When potential customers Google your home services business, what do they see?
Something that’s going to make them pick up the phone and schedule an appointment?
Or something that will send them running for the hills?
These are questions every home services business owner should ask themselves.
Why? Because the Internet is the #1 tool consumers use to find the home services they need!
Which means your online reputation (your website, your online listings, your customer reviews, etc.) will be what makes or breaks your business now and in the years ahead.
Your online reputation impacts:
- A potential customer’s first impression of your business
- Your ranking in local search results
- Your placement in Local Services Ads (LSAs)
- And much more...
So, how can you improve your online reputation and attract more jobs to your business?
Here are 7 Ways You Can Improve Your Online Reputation
1. Keep your online business listings up-to-date.
Ensure your NAP (name, address, and phone number) are accurate across all your online business listings, especially on Google My Business.
When your listings have incorrect info, it can be difficult for your website to appear in local online searches.
2. Claim your business profiles on review sites like Yelp, Angie’s List, and Houzz.
If you don’t set up your own profiles, these sites may create them for you so consumers can leave reviews about your business. By setting these profiles up yourself, you ensure online users have accurate information about your business, such as your business name, your key services, and your hours of operation. After setting up your accounts, be sure to monitor them and respond to customer reviews.
3. Wow customers with excellent service & let them know where to leave reviews.
The best way to generate positive reviews is to deliver above-and-beyond customer service that sets you apart from your competitors.
If you’re a plumber, don’t just help your customers clear a clogged drain—help them understand why the drain backed up, and what they should do to avoid another clog.
If you work in the HVAC business, don’t just thank your customers when they hand you the check at the end of a job—send your customers a handwritten thank you note. Include your cell phone number in the note, and let them know they can call you directly the next time a problem comes up.
Those are just two simple examples of customer service that goes above and beyond.
And after you deliver that outstanding customer service experience, be sure to tell your customers how and where they can leave a review for your business.
However, you should never offer incentives for leaving a review (like discounted/free goods or services), as this is unethical and may result in your reviews or profiles being taken down.
4. Create helpful digital content and promote it online.
Produce digital content that educates your prospective customers and answers some of their most common questions. This could include blog posts, articles, and how-to videos.
The more helpful your content is, the more likely potential customers will see your business as the local industry authority.
5. Stay active on social media.
By maintaining a high level of engagement on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, you show online users (and search engines) that your business is relevant.
Post content that is likely to drive interaction with your audience, and be sure to respond quickly to any comments posted in relation to your content.
6. Maintain an impressive, user-friendly website.
Almost every new customer will go to your website BEFORE they ever decide to call you.
That means your site should be fast, professionally designed, and easy to navigate. It also means it should be filled with helpful information and persuasive calls-to-action (i.e. “Scheduled a free estimate today!”).
If you can, post testimonials from former customers on your website, as well as a portfolio of your previous jobs.
7. Streamline your branding.
Keep your business’ branding consistent across the Internet—from your website to your social media profiles to your digital ads.
Doing so will streamline the way you look online, and ensure all your essentials (your company name, logo, taglines, etc.) are uniform.
Streamlined branding demonstrates professionalism, attention to detail, and makes your company a more compelling “buy” to potential customers.
If you’re interested in improving your home service business’ online reputation and getting more jobs, RIGHT NOW is the best time to get started. Reach out to us directly at (866) 616-0824, or send us a message here to start building a stronger online presence.
