge more and market that :D:D:D
James, I do the same. I list a starting price on my web site. That does not effect the low-first time home buyer properties. Then with all of the details on my web site, the high enders will call for the quote on the larger home.