neon for Home Services |
Home service contractors usually do not have a physical storefront and therefore need to open a web store more than most other businesses. |
 Web site - general info & design |
|
Tips:
- Lots of photos, and if possible videos, are very important as they help customers understand the quality of your work. Since there are no limits in the number of photos on your neon, take advantage of it.
- For photos, use Before and After comparisons for best results.
- Offer tips to show off your expertise
|
 Action content - detailed offerings & customer actions |
|
Once a potential customer has seen the photos and wants to proceed, getting estimates is the most important step for both you and them.
- List typical projects or services as separate items
- Put a price range for each item (with terms and conditions if you wish)
- Invite them to contact you online or phone to request a quote
- For common projects, offer discounts through coupons
|
 Email marketing - top-of-mind awareness |
|
Tips:
- Collect email addresses by passing out feedback form, or simply ask your past customers for their email address so that you can send them tips, updates ...
- Use neon to send out regular emails. Talk about other projects you're working on as you get them. This gives your clients a sense that you have expertise in other areas that they may have a need for.
- In these emails, don't forget to remind them to send you referrals. One way to do that is to ask them to forward your tips to their friends and family.
|
 Networking - customers trust referrals more |
|
Chances are, you already network with other business owners to get referrals. Let's take it online.
- Find a business you like, and recommend them (use neon tools)
- We'll notify them and ask them to reciprocate (if they like you of course)
- Their nice notes automatically become testimonials on your site (important to customers)
- Link to your neon becomes visible on their neons (unless they choose to block it)
|
|
|
Tips:
- Networking with other businesses. (It would help if they have a neon.) When you make recommendations of businesses you like, chances are they will reciprocate and you get the extra exposure on their sites. Also, customers will find your neon more useful, a place to get your personal recommendations for other services.
- Print your neon URL on your business cards, flyers, classified ads, etc. You might want to get your own domain name (for example: www.yourcompanyname.com) and forward it to the neon URL.
- Expect your customers will forward your promotional emails to their friends. So design your campaign thoughtfully.
- Use the popular community sites to promote your neon(s), such as craigslist, facebook, myspace, forums ...
|
 |