Why Use Social Media?

What was once a novelty 5 years ago is now becoming a standard marketing tool for many businesses. Social media platforms offer ways to enhance sales and communication with customers in ways that traditional marketing can’t – and it’s because social media happens in real time. Customers no longer have to wait for a post card in the mail or a phone call to learn about your company's services; they can go online and gather real time information about your company or your competitors if you are not using social media outlets.

Skeptical about using social media marketing for your business? Keep reading for just a few reasons to go social.

1. Deliver a Better Customer Experience

Social media platforms, like Facebook, offer a way for business to connect with people through conversation before and after the sale. You’ll build trust and loyalty by communicating with your customers via social media, and you’ll create a brand image of transparency and accessibility.

Afraid your customer base is not using social media? The fastest growing segment in social media is 45-54 year olds. 55% of Americans 45-54 now has a profile on a social networking site and 30% of Americans 55 and above are in the social networking game.  Statistics show that social media is not just for kids anymore.

2. Help Your Business Get Found Online

You can enhance your company's visibility and recognition through social media. Most customers use the internet to locate the best companies/products to use and the top social sites consistently rank high in search engines like Google and Bing.

There are currently more devices connected to the internet than there are people on the planet. The reality is if your business cannot be found online, your business does not exist.

3. Attract New Customers

When done right, social media marketing is like word-of-mouth referrals on steroids. By utilizing social media you allow customers to reach you easily online where they can share your company information with their friends and followers.

There are 665 million people active on Facebook every day and the average number of “friends” a single person has is 141. Imagine if all your happy customers shared your business information with their list of friends and followers? The potential for new customer acquisition is virtually limitless.

4. Drive Repeat Business

Social media allows you to stay engaged with current customers more than any other form of marketing. Social platforms work as a mico-website where you can promote your business, services or offer coupons to have your existing customers come back for more.

47% of Americans polled  say Facebook has the greatest impact on purchase behavior (up from 24% in 2011).

Want to learn more about using social media for your business? Give us a call today at 1-888-474-7276 or visit us online at RoofingContractorMarketing.com.

Roofing Websites - Ideas to Improve Leads

All roofing websites should be designed with the primary mission to convert visitors into calls or form submissions.  That is easy to say, hard to do.  Often times we hear clients tell us they want "A Clean Site - not too much text please".  Is this a smart way to think? 

The Art of web design can often hurt your conversions, not help.  Conversion strategy is science, not art.  Too often a business owner is "sold" on "a clean look" that makes him or her happy but does not get the job done of converting the visitor into a potential customer. More often, Website DESIGNERS are not marketing specialists - they are artists. Art is great for your wall, but maybe not for your website.  You need a website conversion specialist, not a designer.

Here are a several tips to improve conversions on your roofing website:

• Phone Number BOLD in upper right hand corner
• Seems super basic, right?  But many do not have a phone number and seem to encourage only an email or form submission - not a call...

• Reviews - and Links to Reviews
• Link out to review sites where customers have written good things about you.  Let others share your good business practices.

• Chat Widgets
• There are several companies offering these for individual websites.  Chat widgets can help prompt action and engage the visitor. More people are comfortable with texting now and do not find them as intrusive as they did a year or more ago.

• Time Sensitive Offer
• Give people a reason to act now

• Video
• Let people meet you personally. A friendly greeting can help people feel more comfortable dealing with you.

Roofing websites have a special challenge in that consumers are very aware of bad press from previous bad roofers taking advantage of insurance claims.  Because of this, your website needs to warm visitors to your company story, share your good news/reviews and encourage interaction as soon as possible.

To learn more about roofing websites, visit Roofing Contractor Marketing.com.  America's #1 Roofing Marketing Company.