CM - considering getting a website ...

[apotomak]

Just wanted to pick your brains. Do you think it's worthwile to have a website with general info (a bit like an advert)? If you do have one did you build it yourself or used a pro? How much does it cost to set up and mantain it?

bump

I built my own using bt.com.

Yes, most definitely worth it. I built my own until I had a remake done (by mindees parents company) in June last year. The more content it has in it the better imo. I've had amazing feedback from parents saying they felt they knew pretty much everything about my set up before contacting me. But even if it's a small thing, it's definitely better than nothing. Lots of people google this sort of thing these days.

Good luck

Yep it is a good idea, if you are teckie minded you can build your own, I however can't even get my email to work, so I get mine through vista print, it is sooo easy to do and update even for a numpty like me. Depending on how big (how many pages) you want they start from about £5 ish a month, 1st month is free, no tie in you can cancell whenever you want. Do really good / cheep stationery as well.

I think mine has been very worthwhile, I made it myself which was surprisingly easy to do. I have had great feedback from it too, I think it makes you look more professional so if there are a couple of CMs in your area but you're the only one with a website then you may well get contacted before all the others in your area, certainly that is what has happened with me for my two main clients.

ooh its definitely worth it - purely talking as a customer here! we were going to look at all the local nurseries, but ended up falling in love with the first one, which we went to first because it was the only one with website. Sets you apart a bit i think.

Webs.com are good as well for those who think they can't do this themselves

If you want ideas for content etc, I don't mind sharing mine.

I was just thinking about this today. Looneytune would be good to have a look at yours if you dont mind. My email is [email protected] if you dont want to post it here

I don't mind sharing it on here, I've listed it enough times in the past that I think people know who I am now

It's here

I just peeked at your website and .... you put A LOT OF WORK to make your setting look like it does. It's absolutely WONDERFUL. Well done.

Great website. It looks fantastic. well done. Really professional. I wish you lived in my area

Awwwww , only wanted to give some ideas . Thanks so much, yes, I put a LOT of work into the content but I'm very lucky to have had the actual design just how I wanted it, I'm sure that makes it look so much more professional (would have cost me about £4k if I'd have been a proper client and it wasn't done as a favour!! ). But, I really don't think the 'look' is everything. I think having as much information as possible on there is great as it will set you aside from the rest! The great thing about doing it yourself if you can set it up with very basic info and then just add to it a bit at a time, no rush, just get yourself on Google and stuff and it'll be great

Oh God, mine looks pap compared to Looney's which is a real pro looking website

hi i have just done a website with webs .com wow its soo easy thank you

lollipopmother - no, seriously, yours looks fab!! The parents will get plenty from that, well done! It's MUCH better than the one I built myself when I started minding here's my old one

mummyquilliam - well done

Hi all ... just wanted to say a big thank you for all your replies to this thread ... I've got my own website yay
and I'd like to share it with you annasbusybees.co.uk it wasn't that expensive and I got somebody else to design it for me (just like I wanted it to look like).

There it goes again ... sorryannasbusybees.co.uk

www.freewebs.com/jenniflowers is my website. It has proved invaluable, when I get a phone inquiry I send parents straight there. If they are interested to go on my waiting list they email me. Put as much info as possible on it, as there is so much to cover.

I am actually a graphic designer by trade and could easily make up a much fancier website, but I purposefully used this free and simple template and it's worked out really well.

Good luck!

just in the process of becoming registered....very inspiring websites here, thanks to all for sharing!

I love your websites Apotomak and Jenni, both really nice and inviting. I personally don't think you can go wrong with a website as long as you put some effort in. I've seen some websites that are half-hearted and they wouldn't make me jump at calling the CM, but lots of photos and info will always make a nice and inviting website.