6 Foolproof Ways to Attract New Customers
Are you a local service business owner struggling to attract new customers? Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, landscaper, or any other type of service provider, you need a steady stream of new clients to grow your business.
Fortunately, we have found six proven ways to get new customers for your local service business. In this article, we’ll explore each strategy in detail, providing you with actionable tips and insights to help you attract more customers and increase your revenue.
Strategy 1: Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your business to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). By improving your business’s visibility, you can attract more organic traffic and generate more leads.
Here are some tips for improving your local service business’s SEO:
Conduct keyword research to identify the keywords your target audience is searching for, you can use a tool like Google search console, or use your Google business profile performance section.
Optimize your website’s on-page elements, including meta titles, meta descriptions, and header tags, here is an in-depth guide to local SEO strategies.
Create high-quality content that addresses your target audience’s needs and pain points, use the (E-E-A-T) google framework for content:
Expertise
Experience
Authority
Trust
Off-Site SEO
This type of search engine optimization focuses heavily on your local map pack ranking. 17% of your ranking is based on Google reviews, you should prioritize reviews as a consistent part of your business.
Strategy 2: Advertising
Advertising is another effective way to get new customers for your local service business. By placing targeted ads in front of your ideal audience, you can increase your visibility and generate more leads.
Ad platforms like Google Local Service Ads and Google Search Ads allow you to market to people searching for a product or service that you offer. Opposed to a platform like Facebook or Instagram where you are disrupting their scroll with an ad.
We also found that with Facebook leads, there is much more nurturing needed to get to a sale as opposed to a bottom-of-the-funnel Google lead.
What are the best advertising platforms for local service businesses?
The best advertising platforms for local service businesses include:
- Google Local Service Ads
- Google Search Ads
- Facebook Ads
- Yelp Ads
- Thumbtack
Strategy 3: Social Media Posting
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are powerful tools for building brand awareness and engaging with your target audience. By creating a strong social media presence, you can attract more followers and generate more leads.
Even if you don’t think you get customers from Facebook, there are two ways you do:
- People recommend you in a neighborhood Facebook group and the prospect goes to your Facebook page to see your posts, then contacts you.
- When a customer is vetting you, they look at your social media accounts to see your content.
Here are some tips for using social media to attract new customers:
- Define your brand’s voice and tone and create a consistent posting schedule. We recommend using (UGC) user-generated content, which is in the form of sharing reviews and customers’ pictures.
- Share valuable content that’s relevant to your target audience’s interests and needs.
- Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages promptly.
- Use social media advertising to reach new audiences and promote your services.
Strategy 4: Business to Business & Referral
Business to business (B2B) and referral marketing are effective ways to acquire new customers for your local service business. One way to leverage B2B marketing is to partner with other local businesses in your industry.
This allows you to tap into their customer base and reach new potential customers. This also allows you to sell 1 time to a business and get 100+ customers from it which makes it a good use of time to help scale your business.
Referral marketing is all about leveraging your existing customers and network to refer new customers. You can incentivize referrals by offering discounts, free services, or other rewards for customers who refer their friends and family to your business.
Strategy 5: Paper & Door Knocking
Paper advertising (flyers, yard signs, door hangers) and door knocking can still be effective ways to acquire new customers for local service businesses. However, it’s important to do it strategically. For example, you can use door hangers or flyers to target specific neighborhoods where your services are likely to be in high demand after a service call since you are already there.
What we have found is that larger service businesses do not do this type of marketing because it is not scalable and digital marketing can be a much more effective use of time and money.
Strategy 6: Word of Mouth Referrals
Word of mouth referrals are arguably the most powerful method of acquiring new customers for local service businesses. This method involves leveraging the power of happy customers to refer new customers to your business.
The key to this method is providing excellent customer service and a high-quality product or service. If your customers are happy with their experience, they will likely recommend your business to their friends, family, and colleagues.
To encourage word-of-mouth referrals, you can offer incentives such as referral discounts or free services to customers who refer new customers to your business. You can also ask customers for reviews and testimonials on your Google Business Profile or social media pages, which can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Digital Marketing For Local Service Businesses
If you are looking for a consultative approach to digital marketing, this is exactly why Phlash Consulting exists. As the director of business development at a large air duct cleaning company our owner Phil was frustrated with the level of analysis and consultation on marketing strategy and ROI so he decided to make a company that works with businesses to help them grow. Discuss your unique business with us and setup a free 30-min strategy session.