Calling all dog walkers, help please!

[nicenewone1]

I am more confused by the minute.

Setting up a dog walking business, and trying to get a website going. Is go daddy, with managed word press hosting over the top for this type of business, with ssl certificate etc.

Any advice would be so appreciated, I almost paid £230 tonight for a 2 year package and then asked the lady to ring back tomorrow as I don't know what I'm doing!

Anyone?

Some of you dog walkers must have your own website? How did you do it? Thanks x

Don't know about website. Have you got insurance? Could you advertise more locally?

You are better having a well managed fb page for now than paying loads for a website you won't maintain.
A clear price list and lots of happy dog photos from each walk on your fb will show people what you do far more.

Websites are a bit yesterday. Social media is the way to go. Use local facebook pages, local dog lovers pages on facebook, Instagram. You can advertise on Gumtree if it's popular where you live. Leaflets in local cafes, or distribute business cards at local parks where dogs are walked. If you wish you could have just a simple free website with a couple of pages about your services, fees, insurance, experience, training, and contact details. I personally would find a way to not fork out anything at this stage.

Oh and worth doing a first aid course for dogs too?

I hadn't even thought of a Facebook page, I'm so not with it. I will have a look but haven't a clue how to go about it.

Thanks!

But what about the elderly customers who don't use social media?

Definitely go for FB over a website. I run my entire business via FB and it's free, allows you to interact with your customers and you can also advertise your business for a small fee.

Elderly customers will probably respond more to leaflet drops.

Re elderly people - I have loads who don't use FB but have still been able to contact me via phone or email. They have heard of me either through word of mouth, fliers at vets, pet shops or training classes

What proportion of your customers will be elderly though? Surely mostly it will be people who work and need a dog walker?
And if they can't used FB they probably won't search online for a dog walker either.

Yes you're right about the elderly and not using the internet either.

Doggy first aid is a good idea.

I'm currently doing the narps course, and can use their emblem when completed. Would I have the facility to use it on a fb page?