Online Pricing!

[leelive]

Just been reading that Brides-to-be in Scotland want to see prices on websites!!

They are my potential customers and need to listen so have just added some guide pricing... I will be closely monitoring to see how it changes the number of enquiries.

Anyone else offer such on their website?

It has always been a no-no for me as I prefer to have contact. Hopefully the way that I have done it still makes them want to make an enquiry.

Lee

[Andy Collins]

I have prices on my website. Personally if I cant see a price on a web site or "call for the latest price" etc I'll leave and look elsewhere.

People use the internet for convienience and to avoid the "sales patter"

If I wanted to call I would have called instead of looking on the net.

So if I think this way, so do others and you'll loose business because of it. On the plus side, I very rarely get "how much for a disco mate" numpties calling for the cheapest possible price.

[Vectis]

Always have done it and recommend doing it to all my clients. Not all of them listen, mind :D

I learned a long time ago that there's a large minority (or possibly even a majority) of people who really don't want to get into a telephone conversation about crass topics such as pricing. They want an idea upfront, and will sail on by websites which don't show it.

If you don't get onto the shortlist, you're never going to win the business. So the only reasons to give them for not shortlisting concern your suitability for their needs, be that budgetary or capability.

[Shaun]

I don't state prices on the website and have no plans to do so for the time being. I'd much rather send a reply with my info to at least allow me the opportunity to sell myself further.

I can recall a few instances where I've been contacted by enquirers and they've been kind enough to reply stating that I've been more expensive than other quotes they've received. And after correpsonding back and forth with them they've gone on to book me. Those customers are ones I most likely would never have heard from if my prices had been online. So in your situation Andy it's true I might lose business because of it, but by being able to sell myself further via email I believe it all evens out. Swings and roundabouts. :)

[WWDJ]

I show my price on my wedding website. Price then doesn't need to be discussed. At least 50% of my enquiries start with "are you available, we would like to book"

With that said, there are conditions to this price and outside of that there will be discussion, so for instance if someone is outside my area, or for longer hours, I may need to increase the price.

This becomes interesting as I begn to sell addons like uplighting and moving heads as the customer will see these as additional services, but I do get chance to sell these through promo videos and pictures on my website which I think is a good way for a customer to visualise whether they want these items.

For instance, I am finding a fairly low take up on uplighting, so I need to sell it better on my website.

[Mark Wild]

Since putting prices on my site, my enquiries halved but my conversion rate doubled ;). My reasoning behind taking this route was I myself always hunt for prices online and it gets tedious when I can't find them without phoning.

It's easier for me to have prices on my site though than it would be for bigger outfits who offer masses of options and add-ons.

[dehayco]

Since putting prices on my site, my enquiries halved but my conversion rate doubled ;). My reasoning behind taking this route was I myself always hunt for prices online and it gets tedious when I can't find them without phoning.

It's easier for me to have prices on my site though than it would be for bigger outfits who offer masses of options and add-ons.

I agree, as said in the thread if i go to a site without prices i usually leave as i can't be bothered with sales talk. The same goes for shopping, i do most of it online now so i don't have sales people wandering round me.

In terms of add ons though wouldn't you just put something like Wedding Disco - From *Insert price*

[Andy Collins]

In terms of add ons though wouldn't you just put something like Wedding Disco - From *Insert price*

Exactly what I have on my site, at least they know a base figure

[leelive]

Quite surprised by the responses.... Didn't imagine so many would have pricing online... Looks like I am the last one to do so!
Thanks for your replies... lots of interesting and worthy points made.
Lee

[funkymook]

It's also possible that publishing prices could put clients off as well.

For example, if someone has a budget of £250 in mind they'll not make an enquiry to any site that has a price higher than that - which loses you the chance to explain why you are value for money and that increasing their budget is a good idea etc.

If a potential client is put off contacting you for any reason at all you can't sell to them!

It's always going to be swings and roundabouts with this question.

[Andy Collins]

It's also possible that publishing prices could put clients off as well.

For example, if someone has a budget of £250 in mind they'll not make an enquiry to any site that has a price higher than that.

