Got our website up and running! Feedback please.

Hey guys,  
 
We have been using the winter months to build our website.  We have learned everything from the ground up so it has definitely been an experience! Would love for some of you hot dog vets or people with web design backgrounds to give us some feedback.  The website is www.streeteatstn.com  Thanks!

 

Do you have a menu for people to see?

You do know "Street Eats" is already taken as a name used in the hot dog vending world??? It is a sister company owned by Best Vendors and Compass Group that controls the hot dog cart contracts for Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. You may end up with some issues because of that.
 
However, the website looks nice.....

Thanks for the input.  
 
Major Weiner, we are revamping the menu and it will definitely be on the site before we get back at it in the Spring.
 
RJT, was aware, hopefully any problems with that will be down the road.  If we get big enough to be on their radar it might not be that bad a problem! Thanks guys.
 

 Nice site, can tell you have a lot of work into it with all the gadgets you have. Maybe an easier way to track your location than going through facebook.
 Where did you get your umbrella with the top vent, how much? Looks nice, I guess I'm going to need one less apt to fly off onto my head.
 I wouldn't think Street Eats is going to give a rats ax about you using a similar name.
 

Tristan225, got the umbrella at Sams Club, apparently they stock them every spring.  Had some issues with wind though and ended up putting a piece of PVC for the bottom and put top part of umbrella in it.  The PVC gives a little and the umbrella itself comes apart in high wind rather than snapping apart.  

Tristan225


 Nice site, can tell you have a lot of work into it with all the gadgets you have. Maybe an easier way to track your location than going through facebook.
Where did you get your umbrella with the top vent, how much? Looks nice, I guess I'm going to need one less apt to fly off onto my head.
I wouldn't think Street Eats is going to give a rats ax about you using a similar name.

 
Dont be so sure about Street Eats not giving a rats butt about their name. Compass Group which owns the company and name Street Eats is a VERY large company with deep pockets and many lawyers. They are very particular with their name to the point they dont even want any of their own vendors using the name on their carts at a Lowes or Home Depot. Large corporation do care if something is being used that is "similar". Try having a hot dog cart wth the #3 on it and call it Intimidator dogs. Or paint it Carolina Blue and call it Tar Heel Dogs, or burgandy with an Indian and call it Redskin Dogs and see how it works out for you. I know a guy that used a clip art on his site that was not his and he is now in a legal battle with a $3000 bill sent by the company that owned the pic. The pretty much told him to either pay it or be turned over to a collection agency that would put it on the credit rating for a business.
 
I had to sign three pages of paper work to use Nathan's logos and such on my menu, cart, etc.
 
I would hate to see anyone get in trouble or spend money on promo stuff just to have to change it all or be sent a legal notice.
 
Either way, just trying to help and the website still looks good!!! :)
 
Happy slinging and have Merry Christmas!!!

also, they are on this forum and i've seen them post. So the possibilites are even greater that you may have a problem now rather than down the road.

Do you really need to include the "How we made this web site"?
Kinda bush league and not necessary.
Really, no one cares how you made it.
I'd definitely change your name.
Why ask for trouble?
You'll have enough on your plate when you open without answering lawyer's letters.
Most companies use a service or have their own people Google their name on a regular basis.
All they have to do is Google "Street Eats" and you'll pop up on their radar.
They will then immediately be on you like white on rice! 

Foodbme, thanks for your input.  That will be gone by the time we go back to business in the Spring, to be replaced with our Menu tab.  So many of our friends on Facebook asked how we built the site (because they know we know nothing about programming or websites) I put it on there.  
 
 

panther90

Foodbme, thanks for your input.  That will be gone by the time we go back to business in the Spring, to be replaced with our Menu tab.  So many of our friends on Facebook asked how we built the site (because they know we know nothing about programming or websites) I put it on there.  

That's fine to tell your friends how you did it but you don't need to put it on your web site. Your web site should be about selling new customers, not schmoozing with your friends. Schmooze on facebook & twitter---NOT on your web site. It's a distraction. Your site should be about why a reader should seek you out to buy a hot dog and not to impress your buddies with your web skills.
I Googled your name, Street Eats. You show up on page 10 now. The more hits your site gets the quicker your name will move up on the list. Big Brother IS watching you whether you believe it or not!

I agree... Get a new domain name, NOW. You said if you got big enough for them to notice you, you'd deal with it then...but why would you risk it? Under your scenario, you'd be up and running, doing a brisk business, customers would be hitting your web site left and right to check out your menu or location, and the BAM...suddenly one day with no warning, your web sit disappears off the web. Your customers get confused. Think you're out of business. Maybe go eat at the cart across town. Meanwhile you have to start from zero again, publicizing your new web site address. You have to start from zero getting your page ranking on Google. Any links you've built up from other businesses don't work anymore. Links people put in their Facebook or Google+ to tell their friends how good your dogs are don't work anymore.

Why would you risk giving up all the time, effort, and money that goes into successfully marketing a web site by taking a wait and see attitude about something you can replace for under $10???? Just go get a new domain name, let the old one expire, and save yourself a lot of turmoil down the road!

First impression from the picture of the cart is, the hot dog girl looks pissed off. Might consider a picture showing food being served to customers.

