Running a small trade business isn’t easy. If you’ve already started your own business, you already know the time and effort it takes just to get it set-up, but the next step in the development of your trade business is the most important.
Growing your business beyond your initial idea can be the difference between a nice hobby and the start of your very own business empire.
While the road ahead may look daunting, there are plenty of different ways you can help your business grow. To help guide you through your initial period of growth, we’ve put together a list of 3 easy ways you can grow your small trade business today.
Make yourself memorable – in a good way
A huge proportion of trade business comes from word of mouth. 70% of your business growth can come just from your customers telling people they know about their experience with you. With 92% of people trusting a recommendation from friends and family, making a good impression is the key to growing your business.
But making a good impression goes beyond simply doing a great job. Make sure you’re on time for every job, use simple, layman’s terms when explaining the work required, and keep clear communication with the customer throughout every step of the process.
Once the work is completed, give them something to remember you by, and even pass on to others. A simple leaflet or business card can mean the customer has your details ready to go when their friends or family ask for a recommendation.
Following up a few weeks after the job with a simple follow-up call or text can also leave a long-lasting positive impression.
Get your name on trusted websites
When looking for trade help, people either go to people they know or websites they trust. Signing up to a directory or trade listing website can help expose your small trade business to thousands of potential customers – ideal for new businesses looking to grow their customer base.
But not all referral sites are created equal, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into when you join.
Signing up to a simple listing site with no support or reviews will do very little to grow your business, but a bigger, more reputable site can have a huge impact on your business.
Arguably the biggest trade directory website is Checkatrade. When you join Checkatrade, you get much more than just a simple listing. As a member of Checkatrade, you get a dedicated profile page, a place to show off your handy work and the chance to be found by millions of customers who go straight to Checkatrade to find their next tradesperson.
You also get the opportunity to use their name in all your advertising with free marketing materials and van vinyls.
If you’re looking to grow your business, you can join Checkatrade today and if you click this link – you’ll enjoy 3 months full membership for FREE! It’s a great way to start growing your business and expand your customer base without any cost.
Join online here or give their friendly team a call today on 02394 317536 – and remember to mention Tempcover for your 3-month free membership.
Utilise the power of social media
We’re pretty confident that 99% of your customers are on some form of social media right now, so you need to be too. Other businesses in your trade are probably already there talking to your potential customers, so if you want to grow your business, you need some form of social media presence.
Step 1 is to understand your company and your customers. You want to present a clear coordinated message to potential clients, so it’s really important to have a clear idea of the image you want to present. From the images you use to your logos and colour scheme; ensure everything is consistent across platforms and engaging to your target audience.
Knowing your target audience means you can focus your time and effort on the social platform they’re using.
Check out this useful guide to get an insight into what social media channels your customers are using.
Once you know what channels to focus on, it’s time to start planning your strategy. What do you want to achieve on social media? Want more customers? – you need to focus on showing off your reviews, finished work and prices. But be sure to mix up these more sales-focused posts with useful tips, hints, and insights about your trade to build confidence and show off your expertise.
As well as posting on your own account, look for opportunities to advertise your small trade business elsewhere on the network. Find local Facebook groups or trade-related pages. Search hashtags and answer questions customers have about your trade.
While retweets and likes may not pay your bills straight away, putting yourself out there, being a recognisable business online and demonstrating your experience and unique offering will soon start bringing in more customers and help you grow your business.
We hope you find these tips for growing your small trade business useful – check back for more useful tips soon.
Remember, if you’re looking to grow your business, you may need extra vehicles to help meet the demand. If you’re borrowing a van for a few days or need to insure new employees on your van – choose Tempcover for fast, flexible temporary van insurance.
Get a quote in just 90 seconds online today.
