How a General Contractor Can Build Reputation In a New City
As a general contractor, breaking into a new city can be intimidating. You’re ready to expand your business, but you don’t have a reputation yet in the new place. Reputations are often potential clients’ first impressions of your business, so you want to make sure you have a good one. We’re here to help you get on the right foot with your new clientele. Here’s a quick guide on how a general contractor can build reputation in a new city.
Check everything twice.
Before beginning in a new city, make sure you have everything ready and check it twice. If you’re moving into a new state, have you checked their statewide requirements? If it’s a new city within the same state, have you gotten a local license? Your current license likely does not cover your new business. While this may seem like a given, it is easy to miss a step, especially when you have a lot of paperwork to take care of, so it’s always best to double check. You don’t want to start off with a reputation of a contractor operating outside local requirements.
Get the word out.
It’s hard to build a reputation if no one knows about you! Get the word out on local social media groups. Post on your social media feed so your clients know to share the news with people they may know in your new area. Share client testimonials. Use social media to your advantage. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of the general public uses social media. In the 30- to 49-year-old age range, this average jumps to 80%. Your potential clients are on social media, and this is the best way they will find you.
Invest in your website.
After your social media channels, your website is the best way to build reputation in a new city. Research shows that 75% of people judge a business’ credibility by their website. If you have a slow website, one with poor navigation, or not a lot of information, potential clients will deem your business as not credible, leaving you with a bad reputation that has nothing to do with the quality of your work.
Most importantly: Be honest.
Once you start getting clients in your new city, it’s important to be honest. Under promise and over deliver, not the other way around. If you are going to be running behind on the timeline, let your client know immediately. Don’t get their hopes up for something you won’t be able to accomplish. These local opinions are vital in building your reputation, and honesty will help you get the best local reputation.
Find an added bonus in financing.
When you’re figuring out how a general contractor can build reputation in a new city, stand out by offering contractor financing. Offering financing takes some work off your plate and helps your clients. All you have to do is direct your customers to our 60-second application. They will fill it out and we’ll help find them the right loan – your work is done! Partner with HFS Financial today by calling us at 1-800-254-9560. “You Dream It, We Finance It”.
