We live in a world that is technologically advancing faster than most of us can keep up with. The latest Apple iPhone with three camera lenses, a laptop that is thinner and more powerful than the last— it seems that the moment you invest in the next big thing, the new and improved version of it is on its way to the shelves. Despite, no matter how many new clear webcams or smart printers hit the market, the consistent need will remain for drains to be unclogged and air conditioners to be serviced.
And that’s where the gap is. How can trade workers, who provide such a necessary and unchanging service, grow their business amidst the rapid changes of the digitized, distracted world? In this blog post, we outline five solutions to bridge that gap.
1. Optimize your website for potential customers' searches.
2. Make important information on your website crystal clear.
3. Offer options to your customers.
4. Prepare to go green.
5. Up your business's customer service.
1. Optimize your website for potential customers’ searches.
Every moment of every day, we are typing, texting, sending, scrolling, and searching, and your business’s website should play a role in that process for your potential customers. When someone searches “plumbing services near me,” does your business pop up as a result? If not, you’re missing out on some serious revenue!
“46% of all searches will have to do with location – [a statistic] that highlights the relevance of local search marketing for Google searches. Small to medium-sized businesses not implementing basic local [search engine] strategies will miss out on ranking for almost half of all Google searches” (Safari Digital, 2022).
Never implemented search engine optimization strategies before? This blog will show you how to get started!
2. Make important information on your website crystal clear.
When a website takes too long to load, or even when we can’t find the answers to whatever it is we Googled, we have a tendency to grow frustrated, as we’re used to the digital world operating on an immediate basis.
When it comes to your business’s website, can your customers quickly have their questions answered about your services? Answers to frequently asked questions should be crystal clear, especially those regarding your products, pricing, and hours of operation; use pictures and bold fonts to highlight such information.
On top of that, make it so that people can easily book an appointment with you through your website. The option to book online has revolutionized the game when it comes to capturing leads, so take advantage of it!
3. Offer options to your customers.
A “one size fits all” approach is becoming less and less effective when it comes to getting people’s attention. In today’s world, people have an overwhelming number of options, and brands are getting better and better at catering to the individual.
That being said, offer your customers an array of options when it comes to your services. Do you offer services at a wide variety of times? What about a premium service and a traditional service? Maybe even offer a service that falls somewhere in the middle. Do you only offer two products? Maybe consider expanding your inventory.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to how you can grow what you offer to your customers. Just think outside the box!
4. Prepare to go green.
“An April 2022 study finds that retailers and brands that promote their sustainability efforts are finding it not only good for the environment— but good for business… ‘One of the first things the survey pointed out is that the environment and sustainability are on the minds of consumers,’ says Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group” (CleanLink, 2022).
Green alternatives are becoming more and more popular in many facets of the world, and the trades are no exception. Solar powered electricity and thermally-driven air conditioning are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how the trades can be more eco-friendly.
Whether you want to make your business greener in an effort to help the planet or in an effort to reach more customers, it is definitely a trend you should understand and begin to implement before it’s too late! Check out this post on how to make your trades business greener.
5. Up your business’s customer service.
Despite all of this Internet and tech talk, in a digitized world, a kind voice comes as a pleasant surprise to callers and customers. Certainly, you have to technologically adjust to the world, but it’s just as important to offer top tier customer service to everyone who interacts with your business. This is not only important for the sake of growing your business, but it’s also a way to help your company stand out!
When customers call your business or step into your office, are they greeted with compassion? Do they feel rushed, or do your customer service representatives take the time to answer their questions? If the customer service aspect of your business could use some work, this post outlines just how to implement such changes!
