Cheap easy ways to advertise small computer shop?

[lxskllr]

I think the yellow is what makes it exceptional.

Everything else is very neutral. I think the yellow draws attention to the wrong things. It's always going to pull at your eyes, only to see a mouse pad, and a blank computer screen :^D

 

[rockyct]

www.bench-tech.com <father in law did it>

I'm making flyers but door to door doesn't seem like it would cover a lot of ground , what about grocery store leaflets for windshields? The printing places around me are asking crazy $$$ for flyers 1,000 flyers $175 color paper 1 color text

That site screams "I spent 10 minutes making it by tossing some stock images in a template." Lay off the stock images. Also, it looks like it was designed for a 800x600 resolution screen.

 

[EQTitan]

That site screams "I spent 10 minutes making it by tossing some stock images in a template." Lay off the stock images. Also, it looks like it was designed for a 800x600 resolution screen.

haha you're correct he's very old school...

 

[EQTitan]

remember though this will be printed in Black and white so no colors will be present

 

[lxskllr]

It's better without the yellow, but that computer still bothers me :^P

How about something more modern looking? Maybe like a Mac, without it obviously being a Mac. You know, a little sleeker, and more streamlined.

 

[EQTitan]

Not too bad, but I'll design you something... I'm feeling the urge to put my skills to some use. ^_^

edit: <-- graphic design student

really!!! i was going to ask for some help and offer some sort of reimbursement either monetary or computer parts

 

[xanis]

Alright, here's what I came up with (images will be in B&W obviously):

http://i38.tinypic.com/2vaglmp.jpg

 

[lxskllr]

Alright, here's what I came up with (images will be in B&W obviously):

http://i38.tinypic.com/2vaglmp.jpg

I like that. The layout's cleaner than the original.

 

[EQTitan]

I like that. The layout's cleaner than the original.

I agree but am partial to the bank gothic lt bt font, I'd like a universal logo I can use on flyers as well as in store to tag desktops/laptops/invoices/work orders etc...

 

[rockyct]

To me it's weird that you list both the new customer discount and the returning customer discount on the original flier. I understand both discounts, but you can't have them both on the same flier. Have some limited time coupon for new customers and then after you do a job for someone, give them a card for a 20&#37; discount.

 

[xanis]

I agree but am partial to the bank gothic lt bt font, I'd like a universal logo I can use on flyers as well as in store to tag desktops/laptops/invoices/work orders etc...

I also do identity work.

 

[EQTitan]

I also do identity work.

check your PM my bank account needs it's lint picked away.....

 

[EQTitan]

Anyone have a good CMS they can recommend for a website solution?

 

[Acanthus]

flyers baby!

offer your current clientele a 10% discount on their next purchase for a referral?

I've found these 2 to be extremely effective.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Anyone have a good CMS they can recommend for a website solution?

I'm a big Drupal fan.

 

[Jodell88]

I'm a big Drupal fan.

Seconded!

A number of major companies use it and it's open source.

 

[PepePeru]

Hang out in the Best Buy parking lot and follow people home.

Direct marketing. It's all the rage these days.

 

[MrMaster]

This is my breakout for my fledgling computer business right now:

95&#37; from referrals
5% from direct marketing

Pretty much no effect:
local papers
search engine ads

Little effect:
direct mailings of small businesses
door to door I put an ad sheet, attach a magnet to it and put it in a newspaper bag and hang it on the door handles

As far as your ad, its just way to busy for me. Plus, you are advertising hardware. Maybe push services over hardware? Higher profit margins.

Also, you should really get a more professional picture up there. It's definitely great you have headshots up there.

Future clients:
Looks like sending someone to meetups via networking events through linkedin is already starting to pay dividends Disclaimer: (i still work fulltime)

 

[D1gger]

no spell check FTL

How are the prices?

The prices are great considering you are quoting them for 200 years into the future (check your effective price date).

 

[ViviTheMage]

You don't need color. Just get black on colored stock.

EDIT: Also, no offense to your FIL, but if you're going to get more serious and your customer base is going to grow, you might want to look into getting another website done.

I agree, it's a little...late 90's looking.

If you run a tech company, even if it's to fix computers/repair shop, you might want to keep it up to date/looking decent.

There's good content on there, just have to display it better.

 

[Fayd]

Everything else is very neutral. I think the yellow draws attention to the wrong things. It's always going to pull at your eyes, only to see a mouse pad, and a blank computer screen :^D

tbh, i think the yellow looks better than any other colors i can think of right now.

 

[Quasmo]

I just used ModX to build a site. Couldn't recommend it more.

 

[waffleironhead]

just get yourself some "focus" group members. Have them relay advertisements to the board via question and answer sessions.

 

[marvdmartian]

Get yourself some business card size cd-r's, shoot some video of you working on computers, the sort of work you do, etc. Burn the video onto the cd's, hand 'em out to your regular customers. Tell 'em if they refer you work by handing out the business card cd's, they'll get 10% off their next bill.

They win, you win.

 

[EricMartello]

All you need is a carefully crafted high volume email deployment bi-weekly with special offers and incentives to your customers. I know a guy who can help with that. PM me if you are interested.