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Creating a Selling Website for Dog Walkers

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For dog walkers, creating a fabulous website is an essential part of running a successful dog walker business. After all, your website is your opportunity to tell your story, create your brand, and create trust between you and potential customers. Your website is the place where you can share your pet care philosophy, show that you have dog walking insurance, and share testimonials from happy clients.

Unfortunately, creating a website isn’t always as easy as some people make it sound. Well, maybe just creating the website is easy, but it’s harder to make it a website that successfully attracts your audience and engages new clients.

So to help out dog walkers building their business, PCI has made a guide for dog walkers creating or revising a website. We hope this helps you all feel confident in your digital identity.

Remember to Put Function First

One of the biggest mistakes dog walkers make when creating a website is focusing on aesthetics rather than on function. Remember that your website is first and foremost a guide that helps clients find information about you. A website is meant to tell a story. A 2012 study showed that 50% of online consumers do not purchase a product or a service because a website fails to guide them to the information they need.

Each page leads your audience to the next page, so as you create your site, you have to constantly be asking, “What purpose does this image, or this link, or this paragraph serve, and where does it lead to next?” If the answer is none and nowhere, it would probably be wise to take that image or link or paragraph out.

Make Sure Your Website is Responsive to Mobile Devices

Making a website responsive to mobile devices means that your website functions well on smartphones and tablets. There are two reasons it is absolutely essential for a chef’s website to be responsive to mobile devices. First of all, people access the internet through their phones and their tablets just as often as they sit down at a desktop computer to surf the web. If your website is not designed to change its appearance to fit these mobile devices, you will be missing out on a lot of potential viewers, and you’ll miss the opportunity to impress your audience.

It is essential that small businesses not lose this business because consumers searching for a business on their mobile device are usually serious and motivated potential clients. According to a study by Google mobile movement, 88% of consumers who search for a type of local business (like a dog walking business) on their phone or tablet will call or go to the local business that they find within 24 hours.

The second reason is that Google is changing the algorithm that decides what websites get first billing in a Google search to favor websites that are responsive on mobile devices.

If you aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of developing a responsive website, that’s absolutely okay. You should be able to find a template and software (like WordPress) that will take care of this for you. Just be sure to keep this in mind when choosing or creating a template for your site. Be sure to test how your site looks on as many devices as possible.

Get Inspired by the Websites of Other Dog Walking Services

You don’t want your website to look like everyone else’s website, but you also shouldn’t deny yourself the opportunity to learn from other people.

Beware of Free Website Services

It shouldn’t be very expensive to have a simple and productive website, but beware of which services you choose to build your website. It is possible to get a free domain, that will be branded by the service you use (like WordPress or BlogSpot). Purchasing a domain name all of your own will help you show off your professionalism.

Try Building a Custom Site

To create a custom website, the first thing you will need is the software to build the site. Consider using WordPress software to build a custom site. This is different from having a WordPress blog. The WordPress software can be downloaded at wordpress.org.

If you will be using WordPress software to build your own website, you will need to choose a domain and a hosting service. Often your hosting service will provide a free domain, so look for that perk when you are shopping for a host. Wiredcanvas offers these four tips when choosing a hosting service:

  1. Don’t just choose the cheapest hosting service.
  2. Consider the uptime statement what the hosting service you are considering. (This is how much time the service is functional and available.)
  3. Choose a service that offers customer support.
  4. Choose a Linux package. It is more functional with WordPress.

If these tips make creating a website sound difficult and intimidating, don’t be scared off. In the end, creating a custom website can let you tell your story to an audience across the country and the world, so don’t give up. It’s worth it.

There’s Also No Shame in Using a Template

You may want to choose a WordPress template. One of these works particularly well for artists. There are also programs that are similar to WordPress like   that may be something to look into. You can learn more about those here.

Focus On Professionalism Above All

Professionalism is always important when building a business, but it is even more essential for independent entrepreneurs like dog walkers. After all, you are trying to convince potential clients that you are the person to trust to enter their home and care for their pet. Trust is essential for dog walkers because the reason that dog walking services have maintained growth even in the recession is that more and more dog owners are considering their dogs a member of their family.

Here are a few tips for making your dog walking business website look especially professional:

  1. Make sure it is responsive to mobile devices.
  2. Use sans serif fonts.
  3. Purchase your own domain.
  4. Keep it simple.
  5. Include your logo, and your contact information.
  6. Use big, high quality images

Once You’ve Built It, Promote It

Once you have a website filled with stunning images, promote your brand on social media. The sad truth is that Facebook is making it more and more difficult for business owners to rely on organic reach to reach customers. The good news is that boosting a post doesn’t have to break the bank. Even putting just $10 behind a post can help you reach over a thousand people on Facebook.

Having a strong social media presence is worth it, especially for small businesses—a study in 2011 shows that 69% of consumers are more likely to purchase services from a small, local business if that business has effective social media channels.

You might also consider contacting local veterinarians and pet care businesses that you admire to ask them to link to your website and offer you as a resource to their clients.

Be sure to install the Facebook and Pinterest plugins on your website, so that visitors can share your website easily on social media. After all, that’s free promotion.

Sources Consulted:

IbisWorld.com

Yola.com

WiredCanvas.com

Annual Pet Insurance Policy

This policy is for professionals who work in the pet care industry.

