Websites

[cgland]

OK, let's see your websites!

www.cg-landscaping.com (http://www.cg-landscaping.com)

Chris

[mckeeland]

www.mckeelandscaping.com

here you go.

[cgland]

Nice site McKee!

Chris

[JFMX345]

Mine got booted from the server of the guy I had hosting it, I haven't heard back from him in 12 days...
Anyone know of a good host/webmaster ???

[jljacobs]

I had a host that went out of business and had to switch. I now use www.hostgator.com. As far as webmaster, I do website design as well, so if you are interested, check out my site at www.webdesignsbyjeff.com

[MuirView Design]

McKee & Chris, you guys both have great websites. Very interactive and professional. One day I'd like to get mine professionally done. As of now, I built my website all on my own, did all the graphics in Photoshop and wrote all the wording myself. It's not near where I'd like it to be as a sales tool, but I think it's better than some guys I've seen out there. Plus it's gotten me lots of work and gives me something to direct my marketing towards.

[cgland]

Actually Adam - Jeff here did my site. I had alot of ideas for the site and Jeff really worked with me in implementing them. I'm certainly not biased, but he did a great job for me and he was reasonable. IMO a website is your first impression to a customer and if they can see, first hand, the quality of your work it's a huge headstart for you once you finally meet them.

Chris

[mckeeland]

thanks, it took a lot to get it right, still not 100% what i want, but that is with everything. we use to host with go daddy( we started before the super bowl ads if you where wondering), but when we had it redone they host it for you. my one piece of advice is to make sure you are in charge of your site. i have a lot of regrets about my site and the lack of control i have to change things. plus i pay 3x as much to host. don't know if that is common or not.

[chardscapes]

www.creativehardscapes.biz

[scaper27]

I am embarrassed to put my site up compared to you guys. It is getting revamped hopefully within the next couple of weeks. I hired a guy this weeka nd he is redoing it for me with new updated pics. These pics are from 3-5 years ago. www.mcgovernlandscapes.com

[cgland]

Never be embarrassed! What you have is more than what most guys have. It's a start and to be honest, you have a great foundation to work off of. My only criticism is that your pics should be from a closer standpoint. Show off some detail. Maybe break it down into a couple of divisions. Great start though.

chris

[MuirView Design]

www.creativehardscapes.biz

Nice website Josh. Is that your work in the pictures on your homepage?

[chardscapes]

Thanks Adam and yes that is my work. They are actually mostly pics of older jobs when I first started out. I have a dozen other jobs to get to and take photos and upload when I get a chance. I love that Travertine patio you built. I remember you posting that before. Good work !

[MuirView Design]

Thanks Josh. I love that patio too. Can't wait to do another that size!

[cgland]

Adam - I must admit, your work is excellent! Keep it up! .................................................. .................................................. .........................................:pout:

Chris

[patpls]

www.patiosplusmn.com all of the stuff in the PORTFOLIO section is mine the other sections will be culled during winter.

[GreenMonster]

www.gmlandscapes.com

I need to get my website updated with close to two years of pics. I'll definately move out some of the existing stuff, and move in some newer.

I'm looking to get my site redesigned as well. What you see now I did myself. I reached the extents of my technical abilities, and quite frankly, don't care to learn anymore.

I want it to be a little "classier & flashier", and programmed to show up at the top of search engines.

Just another winter project....

[MuirView Design]

Adam - I must admit, your work is excellent! Keep it up! .................................................. .................................................. .........................................:pout:

Chris


Thanks Chris, means a lot.

[CaptainsLS]

The biggest mistake I ever made was not taking pictures. All the picts on my website are from this season. I made the site myself using yahoo and of course a Mac :cool:. There are some nice websites out there but I think mine serves its purpose, nice and simple. I made it in October of this year so it’s still under construction. Let me know what you think.

www.CaptainsLandscape.com

[cgland]

Captain - I think your site looks good. You've done some nice stuff this year. I would say you need a bit more content though. I'm not the website expert though.....Jeff!

Chris

[MuirView Design]

The biggest mistake I ever made was not taking pictures. All the picts on my website are from this season. I made the site myself using yahoo and of course a Mac :cool:. There are some nice websites out there but I think mine serves its purpose, nice and simple. I made it in October of this year so it’s still under construction. Let me know what you think.

www.CaptainsLandscape.com

Why not go and take pics of your prior jobs? The pics on the site are okay, although I think they need a little bit of a focal direction. Hardscaping is tricky to photograph. It's all about finding the right angles (no pun intended) to bring out the minute details of your work. Don't get me wrong, you do some awesome work and your jobs show a lot of creativity, I just think the right photos could really accentuate your talents and set you apart to someone who is making a huge financial investment and is torn between you and the next guy. I had a professional photographer (friend of the family) come out last year and take some shots and I really learned a lot just by watching him. He brought a 12' step ladder and took some great arial shots that way, for other shots he laid down on his belly. It was real interesting to see. Ever since then, I take a lot more time trying to find the right shot. Take 50 photos of the same job if need be and find that one that really shines. After all, it represents you.

