It’s no secret that 2020 was a tough year for businesses in nearly every industry, including home heating and cooling companies. In most cases, however, homeowners still called for repairs when their HVAC systems malfunctioned.
But many companies still suffered, as fewer people replaced their units and others avoided calling for repairs due to finances and fear of contracting COVID-19 when welcoming a repairman into their homes.
Regardless of whether your HVAC business experienced its share of struggles last year, now is a great time to think about growing your business. If you’re looking to take your HVAC business to the next level in 2021, here are three tips to help you do just that.
1. Give Your Website a Fresh Update
When a homeowner runs into problems with their HVAC system and doesn’t already have a repairman on speed dial, they’re likely to search online for a reputable company. And if those homeowners do discover your website in their initial search results, it’s far more likely they’ll become your customers.
In fact, roughly 88 percent of searches for local businesses conducted on a mobile device result in a call to the company or an in-person visit within 24 hours of running the search. If your website is outdated, difficult to use, or slow to load, you’ll likely lose those customers to a competitor.
Indeed, giving your website a fresh facelift is a great way to get a leg-up on the competition in 2021. Your website’s design should be simplified and easy to navigate, but still be eye-catching and relevant.
2. Connect with Customers on Social Media
Social media is another advantageous way to grow your business. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn are great tools for connecting with prospects and existing customers alike. Simply creating social media pages isn’t enough, though. In particular, you’ll want to post content regularly to help build brand awareness (more on that in a moment!).
Doing so can help increase your follower count, which will, in turn, drive more traffic to your business and help you become top of mind in the community. In addition to posting regularly, it’s also important to engage with your followers in a natural, organic way. Case in point: more than 70 percent of consumers who have a positive experience with a certain brand via social media find themselves more likely to recommend them to their friends and family.
3. Build Strong Brand Awareness
As mentioned above, brand awareness is important for all businesses but is especially so for service-based industries. When someone’s air conditioner goes out or their heat just won’t kick in, they’ll instantly look to call an HVAC company to repair the problem. Of course, you want as many consumers as possible to think of your company the moment something goes wrong. Building brand awareness will help with that.
For instance, take Morsco, a leading U.S. distributor of commercial and residential plumbing, waterworks and HVAC supplies, which has experienced success throughout the ongoing pandemic. That’s in large part due to its strong brand recognition in the communities in which the company operates.
Plumbers, much like HVAC experts, are essential workers who most homeowners don’t think of until something goes wrong. But when things do go awry, you want your company’s name to be top of mind.
Turn Up for What: Taking Your HVAC Business to New Levels and Beyond
Despite all your best intentions, taking your HVAC business to the next level in 2021 will be difficult and take some hard work. But by improving your website, utilizing social media to connect with customers, and building strong brand awareness, you’ll be well on your way to growing your client base in no time.