That's why I do have prices on my site, I don't want to explain why I am more expensive. Surely they can see why I am more expensive after viewing my pictures and marketing.

If they cant see value there, they won't after a 30 minute conversation.

[funkymook]

That's why I do have prices on my site, I don't want to explain why I am more expensive. Surely they can see why I am more expensive after viewing my pictures and marketing.

If they cant see value there, they won't after a 30 minute conversation.

Just had a quick look (clicked on your signature link) to see how you were presenting them and couldn't see any prices Andy, what page are they on?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Putting prices on my site was the best thing I ever did :)

[Andy Collins]

Left hand side, Information - Booking Information then half way down the page Fee's and wedding pack.

"My fee’s for 2013/14 start at £450 for your evening reception high class & bespoke entertainment. Please click here to download a PDF wedding pack with current fee’s"

[Vectis]

Just had a quick look (clicked on your signature link) to see how you were presenting them and couldn't see any prices Andy, what page are they on?


"My fee’s for 2013/14 start at £450 for your evening reception high class & bespoke entertainment. Please click here to download a PDF wedding pack with current fee’s"


Martin probably couldn't see the numbers under the pile of grocers' apostrophes! :o

[funkymook]

Left hand side, Information - Booking Information then half way down the page Fee's and wedding pack.

"My fee’s for 2013/14 start at £450 for your evening reception high class & bespoke entertainment. Please click here to download a PDF wedding pack with current fee’s"

Ah' yes - to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if some people don't see that, I certainly didn't and I was looking specifically for that info'.

[Mark Wild]

Ah' yes - to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if some people don't see that, I certainly didn't and I was looking specifically for that info'.

I couldn't find it either :o

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I couldn't find it either :o

Nor could I. Sort of defeats the point of the object if you ask me!

[Charlie Brown]

Ah' yes - to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if some people don't see that, I certainly didn't and I was looking specifically for that info'.

:agree:

I was looking for a good ten minutes and ended up looking at the pretty lightshow instead. :D

[Andy Collins]

Ah, but now you need psychology. You all were specificly looking and skimming through the page or site specificly looking for the price.

Now, look through the site again with your bride head on. Is she looking straight for my prices or is she looking to see what I offer.

Now reading the booking information, one would assume that she has seen, read, and liked what I offer - otherwise there's not much point in looking at the booking info. While she or he is reading that (note - reading) they will easilly see the info as they are reading and not skimming.

If you have a tab that says "PRICES or FEE's" you'll fall at the hurdle everytime

So, as to the point it can be easilly missed - Yes if they are not really interested, or no if they actulally read the info and are taking it on board.

Everyone who has come through wishing to book me has never said "how much"

in any case, if they go straight for a quote then the prices are displayed there also.

[funkymook]

Ah, but now you need psychology. You all were specificly looking and skimming through the page or site specificly looking for the price.

Now, look through the site again with your bride head on. Is she looking straight for my prices or is she looking to see what I offer.

Now reading the booking information, one would assume that she has seen, read, and liked what I offer - otherwise there's not much point in looking at the booking info. While she or he is reading that (note - reading) they will easilly see the info as they are reading and not skimming.

If you have a tab that says "PRICES or FEE's" you'll fall at the hurdle everytime

So, as to the point it can be easilly missed - Yes if they are not really interested, or no if they actulally read the info and are taking it on board.

Everyone who has come through wishing to book me has never said "how much"

in any case, if they go straight for a quote then the prices are displayed there also.

With the greatest of respect - what a load of tosh!

[Andy Collins]

Care to elebarate?

[Andy Collins]

I fail to see where you are coming from with your comment, it is mearly fact.

Go into Ford or any mid range forecourt, the price is clear to see in the windscreen. Now go past Ferarri or any top end dealer. Is the price clear for all to see?? NO, but it doesn't mean that its not there. It is, you need to look for it. In fact you'll find it in the glove box or under the driver seat in a nicely presented folder.

Now put that analogy to web sites, if you see a nice tab that says "Prices" that WILL be the first thing people will click on. I haven't just made that up - it is a marketing fact.

So imagine if I had a tab on my menu that said Fee's - people would be driven to that before anything else - becuse its human nature to want to know how much things cost. Not if I had that and they saw all day would cost around 1k would they still look at my web site. Chances are no.

