Need More Customers?
Then This is for You

Growing your business may seem like a nearly impossible task sometimes, but there is a way to break through a standstill and start growing your home service business.

The best and most reliable way to get more business in the home service industry – or in any business really – is through marketing.

While marketing will lead to the growth of your business, that’s a broad umbrella and can mean many things. When you’re trying to grow your business, there are four key things to focus your efforts on:

  1. Targeting Current & Past Customers
  2. Creating a Referral Program
  3. Running Promotions
  4. Updating & Maintaining Your Website
  5. Becoming a Community Leader & Authority

Focusing on one or more of these strategies will help your business grow, as consumers will trust and become more willing to try your services.

Targeting Current & Past Customers

Don’t underestimate the value of your current customer base. It is 5 to 7 times less expensive to maintain a customer than to constantly acquire new customers.

The best way to gain a returning customer is to keep them satisfied with your products or services. One way to do that – in addition to providing exceptional service – is to introduce service and loyalty programs.

You’re probably familiar with some type of customer loyalty program, as they seem to be everywhere, whether it’s a grocery store, gas station or coffee shop. They offer you discounts and give you points and rewards,encouraging you to continue to choose their business.

The goal of these programs is to reward customers for using your service and make them feel appreciated. There are a few ways you can implement this into your business.

In starting your loyalty program consider offering:

  • Special discounts just for members
  • Exclusive service plans
  • A point or punch card system

Creating a Referral Program

Use your customers’ positive reviews to get you more customers by using a referral program. In a business so many people need, it’s great to be the company someone will suggest to their friend when they’re looking for a plumber, HVAC company, contractor, etc.

Did you know that a typical referral lead closes 50 to 70 percent of the time? Plus, referrals cost little to nothing but provide more trust from new customers, easier closes and bigger sales.

Now, do you know how you can get more referrals?

The first step is to give the customer a small thank-you gift after their work is complete. Make your gifts authentic and memorable to stay at the top of your customer's mind and create more referrals for your business.

You’ll also want to offer your happy customers an incentive to suggest your company to their friends, family and neighbors. The incentive offered for successful referrals can be in the form of small discounts and coupons. A free gift is also a good option. Feel free to get creative with it. The person who was referred should also get a benefit.

Don’t forget to let your customers know that the option to refer someone is there.

When you launch your referral program, send out a newsletter or write a blog about it. Additionally, make sure your customers know about your program whenever they give positive feedback.

Running Promotions

Promotions are a great way to attract new customers. By offering some type of sales promotion, a new customer will view it as less risky to try your service in the event that they’re dissatisfied, making it more likely that they’ll give it a try – especially if they were already on the fence.

Creating promotions in the form of loyalty rewards is also a way to reward current customers. When a current customer is rewarded for using your business, consumers will feel appreciated and be more likely to use your service again.

There are several types of sales promotions you can use. It’s just a matter of creativity, what you’re willing to offer and who you’re hoping to target.

Some examples include:

  • Coupons
  • Rebates
  • Contests & Sweepstakes
  • Price Discounts or Sales
  • Samples & Trials
  • Loyalty & Continuity Programs

Using some or all of these tactics will encourage new customers to try your service or products. Once they try it, it’s up to you to impress them with your service to continue turning to you. For returning customers, it’s a matter of keeping the service at the level they’ve come to expect and making them feel appreciated for their choice.

Updating and Maintaining Your Website

Is your website boring, outdated or difficult to use?

Your website is the main way people will know that your business exists. This is where people find out how to contact your company, learn about the services offered and determine if they feel your company is a credible choice. That’s why it’s essential to keep your website updated.

Keep your website up to date with your company’s current information, products and services. You also want to keep it up to date by adding new content regularly.

When a potential client visits your website for the first time, there are a few things they’re looking for. Customers are looking to learn about your services, find past work and reviews, find out how to contact you and make sure you’re a company that is still actively working.

A potential customer will likely become a paying customer when they find and are satisfied with this information.

Additionally there comes the benefit of making your website easier to find, since you’re regularly adding relevant information to your website.

Become a Community Leader and Authority

One of the best ways to become an authority is to start a blog on your website where you show your knowledge your company has in its industry. This can come in the form of FAQs, how-to’s and more. Think of topics centered around your various services that consumers are searching for.

This provides a couple clear benefits – an SEO boost and another way for potential customers to learn about your company and credibility. An updated blog is a quick way for consumers to get an idea of your services and to see if they can trust you with their home.

Making yourself known in the community is another way to become a community leader. The best way to do this is through volunteering at causes close to the city your business is situated in, or by sponsoring local events and notable locations in the city. This will get your brand in front of members of the community and connect with them in a way that you wouldn’t have before.

Sponsoring events and showing yourself as a strong member of the community helps consumers trust you in a different way. Consumers will feel that they are supporting a business that’s part of the community they are in, valuing the same causes they value – which is becoming more and more important. When given the choice between two companies (quality and price comparable) a consumer will opt for the one that shares their values.

 

Start Generating More Revenue

Grow your business today and see new customers come in steadily. Whether you opt to employ sales promotion tactics, solidify relationships with existing customers, focus on your website or work to become a community leader, you’ll see the improvements in your bottom line.

Don't skip any of these tactics. But if you made it this far and are now feeling overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Let's grow your customer base and improve your customer's lifetime value.

 

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For more information on strategies and tactics to grow your home service industry business, check out our blog, SEM or SEO: Which is Right for You?