Just some friendly advice! Other than the few photos, the site looks great. You should be proud of putting that together on your own!

[CaptainsLS]

Thanks Adam and Chris. In response Adam, I find myself rushing around all day ( a thread some of you may remember from another site) because of my involvement in the labor end of things for my company. I wish I could go back to the old projects and get them up there. Its kind of a weird situation, my company was a partnership up until this year. My partner and me went in different directions but stayed in the industry, in the same town. Maybe I should add to the "introduction" threads.

[SCgreenscapes]

www.mckeelandscaping.com

here you go.

MKCKEE = HERE IS ONE THOUGHT FOR YOUR WEBSITE. WHERE YOU HAVE A LINK TO "RECENT JOBS" AND IT HAS A LIST OF ADDRESSES. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE LINKS TO PICUTURES OF THOSE JOBS. I BET THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT RIDDING AROUND WONDERING WHAT THOSE PEOPLE WERE HAVING DONE AND COULD LOOK IT UP BY ADDRESS AND SEE THE RESULTS.

THE SITE LOOKS GOOD THOUGH.

[SCgreenscapes]

www.patiosplusmn.com all of the stuff in the PORTFOLIO section is mine the other sections will be culled during winter.


got a question for you. I have seen several websites for contractors who are using Belgard's pictures or other manufactures, what is the process for this. Is it your website and their stock photos, or their website and just your company information?

[mckeeland]

MKCKEE = HERE IS ONE THOUGHT FOR YOUR WEBSITE. WHERE YOU HAVE A LINK TO "RECENT JOBS" AND IT HAS A LIST OF ADDRESSES. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE LINKS TO PICUTURES OF THOSE JOBS. I BET THERE WERE PEOPLE OUT RIDDING AROUND WONDERING WHAT THOSE PEOPLE WERE HAVING DONE AND COULD LOOK IT UP BY ADDRESS AND SEE THE RESULTS.

THE SITE LOOKS GOOD THOUGH.

your are right, it is more of a search engine thing, but it would be nice to have the pics with it. i will see if i can do it or my web guy needs to do it. thanks for the suggestion though.

[patpls]

Hi SGC, in response to your content query, Belgard for reasons unknown to me did and still are doing a big push in Mn. Got a call to see if i would be interested in a website thru them, no set up $ and I think a good looking site. There are differing levels of monthly fees for bigger better sites. I know so little about web site design I couldn't refuse, during this winter I'll revamp and update etc. that's what winters for right? The web company advertises in Hardscape or Interlock mag. Clearimaging.com , they are also h\behind paversearch.com site.

[ScottSears]

We sent our info to Peru and had a contact there put it together for us. Now as we are updating it we are using some of our interns from Albright College work on it. They are on top of the latest developments and have college level computer graphics labs at their disposal. www.andescollection.com

[SCgreenscapes]

Here is mine. I am currently working with a designer on a more professional looking site. I just threw this one up so that customers can check out a few pictures when they look me up. I will let you guys know when the good one is finished.

www.SCgreenscapes.com

[tcalb2]

Here's mine, I try to keep the photos updated and looking perfessional. But i use microsoft office live and there templates are limited. Let me know what you think.
www.kalbererlandscaping.com

[cgland]

Looks good. If you ever need help w/ your site, Jeff, here, can help.

Chris

[tcalb2]

thanks, I'm thinking about going with another website company next year, maybe one that has more versatility.

[mdvaden]

It's definitely not fancy, but it sure reflects the nature of what I like. Trees, outdoors, Oregon and landscape / tree work.

http://www.mdvaden.com

Thought about Flash, but think I'm happier with a simple site. There is some cool Flash stuff though.

[SCgreenscapes]

Pictures look great. that is a great way to do them. Heck i didn't even scroll down until i saw all the pics. I would find yourself a good looking logo. maybe even get a professional ad company to help and you would be well on your way to a nice site. I have seen you post about not continuing for a second year. from the looks of your work, it is a lot better looking than a lot i have seen on LS or other contractors. Stick with it and you should do fine. Just continue to learn other types of trades along the way.

[tcalb2]

thanks sc: I apprecaite it

[mpickel]

Here is ours: www.landscapeescapes.com (http://www.landscapeescapes.com)

[Hokie84]

www.outdooradditionsllc.com

Finally up and running. Any critiques welcomed.

