Insult a potential client?

I am working on mobile website marketing and wanted a few of your opinions.

I kind of want to tell these people that their sites look terrible on my iphone. Something like: I was recently looking for a bar with a Happy hour and noticed not only do you not have a mobile website but, your regular site looks terrible! ....................................So, I went ahead and made you one right away! Nothing overly rude but a little truth and maybe pointing out something they have never thought about.

Question is, do you think this surprise insult factor will intrigue the business owner to reply and see why im saying their site sucks (and to see the one i've made?) and maybe appreciate the honesty.... or do you think that they will be too offended or surprised by the un- professionalism of it and NOT contact me.

??

Thank you!

There is a difference between being honest and being insulting. Insulting a client is hands down one of the dumbest things you could ever do. Approach it professionally and honestly. Do NOT insult your client.

Actually, I've done something similar. I was sent to a site that had images that were so dated, I felt like I had to do something about it.

I sent an email to the owner of the site with the graphics and I got a very quick "Thank you".

Not everyone has the skills to create a website or graphics and I've found that some people are either afraid to ask for help, or they're to shy. Sometimes a little "heads-up" can start a new relationship that both of you will benefit from.

I hope that you get a positive response from the person that you were "helping out".

Winchester said:

There is a difference between being honest and being insulting. Insulting a client is hands down one of the dumbest things you could ever do. Approach it professionally and honestly. Do NOT insult your client.

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Have to agree with this. You can suggest improvements all day but you should never straight up insult them. What if their kid made the website?

Use the phrases "up to date" and "meet modern industry standards". He 'll get it that you are implying it sucks in a nice way.

No one cares what their site looks like, they care if it is effective.
Hit them with facts, If a mobile site takes too long to loads or is
hard to navigate users will go to the next site. You are losing business.

I wouldnt straight up tell them their site is "horrible." you can just say there are many things that can be improved and blah blah

You might want to try telling them that "x" amount of people are searching for their type of business on mobile devices and that there current site is unreadable...

But I wouldn't simply insult their website.

Gwendoleea said:

I am working on mobile website marketing and wanted a few of your opinions.

I kind of want to tell these people that their sites look terrible on my iphone. Something like: I was recently looking for a bar with a Happy hour and noticed not only do you not have a mobile website but, your regular site looks terrible! ....................................So, I went ahead and made you one right away! Nothing overly rude but a little truth and maybe pointing out something they have never thought about.

Question is, do you think this surprise insult factor will intrigue the business owner to reply and see why im saying their site sucks (and to see the one i've made?) and maybe appreciate the honesty.... or do you think that they will be too offended or surprised by the un- professionalism of it and NOT contact me.

??

Thank you!

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Hey that's a bad idea to insult your client like that directly. It's better to approach them with like a fan of their business who thinks the look/design of their website doesn't lives up to their reputation and give them a back handed compliment. Of course you have to put this very mildly like this:

Hi. Me and my friends always visit your bar often and absolutely love it! We always have a fun time at your bar! I recently looked up your website to see if you guys have happy hours.

I build mobile websites for a living and couldn't help myself from noticing how much the look and feel of your mobile website can be improved to reflect the richness your restaurant/brand.

Please let me know if you'd be interested in providing your customers with the best mobile experience when they visit your website. If so, I'd love to help you with the same.

Regards,
xxxx

<bold>P.S.: Here are a few samples of my <link>previous work</link>.</bold>

The Postscript (P.S.) should be bolded since it's a call for action. You will also need an attention grabbing email subject which makes the client open the email. A few ideas:

• Love your bar, but have a suggestion!!
• Happy customer, but have a suggestion!!
• Your bar is awesome, but have a suggestion!!

Also, try to be honest. If you haven't been to the bar, then tell them that your friends have been recommending their place, so you checked out their website to see if they have happy hours.

oxonbeef said:

No one cares what their site looks like, they care if it is effective.
Hit them with facts, If a mobile site takes too long to loads or is
hard to navigate users will go to the next site. You are losing business.

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Yes absolutely!! But good restaurants/clubs/bars try to recreate their brand perception/value in their marketing.

Anyway, bringing all the problems/shortcomings of their websites that lead a bad user/customer experience to their notice will help strengthen the sales pitch and increase the likelihood of getting them interested enough to give him a chance.

Also, showing them some case studies of your previous clients or educating them on how the shortcomings affect the bottom line will help make your sales pitch stronger.

winordietrying said:

Yes absolutely!! But good restaurants/clubs/bars try to recreate their brand perception/value in their marketing.

Anyway, bringing all the problems/shortcomings of their websites that lead a bad user/customer experience will help strengthen the sales pitch and increase the likelihood of getting them interested enough to give him a chance.

Also, showing them some case studies of your previous clients or educating them on how the shortcomings affects their business will help make your sales pitch stronger.

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This is why I always have custom sites built or work with high quality brandable
templates. Your average WSO template I wouldn't offer to a hotdog stand.

oxonbeef said:

This is why I always have custom sites built or work with high quality brandable
templates. Your average WSO template I wouldn't offer to a hotdog stand.

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Haha! Agreed! Giving the customer the BEST should be the goal! Best "profit making" strategy IMO.

Some very good thoughts, opinions and helpful ideas! Thank you so much everyone!

I read somewhere here that having a mockup helps, something rough that just looks better than what they already have maybe? Although if I'm honest, the one time I cold-emailed an owner with a mockup he told me to lose his email address, lol. His site was pure shit though.

Selling is about playing with their emotion, if you insult them, don't expect them to ever pay you a single penny.

Like Winchester said, be honest and professional.

Yea, I did decide to NOT insult them and go for the "you have no mobile site" and "hard to navigate" pitch. realllllly hope some of these emails work!

You dont have to use insult for this matter. It's basically a sales pitch that you are using to sell ur product. So, nothing is wrong in it. Just make sure your words are not harsh.

All you have to do is use the approach that you are trying to help the owner by making suggestions. If you know how to phrase it, you can turn the phrase, "your site sucks" into something that the owner will appreciate. It's all about phrasing and delivery.

You also have to remember that sometimes the client designs it themselves or had a friend/relative do it for free/real cheap and this could offend them as well. However, some clients won't take offense but I wouldn't risk it as I have had some people who flatout admitted that their site sucked lol.