5 Ways to Stay Competitive in the Plumbing Industry
The plumbing industry is a highly competitive and growing industry. According to an article from The Farnsworth Group, “The North American market is projected to grow at a higher CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 7.5% through 2028, according to an analysis by Grandview Research.” Due to the skills and knowledge needed to perform plumbing work, millions of homeowners rely on plumbing professionals every year in their time of need. With this great demand comes the thousands of plumbing contractors competing for the homeowner’s attention. Sit back, relax, and learn five simple ways to ensure your plumbing business stands out from the noise.
1. Build a Strong Website
It’s no secret that we live in a digital-dominating world. Website quality and user-friendliness matter to the majority of your customers. A strong website can be an excellent platform for potential customers to read reviews of your business, learn more about your company’s mission, and scroll through photos of your plumbing work. Consider hiring a photographer to capture your best projects. Having a great website improves your company’s online presence and credibility. It can be easy to get pushed underneath the thousands of existing plumbing businesses; maintaining your website can be the reason you stand out.
2. Utilize Social Media
With user-friendly social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, consider creating an account specifically for your business. Having a social media presence can be an easy way to showcase images and videos of your work to your audience. Creating and maintaining your social media accounts can allow your audience to share your posts with their followers, leave reviews, keep up with announcements, contact you, and keep your business on their radar for years to come. On the other hand, having a presence on social media can allow you to engage with your audience by liking or responding to comments, answering direct messages, and even utilizing advertising capabilities to reach new customers.
3. Generate Online Reviews
According to an article from AnswerForce, “more than 75% of consumers trust online reviews as much as recommendations from their friends and family.” Online reviews are a popular way for your audience to gauge your reliability and quality of work. Your customer’s home is one of (if not the most) important assets in their lives. Positive testimonials about your business can help your audience choose you out of the crowd. Consider setting your business up with a ‘Google My Business’ profile, where your customers can leave Google Reviews. Google reviews can also help improve your search engine rankings.
4. Value Customer Interactions
You can have a well-done website and a large social following, but something that will stand the test of time is how your team interacts with your customers. Something that can easily be swept under the rug in today’s world is the impact of real-life customer interactions. Your team must share your business’s values and standards. Listening attentively, asking for and addressing feedback, and communicating respectfully with your customers should always be prioritized. Your attentiveness and availability to your customers can leave a long-lasting impression. We strive to deliver white-glove customer service here at Watercress Financial and highly recommend this practice to any plumbing business looking to go the extra mile.
5. Offer Financing Options
The need for a plumbing professional is rarely a planned and expected expense. An article from Forbes Home states that the average cost for a water heater replacement in 2024 is about $1,200. A home improvement loan can be offered for various project sizes, ranging from as low as $1,000 (in most states) with a maximum loan duration of 3 years. Credit cards currently pose a median interest rate of 24.37%, according to an article from Investopedia. Financing can offer your customers a lower interest rate and a longer repayment period. Providing your customers with payment options can make them feel more comfortable by removing sticker shock and offering a plan that works for them in their stage of life. Financing is simply another easy way to differentiate your business and connect with various customer bases. Interested in learning more about how home improvement loans work? Visit our blog: https://watercressgroup.com/how-home-improvement-loans-work/
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the increased reliance on technology, the incredibly saturated plumbing industry, and the endless business tactics buzzing around about what you need to be doing. You know your business like the back of your hand; the challenge is to make sure your audience can see that, too. It’s never too late to start implementing new business strategies and practices. These tips can help you polish your plumbing business and pave a wider path in the ever-growing plumbing industry.
Madison Schoppe – Marketing Coordinator
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