How to Boost Your Small Home Services Business' Online Presence

A great online presence means more money in your pocket. Plain and simple. 

Buyers don't feel like taking chances. And why should they when they can pick up their smartphone and ask for the best X providers in their area? 

The effort and money you invest in having a great online presence makes all the sense in the world. So we've built a blog to give you the information you need to understand why online presence matters, how it works, and the steps you can take to have a great online presence of your own.

Jump to:

• Why Online Presence Matters for Small Home Services Businesses

• Statistics on the Importance of Online Presence for Small Businesses

• Benefits of Having a Strong Online Presence

• How to Build an Effective Online Presence

• Overview of How Your Customers are Likely to Engage Your Online Content

• The Importance of Online Reviews

• Real-Life Examples of a Great Home Services Online Presence

• Conclusion

Why Online Presence Matters for Small Home Services Businesses

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for small home services businesses. With more and more customers turning to the internet to search for local services, having a well-designed website, active social media accounts, and positive online reviews can make all the difference in attracting and retaining customers. 

Source: Mediative

An online presence not only makes it easier for potential customers to find your business, but it also allows you to showcase your services, build trust, and establish your brand. Neglecting your online presence could mean missing out on valuable opportunities for growth and success in the highly competitive home services industry.

Source: Status Brew

In short, having an active presence online gives your customers an opportunity to find you, engage with you, and vet you in a way that's meaningful to them.

Statistics on the Importance of Online Presence for Small Businesses

• Every second, people around the world make an average of 40,000 searches on Google. This means that there are about 1.2 trillion searches made annually. (Google & WPForms)
  
• In 2022, almost nine out of ten people checked out local businesses on Google, which is way more than the eight out of ten who did it in 2021. (BrightLocal)

• Almost half of the time people search for nearby providers, and this often leads them to do business in person. Of those who search for local businesses, more than 7 out of 10 actually transact with they business they found. (Fit Small Business)
• Out of every one hundred people who look up a local business on their phone, about eighteen of them decide to pay a vendor within twenty-four hours. (Zippia)
• More than half of the people will look for reviews and recommendations online before buying something. Out of these people, almost half will visit the company's website, 26% will check out the physical store and 23% will talk with their friends and family about it. (KPMG Study)
• About 4 out of every 10 people will leave a website that doesn't look good or work well. (Fit Small Business)
• Almost three out of every ten business transactions in the US are done online. This is a lot more than it was ten years ago, when only two out of every ten transactions were online, and twenty years ago, when it was less than one out of every ten. (Zippia)

• Over a third of people use YouTube to learn about local businesses, while almost one-third use Instagram. One in five people use TikTok, and over a third of people ask their local news for information. (BrightLocal)
• Almost 4 out of every 10 people will not continue using a website if it takes too long to load or respond. (Fit Small Business)
• Businesses that have blogs get 126% more potential customers interested in their products or services. (Zippia)
• Around 70% of people who visit a website got there by using Google to search for it. (Fit Small Business)
• Before going to a store or calling a business, over 85% of customers will first look it up on Google Maps. (LinkedIn)

Benefits of Having a Strong Online Presence

1. Increased Visibility in Your Local Market

Having a strong online presence can give your home services business better visibility in your local market by allowing potential customers to find you more easily.

By having a website and social media presence, you can provide potential customers with information about your services, hours, and contact information. This will give them a better understanding of what you offer and make it easier for them to find you when they are searching for home services in your local market.

Additionally, online marketing is less expensive than traditional advertising methods like television ads or print ads in newspapers or magazines, evening the playing field for home service businesses.

2. Brand Awareness

When you post things about your home services business on your website and social media, people can see what makes your business special and what you believe in. This helps people trust that your business is good and reliable.

When you talk to people online through your website and social media pages, it can help you build relationships with them. When people feel connected to your business, they may tell others about it, write good things about it, and even hire you for their home services needs.