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Terms and Conditons

  • 1) No Purchase Necessary:

    No purchase is necessary to enter or win the contest. Purchasing will not increase your chances of winning the contest.

  • 2) Eligibility:

    The contest is open to legal United States residents who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. The contest is only open to those who follow the instructions and enter their name and email address on the website landing page

    https://www.petcareins.com/groomer-to-groomer Employees of Pet Care Insurance, their respective affiliates, contractors, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies and partners, suppliers and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate in the contest. The contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

  • 3) Agreement To Rules:

    By participating, you agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these rules, and you represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein. In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of Pet Care Insurance (PCI), as final and binding as it relates to the content. The contest is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

  • 4) Contest Period:

    Entries will be accepted online starting on or about November 23, 2018 and ending 10:30 AM MST on December 3, 2018. All online entries must be received by December 3, 2018 10:30 AM MST. There will be one winner.

  • 5) How To Enter:

    To enter the contest, one must enter their first name, last name, and email address into the contact form located exclusively on https://www.petcareins.com/groomer-to-groomer. You may enter only once. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of Pet Care Insurance (PCI). All disputes will be resolved at the sole discretion of Pet Care Insurance (PCI). In the event the entry collection mechanism suffers a technical failure, Sponsor may elect to randomly select another email subscriber to designate the winner of this giveaway. [Note: If you would like to remove yourself from consideration for this giveaway, please email Pet Care Insurance (PCI) at marketing1@petcareins.com with the subject line “Opt-Out – Attn: Ryan Muir”]

  • 6) Prize:

    here will be 1 (one) winner who will receive 1 (one) Amazon Gift Card. The Approximate retail price of the Amazon Gift Card is = $100 USD. At the discretion of PCI, the gift card may be delivered either electronically or by means of free standard shipping to the United States.PCI reserves the right to substitute an item of equal or greater value if any items listed above are out of stock or otherwise unavailable. Actual/appraised value may differ at the time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by the Sponsor. No cash or other prize substitution permitted except at Sponsor’s discretion. The prize is non-transferable. Any and all prize related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the winner. No substitution of a prize or transfer/assignment of a prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by winners is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for PCI to use winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.

  • 7) Odds:

    The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. One entry per person/email address.

  • 8) Winner Selection And Notification:

    Winners of the contest will be selected based on content quality under the supervision of the Sponsor. Winner will be notified via message to the email address that they used or phone number they submitted to enter the contest within five (5) days following the winner selection. PCI shall have no liability for a winner’s failure to receive notices due to winners’ spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for winners’ provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 15 days of the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and releases as required, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

    The receipt by winner of the prize offered in this contest is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE CONTEST AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.

  • 9) Rights Granted By You:

    By entering this contest you understand that Pet Care Insurance, anyone acting on behalf of Pet Care Insurance, or its respective licensees, successors and assigns will have the right, where permitted by law, without any further notice, review, or consent to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter in perpetuity and throughout the World, your entry, including, without limitation, the entry and winner’s name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image or statements about the contest, and biographical information as news, publicity or information and for trade, advertising, public relations and promotional purposes without any further compensation.

  • 10) Terms:

    Pet Care Insurance reserves the right, in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest should (in its sole discretion) a virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the contest. In such case, Pet Care Insurance may select the recipients from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Pet Care Insurance. Pet Care Insurance reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the contest or website or violates these Terms & Conditions.

    Pet Care Insurance has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the contest, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to; multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by contest rules; or the use of bots, macros or scripts or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the contest may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Pet Care Insurance reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

By entering the contest you agree to receive emails periodically from Pet Care Insurance and to receive a phone call from Pet Care Insurance. You can opt-out of receiving this communication at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the email.

  • 1) Limitation Of Liability:

    By entering you agree to release and hold harmless Pet Care Insurance and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from (i) such entrant’s participation in the contest and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof, (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.

  • 2) Disputes:

    THIS CONTEST IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF The United States of America AND California, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this contest, participant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this contest, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Utah County, Utah, USA having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this contest), and participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

  • 3) Privacy Policy.

    Information submitted with an entry is subject to the privacy policy stated on the Pet Care Insurance website.

  • 4) Winners List:

    To obtain a copy of the winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

    Pet Care Insurance

    c/o: Marketing Department

    260 South 2500 West Suite #303

    Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

    Requests must be received no later than December 3, 2019.

  • 5) Sponsor:

    The Sponsor of the contest is:

    Pet Care Insurance

    260 South 2500 West Suite #303

    Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

  • 6)

    This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, or any other Social Network. You are providing your information to PCI and not to any other party.

Comparing Employee Dishonesty Coverage & Bonding

PCI’s employee dishonesty coverage is similar to a bond, but there may be some key differences to consider.

Employee dishonesty coverage:

  • Can be purchased in the same transaction
  • Doesn’t run credit checks
  • Provides $10,000 per occurrence and $25,000 aggregate coverage

Bonds may differ from our dishonesty coverage by:

  • Checking your credit during the application process
  • Having a “Conviction Claus;” Often bonds won’t pay on claims unless there is a conviction
  • Many require you to reimbursement the bonding company after a claim is paid