Website critique please

Well, I am just about ready to finally start my own business. I have wanted to do this for years and I am now in the position to be able to do so. I still have alot to do over the next couple of weeks but would love if I could get some feedback on the site I have up for it.

http://www.scalestailsandpaws.com
Thanks!
Ingrid

I think it looks Great. The only thing I see wrong is on the contact us page, You dont have anyones name. Your full name and maybe cell # should be there. Good luck with it...

looks good to me!

Thanks Jas, it is fixed :D

Much better!

i was reading your packages. your first package is:

walk, cleaning up accidents and fresh water... all in 15 minutes? really? i consider a short walk for my dog 15 minute and that doesn't include getting her harness on, getting my shoes on, checking the house for accidents or changing her water.

have you already done this? can you actually get all that done in 15 minutes?

as a customer... i'd like to see a 15 minute walk as your personal minimum you would be willing to give my animal. that would show me how much you care about animals in general... if you refused to provide less. :D

and on your contact page... having a rat and a snake on the same page in most people's minds would mean food. personally, i would change the pics to not be prey and predator.

oh and i loooove the pic of your dog on the front page!!!

you don't mention anything about feeding. i know if i was gone for a few days i would like my dog to get fed.

and i was curious about the pricing, esp the week package. 85 mins a day for 7 days comes out to about 10 hours a week. so your charging $23 an hour to take care of a dog. that seems a little steep. even $10 for a single 15 mins...

i would re think the prices a little bit.

kevin, i totally disagree with you. her time, gas etc has to be taken into consideration. you need to check out kennel prices before you even begin to say she's charging too little!

Aleesha, you have a very good point. 15 is the minimum I would be there and I will reword that. The daily is usually closer to 20-25. I have worked for other petsitters in the past, so prices are competitive. I do mention the feeding, it is in the 30-45 min visit. I will rework the pictures, I never thought of that. Thanks for your input :D

Good luck to you! I wish I had someone in my area willing to check in on my rats, snakes and lizards. Everyone I know thinks its creepy so I have to rely on my daughter to come by the house everyday to make sure my rats have food and water and she hates doing it. We board our dogs only because we have one with separation anxiety and he would distroy the house and sometimes our hotel charges are less than our boarding fees. I think your site looks really good and I'm sure you'll find it will always be a work in progress. Again, good luck to you and your business . . . Let me know when you open a branch in Southern California.

Ingrid,
I think it's awesome... I wish I still lived in Columbus! Lol... As it is, I'm going to point one of my friends in your direction. She has two cats, a ferret, and a leopard gecko (I think that's it, but I feel like I'm forgetting someone). She and her boyfriend have crazy schedules, and I know there are times she would appreciate a helping hand.

Keep up the great work!

:) Looks good best of luck! I think it's a great idea!

Awesome Ingrid!!! As you know I'm a fellow Ohio native and my sister went to OSU. She lives in NYC now but I asked her to send your website link to all her friends that still live there. Best of luck!! You rock!

Thanks for the feedback all :D And great big huge thank you to Jaime & Lynn :grouphug:

Ingrid Great Job...It really looks good.


As I have 3 dogs, salt water fish, snakes and rats and few other family members I have long considered a pet sitter vs. boarding the dogs (3 dogs is almost $70 a day around here!!)

Anyway, personally I am always concerned I am going to either get a kid or a thief so I have never tried it (I know this is unfounded fear but still it is my house and babies)...I think there are a lot of people out there (in this day of identity theft) that feel the same way as I do. You need to put their mind at ease. What I would suggest is more certification logos (if they exist). I would get a Better Business Bureau logo, your bonding company logo, any licensing logos, register with the local humane socieity shelter, "certified by your local vet", chamber of commerce logo, etc. type stuff. I would put some reference's quote online...what former customers have said about you. This would go a long way as putting peoples minds at ease over the quality of your service.

Or am I just paranoid? :rolleye2:

Sean, you are not paranoid at all! I am looking into the BBB, so hopefully soon I can have that up. I am also looking into getting on Angies List. The other ideas are great, thanks for the input. Now if I could just find somewhere I could get animal CPR certified!