As a small plumbing business owner or aspiring entrepreneur in the plumbing industry, you may be wondering how to grow a plumbing business effectively and stand out in a competitive market. In this blog, we will explore 8 key strategies, tips, and resources to help you expand your plumbing business and achieve long-term success.
Key Tips on How to Grow a Plumbing Business:
1. Establish a Strong Online Presence
In today’s digital age, creating online business listings, and ideally creating your own website, are crucial for attracting new customers and discovering how to grow a plumbing business. A website adds credibility to your plumbing business, and it also means you’re more likely to show up in local customer searches. Be sure to add a contact form to your website to make it easy for customers to contact you for new work. As an added bonus, use software like Project 2 Payment that integrates your website contact form into your book of customers. It can also create pending work requests for you, so you don’t have to copy and paste information from one tool to another to save it.
2. Invest in Local SEO
Local SEO is an essential strategy for small plumbing businesses since it helps you target customers in your specific service area. Have you ever used Google’s search engine to find a service provider, or even a gas station, near you? If you have, you’ve utilized local SEO to find relevant businesses within driving distance of your location. To make sure your business shows up on these searches, create a free Google Business Profile that includes your business address. You can also look into other online directories that focus specifically on plumbers and contractors. Not sure where to start? Look into SEO agencies that specialize in home services like The SEO Contractor to get started.
3. Provide Exceptional Customer Service
This may sound obvious, but one of the best ways to grow your plumbing business is by providing exceptional customer service. Build strong relationships with your customers, communicate effectively, and always strive to exceed their expectations. Happy customers are more likely to refer your services to others, leading to organic growth for your business.
4. Offer Specialized Services
Differentiate your plumbing business by offering specialized services that cater to specific customer needs. Whether it’s eco-friendly plumbing solutions, emergency services, or advanced technology installations, find a niche that sets you apart from competitors and appeals to your target market.
5. Network and Collaborate
Networking with other professionals in the industry, such as contractors, real estate agents, and home builders, can help you expand your customer base and generate referrals. Collaborate with complementary businesses to offer bundled services or promotions and create mutually beneficial partnerships. Looking for great leadership content to help grow a plumbing business? Check out plumbing organizations and influencers like the Built for the Trades podcast for inspiration.
6. Utilize Social Media and Online Marketing Tools
Take advantage of online marketing tools such as social media business pages, advertising, and email marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website. Track your marketing efforts using analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.
7. Get Online Reviews
Attracting new customers as a plumbing business owner is all about gaining trust. Odds are, if someone is looking at your business online, they already know they need a professional plumber. What they don’t know is whether you’re the right fit for the job. According to a Power Reviews survey, 98% of consumers say they consider reviews essential to making a purchase decision. Project 2 Payment makes it easy to generate more online reviews. All you have to do is turn on automated review requests in your settings. Then Project 2 Payment sends out a request for online reviews on every email receipt, and just like that, watch the reviews come rolling in, and new customers jumping on board.
8. Physical Advertising Tactics
We’ve mentioned a lot of digital growth tactics, but there’s still a time and place for physical advertising to help attract new customers in your area. You can strategically send out mailers or place door hangers in neighborhoods your business serves, offering a direct and eye-catching way to promote your services to residents. In fact, after you service a home, a good rule of thumb is to place door hangers on the houses on each side of the house and across the street to reinforce the advertising you may have already received from residents seeing your truck on site or listening to their neighbor glow about the work you did at their house.
Business cards are also a great way to distribute your contact info at local events, networking opportunities, or a business partner’s location. By utilizing these physical advertising tactics, a small plumbing business can enhance its brand awareness, generate leads, and ultimately grow its customer base.
Start Growing Your Plumbing Business Today
Learning how to grow a plumbing business requires dedication, strategic planning, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers. By implementing the tips and utilizing the resources mentioned in this blog, you can take your plumbing business to the next level and achieve sustainable growth in a competitive market. Remember, success in the plumbing industry is not just about fixing pipes – it’s about building relationships, establishing trust, and continuously improving your business practices. Don’t forget to use Project 2 Payment to make running the backend of your business a breeze.
