Charlie and Dale, the couple behind Climbingvan, have combined their technical backgrounds with their love for the great outdoors to run an off-grid electrical system business.
Charlie Low and Dale Comley have been living, traveling, and operating their company Nomadic Energy from their campervan full-time since 2021.
As their business is exclusively online, reliable website resources are a lifeline for the couple. Thanks to Hostinger, they’ve been able to grow and facilitate audience demand, all while exploring nature.
Setting Off-Grid
It’s not surprising that Charlie and Dale met on a climbing trip.
“Climbing and van life are kinda synonymous,” says Charlie. “It’s very common to see people bring their campervans to climbing areas and combine the comfort of home with roadside adventure.“
The couple dreamt of converting a campervan into a home on wheels so they could conveniently embark on more climbing trips. They eventually bought Ringo, a yellow ex-DHL delivery van, and started working on it. They planned to take a year off once the conversion was completed for travel and then come back to work rejuvenated.
Along the way, they documented the conversion process on Instagram and set up a blog, racking up a considerable following as the project progressed.
Unfortunately, a week after the van conversion was complete, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe. The UK went into a nationwide lockdown, effectively canceling Charlie and Dale’s travel plans. With Charlie also furloughed, the couple suddenly had much more free time on their hands.
This ended up being a catalyst for a bigger change for both of them. The couple decided they didn’t want it to be just a year off – they wanted to change their way of living altogether.
Blazing a New Trail
The couple’s hobby presented them with the perfect opportunity: during the van conversion, they found it hard to get reliable, well-researched information. Aware of a clear gap in the market, the couple began writing a definitive guide on converting a campervan themselves.
In April 2021, after thousands of hours of research, they published their book aptly titled The Van Conversion Bible,just as they moved into the van full time.
They didn’t stop there. Knowing the ups and downs of converting and living in a van, Charlie and Dale wanted to help others. They surveyed thousands of people who wanted to or had converted a van. This gave them a good idea of what people found the most difficult: getting the electrics right. Funnily enough, this coincided with their own experience – Charlie’s background in physics and Dale’s as an engineer.
“When people first wire in their systems, it can appear that everything is functioning. But soon, things may stop working, and it’s not always clear why,” Dale says.
Charlie elaborates further: “We call those problems the unknown unknowns. They’re essentially the things you can’t consider because you don’t know about them until they happen. Then you realize that you’ve been screwed over by something.”
Shortly after the book’s release, they launched Nomadic Energy, a campervan and off-grid electrical system design service.
With the information they collected, Charlie and Dale created a clever system that does the math for individual conversion projects. “It’s a bit like a calculator. We can work out things like how much power someone is using or what type of batteries they need based on the appliances they have, and how they plan on using their van,” Charlie explains.
Driving the Fully Online Route
As their business is completely internet-based, Charlie and Dale realized they needed to take their online presence seriously and build a robust website.
Their previous blog could barely handle the increasing traffic. That meant they needed a flexible content management system to improve the site’s SEO aspects and keep all the content in check.
The couple opted for WordPress to rebuild the Climbingvan website. They filled it with more structured and detailed articles, utilizing Elementor to handle the front-end.
At the same time, their new site needed a reliable web host to facilitate the growth they were experiencing. Charlie found out about Hostinger through recommendations and online reviews. The positive feedback for Hostinger’s customer service convinced her to try it.
Charlie notes that whenever they reach out to Hostinger’s Customer Success, the agents are always helpful and friendly, ready to address any issues or concerns.
“We honestly reference Hostinger as the benchmark for our engineers when providing support,” Dale says. “We’ve sent them screenshots of Hostinger’s support, with their little GIFs and stuff like that. It’s so, so good.”
Today, their website handles more than 60,000 visits a month from all over the world. It’s at the core of their business – of the 23,000 The Van Conversion Bible copies sold, 34% were purchased via the site. It’s also the storefront for bespoke Nomadic Energy electrical systems. And since Climbingvan first made its name as a blog, people also drop by for helpful information about van conversion.
“We don’t have any sort of premises, offices, or shops – the website is literally everything to us,” says Dale.
The Journey Ahead
Climbingvan, the couple’s passion project, has grown from just Charlie and Dale to a team of eight. Everyone involved lives vagabond off-grid lives. They also use Nomadic Energy’s off-grid electrical systems, meaning they can work from anywhere. This ensures that their customers get service from like-minded people who really walk the talk.
Now that their business is up and running, the couple has big dreams for the future. They both agree they like being agile and nimble, so they do not plan to take root anywhere anytime soon. Charlie and Dale emphasize that the whole business is about off-grid electrical systems, so it feels almost wrong to have a physical office somewhere.
