Starting a handyman business or managing an established one, you’ve undoubtedly pondered the age-old question: “How can I get more handyman leads near me?” Leads are the lifeblood of any home improvement or repair venture, significantly influencing business growth. But it’s not just about quantity; it’s about quality. Before delving into strategies for obtaining premium leads, let’s revisit what constitutes these leads.
What are Handyman Leads?
Handyman leads are potential clients who’ve expressed interest in your handyman services, often sharing their contact details or directly reaching out to you. These leads harbour interest in various projects, encompassing home repairs, maintenance, renovations, installations, and more.
A successful marketing and business strategy ensures that leads emanate from diverse sources, including:
- Calls from your Google My Business listing
- Form submissions via your website or social media platforms
- Service requests initiated on platforms like HomeStars
- Quote inquiries facilitated through your website
Why Are Leads Important For A Handyman Business and How Do They Differ From Customers?
Leads serve as a critical component of any business because they are the foundation of future revenue when they eventually convert into actual jobs. Therefore, it’s essential to attract the best, most qualified leads for your handyman business, optimizing the chances of successful conversions. Accurate and comprehensive listings of your services and areas of expertise on platforms like Google and others assist potential clients in understanding what you offer.
Once acquired, leads may not be ready to commit immediately. They often undertake research, factoring in the quality of work, your availability, the estimates you provide, and other pertinent considerations before making a hiring decision. When a lead evolves into a paying client, they transition from being a lead to becoming a customer.
How To Get The Best Handyman Jobs For Your Business?
1. Have A Strong Marketing Strategy In Place For Your Business
Crafting a robust marketing strategy is your initial stride in acquiring top-tier handyman leads. A comprehensive marketing approach guarantees the highest visibility for your handyman enterprise, whether it’s in the digital or physical realm. This entails the establishment of a polished website, localized advertising initiatives, vigilant online review management, and various other tactics designed to bolster your presence.
2. Email Marketing For Handyman Jobs
In the realm of handyman services, effective email marketing hinges on the construction of a robust customer email roster. This list encompasses both your existing clientele and potential prospects, and it’s nurtured through various means like website contact forms, invoice communications, and similar strategies. Once you’ve cultivated your email list, it’s paramount to regularly send strategic emails, spotlighting your handyman business, exclusive offers, and promotions. Offering discounts can often be the catalyst that motivates homeowners to proceed with their projects. Additionally, email marketing maintains your presence in their thoughts, increasing the likelihood that they’ll reach out to you when their service needs align with your expertise.
3. Social Media Marketing For Handyman Leads
In the realm of handyman services, social media serves as a powerful conduit for securing valuable handyman contracts. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook can not only bolster your online presence but also attract organic leads. Compelling imagery showcasing your handyman work and engaging videos highlighting successful projects can be particularly effective, piquing the interest of potential customers. Furthermore, if you employ social media advertising, the inclusion of a direct contact button can seamlessly channel inquiries your way. It’s imperative to maintain a clear and comprehensive business description, outlining your areas of expertise, within your social media profiles to ensure potential clients can readily connect with your services.
4. Enlist your Handyman Business on Small Business Directories
To bolster lead generation for your cleaning business, consider listing it in Canadian small business directories. While these platforms have their limitations, they serve as a good starting point. Here are a few worth exploring:
- Kijiji: Kijiji offers substantial visibility for listing your services online. However, it’s a vast marketplace encompassing a wide range of categories, potentially making it easy for your business to get lost among various offerings. Additionally, Kijiji’s users often prioritize affordability, which may not always align with your business objectives. To know more about it, you can read our blog on the difference between Kijiji and HomeStars.
- Craigslist: Similar to Kijiji, Craigslist features multiple categories. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of scams on this platform, so exercise caution and thoroughly vet leads.
- 411.ca: 411.ca covers a diverse array of industries, including restaurants, real estate, and home renovation. It lacks a dedicated focus on home renovation or repair, meaning potential leads seeking specialized recommendations may explore other platforms.
- Facebook Groups and Marketplace: Facebook groups can be advantageous for businesses, provided you locate suitable community groups. You can also promote your business, services, or special offers on Marketplace, as many users actively seek such services on Facebook.
- Yelp: Yelp is a widely recognized platform, but it isn’t exclusive to your industry. Recent concerns have arisen regarding fake reviews, so thorough research is essential before registering to safeguard your business against false feedback.
- ShowMeLocal: Yet another local business directory that you can consider for your business. However, similar to many others, this too lists almost all kinds of businesses under the sun, thus not focusing on the categories or audience where you want to be found.
- Google My Business: Google My Business is indispensable in today’s digital age. As a vast number of people conduct online searches when seeking professional services, a well-maintained Google My Business profile ensures your visibility among relevant homeowners in your community. You can include essential details, website links, and images to enhance your listing’s professionalism. However, note that Google My Business allows anyone to leave reviews, and without vetting, your business may be susceptible to unverified feedback.
