Advertising New Heating Business

Mahoneyd187

Mahoneyd187

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,604
Name
Danny
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,

I recently set up a Plumbing & Heating business and I'm contracting full time (UK energy provider, no prizes). I am looking to get more of my own work on the go and take a step back from the contracting but to be honest I'm struggling with the advertising side of things.

I've set up a website (it's vistaprint so not very well optimised for seo I know), I'm on yell, thompson local, 192, I've literally just put an ad in the local paper which goes to print on thurs this week, but something just isn't happening, I simply don't get calls. It's not based on my work, I haven't had a chance to get any sort of name for myself.

I guess I'm just looking for advice on what steps to take next, how to get my name in front of peoples faces.

Any and all advice on advertising my business appreciated.

Regards all,

Dan
 
You need a proper website with good content that fills the screen and not just a bit in the centre. A proper site won't advertise vistaprint.
It needs to be optimised to work.
I personally never buy from a site with only a mobile no.
Yell and the rest pretty much a non starter these days.

Networking. find out where and go do it. Gets you word of mouth work and something to build on.

Some networking groups are cheap others are expensive. See what works for you in your locality.

just a few things to throw in the pan.
 
When I was painting and decorating, the chap I got all my work through didn't advertise as such - he had a very good local reputation so got all the work we could handle mainly via word of mouth. He did have 3 sign written vans (Astra/Escort) which were kept clean and tidy and were kept street parked whenever possible. Get in touch with local builders who might be able to throw new build installations your way. Ditto other plumbers - they may have too much on their plates and want someone to pass on any excess to (but beware of them passing on bad payers who they simply don't want to keep as their customers!) Post office/newsagents/local shop windows? Proper printed ads rather than hand scrawled efforts - an eye catching logo and company name helps get an identity going. Maybe you could sponsor a local sports team - get them wearing your T-shirts. Wear a branded T-shirt yourself.

Sorry for the rambling - stream of consciousness post!
 
Hi mate

Thanks for the input!

Do you know of any DIY type website builders that are better than vistaprint? I'm in the middle of a free 1 month trial, so I'm not set in a contract or anything.
 
Contact all your local builders and ask to be put on the tender list.

Join the local commerce network group, offer deals via FB, get more printed media out there, go to local p&h merchants and ask about being put on a preferred contractor list.
 
Afraid not. One of my wife's yoga students is a web designer and did her sites. Might be worth asking in the computers/technology section.
 
All great suggestions guys I'm gonna get cracking! I've got 500 leaflets left in my lounge from a leaflet drop last week, gonna start there I think....O the joys of self employment!
 
You could also try any local estate agents Danny, there is always rented property that needs a plumber now and again. Ok they might well have people they use on a regular basis, but if they cannot cover an emergency then you might get the chance to prove your worth.
 
In my experience leaflet drops are a waste of money, they never did me any good and if I'm honest any leaflet that comes through my own door goes straight in the recycle bin.

Local advertising is worth trying if you are sure the local paper is widely read (papers used to be the place to go for local trades but not sure now). Yellow pages is an absolute must, make the advert good quality and keep the same theme across all media if you can.

GET YOUR VAN SIGN WRITTEN in big letters and make sure your phone number and what you do are the most prominent things folk see.

Get your family to put the word out.
 
In my bit of Essex we get a number of different magazines through the door - things like village voice and The Higgler etc. They'll all have adverts in them and quite often loose leaflets. I quite often pick out the more interesting (and well presented) leaflets for future reference. This might be a cost effective way of doing the leaflet drops.

This is quite a good one that comes through regularly:

http://www.bitsandbobsmagazine.com/
 
There's not much about at the moment, people don't want to spend and so many more are taking out insurance plus the manufacturers are offering longer warranties and extended.
Are you looking at mainly doing installations or breakdowns?
Yellow pages are still used by the over 50's and they are often the ones with a bit more spare money.

Edit.. Just looked at your website, if it was me I'd take the price list off as you'll just be used as an example for people to barter, ignoring your phone number then ringing someone else, they'll only come back if they can't find cheaper.
 
