I don't mean to be incendiary or combative with this post. I would just like to mention a couple things I have had in mind.
a few months ago I was doing checks for competition and found that Ugly Shingles ranks very high in my largest service area, San Jose, a large city. I googled "roof cleaning San Jose" they were third from the top. their landing page said:
Great News! We have a certified crew ready to go in San Jose.
Of course they have the same page for every decent size city in the country that I checked. And of course, they have no crew at all. It was a bit irritating to see that, but hey business is business. They seem like decent guys to me, clearly better marketers.
I guess what bugs me is the fact that I have to spend more time and money to compete against somebody who is not even there. Am I their crew? I'd prefer they let me take care of my own home territory and get my own leads.
on the new forum is a large obvious icon for member galleries. It links directly to the Uglies photos. The tiny word gallery (that no one would use) links to the actual member galleries.
The Uglies have an agenda and I don't have a problem with that. They seem professional and hard working. I just feel like the RCIA should present itself as the standard or benchmark that can't be swayed by any one company. In the long run I think that would benefit us all. Members and future customers would have confidence in the org.
The Uglies have put forth effort for the new site that should be appreciated. However, there is clearly a reason for this.
To me the RCIA should be an authritative organization that represents professional roof cleaners throughout the U.S.
Trying to franchise/monopolize is up to an individual company but it should not even be perceived as having anything to do with the RCIA (And it is) This wil undermine respect for the org and drive people away.
Having said all this I have to acknowledge that my efforts/donations to the site are next to nothing.
I think your point is well taken brother. What's worse is we thought we were buying an RCIA product. But you actually paid hard earned money to purchase an UGLY product that actually works against you. How many people do you think would have paid to be on that directory of they knew exactly the 100% truth? That's right, zero! Any guy here speak up now that would of paid to be on that directory knowing what you know, I'd like to hear from you. Chris T says that they were smart for creating that map, and evidently they were even smarter then he set out, because guys were paying to be on a map for the benefit of their own SEO, but over our heads we had no idea that it was helping the Uglies of most anyone of all. Not only were they smart, but I guess we were all just stupid little sheep. It was helping them AGAINST ourselves, in our own markets. So, Gary, I AM personally am happy that they took their map. And I think it was pretty unprofessional to reignite the thread to ask everyone "are you guys happy now?" Like we should feel regret about the situation. But the leaders here played it smart and let the "natives" vent it out of their system and let die. And if anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about thats because the post was edited because it was blatantly clear this time he was "stirring up the natives".
This is a very well written thread. But we all play a part in making RCIA what it is. I welcome competition and the uglies are also here in my back yard and if they want to branch out and go nation wide that is there business. Not sure about all the facts of what has happened with the map and how it was used or wasn't used. It is sad it is gone because it was professional and I did get work from the map. Ed I will speak up and say, yes I would still gladly pay for my counties in NH & Mass and let me explain. The maps got me a Hugh condo job and a dozen roof cleanings, so the map was worth it to me. This may not be the case for everyone else and Imay have just been lucky but either way it was worth it to me. Now if there was this under handed deal that the uglies were hatching behind our backs, then shame on them. The uglies have always been good to me as well as alot of the RCIA family, and the uglies even referred a few jobs in NH to me,so they are not all that bad. I do not compare to alot of the roof cleaners that have posted and shared here at RCIA and that includes the Uglies, because they have shared and worked hard here at RCIA. RCIA is the leader here so lets be leaders and not followers.
Chris T says that they were smart for creating that map, and evidently they were even smarter then he set out, because guys were paying to be on a map for the benefit of their own SEO, but over our heads we had no idea that it was helping the Uglies of most anyone of all.
Remember that evil secret group called PRCA? The ones you guys jumped on and said were trying to compete with RCIA. We invented that map not the Uglies. The map was going to be for RCIA members and set up so not one person could benefit from it more than any other person. We saw what the Uglies were trying to do with it while they were in our group. We lost trust in them, so we removed them from our group. They stole our map and brought it straight over to RCIA and took over. Being hailed the heroes and such great and caring guys....lol
I PM"d a few people telling them what was happening and warning them about the Uglies to no avail. You know the old saying "you reap what you sow". Well RCIA is weeping now. OOPs. I mean Reaping......
