Given that creating landscape designs is a large part of the work that landscaping businesses do, then we think that they more than most businesses will appreciate the need for top-class website design. Whilst landscape design and website design are two completely different skills, the fact that both need to be completed to the satisfaction of clients, is one common factor at least.
As for the website design that a landscaping business has, such as gardenspec.com.au, it certainly plays a huge role in how well that website converts visitors to prospects who contact the business for more information or to hopefully request a landscape design quotation. Website design also has a significant influence on how well websites rank in search engines such as Google. Good rankings can mean a flood of more traffic, and low rankings mean just a trickle.
So, with good web design having such an impact on how your landscaping business might perform based on its effect on visitors and the amount of traffic it receives, we thought would be useful to highlight some web design basics so that you and other landscapers reading this who feel their website is not ticking all the boxes have some avenues to pursue, especially if you ask a web design agency to revamp your website.
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There are many ways in which landscaping companies can promote and market themselves. The number of ways has accelerated enormously over the past couple of decades with the internet playing an ever-increasing role in our lives, especially in the world of e-commerce and business.
However, there is one way in which businesses, including landscapers, can promote their products and services which has been around for as long as people have traded, and that is via referrals. The beauty of this is it can be brought into the 21st century by seeking referrals through the use of online strategies as well as good old-fashioned word of mouth.
The value of referrals for landscaping businesses cannot be underestimated. No matter how much you spend on advertising and marketing, whether that is offline or online, none of it can have the same impact as one of your satisfied clients telling someone they know who is looking for a landscaper to call you.
It is part of our human psychology that we will more readily take action that we are encouraged to by someone we know and trust than we will ever do simply by seeing an advertisement or blog post online, for example. That is not to dismiss these and other digital marketing strategies, as they all work. However, if you manage or own a landscaping business you must also include strategies for getting referrals if you want to maximise the number of enquiries you receive.
To help you create and implement your referral strategy, we have outlined a few of the best tactics to use to both increase the number of referrals your landscaping business receives and to ensure that those referrals are inclined to ask you to take care of their landscaping requirements.
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Renovating is an exciting undertaking, but it can also be incredibly stressful. You want your kitchen to suit today’s trends, but you also want it to suit the years ahead. After all, no one wants to carry out kitchen renovations more often than necessary. We have compiled a list of the best kitchen trends from the experts at Kitchen Professionals, so keep reading.
Introducing Curves
In decades past, curves were a common theme throughout most homes. If you didn’t see them in a kitchen, you would likely see them in a living room or even a bathroom. However, they have come back – and in a big way.
Rather than opt for rectangular island bars for extra bench and dining space, homeowners are choosing to add a curved end. The slight curvature allows for even more bench space and an exciting aesthetic appeal.
Natural Colours and Materials
Homeowners went through a phase of opting for contrasting blacks and whites. While those colours remain popular today, there is room for a new theme: natural.
Raw and matte finishes are becoming increasingly sought-after, with homeowners introducing greens, greys, and other earthy hues. They then pair them with wooden floors, nature-themed pendant lighting, and cabinetry with subtle colouring.
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Like any other talent, being able to create an amazing landscape design requires a significant amount of skill and imagination. That being said, proper landscape design is not just a case of someone looking at a blank sheet of paper or a blank computer screen and randomly inserting plants, walkways, a lawn, and some garden furniture.
If a landscape design is going to work it needs to follow some simple, but essential principles. That does not mean to say that a landscape designers, even those who are beginners, cannot apply their own inspirational ideas to the design but it at least needs to have some level of order and logic to it.
As such, outlined below are the 5 principles which we believe you should apply to any landscape design, especially if you are a beginner, and are starting out on your very first one.
#1 Determine What Your Overall Goal Is
The first stage in any plan, including landscape design, is to initially establish what it is you want to achieve from it – whether it be a pool restoration or a new outdoor kitchen. By knowing that you can then implement and add elements within your design that will help to achieve your goals for the area you are designing for. You do not necessarily have to start the design but rather makes notes about how you would want it to look and possibly what ambience you would like to create.
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From the day that you first realised you enjoyed gardening until today, whether that has meant you have been tending a small garden, or have gone on to larger landscaping projects, there will be one task that you share with every other gardener on the planet. That task is weeding, and no matter how large or how small a garden is, and whether it is landscaped or not, weeds can appear at any time.
Although it is part and parcel of every garden, it does seem to be one of the things that many gardeners hate to do, and it is also the source of more complaints by gardeners than any other. Look on any gardening forum or Facebook group and you will see countless posts about those ‘XXXX weeds’. You can add your own favourite expletive where the ‘Xs’ are
Why weeds would cause so many negative thoughts and words from gardeners only each of them will know themselves. Our guess would be is that it may seem to some like something that never gets completed. as no matter how many weeds are removed, there always seems to be some more that come along to take their place.
So, whether you hate weeding, or if it seems more difficult than it should be, here some quick tips to make the weeding that you do in your garden more effective, and the results more prolonged.
