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Google Adwords and Opinions

0james0
0james0 Posts: 523 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
I promise this is not a tout for business, I simply do not know where else to ask to get an honest and knowledgable answer.

I have just made my own website, my very first website, but now I'm entering the internet world, I'm wondering a few things:

Firstly, something I have just thought of in relation to paid Google adwords. Is it possible/ likely that a competitor may simply click my links a few times a day to not only cost me money, but to make sure I hit my budget and thus have my ads removed. Does this go on? If so, is there a Google police to stop it?

Then the cap in hand for help part:


I was hoping that someone could give me a very honest (all be it constructive) advice about my site and what I could do to try and increase conversions when people get to my site.

The aim is to get new clients to fill in the contact us form or call my mobile.

I'm wondering what your first impressions are of it and how you would feel if you were a client looking to buy a house, would you be tempted to call me to discuss mortgages?

The website is: https://www.mortgageplymouth.co.uk

Given the fact I am a new website, Google seems to be going well, first place under the term "mortgage plymouth" including normally in the map listings. Also coming up high with the other search terms.


thanks in advance for any help

James
Saving and spending in equal measure

Comments

  • 0james0
    0james0 Posts: 523 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Oh and many thanks will be dished out to those who are helpful enough to give me an opinion. :)
    Saving and spending in equal measure
  • 0james0
    0james0 Posts: 523 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    bump for opinions! :j
    Saving and spending in equal measure
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 6 July 2010 at 9:58AM
    0james0 wrote: »

    I was hoping that someone could give me a very honest (all be it constructive) advice about my site and what I could do to try and increase conversions when people get to my site.

    The aim is to get new clients to fill in the contact us form or call my mobile.

    I'm wondering what your first impressions are of it and how you would feel if you were a client looking to buy a house, would you be tempted to call me to discuss mortgages?
    To be honest....No.

    Try Facebook targeted advertising. I think you also need to expand to more than just the city of Plymouth. It's too small an area. Devon mortgages probably would have been better.

    I just had a quick look at the census information and there are 38,278 households with a mortgage in Plymouth and if people move on average once every 7 years it's only 105 potential customers per week. Out of that 105 most will use the broker recommended by the agency they buy the house through or their own bank, a high st mortgage advisor or do their own research. Then out of those who are doing their own research how many of them are going to use the Internet then use Google??? Then click on you...Then convert into a sale? Maybe 1 or 2 per year. If you know of any Plymouth based websites try getting them to advertise your site directly. Set up a Twitter account. Are you on LinkedIn? I couldn't find you.

    ETA: And don't use a mobile as your primary number....Use a landline number and redirect it to your mobile.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • dekh
    dekh Posts: 237 Forumite
    I'm not going to comment on your website as fixing websites and getting them found is what I do for a living :)

    But I will say that:

    • Google Adwords has a lot of click fraud prevention built in, ok it's not a perfect world so keep an eye and report anything funny.
    • Stick Google Analytics on your pages to get visitor stats.
    • Register for Adwords but don't go any further -don't set up a payment method- and eventually they will email you a code for £75 worth of advertising. (They'll still charge £5 but "that's included in the £75".) It should certainly be enough to test the market at minimal expense.
    :think:
  • 0james0
    0james0 Posts: 523 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Things seem to be going well (I guess! :undecided)

    I've had 6 clicks from the ads and from that I have had one client use the contact us section which has converted into an appointment. So after 2 and a bit days of going, it seems to be going ok! :D

    Analytics gave me the £75 voucher, that's what I'm spending now! The Analytics reports that traffic to my site has gone up 600%! :rotfl:

    I'll amend the main number to a landline shortly, that's definatley a good idea. Also setting up a linkedin and twitter account this afternoon.

    The term "mortgage plymouth" and similar is searched almost a 1000 times a month, so there should be enough interest to keep me busy. Devon is a big area and I just wouldn't be able to cover it all, so I thought I'd try and conquer the local market first before moving on to bigger and better things.

    Thanks guys, really appreciate the honest help
    Saving and spending in equal measure
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