Whether you are a contractor, a builder, or a supply chain partner, in the remodeling industry you’re constantly dealing with a changing economy. So how do you keep your business prospering and growing?
Times have changed, and your target audience is now looking for your services online! Consumers currently perform more than 700,000 online searches for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and general contractor services EVERY MONTH!
With the right marketing in place, you can increase brand awareness, website traffic, leads, and booked jobs.
Here are 11 remodeling industry marketing ideas to get you started:
1. Invest in a modern website
Your website is your 24/7/365 online marketing tool and the hub of all your marketing efforts! It is the best way to showcase who you are and the value you provide.
Investing in a modern mobile-responsive website sends a message to prospects: Your company is successful, forward-thinking, and ready to take on new customers!
When your site uses the right design elements and messaging to tell your story, you are more likely to stand out from your competition and win that job.
2. Add your company to Houzz
A must for professionals in the home building, remodeling, and landscape design industries is Houzz.
It is a free online platform with millions of homeowners who can see remodelers’ profiles and project photos. Homeowners can ask questions and connect with remodeling professionals. It’s like Pinterest for the remodeling industry!
3. Get listed in directories
To ensure that your remodeling company has the best possible online presence, you need to list your company in online directories. It isn’t necessary to be in every directory, but you will want to have a business profile on local directories and industry-relevant ones.
When adding or editing your listing, make sure your NAP (name, address, phone number) is consistent in all places your business information appears. Maximize your listing with as much information as allowed. For example, some directories allow photos, so include them when this option is available.
A few directories to consider are HomeAdvisor, Superpages, Yellowpages, eLocal, Yelp, BBB, Yahoo Local, DexKnows, and Nextdoor.
4. Have a presence on social media
According to the Construction Marketing Association, using social media boosts brand awareness, increases website traffic and search rankings, and more.
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube – there are many social platforms available. Choose the ones that make the most sense for your business. We recommend at least three different ones to promote your company where your prospects are. This also helps your company dominate page-one branded search results!
Now that you’re social, post your projects, share useful information and more to engage your prospects.
Consider advertising – social media ads can be targeted to reach your audience by location, income, interests, and much more. Plus, you can set a daily budget that works for you!
5. Ask for customer reviews
Positive word-of-mouth is one of the major drivers of business for any business in the remodeling industry. Happy customers create less doubt in prospective customers’ minds about hiring your company.
Reach out to satisfied customers right after the job is complete and you’re doing a follow-up. Ask them to leave a review on places like Google, Yelp, etc. You can even email them a link so it’s super easy for them to do!
6. Engage with Non-Competing Businesses as a Referral Source
Although not an online marketing idea, it is still important to connect with referral sources. Referral sources, also known as power-partners, are the businesses that sell to the same target customer and can send leads your way – and vice versa.
Take the time to meet and build relationships with these types of businesses. Building referral sources should always be top-of-mind.
7. Give Back
Find a local charity and get your crew working on whatever project is going on near you. Promote your involvement by letting your local newspaper know ahead of time. Create and send out a press release. Promote on your website and on social media.
Also, ask the charity to link back to your website when they list your company on their site. This press and goodwill will build brand awareness.
8. Email Marketing
Email marketing allows you to stay in contact with customers and prospects. It helps you build relationships and earn trust. Email marketing allows you to nurture unclosed business and keep in touch with previous customers.
If your remodeling business relies on repeat sales from customers (and whose doesn’t?!), an email marketing campaign is an excellent way to stay in front of prospects and existing customers.
Email marketing can help you generate more sales by:
- Keeping in touch with customers
- Advertising specials, coupons, and exclusive rebates
- Improving brand awareness and share your expertise
- Staying top-of-mind when they are ready to purchase from you
9. Add a blog to your website
A blog is a great resource to discuss real projects and talk about both the design and construction process. This gives your website visitors a better opportunity to see what it’s really like to live through a remodeling job.
Aim to write a new blog post at least once a month, include photos and useful information. Don’t use a blog to sell, use it to share your expertise and show that you are an industry expert!
10. Use Photos and Videos to Show Progress
Photos and videos that show the lifecycle of a project assure potential customers that hiring your company means action/progress/hard working people.
Ongoing construction and completed project should be used on your website, marketing pieces, social media and more.
11. Create a Google My Business page
Optimize your online presence for free! Google My Business lets you manage your company presence on Google Search and Google Maps.
It is one of the most powerful ways to advertise your business. The tool can bolster your rankings in local search results and can provide a wealth of information about your business! You can even add a new post each week to promote a special offer, company information, or your latest blog post.
Summary
If your current marketing efforts aren’t generating the kind of results you want and need, now is the time to do something about it. Consider the specific steps listed above to get you the results you want!
EdOutWest has 20+ years of experience helping architects, construction trades, and building materials suppliers generate more leads using the internet.
We can help you build your business using online methods that target your prospects and help you convert those efforts into sales.