#1 Know The Weeds You Have
Not every weed is benign to humans and some of them can be positively nasty if you touch them. Others serve as the habitat for certain species of insect that have a positive impact on your garden. So, before you go ripping up every weed you see, make sure you are able to identify those weeds which you definitely want rid of and those which, unless they are actually causing any harm to your plants, can be left alone.
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Have you ever wondered if there’s actually any real value associated with using professional landscapers? As professional landscaper designers, we have to admit that, at times in the past, we have. After all, can’t anyone with a few tools and a little bit of handyman experience redevelop a garden?
Fortunately, we’ve come to see the error of our ways, and now we recommend finding a professional landscaper for all but the smallest, simplest jobs. Really, it’s that much easier, and it will save you time, money and an awful lot of frustration. Trust us!
Below we’ve outlined a few of our top reasons why you should always use professional landscapers. Still not convinced? Speak with your local landscaping contractor and we think you will be!
For starters, professional landscapers know exactly what they’re doing and how to do it. It doesn’t matter exactly what you need them to do, they will be able to complete the job fast and efficiently without causing you any unnecessary worry.
On the other hand, if you decide to do things yourself, you will probably find that you run into all sorts of problems, especially if you’re not a very handy person. It’s simply not worth the trouble!
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Sprucing up your poolside and lawn with an aesthetic garden that blends into the landscape can be a visual treat and is a popular garden and is in the top pool trends of 2019. However you need to have a good maintenance routine for the different foliage. If you want your poolside garden and lawn to provide a pleasant and natural ambience you will need careful planning not only for design and architecture but also the know-how on the type of plants best suited for your location.
When you’re in Australia, a landscape design professional will tell you that having a garden surrounding a pool or grown on your lawn can be challenging. Here are some helpful plantation tips for poolside gardens and lawns.
Planning a poolside garden
Creating the perfect outdoor space for your home or business requires a careful combination of hardwork and artistic design. There is a whole range of different features that you could add to your outdoor space to improve it, including things like outdoor dining areas, barbecues and flagpoles.
Although many people wouldn’t even think about adding one to their back – or front – yard, flagpoles can actually make a great addition to your landscaping design. They offer a huge range of benefits, and can really compliment other features of your yard. Think about the following 4 reasons why you should consider adding a flagpole to your yard:
If you want to draw people’s eyes to a certain part of your yard – or indeed, away from a certain area – then the best thing to do is place something large and commanding in their line of sight. Flagpoles are tall, imposing and are great for drawing people’s eyes to certain parts of your garden.
For example, if you’ve got a special garden bed or some sort of feature that you want to make the centerpiece of your garden, then you should consider adding a flagpole nearby so that people naturally look in that direction.
Most people use their flagpole to display their favourite flag. Many people choose to display the flag of their country of origin. If you’re a particularly patriotic person or are simply proud of your heritage, then consider adding a flagpole to your yard so that you can show the world.
If you own or run a small business, then you might choose to use your flagpole as an advertising medium. A lot of people will hang their national flag or the flag of some organisation at the top of their flagpole, followed by a flag advertising their business underneath. However, you don’t necessarily have to do this, and some businesses use their flagpole for the sole purpose of advertising their services.
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Swimming pool fences come in various shapes and sizes, making choosing the right one for your home difficult. Modern glass fences has become increasingly popular in recent times, but other styles remain common.
With this in mind, we will outline the main styles of pool fencing, the benefits and disadvantages of each and a few things we think you should know before you choose a style for your home. The main types of pool fencing on the market today include:
Frameless Glass Pool Fencing
Frameless glass pool fencing is a desirable option that is becoming common throughout Australia. Frameless glass fences are usually made from rigid glass panels, secured at the bottom with shiny silver stainless steel fixtures. Although they don’t always look solid, frameless glass fences are just as secure as other styles when they’re built right.
Frameless glass is an attractive option if your swimming pool and outdoor entertaining areas are separate. It lets you see between the two regions, making summer entertaining easier. It is also relatively low maintenance and very easy to clean.
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Limestone blocks are one of the most versatile building materials out there. They can be used for everything from retaining walls and fences to stairs and garden beds, and they look great as well. They are also strong and affordable, making them perfect for people who have a tight budget.
One of the most popular uses of limestone blocks is to build strong, durable retaining walls. There are many benefits associated with building retaining walls using limestone blocks. Some of these include:
If you’re building retaining walls near your house or in a prominent position, you need them to look good. Limestone is an attractive building material, and retaining walls made with limestone blocks usually look great! Customise the exact style of your wall by choosing the size and type of limestone block you want to use (reconstituted or naturally quarried).
If you’re on a bit of tight budget you might want to build your retaining walls by yourself. Limestone blocks let you do this. Although some of the larger sized blocks can weight hundreds of kilograms and need machinery to move, smaller blocks can be manipulated by hand. This makes it very easy to build a basic retaining wall out of limestone blocks.
Although not the hardest wearing material under certain conditions, retaining walls made out of limestone blocks will last for a long time. If you use large blocks and make sure that your walls are built well, the chances are that they will well and truly outlive you and your house.
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