I see that several people have websites - I can understand that especially if they are a big operator.
I regard myself as a medium operator with over 200 sites and my questions are:
1. Do small operators benefit from having a website?
2. Has anyone actually had many requests to supply towers via their respective website?
3. Have also seen several offers of towers on ebay! does that actually work?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Cheers
Pablo
Websites
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- Coin Op Group Valued Contributor
- Posts: 54
- Joined: July 4th, 2014, 7:39 pm
- Area Covered: Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Machines Used: Tower vend, sweet dispensers, ball dispensers
- Referred by?: internet
Re: Websites
neither method has brought us any business
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- Coin Op Group Veteren
- Posts: 293
- Joined: January 25th, 2014, 3:49 pm
- Referred by?: Browsing internet
Re: Websites
Thanks for your input it is most appreciated
Can see that many have looked at the post but they have not replied.
A competitor has recently put out a website and it kinda put me in a panic mode however, when stepping back from the brink, I thought how many people would actually look up our line of business and order a tower hence my query. Not saying that people do not order towers from websites, just wondered if it happened.
Why?
Well I can create a website, but it would be just a box standard website like my competitor. To get a professional website will cost £500 to £800 so was really wondering if the layout for a professional site would bring the returns to justify the means.
Think your reply answers my question so thanks.
Pablo
Can see that many have looked at the post but they have not replied.
A competitor has recently put out a website and it kinda put me in a panic mode however, when stepping back from the brink, I thought how many people would actually look up our line of business and order a tower hence my query. Not saying that people do not order towers from websites, just wondered if it happened.
Why?
Well I can create a website, but it would be just a box standard website like my competitor. To get a professional website will cost £500 to £800 so was really wondering if the layout for a professional site would bring the returns to justify the means.
Think your reply answers my question so thanks.
Pablo
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- Coin Op Group Grand Master
- Posts: 852
- Joined: July 6th, 2009, 7:43 pm
- Area Covered: east and west midlands
- Machines Used: kiddie rides, sweet and toy vend
- Referred by?: M.Slater
- Location: tamworth & b`ham + surrounding areas
Re: Websites
my website cost £300 but not got me any buisness, but does look proffesional when i hand buisness cards out with it on
Ade
Ade
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- Coin Op Group Elite
- Posts: 1159
- Joined: June 1st, 2012, 11:00 pm
- Area Covered: Milton Keynes
- Machines Used: Sweet towers, toys, beavers, pringles
- Referred by?: random
Re: Websites
I tried the ebay thing. "99p and you get a tower on loan with commission." Some idiot in Leicester paid me 99p for 1 then got complained to ebay because he thought he was buying a tower for his front room. I offered his 99p back he complained to ebay. Really not worth the hassle.
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- Coin Op Group Master
- Posts: 502
- Joined: June 29th, 2015, 4:47 pm
- Referred by?: Snackmore
Re: Websites
Hi Pablo
Having a website is good IF people are looking for you or trying to find the service that they require, if not then there is little advantage to having one, IMHO. It's nice to have if running commission based vendors as it adds professionalism to your business and confidence to your customers, so there are reasons for and against.
We have the charity website which is a back-up for the JBC supporters and for customers and we do get several requests for towers to support charities in their companies which are passed on but I wouldn't say we get lots.
You may get a customer trying to contact a vending operator if they don't have their contact details on the vendor and they usually get in touch with the first person whose machine matches the description and they have the hassle of finding out who operates that site.
Regards,
Barbara
Having a website is good IF people are looking for you or trying to find the service that they require, if not then there is little advantage to having one, IMHO. It's nice to have if running commission based vendors as it adds professionalism to your business and confidence to your customers, so there are reasons for and against.
We have the charity website which is a back-up for the JBC supporters and for customers and we do get several requests for towers to support charities in their companies which are passed on but I wouldn't say we get lots.
You may get a customer trying to contact a vending operator if they don't have their contact details on the vendor and they usually get in touch with the first person whose machine matches the description and they have the hassle of finding out who operates that site.
Regards,
Barbara
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- Coin Op Group Regular
- Posts: 168
- Joined: December 16th, 2015, 2:34 pm
- Referred by?: Google
- Location: Midlands, Black Country, South Staffordshire
Re: Websites
Another thing to consider with a website, is that you could spend time and effort getting some good pictures on their showing your machines on site, explanation of what you offer etc, and someone else will just grab them and use them in their own (printed) material. So, as well as not getting any more customers, you may inadvertently help your competitors to get some!
I know from experience that trying to "google" pictures of towers on site is tough (you only seem to find pics of towers for sale on eBay, or empty towers in peoples garage), so I always take a basic camera with me now so I can take some pics of my machines, if the opportunity arrises.
Or maybe I'm being too cynical
I know from experience that trying to "google" pictures of towers on site is tough (you only seem to find pics of towers for sale on eBay, or empty towers in peoples garage), so I always take a basic camera with me now so I can take some pics of my machines, if the opportunity arrises.
Or maybe I'm being too cynical
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- Coin Op Group Veteren
- Posts: 293
- Joined: January 25th, 2014, 3:49 pm
- Referred by?: Browsing internet
Re: Websites
Thanks for your input guys - as always most appreciated
I think at some point I just might create my own website and bin the idea of a professional website as the outlay cannot be justified especially against your comments. So thanks for that.
Cheers
Pablo
I think at some point I just might create my own website and bin the idea of a professional website as the outlay cannot be justified especially against your comments. So thanks for that.
Cheers
Pablo
- Snackmore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: April 26th, 2011, 7:36 pm
- Area Covered: Leicestershire
- Referred by?: Google search
- Location: Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire
Re: Websites
AndyStyle wrote:I tried the ebay thing. "99p and you get a tower on loan with commission." Some idiot in Leicester paid me 99p for 1 then got complained to ebay because he thought he was buying a tower for his front room. I offered his 99p back he complained to ebay. Really not worth the hassle.
I just thought at 99p it was a bargain......................... Sorry
Steve
Snackmore Vending
Fully managed vending services
Drinks | Snacks | Sweets | Toys | Rides | Washroom
www.snackmore.co.uk
Snackmore Vending
Fully managed vending services
Drinks | Snacks | Sweets | Toys | Rides | Washroom
www.snackmore.co.uk
- Snackmore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: April 26th, 2011, 7:36 pm
- Area Covered: Leicestershire
- Referred by?: Google search
- Location: Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire
Re: Websites
As other say it looks more professional as do decent stickers on towers (one of my real gripes!)
I have picked up some sites for large machines but the only enquiries I get for towers seem to be everywhere other than my area.
I have picked up some sites for large machines but the only enquiries I get for towers seem to be everywhere other than my area.
Steve
Snackmore Vending
Fully managed vending services
Drinks | Snacks | Sweets | Toys | Rides | Washroom
www.snackmore.co.uk
Snackmore Vending
Fully managed vending services
Drinks | Snacks | Sweets | Toys | Rides | Washroom
www.snackmore.co.uk