In this digital age, having a strong online presence is vital to attract new employees and clients. However, with a few simple tools, any residential or commercial electrical contractor can quickly and easily set up a website. They can also create advertisements and build an online brand. Digital marketing is now accessible to the masses.
Build a website
The first step to building an online presence is to have a website. Not only does this give you a place to advertise your services, it also gives prospective employees a place to find you. Potential customers can easily find out who you are and what you do. If you do not have the skills to build a website from scratch, professionals can be hired.
This option, however, can be costly. An alternative is to use a website building service like Squarespace to help you create your own site. The user interface is simple and your website can be customized at any time. Squarespace handles the behind-the-scenes workings to ensure your site is always running smoothly. It automatically formats your website for easy viewing on a mobile device, which is increasingly the way people access the internet.
Social Media
Another option is to build social media accounts for your company. If you already have a Facebook account, it is easy to create a dedicated page for your business. Social media allows you to engage with potential clients, employees, and the general public. You can post project updates, interesting industry news, and job openings. Facebook features a paid advertisement system that is extremely detailed. Your business can target very specific users based on their demographics, location and more. Social media should be part of your digital marketing outreach.
Digital marketing with video content
Another option is to create content for YouTube. Product and tool reviews, demonstrations, and any other sort of relevant video content can drive traffic to your site. Furthermore, cross-promotion is key. A YouTube video can be shared on Facebook, on your company’s website, or even promoted as an advertisement.
Your YouTube video doesn’t have to be complex or done by professionals. Often, homemade videos that explain simple concepts like How to replace a bad light switch are very effective.
Finally, LinkedIn is a popular and career-specific social network that is frequented by many professionals. Most companies now have LinkedIn profiles. As a result, it can be useful to keep in touch with contacts and stay current on industry news and events, as well as further building your online brand.
Online directories
There are a variety of online directories that allow users to search for relevant companies in their area. It is wise to add your company’s information to them. Examples include Yelp, Angie’sList, and YellowPages. Google also offers a business service that allows you to generate a unique search result card and easy-to-use map when a user searches for your company. However, you must ensure that all listing information is accurate and updated frequently.
Search Engine Optimization
Even with a proper website, social media profiles, and company listings, it can be difficult to be noticed online. This is where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. This is a method of making your website appear in the top search results for a given search term. For example, if a user searches for “electrical companies in [your city]”, SEO will ensure that your website appears in the top results.
This can be a complicated process, so SEO experts exist that can handle this task for a fee. Otherwise, an active social media presence will boost your SEO, as Google and other search engines are able to gather and combine data from all over the internet. The larger your online presence, the more likely it is that your company will appear in the top results.
Digital marketing can be simultaneously simple and complex, but with these recommendations, any contractor can start building an online reputation. There are a variety of options to suit any size company. With the right ideas and good management, you can drive traffic, clients, and good employees to your business.