Starting a welding business – or any business for that matter – can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the industry. Welding and manufacturing is a great industry to get into, though, and can easily be scaled up. There are a lot of things to focus your business on too, from general welding to the more specific fields such as custom motorcycles and restorations. To help you establish and grow your own welding business, we are going to take a look at some of the tips to get started.
The Right Equipment for the Job
Before you can start taking customers’ orders, you need to set up shop first. A big enough space with good ventilation is more than enough for a new, relatively small welding business. You also need some basic welding equipment. Choosing the right equipment to get, however, can be a bit tricky.
The key here is to know what you will be doing most of the time. Imagine the kind of jobs or projects you will be taking on and you should be able to research the right welding equipment to get. Some of the more standard equipment, such as a Lincoln welding helmet, is easier to pick. The right Tig machine, on the other hand, requires a bit more research.
Shopping online will help you compare equipment quite easily. Stores like Welding Outfitter can really help you find great equipment at the right prices. You can also read reviews, which means you can make better purchase decisions easily.
Finding Customers
The internet is once again your friend when it comes to finding customers, but before you start marketing your welding business, there are a few things you need to do. First, make a few samples. You can work on personal projects or help friends who need some welding done. Take pictures of these samples; they act as your portfolio.
Next, set up a website and social media profiles. Since you already have welding sample pictures, you can start sharing them online. Another great approach is to create stories out of every project you do, especially the more interesting ones. Share your progress on social media and get potential customers engaged.
You should also promote your business offline. Machine shops and smaller garages usually need a good welder, so don’t be afraid to pay them a visit, and leave your business card along with some welding samples; in this case, the samples can just be two small pieces of steel or iron welded together, just to show the quality of your work.
Growing the Business
Growing your welding business will require you to focus on two things: improving your quality and reaching new customers. As you work on more projects, you’ll get more recognition and your customers will start recommending you. You will also be able to build a stronger online presence, which means more people will come to you every time they need some welding done.
That’s it! These tips will make starting your own welding business and growing it much easier to do.
