It used to be that having a customer put in a good word for you would be enough to attract new business. That’s not the case these days. Word-of-mouth isn’t enough anymore for general contractors as the main option to generate business. Here’s what you can do instead.
General Contractors Must Earn Trust
Customers would love to believe that any contractor they choose will do beautiful work for them without issue. That’s not the reality, though. At some point, everyone has heard a horror story of a contractor hire gone wrong. That makes potential customers wary when selecting the right general contractor for their home improvement project. This makes your job a bit more difficult, which is another reason why word-of-mouth isn’t enough for general contractors anymore.
You have to earn that potential new customer’s trust. Having a website with a blog that offers helpful content will demonstrate your expertise to potential customers. Your content will answer their questions and establish trust before they even call you for a consultation.
Customers Do Research on General Contractors
It’s the age of the Internet. With one quick search, potential customers can learn practically anything they’d like to know about your company, the quality of work you do, and your reputation.
With this information so readily available to them, people are relying far less on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers. Knowing the products and services they need, they’re on the hunt for a company that meets their specific needs. On top of that, they’re checking out sites to see reviews from previous customers.
No Measurable Results from Word-of-Mouth Referrals
Sure, Bob and Debbie are thrilled with the work your company did on their kitchen remodel, but can you guarantee they’re going to follow through and spread the good word about you? If they do, how do you measure the impact of them telling a few family members about it?
Or what about Joe? Even if he raves to everyone he talks to about the stellar roofing installation your team did for him, how can you guarantee that any of those people need your services?
Honestly, you can’t. Plus, even if some business is generated, it happens at a snail’s pace. In addition to potential customers being able to read reviews on other sites, get ahead of the game and feature rave reviews from your current customers on your website as well as other business review sites. Throw in some pictures to showcase your work for good measure. You can even give good reviewers a shout-out on Facebook, and include their quote along with a photo of the beautiful work completed for their project.
Price Discrepancies
When your word-of-mouth referrals tell their circle of friends and family about your work, one thing will inevitably come up: price. As a business owner, you’re well aware that production costs change over time, and your service rates with ebb and flow along with that.
If potential customers hear an unofficial price quoted from an acquaintance, but you’ve recently adjusted your rates for products and services, that referral could walk out the door if the total comes in higher than they anticipated.
This is where a digital marketing strategy and sharp website can help, offering consultations and realistic ideas of what a potential product or service will cost.
As you’re featuring information on pricing and consultations, don’t forget to mention financing options! HFS Financial can help grow your business. We even have a free widget where your customers can apply for financing right on your website. Call today at 1-800-254-9560 to learn more. “You Dream It, We Finance It.”