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Marketing Contractor Services On-Line
More and more consumers are finding and hiring contractors on-line.
Learn ideas to capitalize on this modern marketplace.
Google, Amazon and Contractors
Maybe the above explains why Google recently invested $100 million dollars into a new website that sells contracting services over the internet. Or, why Google just got into the business of matching up homeowners and contractors.
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Or, how come a team of Amazon executives started a competing website that helps consumers review what contractor they'd like to do business with.
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Or, why CEOs and Presidents from the likes of Best Buy and AOL have moved over into the home repair and remodeling industries to head a long list of these new sites that pair up property owners with a local contractor
Contractor Referral Websites
"The marketplace for contracting services is becoming increasingly digital."
Tens of thousands of contractors have now used these new websites to procure more clients, and millions of homeowners have used the same to find and hire those contractors.
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As the current on-line-generation comes of age, the internet will continue to play a even greater role in how people find and hire contractors.
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Many contractors who've used these new websites rave and recommend them as the source of their new-found financial success. Of course, there are also some who are critical and prefer only the old-school methods of advertising.
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But, like anything in business, there's never one magic answer. Ultimately, these new websites are tools to reach prospective buyers and, like any tool, it is still up to the contractor to select the right tool for the job and then use it in the right way to get the job done.
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Whether or not you decide to try one of these lead generation sites for your business, build your own website, use social media or however you choose to promote your business, the most important thing to consider is markets. In other words, how and where are your consumers shopping for your services, and can you be found there?
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Today, there's no longer a question, the marketplace for contracting services is becoming increasingly digital.
What to Look Out For
Below is a list of more than 30 national websites you can check out to see how these resources might help grow your business. You can also search on-line to find smaller sites that are local, just for your state or city.
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When looking into these websites, here are some good things you'll want to look out for:
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What contracting services are customers requesting? Make sure the site has a volume of referrals for your trade.
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How many consumers visit and use the site? Don't just look at what the site claims; look through actual customer requests to get an idea.
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Is there a financial commitment? Is there a fee to advertise or become a member? Is it a one-time cost or monthly fee? Is there a charge for leads or a commission-based system?
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How long is the commitment? Can you cancel at anytime?
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Is there a pre-screening process? Some sites have a screening process to verify a contractor is legitimate and uses good business practices before they can use the site.
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Insurance and licensing requirements. Pretty much all of these sites require you to be licensed, and encourage or require one has proper General Liability insurance. This is for consumer protection. Make sure you know what insurance you need to reach these customers
List of On-line Resources
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If you need help finding the right insurance to open up doors for more and better-paying customers for your business, contact us here
To succeed commercially into the future, contractors cannot afford to ignore the ever-increasing role the internet now plays in promoting and selling contractor services.
Just look at the trend:
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Since 1995, in 20 years, internet usage has increased 100Xs.
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As of 2013, 84.2% of Americans are now on-line.
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Per Google's most recent marketing guide for small businesses, 94% of consumers now research a product or service on-line before making a purchase.
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Today, consumers in their early-20s and 30s are the Millennial generation who have grown up with the internet, searching and shopping on-line their entire adult lives.​
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For contractors, this is now your largest base of prospective customers - a new generation buying their first homes, starting up businesses and hiring professionals every step of the way.
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As the current on-line generation fully comes of age, the internet will continue to play an even greater role in how people find and hire contractors.
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