3. Customer Engagement

Having a strong online presence means that your business can be discovered more easily by potential customers. This can lead to more people visiting your website, social media pages, or finding your business through online directories. 

Moreover, a strong online presence allows you to communicate with customers in real-time through social media or chat features on your website. This can help you answer their questions, provide support, and build trust with them.

How to Build an Effective Online Presence

Establishing a strong online presence can be overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the tools and strategies required. These steps will help you build a digital foundation that will help your home services business thrive in today's competitive market.

Steps to Establish a Strong Online Presence

1. Create a Professional Website

Source: Fit Small Business

Creating a professional website for your home services business may seem intimidating if you have no tech experience, but it is easier than you think. The following are the basic steps to follow:

1. Choose a website builder: There are several website builders available online that offer easy-to-use templates and drag-and-drop features. Some popular options include Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.
2. Select a domain name: Your domain name should be easy to remember and reflect your business name. You can purchase a domain name from your website builder or a domain registrar like GoDaddy.
3. Pick a website template: Choose a website template that best suits your business needs. Most website builders offer templates specifically designed for home services businesses.
4. Customize your website: Add your logo, images, and text about your services. Make sure your website is easy to navigate and provides all the necessary information about your business.
5. Optimize your website for search engines: Use relevant keywords throughout your website to help search engines like Google understand what your business offers.
6. Publish your website: Once you have customized your website, it's time to publish it. Make sure to test your website on different devices and browsers to ensure it's running smoothly.
7. Maintain and update your website: Keep your website up-to-date with your latest services, pricing, and contact information. Regularly update your website with fresh content to keep visitors engaged.

By following these steps, you can create a professional website for your home services business with no tech experience. If you need further assistance, many website builders have customer support available to help you along the way.

Of course, you can always have a professional build a website for you. GoSite builds high-quality business websites for as low as $50, and these sites come with engagement tools that help you book more business online and on the go.

2. Claim, Verify, and Update Your Google Business Profile

To claim, verify, and update your Google Business Profile, sign in to your Google account, search for your business on Google Maps, click "Claim this business," verify your identity and ownership, and update your information, including hours, phone number, website, and photos.

We've written a more detailed blog on how to do this, and you can click the link to read, How to Set Up and Activate Your Google My Business Listing.

3. Set Up Social Media Profiles

When you make social media profiles, pick the ones that match what you want to do with your business and who you are trying to reach.

Create profiles with consistent branding and fill out all necessary information, including a profile picture, cover photo, and bio. Start posting relevant content and engaging with your audience.

Use social media tools to schedule posts and track metrics to optimize your strategy. Remember to stay active and respond to messages and comments to maintain a strong online presence.

4. Claim Other Online Directory Listings

To claim other online directory listings, start by searching for your business on popular directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor.

Claim your business by verifying your identity and ownership, and then update your information with accurate details, like your website URL, phone number, and hours of operation. This will help to ensure that your business appears correctly in search results and that potential customers can easily find and contact you online.

Creating the Right Content

Give Your Audience Content That It Needs

As a local business owner, it's important to create content that resonates with your audience.

Start by understanding your audience's interests and needs, and tailor your content accordingly. Use simple language and visuals to make your content easy to understand and engaging. Share helpful tips, answer frequently asked questions, and showcase your products and services. Use social media to share your content and engage with your audience.

Consider hiring a professional writer or marketer if you need help creating content. With consistent and valuable content, you can build a loyal following and attract new customers to your business.

But don't be afraid to use your smartphone to snap pictures and videos for your audience. Most of your customers will appreciate the authenticity of home-made videos that offer valuable information.

Use the Right Keywords

When you create online content, think about the words or phrases that people might use to search for it. These are called "keywords."

Using the right keywords is most important for your web pages, blogs, or any videos you post on YouTube.

