Marketing can be an expensive procedure. However, there are many different methods – both obvious and creative – where a small home inspector business can market their services without blowing their budget in a matter of days.
Below are five tips which detail how you can promote your business effectively without splashing too much cash.
Create a website
Gaining a web presence is an important step towards improving your company’s visibility. To begin with, this should start with a website. With the inexpensive cost and easy-to-use tools available for web design, there’s really no excuse for not having a dedicated site representing your business.
There are numerous reasons why creating a website is beneficial. Firstly, you can provide potential customers with all of the information they could need about your business. This means that they can gain your contact details, arrange a meeting, learn more about what a house inspection entails, and so on. As opposed to simply having social media profiles, having a website also improves the professional appearance of your business.
When in the process of building a website for your home inspection business, keep in mind the advantage of implementing specialist software such as ISN. Specially designed home inspection business software works in an indirect way for any marketing efforts, in the sense that it enhances the efficiency and overall quality of your company’s work.
Spread the word on the Internet
Creating a website shouldn’t be the stopping point of your presence on the Internet. In fact, it should only be the start.
Consistent posts on social media are a starting point. When creating content on the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, remember to play to their advantages. This means using relevant hashtags and eye-catching images/videos. Also, make an effort to follow local businesses and residents, as this is a simple way of letting people know you exist.
Blogging is another way of improving visibility. If done with SEO in mind, your website could rise up the ranks of search engines – which opens you up to more visitors becoming aware of your business. Email marketing, create YouTube videos, offer free eBooks – the possibilities of marketing on the Internet are endless.
Meet face-to-face
When it comes to a home inspection business, meeting face-to-face with potential clients is particularly advantageous. It costs very little to do, and it is an effective way of reaching a sizeable number of individuals within a short space of time. People skills are necessary for this to turn into a profitable venture, and you also need the ability to quickly grab someone’s attention and keep them engaged enough so that they take in your message.
Along the same lines, you should also meet with local realtors and attempt to establish a working relationship with them. If this is accomplished, you could receive a steady work stream without needing to hunt out potential customers.
Push for reviews
Positive reviews can be the lifeblood for many businesses. They supply reassurance for those unsure about using a business.
Although it goes without saying, you should go above and beyond with your home inspection work. This means people are more likely to leave a positive review. If the service is good, they might even spread the word to their friends and family.
Even if you receive a negative review, don’t be too downhearted. Believe it or not, they can even be turned into a positive. If you respond to the criticisms in a level-headed and considerate manner, this will reflect positively on your business. It shows that you care about the work you do. Plus if the negative feedback is unjust – and you explain why this is the case – others will disregard the review and focus on the positive comments.
If you are struggling to obtain any reviews, mention to your customers in an unobtrusive way how their feedback could positively affect your business.
Make use of free advertising opportunities
With a little bit of opportunism and creativity, you can transform pretty much anything into a marketing tool for your business. Certain marketing opportunities will work better than others, obviously, but it’s all about spreading the word.
For instance, you could transform your car into a prime piece of advertising. Slap on a sticker advertising your business, and it can be seen by thousands of people as you do your daily commute – assuming you don’t live in the middle of nowhere. Creative guerrilla marketing techniques, which cause double-takes and social media posts aplenty, are also worth exploring.
