I am NOT currently an O-O (I do have a CDL). However, I am interested in becoming an O-O having used this site to learn a great deal while developing my business plan from postings made by the very experienced O-Os who openly share their knowledge. Thank you.
As I continue my industry education I wonder how many O-Os have an active website where you advertise your services, communicate with brokers and shippers, etc. Specifically, do you feel that using a website gives you any advantage? Have you gotten any work that you can attribute to having a website? If you do not have a website have you thought about creating one? If you do have a website did you develop it or did you pay to have one developed for you? Finally, if given the opportunity to have a low-cost ($10-20/month depending on features) would you consider having your own website?
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Internet Advertising for your trucking company?
Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by GreyBeardVa, Aug 29, 2013.
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Linkdin is a great networking tool. Facebook is popular but I hate it myself.
GreyBeardVa Thanks this. -
An independant website will do you no good unless you know how to improve your search engine rankings. Building a website is one thing, getting it out there is another.
If you pass out business cards you could put your link on there or even on your truck. Then it could be an attractive professional tool for potential customers. But just putting a website out there and nothing else no one would find it.
The way I see it if you are not keeping up with the times you are behind.
Like rollin coal says you could use directories and social media.Lilbit Thanks this. -
Excellent point! I agree that in the sea of websites having one is meaningless unless search engine optimizations (SEO) are employed. I assume that a hosting plan includes some level of SEO effort at least that's the way most hosting agreements are structured. The larger concern considering the expense ($120 per year) is whether anyone will care that a small (one-truck, or small fleet) trucking company has a website?
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I would disagree with the SEO stuff - by having a one truck outfit and a website you will look more professional in the eyes of a customer or a potential customer. Just b/c you have one truck doesn't mean you have to announce that to the world - I know many companies who have a website and it would appear they have a fleet when they only have one or two. It's called marketing. It is much more professional to say email me at joe@joestransport.com than it is to say joestransport@gmail.com. It just is. For $120 a year you can at least look like you have increased capacity - keep in mind it is better to say I do not have the capacity this week than to never get a phone call. For $120 / year it is worth every cent of it.
GreyBeardVa Thanks this. -
Many trucking companies do not have websites, especially the smaller ones. They are just not worth the expense and hassle of maintaining them. Having worked in graphics/web design as well as being involved in trucking, relationships are not built through websites for the most part with trucking. Unless you are one of the large carriers, a website is an expense that may be more costly than beneficial.
CondoCruiser Thanks this. -
Contact with shippers/receivers and brokers is mostly by phone as well, not via internet/email/websites.
And by "website" in my previous post, I mean a good website, not a cookie cutter, template site.CondoCruiser Thanks this. -
It's not that you can't have a website. For some it's more of a hobby and self satisfaction.
Cookie cutter, lol!
Is that like @joetrucking.bravehost.com?Lilbit Thanks this. -
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You're crazy if you think your customers don't look at your safety scores. It's akin to a truck owner never checking credit on any potential customers.
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