Internet Advertising for your trucking company?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by GreyBeardVa, Aug 29, 2013.

Value of a website to an O-O

Poll closed Sep 3, 2013.
  1. Do you have a website for your tucking company?

    2 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. If you have a website do you feel it adds value to your company?

    2 vote(s)
    100.0%
  3. Do you feel that you have gotten any work as a result of having a website?

    2 vote(s)
    100.0%
  4. Did you create your own website?

    1 vote(s)
    50.0%
  5. Did you pay to have your website developed?

    1 vote(s)
    50.0%
  6. Would you consider having a website for your company if the cost was reasonable?

    1 vote(s)
    50.0%
  7. Would you consider a customized website (pics of your truck, company info, etc.) for your company is

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  8. Would you pay $10 per month for a website that included your own domain, email, images,etc?

    1 vote(s)
    50.0%
  1. GreyBeardVa

    GreyBeardVa Bobtail Member

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    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,
     
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  3. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Linkdin is a great networking tool. Facebook is popular but I hate it myself.
     
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  4. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    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.
     
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  5. GreyBeardVa

    GreyBeardVa Bobtail Member

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    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?
     
  6. Marlin46

    Marlin46 Medium Load Member

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    Atlanta, GA
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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.
     
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  7. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  8. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    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.
     
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  9. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    And how do you find these one truck websites? Writing them down as you drive down the road is not how customers find you. There are over a million trucking companies out there. You have to stand out to compete on the internet. Otherwise you are buried on some back page. Basically you are paying and maintaining a website to have a more professional email address for repeat customers or brokers. That's not a deal breaker whether you get a load or not. Anyone can pull up your company profile on the DOT's SaferWeb website and get the real deal. So you can't pull wool over someone's eyes making them think you are bigger than you are. Internet marketing is more complex than just telling a few people your web address.

    It's not that you can't have a website. For some it's more of a hobby and self satisfaction.

    Cookie cutter, lol! :biggrin_2559:
    Is that like @joetrucking.bravehost.com?
     
    Lilbit Thanks this.
  10. Marlin46

    Marlin46 Medium Load Member

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    Mar 17, 2010
    Atlanta, GA
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  11. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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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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