Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, an online magazine showing how technology is disrupting many industries.
Plumbing business success relies on expert optimization. Starting your own plumbing business can be the path to a successful and rewarding career as a contractor. However, without a well-optimized business, even the best plumbing professionals will struggle to get customers. These optimization strategies will help you reach customers in your community and build a reputation for trust and expert service.
1. Polish Your Website
One of the best things you can do for your plumbing business is to polish your website. It doesn’t have to be packed with content or features. It just has to be easy to navigate and offer a welcoming look at your brand, skills, and experience. Cleaning up your website doesn’t require a professional web designer, either. There are many free website-building sites online that make it easy to create a professional website.
When cleaning up or creating your plumbing business’s website, there are a few things you want to prioritize. The landing page – the first page that people see when they enter your site – should be your top priority. Many people don’t go past the landing page, so make sure this page has a clean design and includes your contact information, the area you serve, and the services you offer. It may also be a good idea to post some reviews from previous customers on your landing page.
2. Work With Search Algorithms
A hard truth about running a plumbing business today is that most people will find you through Google or another search engine, so you have to get competitive with search engine algorithms. The algorithm is the AI code that determines which sites or business listings appear first in search results. The higher up you are in results for a particular search, the more likely you are to get business.
Unfortunately, search algorithms aren’t perfect. Today’s AI technology still faces many challenges, including data bias, which could cause the algorithm to favor some sites or listings over others for unusual reasons.
Typically, though, there are some tactics you can use to compete with other plumbing businesses in your area online. Plumbing business search engine optimization starts with your website. It’s all about making sure search engines understand what your business is and identify you as a real, trustworthy plumbing business.
3. Prioritize Transparency
A major part of plumbing business optimization is demonstrating that you are trustworthy and authoritative – that customers can rely on you to provide excellent service. Transparency is key to accomplishing this with customers as well as search engines.
When you are upfront and clear with customers, they are more likely to feel that they can trust you. This could make the difference between getting a new customer and losing one, especially online.
You can improve business transparency in a number of ways. One of the best strategies is to clarify the cost of your plumbing services, including any parts that may be required. This way, customers understand your pricing model from the start.
Additionally, be upfront about your experience. There’s nothing wrong with being new to the plumbing industry. If you don’t have much experience, try to make up for it with blog posts or videos demonstrating your skills.
4. Ask for and Share Reviews
Customer reviews are crucial to building trust and authority in your area. While it might seem awkward to ask for reviews at first, this is an important part of plumbing business management. There are several strategies you can use to ask for and collect reviews. For example, if you don’t feel comfortable asking for a review in person, give customers a link to leave a review with their bill.
There are sites where customers can post reviews, such as Google and Yelp as well as plumbing-specific websites. Make sure you create a business profile on as many of these sites as possible. It’s a good idea to try to focus on one or two, though.
For example, ask your customers to post their reviews on Yelp specifically or on your Facebook page. This is helpful from a business management perspective because it ensures you have as many good reviews as possible in one place. The number of reviews your business has can even affect your ranking on Google, Yelp, and other search engines and directories.
5. Get Engaged
Plumbing professionals are important members of their communities. The people in your area want to support local businesses, including yours. So, remember to find ways to get involved in your area – both online and in-person. You may not get paid for this engagement, but it is crucial for business optimization and will pay off in the long run. There are a few reasons for this.
As mentioned above, a key part of business management is building up a reputation online as a reliable, trustworthy plumbing business. Your social media presence is a core component of this. It gives your plumbing business personality and allows you to engage directly with potential customers in a casual way. Online activity will boost your presence and improve your business’s standing in search results, especially if the content you post is consistent.
For example, you could join a Facebook group where people can ask plumbing questions. Answering these questions will show that you are an expert in your field and happy to help. Similarly, you could start a plumbing blog or a YouTube channel. This content will reach an audience outside the area you serve, but the domain and brand authority it will create for your plumbing business will give you an edge in local search results.
Smart Plumbing Business Management
Optimizing a plumbing business for success is all about showing potential customers that you are a trustworthy expert in their area. By paying attention to key details and taking the time to build up your presence online, your plumbing business will be able to shine in your community.
Business management is a continuous process of growth and improvement. Remember to always continue searching for ways to improve your website or engage with your customers. With these strategies, you’ll be one step closer to a successful career running your plumbing business.