5. Register On Home Improvement Websites for Handyman Leads
In addition to small online directories, it’s advantageous to enlist your cleaning business in dedicated Canadian home improvement directories. These platforms specialize in home renovation and repair, making them ideal sources for the leads your business needs. While you may be familiar with Angi, a prominent U.S.-based platform for finding reliable professionals, there are several Canadian websites worth considering:
- Houzz: Houzz is renowned for its captivating imagery and its ability to connect homeowners with home service experts. It places a strong emphasis on home remodelling and design, giving visual aspects a priority. While this may suit certain businesses, those that aren’t as visually driven may require more than just images. Notably, Houzz doesn’t mandate background checks for professionals, which places the onus on homeowners to conduct their research before hiring. You can also refer to our article defining the differences between Houzz and HomeStars to know more about this,
- Jiffy: Jiffy serves as another online directory dedicated to home renovation and offers potential leads for your cleaning business. Jiffy primarily focuses on smaller tasks, and it’s important to note that their reviews are not visible to homeowners. Consequently, homeowners need to exercise due diligence before making hiring decisions. You can refer to our article outlining the key distinctions between Jiffy and HomeStars to make an informed choice.
- HomeStars: HomeStars stands as a comprehensive online directory catering to home service professionals, including your cleaning business. It goes the extra mile by providing comprehensive business profiles. Aligning your cleaning enterprise with HomeStars grants you access to tailored resources highlighting your services. This partnership involves the creation of a comprehensive profile showcasing your licenses, expertise, and past projects, all tailored to meet homeowners’ needs. HomeStars offers trust-building metrics such as the Star Score and Verified Badge, strengthening your reputation. Verified Badges signal a stringent screening process, bolstering credibility. We also validate customer reviews manually and offer marketing resources to broaden your exposure. Furthermore, Best of Awards enhances the recognition of your profile, positioning your cleaning business for success in a competitive market.
If you’re already a part of HomeStars, here are effective strategies to ensure you attract the right leads for your cleaning business:
- Services and Area of Operation: HomeStars utilizes a refined algorithm to match homeowners with suitable professionals based on their service needs and geographical location. To secure the most relevant leads, it’s essential to maintain an up-to-date profile, clearly specifying the services you offer and outlining your service area. This ensures seamless connections with homeowners in your vicinity.
- Enhance Your HomeStars Profile: Your online profile serves as a pivotal pitch to potential customers. HomeStars empowers your business to shine brightly in the eyes of homeowners by enabling you to craft a comprehensive online profile. This includes a well-crafted profile description, showcasing your licenses, detailing your offered services, and presenting a custom gallery, among other features.
- Attain a Strong Star Score: The HomeStars Star Score is a trust metric meticulously developed to assist homeowners in identifying the most suitable professionals for their projects. This score is calculated based on various factors, including average ratings, responsiveness, and the likelihood of recommendations. To increase your chances of obtaining leads from HomeStars, aim for a Star Score of at least 80%.
- Earn HomeStars Verification: The HomeStars Verified Badge is a symbol of trust conferred upon professionals who have successfully undergone a rigorous background check. Featuring this Verification Badge on your profile signals to homeowners that your business is trustworthy, instilling confidence and peace of mind, ultimately facilitating their hiring decision.
- Cultivate Positive Reviews: HomeStars reviews undergo meticulous manual vetting by a dedicated team to ensure authenticity and accuracy. This robust process safeguards your profile against unwarranted negative feedback. Accumulating positive and glowing reviews on your profile can expedite homeowners’ hiring decisions and contribute to your success.
6. Have A Word Of Mouth Referral Program
Once you’ve established a strong online presence, dedicate time to cultivating a word-of-mouth network, a valuable practice, particularly within local communities where neighbours often seek recommendations from one another. Consider introducing incentives or discount codes for both referrers and referees, providing motivation for recommending your cleaning business. Even as word-of-mouth referrals increasingly transition into the digital realm, having a well-thought-out plan to attract the right leads within your community remains essential. Don’t forget to leave behind business cards with your clients, and inform them of your referral encouragement and the enticing incentives you offer.
7. Door-to-Door Marketing for Handyman Leads
Among traditional marketing, door-to-door marketing is an effective way to generate handyman leads. Simply leaving your business card, with your number and list of services, at doorsteps in your community, can help generate leads. Many homeowners like to save these business cards for any emergency services that they may require. And leaving your card indicates that you offer services in that area and may be available for urgent tasks.
At HomeStars, as we are in the business of growing yours, we are always working on features and strategies to help you succeed. To know more about how HomeStars can help you get more leads for your business, get in touch with us today!
