A great online presence means more money in your pocket. Plain and simple.
Buyers don't feel like taking chances. And why should they when they can pick up their smartphone and ask for the best X providers in their area? This blog will break down the ins and outs of helping you grow your online visibility for your local service business.
The effort and money you invest in having a great online presence makes all the sense in the world. So we've built a blog to give you the information you need to understand why online presence matters, how it works, and the steps you can take to have a great online presence of your own.
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In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for small home services businesses. With more and more customers turning to the internet to search for local services, having a well-designed website, active social media accounts, and positive online reviews can make all the difference in attracting and retaining customers.
Source: Mediative
An online presence not only makes it easier for potential customers to find your business, but it also allows you to showcase your services, build trust, and establish your brand. Neglecting your online presence could mean missing out on valuable opportunities for growth and success in the highly competitive home services industry.
Source: Status Brew
In short, having an active presence online gives your customers an opportunity to find you, engage with you, and vet you in a way that's meaningful to them.
Having a strong online presence can give your home services business better visibility in your local market by allowing potential customers to find you more easily.
By having a website and social media presence, you can provide potential customers with information about your services, hours, and contact information. This will give them a better understanding of what you offer and make it easier for them to find you when they are searching for home services in your local market.
Additionally, online marketing is less expensive than traditional advertising methods like television ads or print ads in newspapers or magazines, evening the playing field for home service businesses.
When you post things about your home services business on your website and social media, people can see what makes your business special and what you believe in. This helps people trust that your business is good and reliable.
When you talk to people online through your website and social media pages, it can help you build relationships with them. When people feel connected to your business, they may tell others about it, write good things about it, and even hire you for their home services needs.
Having a strong online presence means that your business can be discovered more easily by potential customers. This can lead to more people visiting your website, social media pages, or finding your business through online directories.
Moreover, a strong online presence allows you to communicate with customers in real-time through social media or chat features on your website. This can help you answer their questions, provide support, and build trust with them.
Establishing a strong online presence can be overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the tools and strategies required. These steps will help you build a digital foundation that will help your home services business thrive in today's competitive market.
Source: Fit Small Business
Creating a professional website for your home services business may seem intimidating if you have no tech experience, but it is easier than you think. The following are the basic steps to follow:
By following these steps, you can create a professional website for your home services business with no tech experience. If you need further assistance, many website builders have customer support available to help you along the way.
Of course, you can always have a professional build a website for you. GoSite builds high-quality business websites for as low as $50, and these sites come with engagement tools that help you book more business online and on the go.
To claim, verify, and update your Google Business Profile, sign in to your Google account, search for your business on Google Maps, click "Claim this business," verify your identity and ownership, and update your information, including hours, phone number, website, and photos.
We've written a more detailed blog on how to do this, and you can click the link to read, How to Set Up and Activate Your Google My Business Listing.
When you make social media profiles, pick the ones that match what you want to do with your business and who you are trying to reach.
Create profiles with consistent branding and fill out all necessary information, including a profile picture, cover photo, and bio. Start posting relevant content and engaging with your audience.
Use social media tools to schedule posts and track metrics to optimize your strategy. Remember to stay active and respond to messages and comments to maintain a strong online presence.
To claim other online directory listings, start by searching for your business on popular directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor.
Claim your business by verifying your identity and ownership, and then update your information with accurate details, like your website URL, phone number, and hours of operation. This will help to ensure that your business appears correctly in search results and that potential customers can easily find and contact you online.
As a local business owner, it's important to create content that resonates with your audience.
Start by understanding your audience's interests and needs, and tailor your content accordingly. Use simple language and visuals to make your content easy to understand and engaging. Share helpful tips, answer frequently asked questions, and showcase your products and services. Use social media to share your content and engage with your audience.
Consider hiring a professional writer or marketer if you need help creating content. With consistent and valuable content, you can build a loyal following and attract new customers to your business.
But don't be afraid to use your smartphone to snap pictures and videos for your audience. Most of your customers will appreciate the authenticity of home-made videos that offer valuable information.
When you create online content, think about the words or phrases that people might use to search for it. These are called "keywords."
Using the right keywords is most important for your web pages, blogs, or any videos you post on YouTube.
For example, if you run an auto shop, your main keyword might be "auto care." You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find other relevant keywords for your business. Once you have a list of keywords, include them naturally in your content, such as in your headlines, page titles, and throughout your website.
Avoid overusing them, as this can hurt your search engine rankings. By using the right keywords, you can help your content appear higher in search results and attract more visitors to your website.
Your smartphone is a powerful tool for creating engaging visuals to attract new customers.
Start by taking high-quality photos of your products, services, and business location. Use natural lighting and simple backgrounds to showcase your offerings.
You can also create short videos to share on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These videos can highlight your products, showcase your team, or give a behind-the-scenes look at your business.
Use simple editing tools like Instagram's built-in filters or free apps like Canva to add text and graphics to your visuals. With a little creativity, your smartphone can help you create visuals that showcase your business and attract new customers.
If you create great online content that is relevant, valuable, visually appealing, and easy to consume, your audience is more likely to engage with it in the following ways:
Online reviews are particularly important for home services businesses because these are services that directly impact people's homes and their daily lives. Homeowners want to feel confident that the service provider they hire is reputable, reliable, and trustworthy.
Positive reviews from past customers can provide a sense of security and help build trust with potential customers. Additionally, home services often involve a significant financial investment, and customers want to make sure that they are getting value for their money.
Source: GoSite Reviews for Small Business
Reviews can give customers a better understanding of the quality of service they can expect to receive and help them make informed decisions when selecting a service provider.
Finally, the home services industry is highly competitive, and businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction and actively manage their online reputation are more likely to stand out and attract new customers.
One great example of a home services business with an excellent website is Guardian Protection.
Their website has a well-designed homepage that quickly appeals to different target market segments. The homepage features two buttons, one for commercial clients and the other for residential clients, which effectively directs the target audience exactly where they need to be without confusion.
It's simple and perfect, because:
One example of a home services business with a great Facebook page is Mr. Handyman. They have a highly engaging and interactive Facebook page that provides helpful tips, advice, and inspiration for homeowners.
Their page features a mix of video tutorials, blog articles, and promotional posts, all of which are designed to educate and inform their followers.
They also actively engage with their followers by responding to comments and messages promptly and offering personalized solutions to their problems. Mr. Handyman's Facebook page is an excellent example of how home services businesses can use social media to build brand awareness, engage with customers, and drive sales.
While TikTok is a relatively new platform, there are some home services businesses that are using it effectively to showcase their services and engage with their audience. One such example is Tyler Kropp, a power washing entrepreneur.
Tyler's page is a great example of a home services TikTok page because it provides engaging and informative content related to the power washing business.
The page features videos that showcase the owner's expertise, such as providing tips on running a small business, promoting a healthy work environment, and discussing the difference between commercial and residential work. The videos also demonstrate the quality of the work provided by the business, such as going above and beyond for customers. Additionally, the page engages with its audience by asking questions and encouraging interaction.
To make more people know about your small home services business, you need to do some things online.
First, make a website that is easy for people to use.
Then, use social media to tell people about your business and get good reviews from your customers. Finally, use some tricks to make sure people in your local area can find you online. By doing these things, you can get more customers for your business.