For example, if you run an auto shop, your main keyword might be "auto care." You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find other relevant keywords for your business. Once you have a list of keywords, include them naturally in your content, such as in your headlines, page titles, and throughout your website.

Avoid overusing them, as this can hurt your search engine rankings. By using the right keywords, you can help your content appear higher in search results and attract more visitors to your website.

Use Engaging Visuals

Your smartphone is a powerful tool for creating engaging visuals to attract new customers.

Start by taking high-quality photos of your products, services, and business location. Use natural lighting and simple backgrounds to showcase your offerings.

You can also create short videos to share on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These videos can highlight your products, showcase your team, or give a behind-the-scenes look at your business.

Use simple editing tools like Instagram's built-in filters or free apps like Canva to add text and graphics to your visuals. With a little creativity, your smartphone can help you create visuals that showcase your business and attract new customers.

Overview of How Your Customers are Likely to Engage Your Online Content

If you create great online content that is relevant, valuable, visually appealing, and easy to consume, your audience is more likely to engage with it in the following ways:

1. They will spend more time on your website or social media channels, consuming your content and exploring your offerings.
2. They will be more likely to share your content with their own followers and networks, increasing your reach and visibility.
3. They will be more likely to leave comments and engage in conversations around your content, which can help build a community around your brand.
4. They will be more likely to trust and perceive your business as an authority in your industry, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and customer retention.
5. They will be more likely to take action, whether that means booking your services, making a purchase, or signing up for your newsletter.

The Importance of Online Reviews

Online reviews are particularly important for home services businesses because these are services that directly impact people's homes and their daily lives. Homeowners want to feel confident that the service provider they hire is reputable, reliable, and trustworthy.

Positive reviews from past customers can provide a sense of security and help build trust with potential customers. Additionally, home services often involve a significant financial investment, and customers want to make sure that they are getting value for their money.

Source: GoSite Reviews for Small Business

Reviews can give customers a better understanding of the quality of service they can expect to receive and help them make informed decisions when selecting a service provider.

Finally, the home services industry is highly competitive, and businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction and actively manage their online reputation are more likely to stand out and attract new customers.

Real-Life Examples of a Great Home Services Online Presence

One great example of a home services business with an excellent website is Guardian Protection.

Source: Guardianprotection.com

Their website has a well-designed homepage that quickly appeals to different target market segments. The homepage features two buttons, one for commercial clients and the other for residential clients, which effectively directs the target audience exactly where they need to be without confusion.

It's simple and perfect, because:

1. It looks nice.
2. There are multiple options to engage the business.
3. The pages load quickly.
4. Nothing is broken.
5. All their information is clear and consistent.

One example of a home services business with a great Facebook page is Mr. Handyman. They have a highly engaging and interactive Facebook page that provides helpful tips, advice, and inspiration for homeowners.

Their page features a mix of video tutorials, blog articles, and promotional posts, all of which are designed to educate and inform their followers.

They also actively engage with their followers by responding to comments and messages promptly and offering personalized solutions to their problems. Mr. Handyman's Facebook page is an excellent example of how home services businesses can use social media to build brand awareness, engage with customers, and drive sales.

While TikTok is a relatively new platform, there are some home services businesses that are using it effectively to showcase their services and engage with their audience. One such example is Tyler Kropp, a power washing entrepreneur.

Tyler's page is a great example of a home services TikTok page because it provides engaging and informative content related to the power washing business.

The page features videos that showcase the owner's expertise, such as providing tips on running a small business, promoting a healthy work environment, and discussing the difference between commercial and residential work. The videos also demonstrate the quality of the work provided by the business, such as going above and beyond for customers. Additionally, the page engages with its audience by asking questions and encouraging interaction.

Conclusion

To make more people know about your small home services business, you need to do some things online.

First, make a website that is easy for people to use.

Then, use social media to tell people about your business and get good reviews from your customers. Finally, use some tricks to make sure people in your local area can find you online. By doing these things, you can get more customers for your business.