__________________
Elephant Roof and Exterior Cleaning Raleigh North Carolina David Hoover 919-207-0666 Benson NC. Roof Cleaning Raleigh NC
I have to really stay out of this as for its really a part time gig for me. I will say that the one good thing about the uglies and their franchise is that they wont be low ballers.
This is a very well written thread. But we all play a part in making RCIA what it is. I welcome competition and the uglies are also here in my back yard and if they want to branch out and go nation wide that is there business. Not sure about all the facts of what has happened with the map and how it was used or wasn't used. It is sad it is gone because it was professional and I did get work from the map. Ed I will speak up and say, yes I would still gladly pay for my counties in NH & Mass and let me explain. The maps got me a Hugh condo job and a dozen roof cleanings, so the map was worth it to me. This may not be the case for everyone else and Imay have just been lucky but either way it was worth it to me. Now if there was this under handed deal that the uglies were hatching behind our backs, then shame on them. The uglies have always been good to me as well as alot of the RCIA family, and the uglies even referred a few jobs in NH to me,so they are not all that bad. I do not compare to alot of the roof cleaners that have posted and shared here at RCIA and that includes the Uglies, because they have shared and worked hard here at RCIA. RCIA is the leader here so lets be leaders and not followers.
Well, congratulations Guys, our Map is GONE. A Map that got many of us WORK !
on the new forum is a large obvious icon for member galleries. It links directly to the Uglies photos. The tiny word gallery (that no one would use) links to the actual member galleries.
Eric, please message Barry on the new Forum, and make him aware of this. If it is a problem, it will be corrected.
TY for bringing it to my attention. I am in my season, cleaning roofs in Tampa. I am very very busy, plus I have some health issues I am trying to get under control.
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Eric SCHNAIBLE wrote:
on the new forum is a large obvious icon for member galleries. It links directly to the Uglies photos. The tiny word gallery (that no one would use) links to the actual member galleries.
Eric, please message Barry on the new Forum, and make him aware of this. If it is a problem, it will be corrected.
TY for bringing it to my attention. I am in my season, cleaning roofs in Tampa. I am very very busy, plus I have some health issues I am trying to get under control.
What you are referring to on the right side, is a rotating link to everybodies pictures. Just so happened when you clicked it, the Uglies were up. Go to another thread, come back, and click it again and you will have different results. Uglies are also members and have just as much right to display pics as anyone else. Please show some respect to other members and check your opinions for accuracy before making false claims. Thanks.
I think your point is well taken brother. What's worse is we thought we were buying an RCIA product. But you actually paid hard earned money to purchase an UGLY product that actually works against you. How many people do you think would have paid to be on that directory of they knew exactly the 100% truth? That's right, zero! Any guy here speak up now that would of paid to be on that directory knowing what you know, I'd like to hear from you. Chris T says that they were smart for creating that map, and evidently they were even smarter then he set out, because guys were paying to be on a map for the benefit of their own SEO, but over our heads we had no idea that it was helping the Uglies of most anyone of all. Not only were they smart, but I guess we were all just stupid little sheep. It was helping them AGAINST ourselves, in our own markets. So, Gary, I AM personally am happy that they took their map. And I think it was pretty unprofessional to reignite the thread to ask everyone "are you guys happy now?" Like we should feel regret about the situation. But the leaders here played it smart and let the "natives" vent it out of their system and let die. And if anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about thats because the post was edited because it was blatantly clear this time he was "stirring up the natives".
Chris T wrote:
Well, congratulations Guys, our Map is GONE. A Map that got many of us WORK !
Be careful Chris, you are "stirring the natives" and being "unprofessional". You know you only own these forums and are NOT entitled to your opinions and comments. Did you also "pay" for your listing or was it furnishedfree like it was for all the other certified members?