That said, they dream of building their own off-grid house. The team is also planning to expand to other off-grid electrical systems and regions. The US market is particularly enticing – America is arguably the home of campervans, RVs, and living the nomad life.
And while they plan for the future, the couple remains committed to sustainability. Climbingvan is a member of 1% for the Planet – 1% of their revenue is allocated to applying solar energy to community organizations. Moreover, for every book they sell, they plant a tree with Ecologi, an environmental organization that partners with businesses to offset carbon emissions.
Living, traveling, and working on your own terms while giving back to the world? Mother Nature must be proud.
PPC 101: Launch Next-Level PPC Campaigns
There’s one thing every website owner will say yes to, and that’s more traffic.
But how on earth are you meant to get noticed when the internet is so over-saturated with just about everything else?
If you’re looking for a fool-proof way to drive more traffic to your website and convert those visitors into paying customers, PPC advertising could be just what you need.
Hostinger Academy Webinar: Starting With PPC Ads
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PPC or pay-per-click advertising refers to online ads where the advertiser only pays when people interact with their ad through impressions or clicks.
Getting Started With PPC: 6 Top Tips
Contrary to popular belief, PPC advertising is no rocket science. Often, you simply need to know who you’re trying to reach and why they should visit your website.
Some of the best practices every PPC marketer should abide by include the following:
1. Decide On Your Channels
Ideally, you should be advertising where your audience likes to hang out.
If you’re selling to suited-up businessmen, chances are you won’t have much luck with an ad campaign on TikTok. Similarly, you won’t reach teens and tweens as easily on sites like LinkedIn as you would on Instagram or Facebook.
There’s “no one-stop-shop for every available audience.” You need to understand who your ideal customer is, where they spend their time online, and where they are in the buyer journey before you can settle on the best PPC channel.
Since every online advertising platform offers some form of pay-per-click solutions, start by creating a user persona and doing customer research to fully understand your customers’ pain points and habits.
Your customers might already be searching for products or services through search engines, or they may need to be introduced to your brand through social media first.
Overall, for most advertisers, it’s easier to create search ads in the beginning and branch out to other channels as you gather more data on your customers.
2. Determine Your Goals
As they say, “well planned is half done”. That applies to PPC advertising, too. Before you launch a single campaign, you should be clear about your goals. Start by asking yourself:
How and what am I currently doing with my website and online marketing efforts?
What do I want to achieve with this particular campaign?
How does this PPC campaign support my other marketing objectives?
Next, you need to determine goals that you can measure:
Do you want to increase overall traffic to your website?
Do you want the campaign to result in more sales?
Are you looking to generate more sales leads instead of full conversions?
Is the primary focus of your campaign to simply promote an app or offer?
Do you want to build more brand awareness?
Remember that a single PPC campaign should have one or two main goals. If you want to have more, consider running multiple campaigns with different focuses.
3. Set a Budget
The thing with PPC marketing is that in order to set an effective budget, you need to understand how the bidding process works.
In short, when you set up a PPC campaign, you choose the keywords that best reflect your ad and what you’re offering. How much you pay for each click depends on your field of business, overall competition, and how well the platform considers your ad to reflect the chosen keyword.
The cost per click for different fields can differ a lot. For example, eCommerce search ads run a lot cheaper than legal ones, but the average spend on legal services is often a lot higher than the average order value of a standard eCommerce store.
In order to get the most out of your budget, you should allow the platform to increase or decrease your bids based on performance.
This way, you can make adjustments based on different categories, like the device, overall demographics, users’ language, and so on.
4. Know Your Audience
How likely would you be to click on an ad offering car repairs if you don’t own one? Chances are you’d continue scrolling and not give the ad a second thought.
But if you’re a motorist and have maintenance due, you’re likely to be much more inclined to see how you could save on upcoming repairs.
Successful PPC marketing involves defining your audience – it can make or break your campaign. Ideally, you should do research beforehand to understand who the right audience for your ad is.
This could mean running surveys on your website and conducting interviews with ideal and existing customers to determine what the buying and decision-making process looks like. You should know the general age, location, gender, interests, and usual behaviors of your audience, as well as the type of keywords they use to navigate the internet.
You should also not shy away from utilizing remarketing audiences on platforms like Google and Meta. Remarketing campaigns are a great way of getting customers who have already done business with you in the past to reactivate. Since they already know your brand, you often simply need a good offer to get them to engage with your website again.
5. Copy Is Important
Don’t underestimate the importance of words on your ads or on your landing page.
The best PPC ads speak directly to your target audience member, appealing and offering solutions to potential challenges or pain points the user might have. Give potential customers a reason to do business with you by highlighting your unique selling points in your ad copy.
You should always include the main keywords you’re bidding on in your ad copy and provide a call to action in your messaging. This will help ad platforms determine the overall quality of your ad.
Ideally, your ad should use language that matches your landing page copy for a smooth and cohesive user experience. This way, when users click on it, they won’t get distracted or discouraged from performing the desired action (signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, scheduling an appointment, and so on).
On the landing page your PPC ad is linking to, you should have a strong headline mirroring it. The copy on the page should be very specific and relevant to the keywords your ad is targeting.
Most importantly, the offer that you are promising in your ad should be clearly present on your landing page, paired with a clear call-to-action button. A clean, intuitive and responsive page design will help your copy stand out and do the heavy lifting.
6. Know Your Competitors
Chances are that you have direct and indirect competitors. But that’s not a bad thing. You should be actively checking your competitors’ websites, landing pages, social media accounts, and PPC activities down to the copy they are using in their ads.
Doing this helps you understand how your competitors are differentiating themselves and how they position themselves in the market overall.
If your main competitor has been around longer than you and can sell their products and services for less, you might want to look for a unique selling point other than the price. For instance, maybe you can offer better customer support or higher-quality products instead.
Get Your PPC Campaign Live Today
Starting PPC advertising is simpler than people often realize.
As long as you know your audience and target the right keywords and channels, you can launch your first campaigns in no time. And the better you can monitor and optimize your ads, the better value you will get for your money.
How to Start Working as a Freelancer and Make Money Online
Are you tired of your 9-to-5 job? Are you looking for a way to be your boss and have more control over your schedule? Becoming a freelancer might be the answer you are looking for. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to start working as a freelancer and make money online.
What is Freelancing?
Freelancing is a type of self-employment where individuals offer services to clients on a project or contract basis. Freelancers work on their own terms, choose their clients, and decide how much to charge for their services.
Steps to Start Working as a Freelancer
1. Identify Your Skills
The first step in becoming a freelancer is to identify your skills. Think about the services you can offer to potential clients. Are you good at writing, designing, coding, or marketing? Once you have identified your skills, you can start to look for clients who need those services.
2. Build Your Portfolio
Before you start looking for clients, you need to build your portfolio. Your portfolio showcases your skills and helps potential clients to understand your style and expertise. You can create a website, a blog, or a social media page to showcase your work.
3. Determine Your Rates
Determining your rates is an important step in becoming a successful freelancer. You need to price your services based on your experience, expertise, and the industry standards. It is also essential to consider the amount of time and effort required for each project.
4. Find Clients
Finding clients can be challenging, especially when you are starting. You can start by networking with people in your industry, attending events, or reaching out to potential clients through social media or email. You can also join freelancer platforms such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to find clients.
5. Deliver High-Quality Work
Once you have found a client, it is essential to deliver high-quality work. Make sure to understand the client’s requirements, communicate clearly, and deliver the work on time. Your clients’ satisfaction will lead to more work opportunities and positive reviews.
6. Manage Your Finances
Managing your finances is crucial when you are working as a freelancer. You need to keep track of your income, expenses, and taxes. You can use software such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or Xero to manage your finances.
Tips to Succeed as a Freelancer
Set realistic goals and prioritize your tasks
Stay organized and manage your time effectively
Learn new skills and stay up-to-date with industry trends
Provide excellent customer service and communicate clearly with your clients
Always deliver high-quality work and exceed your clients’ expectations
Build a strong brand and online presence to attract more clients
Conclusion
Becoming a freelancer can be a rewarding career choice for those who want more flexibility and control over their work. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can start working as a freelancer and make money online. Remember to stay focused, deliver high-quality work, and manage your finances effectively.
FAQs
1. How much money can I make as a freelancer?
The amount of money you can make as a freelancer depends on several factors, including your skills, experience, rates, and the demand for your services. According to a survey conducted by Upwork, freelancers in the United States earn an average of $31 per hour.
2. Do I need to have a degree to become a freelancer?
No, you do not need to have a degree to become a freelancer. However, having a degree or certification in your field can help you to stand out from the competition and give you an edge in the job market.
3. Can I work as a freelancer while still working a full-time job?
Yes, you can work as a freelancer while still working a full-time job. However, it is important to manage your time effectively and avoid burnout. It is also essential to make sure that you are not violating any employment agreements with your full-time employer.
4. What are some common mistakes to avoid when starting as a freelancer?
Some common mistakes to avoid when starting as a freelancer include undercharging for your services, failing to communicate effectively with clients, overpromising and underdelivering, and failing to manage your finances effectively.
5. How can I stand out from other freelancers in my field?
To stand out from other freelancers in your field, you need to provide high-quality work, communicate effectively with clients, and build a strong brand and online presence. You can also consider specializing in a specific niche or offering unique services that are not commonly available in the market.
