Swimming Pool Tradesman Express Mixed Feelings About DigTime Pools

Conway, SC based web company, 2ndpole.com has entered the pool industry with a new marketing concept that has raised hopes and concerns among pool industry professionals.  The design is inspiring, the concept is brilliant, but the regional exclusivity benefit is unsettling to some.  If this new venture named DigTime continues it's vigorous ascent to the top of search engines, many contractors will find themselves locked out of an opportunity.

DigTime Pools is an association of affiliated pool industry professionals that join together and pool (pun intended) their resources to lift the association's website to the top of prominent search engines.  In turn the website offers regional exclusivity to protect and reward its contracted affiliates.  Basically, they allow 124 pool contractors to stake their territory, then work together to establish a dominate presence online.  By granting exclusivity, DigTime eliminates the progress stifling competitive attitudes between contractors.  The territory rights assures the affiliates that their cooperation will not aid a direct competitor.

The DigTime Pools webplex utilizes a spoke and hub internal design.  There is a central hub website at HowMuchisanIngroundPool.com.  Then there are 48 sub-domains representing each state in the U.S. These sub-domains direct traffic to the primary domain where information and services our offered.  Each sub-domain will contains links to contracted affiliates in that region.  It also receives inbound links from these same contractors.  In states where the program is running visitors to the site are directed towards a service request form, where they can ask questions and request price quotes for services ranging from new swimming pool construction to simple pool maintenance services.

The two primary benefits to Digtime affiliates are leads sent directly via email or phone calls for service and SEO boosting links from well ranked pages.  The work leads are territorially exclusive, and not driven by pay-per-lead campaigns that often result in false leads.  The anchor text links are designed to maximize search engine rankings for the pool contractor's website.  The final goal of DigTime is to have their main website, sub-domain website, and the affiliates website all ranking in the top spots of Google for key swimming pool terms in each particular territory.  DigTime President, Stan Stephens said "We aim to make our affiliates THE leader, not just A leader in their territory. That is why the territories are exclusive, no conflict of interest, no competing interest, we can focus or that one affiliate to make them the best." 

A North Carolina Pool Contractor, who wished not to have his name published is considering a contract for the NC east region.  "It's kinda crazy, because it is a new company and there are a ton of options where I can spend my marketing dollars.  If I pass on it now, and it takes off without me, I can't get in on it later unless the contractor bails out, which ain't gonna happen if it is rolling good."  He continued, "Right now, I see it as an investment, if you buy in now your in for good.  If it continues at its current growth levels, next year I'll look back a say it was a great decision.  The price to get in on it now is low, so if by next year it doesn't pan out, I really haven't lost anything.  I'm probably going to sign up."

"Unfortunately, some pool builders see it as a threat", said DigTime President Stan Stephens.  "The contractors who don't care for it are typically the ones that have spent a lot of money getting their personal website to rank high on Google, but have a less than stellar reputation for customer service."  A DigTime contractor must meet some basic quality guidelines to qualify for a contract.  DigTime also monitors and investigates negative customer feedback.  If a contractor fails to maintain an outstanding reputation, their contact is terminated.  "Honesty and integrity are very important at DigTime, if an affiliate cannot make their customers happy, we need to find a contractor in that territory who can." 

Stan summarizes the process like this, "our goal is to attract the consumer, educate them, and develop trust.  That consumer then requests the services of one of our pool affiliates.  Finally, the work is completed, leaving the contractor and consumer satisfied with the transaction. We plan to replicate this process hundreds of times daily throughout the U.S."

Inground Pool Cost

DigTime will also provide affordable website design and search engine optimization services as well as pay-per-click advertising strategies on sites such as Youtube, Google, Facebook, Groupon, and others.  Once again all marketing services are territorially exclusive.

Pricing is value based and annually adjusted.  Affiliate contracts start for as low as $10/month for pool cleaning and maintenance service companies. Pool builders and contractors are the pinnacle affiliates, receiving the largest territories and highest priority links.  Contractors can lock in some territories for as little as $75 per month.  Territories are based on geographical distance, and population.  For example South Carolina consists of 3 territories at $75 each.  A pool builder could pickup the entire state of SC, with multi-region discounts for $200 per month.

See to learn more about Swimming Pool Leads try DigTime Pool's opportunities.