7 Digital Marketing Ideas to Grow Your Plumbing Business

Growing a plumbing business is easier said than done. That’s where digital marketing comes in. As consumers search for nearby plumbing services, the more likely they are to find your local business.

In many ways, business growth boils down to online visibility and brand awareness. Check out these seven plumbing marketing ideas to see how to grow your business fast.

[Related: Digital Marketing Checklist for Plumbers]

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

In the U.S., an average 82% of customers use “near me” searches to find a business. With that in mind, make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and up to date.

Add as much information as possible — your contact info, address, hours of operation, photos, services, website URL and more. You can grow Google Business Profile audience interaction with a robust Q&A section. 9 out of 10 customers check your reviews and star rating, so make sure they’re stellar (more on that later).

Your Google Business Profile is often where your customers first find you. Optimize it so they don’t have to guess exactly what you do, when you’re available and how good your services are.

Tip. Are you a family-owned and operated local plumbing company? Say so in your Google Business Profile description — customers tend to trust family-run businesses.

[Related: Podcast: Hibu’s Enhanced Google Business Profile Optimization]

2. Have a Smart Website

It’s fantastic to have a website for your plumbing company. That said, it’s got to offer more and perform better than your competitors’ sites... it’s got to be smart.

Make sure your plumbing website is optimized for mobile devices and voice search. About 50% of your customer base uses voice search on a smartphone daily.  Mobile compatibility and voice search optimization significantly increase your chances of getting in front of potential customers.

In turn, greater website visibility leads to better brand awareness — and faster business growth.

That’s just the beginning of what your smart plumbing website should have, both on the surface and behind the scenes. 

3. Gather and Post Online Reviews

Because practically everyone checks reviews, place your great ones everywhere you can. That’s not only on your Google Business Profile but also on your website, ads and social media profiles.

Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to attract new customers. That’s particularly true for plumbing businesses and other home service pros. You enter someone’s home or business — and those customers want to know what to expect from your plumbing services and employees.

If you find yourself with only a few reviews, start asking for them! Your plumbing marketing success can hinge on what your happy customers have to say. And most satisfied customers are happy to leave positive reviews.

Tip: Streamline gathering and posting positive reviews with a digital marketing company’s help for faster small business growth.

[Related: 8 Ways To Deal With Negative Business Reviews]

4. Get on Social Media

Create official social media profiles for your plumbing business, especially on Facebook and Instagram. Then, start posting! Showcase your services, team, history, how-to videos — whatever catches visitors’ eyes.

Social media marketing is a clear route to interact with potential customers, build trust and cultivate loyal customers. The more platforms you’re on (and active on), the greater visibility and awareness your plumbing company has.

Targeted social ads up the ante and maximize your visibility. Your social media ads appear in front of the right customers at the right times and places. And that meaningful, timely advertising only helps your plumbing business grow.

[Related: Social Media Management Tips for Small Businesses]

5. Lean Into SEO

The plumbing industry is no small fry, with more than 130,000 companies operating in the U.S. Chances are, your local customers have their share of plumbing companies to pick from.

That’s why local SEO, or search engine optimization, is critical to help your business stand out.

In short, SEO enriches your online presence (not just your website) with keywords that help it rank higher in search engine results. It’s complex, but it’s vital to all your marketing efforts.

And no digital marketing strategy is complete without local SEO. Growing your plumbing business is far more feasible when you outrank the competition. About 78% of searches result in a new local customer, for you or your competitors — SEO makes the difference.

[Related: The Importance of Small Business SEO]

6. Run Targeted Ads

We mentioned social media ads, but where you advertise online doesn’t end there.

Google ads, Amazon ads, and more follow the same targeted strategy as social ads. They appear on the channels your customers use most:

• Social media platforms
• Popular websites
• Google search results
   

And of course, they appear in mobile searches and apps (which is where so many consumers are spending their time and searching for businesses today). From social ads to search ads and display ads, you can keep your company top of mind among prospective and existing customers. And that’s key to gaining greater visibility, brand awareness and business growth.

[Related: Where Your Local Business Should Have Ads Online]

7. Highlight What Sets Your Business Apart

With so many plumbers to choose from — many of whom will be using digital marketing to reach the same potential customers — you need to highlight what makes your plumbing business the best choice. Think about what sets you apart from other plumbers. Here are a few examples:

• Family-run business
• Woman- or minority-owned business
• Eco-friendly / green plumbing services
• Historical building or renovation work
• Emergency plumbing services
• Large-scale commercial jobs
• High-end residential jobs
• Free estimates
• Excellent customer service
• 24/7 service calls
   

Can’t think of what sets you apart? Your digital marketing partner should help you describe what makes your business special – even if it’s something that feels like a day-in, day-out part of your plumbing services.

Start Growing Your Plumbing Business

Let’s put your plumbing marketing strategy into action and kick-start your business growth.

At Hibu, we specialize in plumbing marketing for small business owners that leads to tangible digital marketing results. Whether you’re a family-owned operation or a local franchise, we work with you to find your ideal solution.

Your free consultation is the first step in a dedicated digital marketing partnership. Call us at 877-237-6120, or fill out our Get Started form to request a call from one of our local digital marketing experts.