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10 Ideas for Service Business Marketing

Use branded vehicle wraps to turn every drive into a marketing opportunity. Service Business Marketing

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Why Good Work Isn’t Enough Anymore

Doing great work is essential, but it’s no longer enough to grow your home service business on its own.

20 uears ago, referrals and local recognition used to be enough for many businesses, but now, customers turn to Google, social media, and websites before they ever pick up the phone. 80% of U.S. consumers search online for local businesses on a weekly basis (2024 SOCi Consumer Behavior Index). That means if customers can’t find you easily, or if your online presence looks outdated or inactive, they’ll likely move on.

Effective service business marketing is about visibility, trust, and making it easy for customers to choose you. It’s not about gimmicks; it’s about showing up consistently and professionally.

Below, we’ll share 10 simple, actionable marketing ideas tailored to home services businesses. You don’t need a big budget or a marketing degree, just a willingness to start. Pick a few, try them out, and keep building from there.

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

For home services businesses, nothing beats a well-optimized Google Business Profile. When home services customers search “electrician near me” or “local pressure washer,” Google pulls results from the Local Pack, which is powered by GBP.

Make sure your profile is:

  • Claimed and accurate (name, phone, hours, service areas)
  • Loaded with photos of your team, work, and equipment
  • Packed with reviews—ask customers and respond to all feedback
  • Filled out completely (don’t skip categories or the Q&A section)

Local services businesses that keep their GBP active show up more often and get more calls. It’s your digital storefront—make it count.

Read: Your Guide to Generate Field Service Leads Online

2. Help Customers Find You With Local SEO

Local SEO is essential for service business marketing. It helps your business show up when nearby customers search for things like “roof repair near me” or “lawn care in [Your City].”

Start with on-page SEO:

  • Create a page for each service (e.g., “emergency plumbing in [neighborhood]”).
  • Use your city or service area in headlines, titles, and meta descriptions.

Then add off-page SEO:

  • Get listed on Yelp, Angi, and BBB with consistent Name, Address, and Phone (NAP).
  • Earn backlinks from local blogs or partner businesses.

Also:

Local SEO puts your home service business in front of the right customers, right when they’re ready to hire.

3. Build Trust With Simple Social Posts

Social media is a powerful (and free) service business marketing tool. It helps you connect with your community, show off your work, and build trust.

Focus on platforms that work for home services pros:

  • Facebook: reviews, recommendations, and updates
  • Instagram: before-and-after photos, team intros, project highlights
  • TikTok: quick tips, tool hacks, personality posts

What should you post? Real stuff.

  • Team shoutouts
  • 5-second project clips
  • Customer wins
  • Tool tips

Keep it casual and authentic. You’re not chasing likes, you’re building relationships.

Tools like Buffer or Later make it easy to post consistently, even once a week. But don’t forget to respond to every comment, question, and review. Showing up consistently, even once a week, makes your brand more familiar and trusted.

You don’t need to be on every platform. Just show up where your customers are and be real.

Read: 10 Tips for Successful Social Media Marketing for Small Business

4. Run Hyperlocal Ads That Actually Convert

Paid Facebook and Instagram ads are a smart way to do service business marketing without wasting your budget. You can target your exact service area by zip code, income, and even homeowner status.

Start small. Create a radius around where you work. Use filters to target homeowners interested in repairs, remodeling, or home services.

Tips for better results:

  • Use real images or quick videos—people trust authenticity
  • Promote seasonal deals to drive action
  • Link to a focused landing page, not your homepage
  • Include a clear CTA like “Schedule Your Free Estimate”
  • Test different headlines and images (A/B testing)

 

Track what matters: cost per lead, not clicks or likes. Local ads aren’t about going viral, they’re about getting the right jobs from the right people.

5. Leverage Email Marketing for Repeat Business

Email is one of the most effective tools in service business marketing. It keeps you connected to past customers, encourages repeat work, and drives referrals.

Segment your email list by service type, location, or job history to make your messages more relevant. Seasonal promos, maintenance tips, referral rewards, and service spotlights are all great ways to stay top of mind.

With Project 2 Payment, you can do more than just send invoices and reminders. Use built-in email tools to send one-time email blasts—perfect for promotions, updates, or announcements. Everything stays in one place, making it easy to manage customer communication without switching platforms.