[Meanix]

www.meanixlandscaping.com
Pics are from side work before I went out on my own. Kicking myself for not taking pics of this years work when plants were alive. When I need them for advertising!! Let me know what you think.

[cgland]

Enough! Back to the topic at hand.
I'm sure most of you have seen it already, but i made a few more tweaks.
www.cg-landscaping.com (http://www.cg-landscaping.com)

[MuirView Design]

Trust me, I'm done.

Chris, the links on your website are not working on my PC. The home page loads, but I can't navigate through the site. What tweaks did you guys make?

Actually, the "Certification" and "Contact" links work....it's just the others that appear to be dead.

[cgland]

Not sure why it's doing that. You had that problem w/ PH banners didn't you? It has to be something on your end. I just went through and checked every page and it's working for me.
Well, I changed the type style and color on the home page. All of the flash components are working real well now. If you have dial up, don't bother looking at my site.

[MuirView Design]

Yeah, that's weird. The PH banners work for me now. I don't know why on your site the navigation links work on some and not others. I'll reboot later and see if it works. I like the font on the front page better. I would still think about removing the opacity all together. Still looks a hair washed out.

[CaptainsLS]

I cant open Services, Portfolio, or About. I really like how there is no scrolling around the page to view things. The text that goes across the home page saying "take the first step...." looks too plain. The concept is fantastic but the text doesn’t match the professionalism of the rest of the site. BTW, I love the mailbox on the contact page.

[Mbella]

Site looks great Chris. I ran through and didn't have any problems.

Now, work with Jeff and make mine better than yours.:)

[CaptainsLS]

Adam, Do you use Safari as a web browser? I wasn’t able to view the PH banners until a day after everyone else, I wonder if it browser specific?

[HRLand]

Adam & Captain, I think you guys are missing the links that show up in the green bar below the links that aren't working for you. I didn't realize it immediately either.

chris, your site looks great but I agree with others on the step photo being too light.

[MuirView Design]

I'm using Mozilla as a browser. I don't know what links in what green bar, but I can't open the same ones as Captain, so it tells me that it's not just my end. Anyone else having trouble? Maybe it's something Jeff can look into. I'd hate to see someone go to your site and not be able to see your portfolio and stuff.

[kootoomootoo]

Chris, How well did the partnership work out ....has it always been rosy.

[lawnkid]

Nice websites guys. Not sure if this can be answered here but what are you guys paying for web use? Hopefully i'll be able to get one up here shortly as well. Koot, change your about us page cuz you're no longer Turfh2o and it says you still are as well as the e-mail address.

[cgland]

Chris, How well did the partnership work out ....has it always been rosy.
It works out well. Not always rosy, but what is?

[kootoomootoo]

Nice websites guys. Not sure if this can be answered here but what are you guys paying for web use? Hopefully i'll be able to get one up here shortly as well. Koot, change your about us page cuz you're no longer Turfh2o and it says you still are as well as the e-mail address.

Changed ..thanx. pay the grand total of $7 per month.

[Grn Mtn]

pretty sure you've all seen mine: www.greenmountainlandscape.com
did it myself using the hosting company's diy stuff. pay about $7 month
only had 3 projects from last year that i could add and have only done one of those so far, the rest of the year I was "partnered" (failed) and can't show all that work.

[Grn Mtn]

www.mckeelandscaping.com

here you go.

Did you know your Domain is up, the page wouldn't load.

[mckeeland]

Did you know your Domain is up, the page wouldn't load.

Thanks man! it is supposed to automatically renew every year, but i had to change my visa card number when i lost it. i forgot to update it with my domain register. that sucks, luckily it only expired a week ago.

[MuirView Design]

Roald,

I really enjoyed your page. I think it is very warm and personal and I can imagine you attract a very similar customer.

On you Gallery page, i did have some problems with one of your pics overlaping another. May just be my end, but I thought I'd let you know. (BTW - I don't generally have problems viewing any websites I go on, not sure why the string of problems viewing stuff from here?)

Here's a screen shot for you Roald....

[Grn Mtn]

Roald,

I really enjoyed your page. I think it is very warm and personal and I can imagine you attract a very similar customer.

On you Gallery page, i did have some problems with one of your pics overlaping another. May just be my end, but I thought I'd let you know. (BTW - I don't generally have problems viewing any websites I go on, not sure why the string of problems viewing stuff from here?)

Here's a screen shot for you Roald....


Thank you, the problem should be fixed, and I added some things and took off the photo's for sale page (not one has sold in 3 years.)

Yes I do look for a certain type of customer and my website is really set up to qualify that type. Thanks again :humble:

[paponte]

New site has been up for a while. Just need some time to get more pics and info on it.

http://www.papontelandscapes.com

[cgland]

Site looks good Paul. I think you need more pics though.