ManteoDog


First impression from the picture of the cart is, the hot dog girl looks pissed off. Might consider a picture showing food being served to customers.

That was my thought too.

kland01s

ManteoDog


First impression from the picture of the cart is, the hot dog girl looks pissed off. Might consider a picture showing food being served to customers.

That was my thought too.

Maybe she's pissed off because there aren't any customers to serve?

Thanks for the input.  We have a photographer that will be taking some professional photos for us in the Spring.  The photos now are more placeholders than anything else.  zippersdogs, we built a pretty loyal and large customer base in our first year, I am sure we will improve upon it this year.  ManteoDog, will definitely get pics of food and customer interaction.  Thanks.

 

stubby77, I registered a backup domain per your advice but will hold off using it for now.  Thanks for advice.

I don't get you. We've all pointed out the problem with your name and you're gonna "Hold off" for now?? NOW'S the time to make the change before you get too far down the slippery slope.  We can lead your horse to water, but if you don't want to drink then that's your problem. 
I can understand you wanting to do your own thing, but when MULTIPLE people tell you you're looking at trouble and you don't "Get It" then I'm done trying to convince you otherwise. Outta Here! 

Foodbme


I don't get you. We've all pointed out the problem with your name and you're gonna "Hold off" for now?? NOW'S the time to make the change before you get too far down the slippery slope.  We can lead your horse to water, but if you don't want to drink then that's your problem. 
I can understand you wanting to do your own thing, but when MULTIPLE people tell you you're looking at trouble and you don't "Get It" then I'm done trying to convince you otherwise. Outta Here! 

Yea, I am not sure what the "hold up" could be? I MIGHT could understand if the name they were using had nothing to do with the hot dog business but to be using a name that is directly involved with the hot dog cart business and not change it is pretty crazy if you ask me. Maybe when Compass Group send them a bill for the use of their name (because they say they profited while using it, or said them using it caused damages) along with a cease and desist order from their attorneys then it will seem more like a good time to change their name.
I'm just sayin.......

You guys get pretty worked up! I work a full time job and this hot dog cart is a side project that provides nice revenue and maybe, one day, more.  The cart is up for the winter and hopefully after Christmas I'll have time to address these issues. Happy Holidays!    

They cant just send you a bill or take you to collections for trademark infringement (you got that court thingy). It's not like lifting pics from someones website. Street eats would have a whole lot of other company's to sue if you do a search of the name and quite a bit of effort and expense to prove infringement. It would be different if he ever wanted to be at a lowes or hd.

I think I would change the name to "Sam's Streeteatz" right away. At least that way you have an argument. Plus shouldn't be too hard to change your logo, etc.
Do it now so you can get the new name out there before spring.

And, sorry, the website is very un-impressive. I think you started TOO MUCH from scratch. I made my silly site from www.yola.com  cuz I saw an ad here on RF.
So far it's free, cuz I havent upgraded. But it works for me, and like I said...it's FREE.     www.grampysdawgs.yolasite.com
For a fee, I can lose that extra tag.

Nice website.  Looks professional.

Free stuff is great and I like both of your websites (grampys and Streat Eats). But I always think when things say free, or you get free biz cards, but the back advertizes that it is free it just doesn't look right to me.

I know sometimes people are on a budget (like me) but this is your business (part time or full time). I would pay a proffesional, ask a friend to help,or use Yahoo site builder, and spend the extra money. Be careful with some flash stuff on sites because it can stop you from showing up on the first pages on search engines. Optimizing your site is so important. You want your title to say as much as it can about your location, and services. plus use tons of keywords.

I still need to work on mine as well, but I have received some pretty good gigs from it. It was done on Yahoo site builder. It is $10 per month, but I eventually want to upgrade, and have a professional build one for a one time fee, and then I pay for the domain anually. My friend will do this for me for a low cost.

www.QuickDogCatering.com

You need to change your name now so that your customers who use your website will be able to find you. You do not want to be changing names midstream. Makes folks wonder why you changed names. They will immediately think the worst.

While I believe every business needs a Web Site, I don't think a weenie slinger needs much. Get the basic facts out and let them know you exist. If they wanna hire you, they know where to find you. Twitter and FB can tell them where you are.
I bullt my page just cuz it was fun......no way done.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/23/rolex-sues-rolex-deli_n_1168136.html?ref=small-business

Hi and congrats on the cart and the site.
Your name made me think of RoadEatz.com, which I just grabbed. Thanks.
The top photo of the street scene is "stretched" and looks odd.
I think the young lady helper has a very pleasant smile and certainly does not look pissed off.
Arent you very close to VA ? Do you really want to exclude us Virginians ?
I agree with the idea of a domain name that is yours, that no one could "challenge."
Here's some domain name ideas. Use the code COOLDOMAIN at Go Daddy checkout and get
the name for less than $2 for the first year.
 
** TNEATZ
** TNVADOGS
** TNVACART
** TENNDOGS
 

My site was [PurpleDogPromotions dot com] made with Go Daddys WebSite Tonight Builder and took me maybe 4 hours to build.
 

Nice EZ cart!  I'm almost done with mine : )