designing my own website

[akpb123]

1)I want to start trading as a self employed plumber in the next six months. As all good companies have a website, naturally i would like one too, how do i go about getting some webspace? are there repuitable companies outhere? how do i get my own web address? ie www.abcdefghi.co.uk? Thanks

[Statler]

Hi,

The Shell LiveWIRE website has some useful information about websites:

http://www.shell-livewire.org/beyourownboss/main.php?catid=2&subcatid=28

As does the Business Link site:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.l1=1073861197&r.s=tl&topicId=1073866263

I suggest having a think about whether or not a website needs to be a priority at this moment in time. Personally, when I look for the likes of plumbers, I usually ask family and friends if they can recommend someone. If that fails, I check the telephone directory and local newspapers. As a last resort, I think I would check for websites, but only after taking a look on the likes of www.yell.com. Perhaps any spare money you have may be better used having leaflets and business cards printed up, as well as getting listed in the likes of the Yellow Pages; then at a later date, you could have a website built to complement your other advertising.

Lee

[annepink]

Whilst I agree with Lee's view that for your line of business a web site isn't a priority, it can be useful to add to your credibility. However you would need to ensure that the site got linked to good search engines.

Also some on line directories for local businesses offer the oportunity to buy a web page, etc. Business Link is a great place to start for advice and possible funding. However, for plumbers, the best marketing continues to be classifed sections in local newsaper(s), yellow pages, yell.com, etc, side of your van, local parish mags and word of mouth!

Some useful web links:
www.local.co.uk/uk/Plumbers
www.industryspecific.co.uk/local_plumbers.html
www.elstreeplumbers.co.uk

Good luck,