Last edited:
Take a look at how others are advertising on the web, just Google " heating ang plumbing engineer" . A few well placed photos don't go amiss and do attract. A landline phone number makes you look not so much a here and gone merchant that can't be traced. Yellow pages are on the way out in my opinion, looking at our records more are turning to Google and Yell now. My records show 16 out of 18 latest hits are with either of these on the internet with my company

Realspeed
 
Last edited:
u8myufo said:
You could also try any local estate agents Danny, there is always rented property that needs a plumber now and again. Ok they might well have people they use on a regular basis, but if they cannot cover an emergency then you might get the chance to prove your worth.
Click to expand...

Should have mentioned I've already done that, went in face to face to every estate agent in town and gave my card/sold my services. I'm hopeful I'll get a chance to get involved as they tend to only really use their "regular" guys.

Steep said:
In my experience leaflet drops are a waste of money, they never did me any good and if I'm honest any leaflet that comes through my own door goes straight in the recycle bin.

Local advertising is worth trying if you are sure the local paper is widely read (papers used to be the place to go for local trades but not sure now). Yellow pages is an absolute must, make the advert good quality and keep the same theme across all media if you can.

GET YOUR VAN SIGN WRITTEN in big letters and make sure your phone number and what you do are the most prominent things folk see.

Get your family to put the word out.
Click to expand...

I'll second that opinion right now, a few thousand leaflets out and not a single call....waste of time and I won't be doing that again!

Van is sign written but only quite small at the moment, I want a bigger van (have a combo at present) so I'm biding my time with that one currently.

Spuff said:
In my bit of Essex we get a number of different magazines through the door - things like village voice and The Higgler etc. They'll all have adverts in them and quite often loose leaflets. I quite often pick out the more interesting (and well presented) leaflets for future reference. This might be a cost effective way of doing the leaflet drops.

This is quite a good one that comes through regularly:

http://www.bitsandbobsmagazine.com/
Click to expand...

OOooo hadn't thought of that, I sure in the local villages they have leaflets like that, think my parents get a parish booklet through! Nice idea thanks!

Martyn D said:
There's not much about at the moment, people don't want to spend and so many more are taking out insurance plus the manufacturers are offering longer warranties and extended.
Are you looking at mainly doing installations or breakdowns?
Yellow pages are still used by the over 50's and they are often the ones with a bit more spare money.

Edit.. Just looked at your website, if it was me I'd take the price list off as you'll just be used as an example for people to barter, ignoring your phone number then ringing someone else, they'll only come back if they can't find cheaper.
Click to expand...

Right pricelist going off! Thanks for the advice!! Never thought of it like that!!

I'm hoping to get more installation work, lower volume and better money to be honest. Although my background is mostly service and breakdown so that's my strength.

All new boilers require annual servicing to maintain these extended warrantys though! So I'd like to think servicing work is still out there!

realspeed said:
Take a look at how others are advertising on the web, just Google " heating ang plumbing engineer" . A few well placed photos don't go amiss and do attract.

Realspeed
Click to expand...

I'm getting some photographs sorted soon thanks for reminding me!!

Thank you all so much for your advice so far I really appreciate it!! :thumbs:
 
Hold on....just seen you cover Cambridge, please ignore my post as you'll be nicking my jobs :lol:

Seriously though, Cambridge is a great place for installs, many many rented out properties so if the boiler goes bang they want one in quick to keep the tennants/students happy.

I only do insurance work now, the back has given up on lifting boilers onto the wall.
 
Martyn D said:
Hold on....just seen you cover Cambridge, please ignore my post as you'll be nicking my jobs :lol:

Seriously though, Cambridge is a great place for installs, many many rented out properties so if the boiler goes bang they want one in quick to keep the tennants/students happy.

I only do insurance work now, the back has given up on lifting boilers onto the wall.
Click to expand...

