Though digital and online strategies have recently occupied a significant portion of roofers’ marketing efforts, referrals can help home improvement businesses grow, especially for those operating locally. According to a study by Korona Pos, 75% of customers are likely to purchase from or hire the services of a company referred to them. With over half of all roofing contractors getting 25% of their leads from referrals (JobNimbus), getting more roofing referrals is a marketing strategy you can’t ignore. In this article, we share tips on how to get roofing referrals quickly.
Most of these solutions are surprisingly straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective, and you can implement them immediately.
Compared to many marketing strategies, referrals may cost less. Simply sticking to fundamental values of professionalism and a friendly approach effectively earn your customer’s trust. However, though 83% of roofing customers may refer to a contractor they were happy with, only 29% do (JobNimbus). These ten tips will ensure that you maximize this often-overlooked marketing method:
Do an Excellent Job
Referrals are the highest expression of trust a customer can provide you. The leverage happy customers provide can make or break purchasing decisions among your target market. Providing high-quality service is paramount to most roofing companies, but this commitment can’t be overstated. To ensure you did an excellent job, spare some time to inspect the results with your customers.
Moreover, adding warranties to your work and being respectful to homeowners will help build trust substantially.
Request Referrals During the Job Duration
Make sure to find the opportune moment to request referrals from your customers during the job duration. Primarily, when you have delivered an excellent job, raising the matter of referrals is one of the best topics you can discuss while the project is still fresh in their minds.
Request Customers Post Reviews Online
Online reviews drive conversions. Your customer’s testament to the positive experience they had with your company is the selling point that potential customers are looking for. Online reviews are an expression of trust. In an article published by Search Engine Journal, 91% of 18 to 14-year old trust reviews online just as much as personal recommendations, while a majority of consumers feel that the quantity of reviews a business has is a critical deciding factor in determining whether to avail of their services. According to a survey conducted by WebFX, over 90% of consumers rely on online reviews to decide on a roofing company. This number tells the whole story of how this single item impacts customer decisions. Moreover, the number of positive reviews helps your local SEO, especially Google Business Profile optimization, and will make your profile much more visible in local searches.
Feature Your Best Equipment
First impressions last. Showcasing your latest and best equipment can express the quality and professionalism your company possesses without words. Combined with an amiable approach, having the best equipment around can help you attract more customers looking for quality work.
Start a Customer Referral Program
Standardizing your referral program is a significant step to maximizing its lead-generation potential. Create a section on your homepage and display your referral program prominently. Mention all its features, such as discounts, gift cards, and vouchers.
Offer Incentives to Customers Who Provide Referrals
Asking for referrals verbally or by email can provide leads for new business. However, providing an incentive for customers to give referrals motivates them and makes them more likely to provide them. By incentivizing your referrals, you offer tremendous value for your services on top of the quality you provide.
Make the Referral Process Simple
Providing referrals should be simple for your customers:
- If your site visitors choose to make referrals online, ensure that it will be easy to find the referral section in your website.
- Make filling-out the contact form as simple as possible
Post on Social Media
Posting organic content and tagging your customers are effective ways to stay visible in your community. However, please ask your customers for consent.
Your social media page also serves as a platform to advertise your work quality (for example, before-and-after photos). Social media posts are also shareable and provide content that may enable more people to see your work.
Show Appreciation to Customers Who Gave You Referrals
Showing appreciation to customers who provided referrals doesn’t cost much. Moreover, such actions humanize your business, making it more relatable to local customers.
Run a Contest
Consider offering special pricing to customers who give you more referrals. Running a contest further incentivizes your referral program and makes your marketing efforts more engaging and highly relatable.
Don’t Ignore Roofing Referrals – They Are an Often-Overlooked Path to Business Growth
The numbers on the value brought by referrals are too significant to be ignored, as are the percentage of roofers who don’t capitalize on this opportunity. Following these tips can build trust and authority in your industry.
They highlight your core values, such as work quality, commitment to excellence, and the community-centered and relatable approach you provide your customers, further strengthening your brand and authority.
To learn more about referrals, local SEO, and guidance on how to increase online presence, generate leads, and strengthen the brand and authority of your roofing business, contact us at (213) 317-7184.