![](http://images.ctfassets.net/px5fjv7xswrx/2VnGzh5D124nsGTFTQ5FpW/555cc86d618e34cc8e0e2d07b83cd1a7/brian-wangenheim-GkZD4i08pW8-unsplash.jpg?w=440&h=247&q=60&fm=jpg)
Starting your own business
Alternatives to a PO box address for your small business
Simple, smart accounting software - no commitment, cancel anytime
MARKETING
As a tradesperson, doing a great job is just the beginning. People need to know you do.
From getting your first customers to building a trustworthy reputation, there’s plenty you can do to stay ahead of competitors and keep new enquiries and work coming in.
Here are 8 practical tips to get your business noticed both offline and online.
Being perceived as a reliable, trustworthy business is key to attracting new customers and keeping old ones. To keep your clients happy, ensure you are meeting these basics:
Deliver what you promise and meet or exceed expectations on a project
Show you’re reliable by sticking to deadlines and turning up on time
Use high-quality materials and always clean up after you’re finished
Keep your clients updated on projects and communicate any problems
Be friendly, polite, and professional when arranging or doing your work
Offer guarantees to show confidence in your work’s long-term value
If a customer is pleased with your work, ask them for a review. People tend to research online before choosing a company, so keep an eye on what people say about you.
Try to reply to bad reviews, even if you disagree, as it may look worse if you ignore them.
From a memorable name to engaging imagery, make sure people think of you first. A strong brand with consistent messaging can help you stand out from competitors.
When creating your business plan, take time to think about your unique selling points. As well as saving time or money, what do you offer to customers that other brands don’t? This might be an emphasis on luxury customer service, eco-friendly practices, or exclusive discounts.
Your brand’s values should be visible in your logo, colours, and messaging. Remember to stay consistent offline and online, for example, uniforms that match your website.
Have a look at our guide to starting a painting and decorating business for ideas.
Satisfied customers are more likely to tell their friends, family, and neighbours about you.
Word-of-mouth marketing and social proof are invaluable for growing a small business. People may even trust a reliable friend’s recommendation more than online reviews.
Here are some ideas to inspire customers to spread the word about your work.
Build trust and rapport with clients, by being transparent and sharing skills
Follow up after a job to show you care about their feedback and satisfaction
Go the extra mile on jobs, for example by getting a project done early
Offer small referral incentives to encourage a referral recommendation
Upping your service from ‘good’ to ‘amazing’ could make someone an advocate. If someone had a bad experience, it’s also likely they may tell potential customers.
The more people see your brand name in their local area, the more familiar you will feel. Attract nearby customers by making yourself recognised and visible in the community.
If you have a work van, decorating it with your logo can help people remember you.
Posters and flyers through doors are still an acceptable way to reach out to new customers – just ensure you’re meeting rules and regulations. Local papers, community centres, or anywhere you can leave a business card are also potential places to introduce yourself.
If you’re a people person, get involved with local events. You could offer a free workshop at a DIY shop to showcase your expertise or connect with homeowners or landlords.
Setting up a presence on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok can help reach new customers.
Facebook is ideal for tradespeople as it offers a wide variety of tools for businesses and has a large user base. Here are some ways setting up a Facebook page can help.
Creating sponsored posts allows you to target relevant demographics
Customers shop with their eyes and photos show the quality of your work
Responding quickly to customer messages and comments helps build trust
Encouraging reviews and customer photos helps establish social proof
Posting regular updates and news shows you’re a legitimate business
As with all social media, you need to be prepared for the occasional negative comment. However, with a balanced approach, using social media can bring you valuable leads.
Now potential customers have seen you in the local paper and on their Facebook feed, it’s time to make sure you’re appearing at the top of their Google or Bing searches too!
Creating a business website can be time-consuming, but it’s often worth it in the long run.
Ensure your website includes information about your business, the services you provide, and multiple ways to get in touch with you. You can then boost it with PPC (pay-per-click advertising) or SEO (search engine optimisation).
PPC concerns the paid or sponsored ads you see at the top of Google, and involves bidding on different keywords and paying for clicks to your website
SEO involves optimising pages on your website to answer different queries and is affected by various factors, including the quality of the page or the site in general
Targeting long tail keywords is done in both PPC and SEO. For example, creating blog posts that answer questions your customers may ask, such as “what is rising damp”.
Remember to sign up for Google My Business to appear in Search and Google Maps.
Adding your business to a directory site is a wise move for getting more work.
Here are 5 directory websites for UK tradespeople, which let you set up a profile with your services and contact details. Many allow customers to get in touch or leave reviews.
There are various other directory websites to add yourself to and some offer a free listing. It helps to keep a list of where you’re listed, so you can update your details if needed.
Like dating sites, these sites have algorithms to help match you to the perfect customer!
Partnering with another reputable tradesperson can help build both your brands.
It may seem counterproductive, but nurturing a good relationship with a competitor can help your business grow in the long run. For example, if they stop offering a popular service, they may refer customers to you if they respect you and trust your work.
Some tradespeople even make agreements to focus on different areas to avoid competition and help each other if they’re struggling to keep up with client demand.
It’s important to keep your word, share leads responsibly and maintain high standards.
So if you’re looking to get more work as a tradesperson, try some of the following:
Deliver on what you promise and stick to deadlines
Ask for reviews when appropriate and reply to bad ones
Build a brand consistent with your values and USPs
Go the extra mile to encourage word-of-mouth referrals
Follow up with customers and offer review incentives
Be visible locally, through leaflets, vehicles, or events
Set up a Facebook page to reach new customers
Create a business website and optimise it for search
Appear on Google My Business and online directories
Partner with competitors who you trust to share work
If you’re struggling, have a look at our marketing ideas for small businesses.
A lot of things can affect your business’s growth, and taking a step back can help you better understand your target audience and market. You may need to focus on a niche, change your pricing, or try a new advertising method like SMS or email marketing.
Want to save time on boring admin work and spend more time getting new customers?
QuickBooks offers powerful accounting software for sole traders, allowing you to focus on trying new marketing techniques, building customer relationships, and doing a great job.
Here’s how QuickBooks can help you take control of your finances, wherever you are.
Automate time-consuming tasks like sending or chasing invoices
Give customers multiple, easy ways to pay and track their payments
Ensure you’re capturing all your allowable expenses by categorising your expenses
Get expert help around the clock from a team of human advisors
The information on this website is provided free of charge and is intended to be helpful to a wide range of businesses. Because of its general nature the information cannot be taken as comprehensive and they do not constitute and should never be used as a substitute for legal, accounting, tax or professional advice. We cannot guarantee that the information applies to the individual circumstances of your business. Despite our best efforts it is possible that some information may be out of date. Any reliance you place on information found on this site or linked to on other websites will be at your own risk.
9.00am - 5.30pm Monday - Thursday
9.00am - 4.30pm Friday