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Marketing Your Plumbing Business to Locals: Pitfalls to Avoid

You’ve always wanted to set up your own plumbing business and you’ve done just; congratulations. Equipped with the right tools, team, and all the know-how to fix any leak, clog, or pipe problems, you’re ready to get going.

Now comes the trickier part – getting the word out to the locals.

You’d think marketing a plumbing company would be as easy as running a faucet. However, like most things in life, it comes with its own set of challenges.

Plumbing is a $124.2 billion industry in the US. As of last year, the country has 113,347 plumbing businesses operating within its geographical borders.

Thus, it’s evident that competition is tough in the plumbing sector, but that’s nothing some good marketing tactics can’t help you deal with. Unfortunately, there are a few marketing missteps that many plumbers or plumbing business owners often make.

Using Boring Posters and Billboards

Many plumbing businesses fall into the trap of slapping their logo and phone number onto a poster or billboard and calling it a day. However, the thing is, people aren’t going to call you just because they saw your number in giant letters.

Instead of relying on the old-fashioned “call us for plumbing” strategy, think creatively. Why not showcase your business’s personality?

Highlight your team with a fun, friendly message or show off how you handle real plumbing challenges. Make it entertaining and memorable. Boring posters get ignored. Now, if your potential customers aren’t looking up from their phones to notice, it’s probably not worth the investment.

Ignoring the Importance of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Picture this: a neighbor is chatting with their friend, complaining about a clogged drain. Their friend recommends a great plumber they used a month ago. Boom—just like that, you’ve landed a new customer.

Word-of-mouth is the oldest form of marketing, and guess what? It still works like a charm. Between 20 and 50 percent of purchasing decisions are primarily driven by word-of-mouth marketing. Word-of-mouth marketing is also the leading source of brand discovery in the US.

But many plumbing businesses don’t actively encourage it, which is a huge missed opportunity.

Customers trust the opinions of their friends and family. So, the question is, are you giving your customers a reason to talk about you? It’s not enough to just do the job; you’ve got to do it well and make it memorable.

Offer exceptional customer service, follow up to ensure their satisfaction, and, most importantly, ask them to spread the word. Happy customers will gladly recommend you, but only if you give them a reason to! Make them feel special, and watch the referrals flow in faster than water from a well-functioning faucet.

Overlooking the Importance of Digital Marketing

Plumbing companies often think word-of-mouth or traditional ads will carry them through, but today’s customers are searching online. They’re Googling “best local plumber” or asking Siri for help when an unexpected leak occurs. If your plumbing business isn’t showing up in those search results, you’re missing out big time.

One of the biggest mistakes plumbing companies make is thinking a basic website is enough. Your online presence needs to be sharp. A strong website, SEO-optimized content, and local Google reviews can do wonders for your plumbing company’s visibility. If you need any help related to this, don’t hesitate to work with a dedicated plumber marketing agency.

According to eMaximize, a good plumbing marketing strategy can help you reach more people. Plus, with social media and targeted ads, you can reach more potential customers than ever.

Not Working with Local Influencers

Working with local influencers, especially those in your community, can be a game-changer. Many small business owners shy away from this because they think influencers are only for big brands or glamorous products. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Micro-influencers, in particular, have the highest engagement rate. On platforms like TikTok, this group of influencers averages an engagement rate of 17.96 percent. A survey shows that 90 percent of marketers prefer working with micro-influencers.

Imagine a local home improvement blogger or a social media personality recommending your plumbing business to their audience. It adds credibility and reaches customers you might never have connected with otherwise. People trust influencers in their community, and that trust can easily translate to your plumbing company.

Find the right local influencers who have an authentic connection to your neighborhood, and who can speak to people in need of plumbing services. It’s all about creating trust and finding the right voice to showcase your business.

Marketing your plumbing business doesn’t have to feel like wading through murky water. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can set yourself up for success in reaching local customers.

Whether you’re revamping your approach to digital marketing or partnering with local influencers, it’s all about being creative and staying connected to the community.

Remember, the best marketing strategy is one that lets your plumbing company’s personality shine. Thus, avoid these mistakes, and your plumbing business will be bringing in more customers than ever before.