Same with anything promoting to a higher end market.

If my fees were around £200 - £280 then I would have a Prices tag.

There's no tosh about it - just facts.

[Mark Wild]

Lee needs to add an option for you then Andy -

Do you show guide pricing online? Yes, but you'll never bloody find it :p

[funkymook]

Care to elebarate?

Certainly - it's all based on supposition (as in 'one would assume' - your words).

If you're going to start quoting 'psychological' reasons on how people read information and act on it then cite your sources to back it up - otherwise it has absolutely no foundation, it's just made up.

So on balance I still think your price is so well hidden to be virtually irrelevant on your site.

[Andy Collins]

Opinion respected.

But, if many people were saying to me "love your site but how much" I would agree with you 100%

But they don't, in fact the only people that do are the telephone callers who have seen my number on yell.

The point I am trying to make is that I don't want price hunters because I would fail 99% of the time. I do not and will not compete on price. So the people who book me are looking beyond that.

Never the less, they know my fee's!

But this is going off topic, we agree to disagree on my site - but never the less they are there for all to see (or not) depending how much interest anyone has while looking at my site :)

[funkymook]

I fail to see where you are coming from with your comment, it is mearly fact.

Go into Ford or any mid range forecourt, the price is clear to see in the windscreen. Now go past Ferarri or any top end dealer. Is the price clear for all to see?? NO, but it doesn't mean that its not there. It is, you need to look for it. In fact you'll find it in the glove box or under the driver seat in a nicely presented folder.

Now put that analogy to web sites, if you see a nice tab that says "Prices" that WILL be the first thing people will click on. I haven't just made that up - it is a marketing fact.

So imagine if I had a tab on my menu that said Fee's - people would be driven to that before anything else - becuse its human nature to want to know how much things cost. Not if I had that and they saw all day would cost around 1k would they still look at my web site. Chances are no.

Same with anything promoting to a higher end market.

If my fees were around £200 - £280 then I would have a Prices tag.

There's no tosh about it - just facts.

I'd dispute it as fact when extrapolated to your site.

But basically I just don't think many Brides will notice it.

[Andy Collins]

If someone is genuine and wants to know more they will go to booking information, read the booking process and directly under that is a 14pt Bold lettering that says Fee's

I rest my case.

[funkymook]

If someone is genuine and wants to know more they will go to booking information, read the booking process and directly under that is a 14pt Bold lettering that says Fee's

I rest my case.

OK - but it's an extremely self confident (or foolish) person who ignores feedback from several fellow professionals.

If it were me I'd be taking a step back and seeing if there's any merit in what they say.

[Andy Collins]

Absolutly, but - I am not looking for feedback and if I were with the upmost respect to all, I would never in my lifetime ask fellow DJ's thier opinion on my website.

That's like B&Q asking Wicks thier opinion???

[funkymook]

Absolutly, but - I am not looking for feedback and if I were with the upmost respect to all, I would never in my lifetime ask fellow DJ's thier opinion on my website.

That's like B&Q asking Wicks thier opinion???

Oh that's understood and the pricing comments are a valid part of the discussion - I had to have a look to understand your references to pricing on your site, but honestly couldn't see it.

But if you ever did ask I'd have a bit more feedback on grammar and spelling, you can have 'suttle' for starters! :D

[musicologydisco]

I Always have done and believe it to be VERY important. I also try to be as informative as possible on my website which includes availability so when they call they are mostly ready to book. My website does the selling bit. I just take the bookings!

[funkymook]

I Always have done and believe it to be VERY important. I also try to be as informative as possible on my website which includes availability so when they call they are mostly ready to book. My website does the selling bit. I just take the bookings!

I think you're correct with the market you cater for, you're very cheap (£120 - £160 for a typical 4 hour local gig you state) so there's a big advantage in getting the price seen as soon as possible to catch the price shoppers. I doubt many looking for a bargain would feel the need to shop around after they see your site and prices. It's a bonus they get a decent service as well of course.