Yeah but they all want Aristons, Halsteads, Ferrolis......eugh!! :cuckoo: lol
 
You are the type of trade that definately needs a decent presence in Yell. I know many people say they never use directories, and yes, they are not as good as they were years ago, but for trades like plumbers, heating, builders etc... they are a must. They do deals there now too (never did when i worked there). See what your competition do and do a similar size ad, so that may well be a quarter page. Size matters!!! Also they offer payment over 10 months interest free whcih does not start till ad starts!

That is longer term though, used to work for BT too, and would not bother with the Phonebook or Thomsons, both have very low useage.

Webwise, 123-reg are one of many template sites that you can use. I know a guy called Kennie who runs www.kenkai.com - they do good seo websites, a basic one will be 299 iirc, he was on jeremy vine show aa couple of years ago on r2 advising and when i last checked they came in on p2 for seo websites or a similar term.
 
That's ok...in 2 years you'll be back to replace them ;)

No Halstead though as they've gone...there's a shock.
 
Last edited:
What did your leaflet say? I would respond, for example, to a marketing message that was offering me something - 'free healthcare check for your boiler', and I would like to see testimonials on a website that address my biggest bugbears with plumbers - eg
"turned up EXACTLY when he said he would"
"reliable and efficient"
that kind of thing.
Also, do something, anything to get yourself in front of people when they don't necessarily need you (as above) and leave them something to make sure is you they contact when they do (fridge magnet/pen).
This stuff is definitely playing the long game, but at some point everyone WILL need you, and also incentivise those that do to pass your details on to a friend (again, give them fridge magnet/pen/whatever to pass on).
get a (personal) Facebook page going and stuff it FULL of comments from your customers - do NOT rely on them for these, ask them for testimonials and put them onto your page yourself. Friend everyone.
 
Be the friendliest, nicest person ever if you do get in front of someone and be honest - accept the proffered cup of tea and chat about how you LOVE this business and you are keen to build it, so of they know anyone who may need you, put them in touch.
Oh, and as a small business myself, I
1. need to know reliable tradespeople
2. give recommendations a LOT
 
To get started you will need to get yourself noticed and differentiate yourself.

I will be in the market for a new boiler and all the stuff soon and the sort of things I'll want to see on / about your website are:

- When I type 'boilers' or 'heating engineers' plus 'an Essex town' in Google your name appears on the first page (I can find your website quickly and easily).

- The site contains your company name, address, landline, e-mail address and mobile number (I know who you are and I can contact you in any way I want to).

- There is a clear list, easy to read, of what you do. Not lots of paragraphs of text to read (I can see if you do what i'm looking for).

- Some product information. Tell people some of the manufacturer brands you fit - ride off the back of their brand strength (I can see the brands that interest me or I recognise)

- A clear list of the places (not just counties) you will go out to (Is it worth picking up the phone to you)

- There is an offer e.g. free no obligation quotation / free servicing for 2 years with boiler installation / free call outs etc etc. (Attract me and make me choose you )

- There is a value proposition e.g. range of boiler options to suit your budget / free quidance and planning service etc (Give me choice and some control)

- Very clear and prominent statement that you are Gas Safe registered and your background, training and experience (Make me trust you).

If people can find you and your website answers their key questions or address their needs and they can contact you easily then you stand a chance.

Be prepared to do a few lower margin jobs to begin with to build your reputation, gain references and generate some positive word of mouth.
 
Wow great information and alot to think about guys thank you very much it's much appreciated!!

Ill do lots of work on my advertising over the weekend and maybe get a few pointers when I'm done and some more great advice :)
 
Mahoneyd187 said:
Wow great information and alot to think about guys thank you very much it's much appreciated!!

Ill do lots of work on my advertising over the weekend and maybe get a few pointers when I'm done and some more great advice :)
Click to expand...

Getting a good ad is key. You need a headline and call to action. Post some ideas on here to get feedback. Have spent over 4 years in the past working on directories so like to think I know a bit!!
 
cambsno said:
Getting a good ad is key. You need a headline and call to action. Post some ideas on here to get feedback. Have spent over 4 years in the past working on directories so like to think I know a bit!!
Click to expand...

Would really love to but no budget right now for it unfortunately

Have made a few changes to the website and in the process of arranging photographs for it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top