All right, it has been almost 10 years since Lawn Care Directory got it’s start. In order to improve the user experience for those of you trying to find a landscape company, I literally went through and called every single premium advertiser we had in all 50 states that was listed before Jan 1 2010 to make sure they were still in business.
The results of this little escapade really surprised me. Apart from it taking me a week to make over 1000 phone calls, the experience was very enlightening. Here were my takeaways:
1. It is unbelievable how many companies do not answer their phone or have in their answering machine greeting their company name. Answering the phone “Hello” screams out unprofessional.
2. I was surprised to see how many companies were still in business but had a completely different business name. How are you going to build a brand people.
3. Most of the companies listed with Lawn Care Directory are still in business and doing great. Yeah I ended up deleting more than 200 companies from the directory, but I spoke to so many companies that love being members of our directory. Listen to what one landscaper had to say when I called him:
July 5, 2010
Hi Adam,
Just wanted to let you know that having my business listed with lawncaredirectory.com that my business has grown. Approximately 35 to 40 percent of the calls I get are from the listing.
When a search for lawn care companies in the local area is done, the listing with lawncaredirectory.com always pops up on the first page. Thanks for getting your website out there in front.Thanks
Ron Cobb
All Pro Lawn Svc
Conclusion: I have more confidence than ever that Lawn Care Directory will provide the best experience to both lawn care/landscaping company as well as the property owner looking for the best company to do the job.