How business like are you?

R

Rollin

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Many people with equestrian businesses have websites, with contact details.

As I write I find that four different businesses I have contacted recently, never answer their 'mobile' phone or respond to enquiries to their 'info@' on their websites. If their yards are full, they could at least respond.

When I know they are not and income is down I wonder why they don't read their emails?
 
Out of date websites or websites with "latest news" on it which is about 6 months old annoy me.

If you have website keep it simple so it doesn't need much updating or keep it up to date and as you say a call back or a response is fairly basic. Even allowing for how busy people are, if you have gone to the effort of getting a website, bit of a waste not to respond to queries.
 
If people don't update their website or get back in contact with clients or potential clients it makes me wonder what else they don't do. It's very unprofessional and puts me right off!
 
We have a website that I have kept simple so that it is easy to update but most traffic goes through our very busy facebook page where I can getting about 8,000 hits a week. Considering I work full time away from horses and our business runs in addition to that I'm always surprised how powerful it is and, as others have said, it is keeping it fresh and updated regularly, and responding quickly to enquiries that are key.
 
You can set an automatic response to emails or info and set it up that those emails then go straight to your phone. If you don't want to be contacted in those ways then don't use them as an option.
 
I reply to every message and email that I get, but then I'm starting out and want to make a good impression so every potential client counts.

I dont mean to say that it doesnt with larger businesses, but then I guess they dont really have anything to prove as they are already established. You would think they would want to keep a good name though.
 
Firewell said:
If people don't update their website or get back in contact with clients or potential clients it makes me wonder what else they don't do. It's very unprofessional and puts me right off!
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Totally agree.

I also ran my livery yard as well as having a full time non-horse job, and I think the professional (non horsey) aspect makes you appreciate the need for prompt returning of calls/ emails etc, whereas if you're on the yard all day I understand that office work comes second!
 
It can work both ways I think, but manners don't cost anything!! I have a horse advertised for sale and the amount of people that don't bother responding to emails sent back to them is really quite shocking. I wouldn't dream of not responding to someone who has taken the time to email me!
 
Last time I was looking for a new trainer I emailed, or phoned and left messages for, at least 4 people. I had to go with the only one who answered!
 
I breed Shagya Arabs and Cleveland Bays and cross the two. I am a breeder not a rider and now have young horses, 2,3,4 YO for whom I will need trainers/riders.

If you advertise yourself as being a top class trainer and you do not reply to prospective clients not only have you lost that potential client but you affect your 'image'.
 
It has long been a bugbear of mine. There are several businesses that I have contacted for more info on their products as I was interested in purchasing - but no reply. When the economy is slow and people tell me people are struggling to stay in business I wonder whether they are genuinely even trying! My most recent enquiry was a simple question about a product worth around £350 - one vague reply which never answered my question and then nothing further - can they really afford to lose that business?

On ther side of the coin I run a website for an equestrian business - the online enquiry form comes straight to my email which I can pick up on my phone. Every enquiry however random receives a prompt response. The front page is refreshed regularly to keep it current and so potential customers know it is fresh. How frustrating is it to read pages on a site and realise the info is 2 years out of date!
 
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