Anyways...apparently everyone was looking at the USA map and not the individual states. I was playing around giving "OUR" map a more appealing look...as you can see...it now has a drop shadow and bevel effect.
BTW...If ANYBODY else is willing to host the map, I would be more than happy to transfer it. I assure you there is very little - if any SEO juice off of it.
I challenge anybody to test it!!!
Oh and the PICTURE GALLERY on the other forum pops UGLY SHINGLES first because we were the first to post in the gallery. I will be deleting that in a couple minutes...thanks for the heads up!
I really wish somebody with some REAL I.T. skills would come on here and uncover ALL these "ugly" secrets. You guys truly are quite funny....
Anyways...apparently everyone was looking at the USA map and not the individual states. I was playing around giving "OUR" map a more appealing look...as you can see...it now has a drop shadow and bevel effect.
BTW...If ANYBODY else is willing to host the map, I would be more than happy to transfer it. I assure you there is very little - if any SEO juice off of it.
I challenge anybody to test it!!!
Oh and the PICTURE GALLERY on the other forum pops UGLY SHINGLES first because we were the first to post in the gallery. I will be deleting that in a couple minutes...thanks for the heads up!
I really wish somebody with some REAL I.T. skills would come on here and uncover ALL these "ugly" secrets. You guys truly are quite funny....
Have fun boys and girls!
Love,
Ugly Steve
Given the map is flash it has very little if any SEO juice. Steve is right on this one. The only way to get good seo is to create a State page for each State and list the providers. Good directory maps are hard to come by. The free ones offer little or no seo juice but to the owner or developer. The good maps are very costly and take alot of coding or maintaining which is also costly.
A map is what it is, a directory for someone to reference to and from. Personally speaking I see little value in them other than branding of your service, which is a good thing. I can tell you from experience they can be alot of work.
As for Ugly Shingles having landing or GEO pages all over the country, I see this as the glass being half full not half empty. Anyone that lists roof cleaning services in my areas of service are just helping me by helping roof cleaning become a known service.
I have always had the position that cleaning a roof is the easy part. Educating the home owner 1.) you can clean a roof, 2.) you should clean a roof, and 3.) there is added value in cleaning a roof, is the hard part of the industry.
So Bob & Steve, post away and thanks for the branding help.
Anyways...apparently everyone was looking at the USA map and not the individual states. I was playing around giving "OUR" map a more appealing look...as you can see...it now has a drop shadow and bevel effect.
BTW...If ANYBODY else is willing to host the map, I would be more than happy to transfer it. I assure you there is very little - if any SEO juice off of it.
I challenge anybody to test it!!!
Oh and the PICTURE GALLERY on the other forum pops UGLY SHINGLES first because we were the first to post in the gallery. I will be deleting that in a couple minutes...thanks for the heads up!
I really wish somebody with some REAL I.T. skills would come on here and uncover ALL these "ugly" secrets. You guys truly are quite funny....
Have fun boys and girls!
Love,
Ugly Steve
Given the map is flash it has very little if any SEO juice. Steve is right on this one. The only way to get good seo is to create a State page for each State and list the providers. Good directory maps are hard to come by. The free ones offer little or no seo juice but to the owner or developer. The good maps are very costly and take alot of coding or maintaining which is also costly.
A map is what it is, a directory for someone to reference to and from. Personally speaking I see little value in them other than branding of your service, which is a good thing. I can tell you from experience they can be alot of work.
As for Ugly Shingles having landing or GEO pages all over the country, I see this as the glass being half full not half empty. Anyone that lists roof cleaning services in my areas of service are just helping me by helping roof cleaning become a known service.
I have always had the position that cleaning a roof is the easy part. Educating the home owner 1.) you can clean a roof, 2.) you should clean a roof, and 3.) there is added value in cleaning a roof, is the hard part of the industry.
So Bob & Steve, post away and thanks for the branding help.
Good Post Bruce! The Uglies are not cleaning roofs out in San Diego or New Jersey!