Originally Posted By: Chris Morrell
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
There are a few things to note.
Though you might not see jobs coming directly from your website via an online order form, people with web sites are more likely to grab a client that was browsing inspector listings such as
FindAnInspector.US. In the past day or two, hundreds of our members have had their website viewed, often more than once or twice. People (particularly younger clients) like to research on the internet. If you don't have something for them to look at, they're much less likely to pick you. Would you rather take a stab in the dark with Mr. Joe Inspector, or would you choose someone who has a very professional and helpful website? It lets your prospective clients get to know you a little bit, even if they then e-mail you through FindAnInspector.US or call you on the phone.
If you offer downloadable reports, this can be big selling point. One, It makes you look more cutting edge in terms of technology. Two, it's very convenient for most people. Telling them, "Tonight you will able to go to my website, put in this username and password, and download your report" is much better than "You'll receive your report in a couple of days in the mail."
Lastly, a really nice inspection website only needs to cost you a few hundred dollars. If you get one or two inspections through it, it's already paid for itself. If for some reason you decide that it's not worth keeping up, you can always just scrap it. I don't think I've ever seen this happen (at least to a well-done, professionally designed site).
--
Chris Morrell
Director of Information Technology
http://www.nachi.org/