[DazzyD]

I didn't publish my prices online. However, that is all changing as part of the business revamp. The new site, once it goes live, will have pricing. I too will probably attract price shoppers despite the fact that when people ring, I usually get the "How MUCH??? :eek: " response!

From a marketing POV, I think Andy's idea of embedding the prices within the website is pretty clever as it will weed out the price shoppers and I agree that people who are genuinely interested in the service he offers will have read the site in detail (not just skimmed the text content) and will have registered the price information. Therefore, at contact stage, a genuine enquirer will be more likely to book and conversion won't be as difficult. It's actually a really cracking way to filter out potential time wasters as a couple of well-written questions at the start of contact will mean Andy should be able to tell, within the first 30 seconds (recognised sales industry timings), whether or not the enquirer is likely to book. It's a good sales tactic, really.

[Charlie Brown]

Completely understand & respect where Andy is coming from and if anything, I have a similar approach.

Like we said, it was hard to find but we all had a good look around Andy's 'showroom'. By the time we'd found it, we were happy with what we saw, so enquired.

Instead of highlighting £450+ on the front page, he makes brides interested and intrigued to find out more. If they find the prices after 10 minutes and still aren't happy, let them jog on. He's sold himself as much as he can, so it's irrelevant whether they enquiry or not.

[funkymook]

Completely understand & respect where Andy is coming from and if anything, I have a similar approach.



You've got a massive red star with 'Special Offers' in it on your front page Charlie! It's totally the opposite approach, it's encouraging people to go straight to your prices first!

[Charlie Brown]

You've got a massive red star with 'Special Offers' in it on your front page Charlie! It's totally the opposite approach, it's encouraging people to go straight to your prices first!

Of course, yet out of all the bookings I've had, two have quoted the 'special offers' - This is also a new thing to bag as many bookings as I can before I join slavery.

Loads of awkward terms come into play if they do book with the special offer. Don't worry, they're made fully aware of that before booking.

[funkymook]

Of course, yet out of all the bookings I've had, two have quoted the 'special offers' - This is also a new thing to bag as many bookings as I can before I join slavery.

Loads of awkward terms come into play if they do book with the special offer. Don't worry, they're made fully aware of that before booking.

It's a bit confusing though - you have weddings priced at from £350 and also from £225 for exactly the same days and times - and then your offers don't seem to tally up with the prices either.

Going by what you're advertising I should be able to book you for a Saturday night wedding for £125! I think you need to get in their and make some amendments - I can see what you've done wrong but a client could make you honour that. (and while you're in editing mode you've spelt speeches as 'speaches').


(I know this is not a thread to give unsolicited feedback on peoples sites but if they're going to comment on their pricing policy then I think it's fair to ask about it if it isn't clear).

[musicologydisco]

I think you're correct with the market you cater for, you're very cheap (£120 - £160 for a typical 4 hour local gig you state) so there's a big advantage in getting the price seen as soon as possible to catch the price shoppers. I doubt many looking for a bargain would feel the need to shop around after they see your site and prices. It's a bonus they get a decent service as well of course.

Indeed they do!

[ppentertainments]

I didn't publish my prices online. However, that is all changing as part of the business revamp. The new site, once it goes live, will have pricing. I too will probably attract price shoppers despite the fact that when people ring, I usually get the "How MUCH??? :eek: " response!

You must be having the worlds longest 'business revamp' Dazzy :D :D

The How Much ?? response, you will find, will slowly disappear if revamped correctly. I find now I get fewer enquiries, more bookings with a majority of enquiries booking me and almost all the others just never being heard from again :D :D

[DazzyD]

You must be having the worlds longest 'business revamp' Dazzy :D :D

The How Much ?? response, you will find, will slowly disappear if revamped correctly. I find now I get fewer enquiries, more bookings with a majority of enquiries booking me and almost all the others just never being heard from again :D :D

Since Dad lost his job, the funding situation changed dramatically as he needs his savings (the money he had planned to invest) to live on for the time being. The result is we've had to scale back on pretty much everything we had planned.

But, we've improved the setup somewhat and we've got two new websites in the pipeline. The video projection and uplighting services have taken a bit of a hit, though. Don't want to hijack the thread too much, though! :zip: