No matter what industry you belong to, there’s always competition—and this includes plumbing. Before you let other plumbing businesses throw a wrench in your growth plans, it’s a good idea to review your marketing strategies.
While you probably have a solid reputation in your local community and receive word-of-mouth referrals, you need to explore new ways to affordably and effectively promote your business for continued growth.
Online marketing is a great equalizer because it gives you the same marketing resources as your largest competitors and helps you reach a new pool of customers. To keep your plumbing business running strong, we’ve listed online marketing tips to help you distinguish your brand.
13 easy and effective ways to grow your customer base
Level up your plumbing marketing strategies with these helpful tips:
Construct a website that converts
As a plumbing business owner, your website is the hub of your brand and means your business is always open. This is where your prospective customers can learn more about your services 24/7. It also allows you to promote your areas of expertise, introduce your team, and provide other key information about your business.
Don’t forget to prominently display your phone number, email address, and other contact information on your website. Make it easy for your visitors to contact you.
As part of building a credible web presence, add customer testimonials to your website. Your visitors need to know that you are trustworthy before they finally avail of your services. Testimonials show that your previous plumbing customers are satisfied with your service and that what you offer is reliable.
Differentiate your business from the competition
Be more than just a plumber to customers and potential customers—be a brand. What do you offer that sets your business apart? Is it your years of experience, top-notch services, or new technologies and techniques? Look for opportunities to spotlight attributes of your business that your competitors can’t match.
Showcase your expertise by starting a blog. This will help you educate consumers about your trade and position you as an industry expert. Develop detailed content about specific aspects of plumbing and your areas of specialty.
No matter the size of your team, you can’t be everywhere at once. Maximize your opportunities and resources by investing in tools to better manage your business. Here are tools that you can use to streamline your operations:
- HouseCall Pro is a convenient option for you and your customers. With easy online booking, customer communication, account management, dispatching, and a broad range of other features, it is a solid all-in-one software option for managing your plumbing business.
- Wintac helps you manage customer accounts and employees in the field. It features an online time clock, dispatching, contract management, and service history tracking, and it even lets you collect payments while in the field.
- mHelpDesk allows you to automate payments, plan routes and manage work orders. It also accepts electronic signatures and handles quotes, estimates, billing, and invoices.
These online tools make it easier to organize your schedule and ensure that you always meet your customers’ needs.
Use SEO to help customers find you
Users usually start their plumbing search online. Incorporate search engine optimization (SEO) practices so that your plumbing company ranks high in search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
Identify keywords that will generate the most business for your company. For example, a keyword your customers might search for is “clogged drain” or “leaking pipe.” Review competitors’ websites to see what terms they are using for a starting point.
You should also explore local SEO. It ensures that your local business is visible online to users who are searching for your services within their local area. Optimize your website with local keywords, such as “plumbing services in [your location].” or create location-specific content that addresses common plumbing issues in your area.
Build your reputation (in the community AND online)
Your reputation is your brand and online reputation management is crucial to your company’s success. Today, online reviews carry as much weight as word of mouth. Monitor your online reviews on sites like Yelp, Home Advisor, and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).
If you notice a negative review, respond within 24 hours and acknowledge responsibility if you are at fault. Offer to make things right and always respond professionally. Don’t respond to negative reviews with equal fire because it can hurt your reputation no matter who’s at fault.
Always treat these situations as an opportunity to learn more about your customers and improve your business. On the other hand, if you see positive reviews, be sure to thank these customers for their support.
By managing your reputation, you’ll build stronger relationships with your customers and build brand loyalty, which is a very important benefit in a highly competitive market.
Optimize your Google Business profile
Claim and verify your Google Business profile. Ensure all details are accurate, including your business name, address, phone number, and hours of operation. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google profile. The positive reviews can significantly impact your local SEO and attract prospective customers.
Engage in social media marketing
Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to connect with your community. Share valuable plumbing tips and showcase your expertise. Run targeted social media ads also to reach potential customers in your service area.
Create content consistently
Maintain a blog on your website where you can regularly publish informative articles related to plumbing. Offer advice on maintenance, DIY tips, and more. Lastly, consider creating video content, such as tutorials or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work.
Explore email marketing
Build and maintain an email list of existing and potential customers. Send out regular newsletters with helpful plumbing advice, promotions, and updates. You should also personalize your emails for a more engaging and relevant experience.
Use pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
Consider running PPC ad campaigns on platforms like Google Ads. Target specific keywords related to plumbing services in your area to attract potential customers. This is a quick way to drive traffic to your website.
Ensure your website is mobile-friendly
Nearly 60% of online searches are made through mobile devices today. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to give your users a positive browsing experience. If they have to pinch and squeeze your content on their mobile devices, they’ll leave your website in a snap and you’ll lose potential sales.
Leverage online directories
List your plumbing business on local online directories, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Angi. These platforms can increase your online visibility. Don’t forget to make sure that your company information is accurate across all these platforms.
Track your results
Use online analytics tools to track the performance of your online marketing efforts. This data can help you refine your strategies and allocate your budget effectively. This is where you can determine whether your current strategies are working or not.
Networking and partnerships
Collaborate with other local businesses that complement your services, like hardware stores or home improvement companies. Attend local events and join chambers of commerce to network with potential customers and partners.
Make a noise in your local area with Simple SEO from Web.com
In the growing and competitive plumbing industry, you need to up your game to have a competitive advantage. You need to exhaust all possibilities that could hoist you to a wider pipeline of people who need your services. One of the tools that you can use for your plumbing marketing strategy is Web.com’s Simple SEO. With this tool, you can identify which areas of your website need to be optimized to improve your search engine rankings. With this tool, you don’t need to have SEO knowledge or experience. Avail yourself of this solution now!
