Do you want to find more customers and grow your business? Do you want to make more money? We’ve put together this list of marketing tips to help driveway contractors do just that.
1. Be good to your customers
Word-of-mouth is one of the most effective marketing channels for driveway contractors. To generate more referral business, you need to do great work. Do you best to stay on budget, clean up your mess, and stick to important deadlines. If you do this, your satisfied customers will recommend you to their friends and family without hesitation.
Get help marketing your paving business!
2. Build a brand for your business
Creating a unique brand for your driveway company is very important. This is how you can differentiate yourself from the competition. Your brand should emphasize what your company does best (whether it’s pouring concrete or resurfacing asphalt). Your company name, logo, and marketing materials should help to reinforce your company identity.
3. Invest in quality web design
If your driveway company’s website is over 10 years old, you’re probably due for a re-design. A modern, professional website with high-quality images makes a great first impression. Most importantly, your company name and phone number should be on every page of the site. Don’t make people go searching high and low for the most important information.
4. Sign up for a pay-per-call service
Buying calls has become very popular in recent years. The setup process is typically very simple. The pay-per-call company advertise on your behalf. Someone interested in hiring you can use a unique number to call you. Then, the driveway company is charged a set fee for each incoming call. Driveway contractors may receive leads for 1) new driveway construction, 2) driveway replacement, 3) driveway repair, 4) driveway sealing, or 5) driveway resurfacing. Use ProMatcher to
find the right pay per call service for your driveway company.
5. Use reviews to build your online reputation
It’s now standard practice to read online reviews before hiring a local business. What will people find when they research your driveway company? Highly-rated companies (with many positive reviews) usually get the most visibility on these third-party review websites. If you have a few negative reviews, try not to worry about it too much. If you have more than a few bad ones, you may want to consult with an online reputation management firm.
6. Start using pay-per-click advertising
Looking to bring more traffic for your website? Pay-per-click advertising might be a good option. All you have to do is set up an account, and you can have your first campaign up and running right away. PPC lets you reach a very targeted audience. For example, you can target people searching specifically for “paver driveway installers” in your county. If you specialize in concrete driveway construction, you might want to bid higher on keywords like “concrete driveway installation” and “cement driveway builders”.
7. Think about trying direct mail
While it may seem old-fashioned, sending a flyer or postcard via “snail mail” can still be a very effective marketing strategy. It’s become easy to ignore promotional emails. It’s hard to ignore a physical piece of mail. As a driveway contractor, you want to develop a way to keep in touch with your existing customers. If they need their driveway re-sealed or repaired, they will think to call you. It also reminds them to refer your driveway business to their friends and family members.
8. Turn your vehicle into a moving billboard
Have you ever thought about installing a vinyl wrap on your work vehicle? This is a great way to build brand awareness around town. Your truck goes wherever you go. You can even add a unique phone number to your truck to track the number of leads you receive this way.
9. Buy driveway leads online
Online lead generation services can
help driveway contractors bid on more jobs. Most lead providers charge on a “per lead” basis. This means that you are only charged when you receive a lead that matches your preferences. You can purchase leads for many different projects, including driveway installation, replacement, and repair jobs. Leads may also be categorized by the desired paving material. For example, leads may be for 1) asphalt driveway jobs, 2) brick driveway jobs, 3) concrete driveway jobs, 4) paver driveway jobs, or 5) gravel driveway jobs.
RELATED:
How Much Do Driveway Leads Cost?
10. Try printing custom door hangers
A door hanger advertisement is another low-cost marketing strategy worth trying. You can usually print a few hundred, maybe even a few thousand, of these flyers for less than $100. Many printing companies will even help you put together the design. Just pick a few neighborhoods in your service area to target. When distributing the flyers door-to-door, you might even get to talk to a few potential customers in person.
11. Build relationships with other local business owners
Your relationships with other local companies can be a great source for new business. For example, driveway contractors may want to connect with local landscapers, home builders, and general contractors. When one of them needs a driveway built, you want them to call you! Invite them to a job site and show them the the great work that you can do. When you need their help with a job, you’ll happily return the favor!
READ MORE:
Typical Marketing Budget for a Driveway Contractor
Last Updated: September 26, 2018