Aim for one to two emails a month. Keep it helpful, not overwhelming, and always include a clear call to action.

6. Partner With Other Local Businesses

Service business marketing doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Team up with non-competing pros—like realtors, landscapers, cleaners, or pest control companies—to reach more customers.

Offer cross-promotions, bundled deals, or referral swaps. For example:

  • A realtor can share your flyer with new homeowners.
  • A pest pro might refer clients who need sealing or repairs.

You can also run joint social media posts, co-branded mailers, or attend community events together. These low-cost partnerships boost your visibility and trust.

Make the value clear when you reach out. Use a simple code or spreadsheet to track referrals. Everyone wins, and your customers get more complete service.

Read: Grassroot Sales: Building Stronger Connections and Driving Local Growth

7. Customer Reviews Into Ongoing Marketing

Positive reviews are more than social proof; they are reusable content. If you are not actively gathering and showcasing reviews, you are missing a valuable marketing opportunity.

Make review collection part of your closeout process. With Project 2 Payment, collecting reviews is easy. Every receipt you send can include a link to request a Google, Facebook, or Yelp review. Just set it up once, and let the 5-star reviews roll in.

Want even more visibility?

  • Add top reviews to your website, especially on service pages.
  • Turn standout testimonials into graphics using free tools like Canva to use in social media posts, ads, or email campaigns.

Respond to every review, even negative ones. It shows integrity and professionalism.

Customer feedback is marketing gold. Don’t just collect it. Use it to grow your business.

Learn more about how to automate online customer review requests with Project 2 Payment.

8. Add a Video FAQ Library to Your Website

Video is an excellent way to build trust and authority. It gives people a face and a voice to connect with, and it answers questions in a quick and engaging format.

Here’s an easy step-by-step process:

  • List the most common customer questions. These could be about service timelines, costs, what to expect during a visit, or how to prepare for an installation.
  • Use a smartphone to record simple videos. All you need is clear audio, good lighting, and a confident explanation.
  • Keep videos under two minutes.

 

Where to post the videos:

  • Your website’s FAQ section.
  • Embed them on service pages.
  • Upload to your YouTube channel.
  • Share them on social media.
  • Include the videos as links in your emails.

 

Over time, these videos can reduce repetitive phone calls, build SEO traffic, and make you the go-to expert in your field.

9. Use Branded Yard Signs, Flyers, and Vehicle Wraps

Traditional marketing still works, especially when it’s done right. Yard signs, flyers, and vehicle branding are all low-tech but highly effective methods for building local awareness and credibility.

Yard signs:

  • Always get the homeowner’s permission.
  • Make them weather-resistant and easy to read and include your phone number or website.
  • Consider adding a QR code that links to a special offer or service page. Use this free, customizable QR code generator to get started.

Flyers:

  • Great for tight-knit neighborhoods or local events.
  • Focus on one clear service per flyer.
  • Include a strong call to action and direct contact info.

Branded vehicle wraps:

  • Turn every drive into a marketing opportunity.
  • Keep the design clean, bold, and easy to read at a glance.
  • Include your logo, phone number, and website.

These physical tools build name recognition, especially when they are combined with your digital marketing efforts.

Learn about the 5 Around Method Used by Cooke Pressure Washing.

10. Build a Referral Program That Works

Word of mouth is powerful, but you can amplify it with a referral program that rewards your biggest fans.

Offer a clear incentive to both the referrer and the new customer. That could be a discount on their next service, a small gift card, or a seasonal perk like free gutter cleaning.

Keep the process simple and promote your referral program everywhere: on your website, in your email signature, on invoices, and across social media. Remind loyal customers regularly—they often just need a little nudge.

And don’t forget to say thank you. A quick thank-you text or a handwritten note can make a big impact.

A well-run referral program turns happy customers into your most effective salespeople.

Start Small and Grow

Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to be effective. The best approach is to start small, stay consistent, and focus on what makes your business stand out. Whether you’re adding a yard sign, sending a referral email, or finally updating your Google Business Profile, every step builds momentum. Over time, these marketing habits become second nature and they’ll help you attract more of the right customers, more often.

Want more resources and tips to help you grow your services business? Check out the Business Resource Center that is filled with practical tools, expert guides, and actionable insights to help your business thrive.

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