If you’re a plumber looking to grow your business in the UK, getting more leads online is crucial. The Internet is a powerful tool to attract potential customers and keep your schedule full. Here are 10 actionable strategies to help you generate more leads online:
If you are a plumber or in any other trade, Developer Rocket can help create a stunning website that gets you more customers, get in touch today.
Websites for plumbers
If you’re a plumber then having a professional website for your business is essential. A website that looks professional, loads fast, is mobile friendly and is search engine optimised is like having a massive billboard on a busy road. Include essential pages like services, testimonials, and a contact form. Make it easy for potential clients to find your phone number and get in touch.
Adding prices to your plumber’s website
Often when a customer finds you online they’ll simply be looking for a price and a way to get in touch. If they see a price and it’s in their budget, they’ll likely get in touch. Be transparent with your customers, add a “starting from” price, making it clear to customers that you won’t overcharge them.
SEO for Plumbers
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimising a website to improve its visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords or phrases. The goal is to attract more organic (unpaid) traffic to a website, which can lead to more business, whether it’s sales, inquiries, or conversions. SEO includes a mix of on-page and off-page strategies to make a website more attractive to search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
Local SEO for Plumbers
Most plumbing businesses serve specific geographic areas. Local SEO is crucial because it helps plumbers show up in local search results. For example, when someone searches “plumber near me” or “plumber in Rochester,” local SEO ensures your plumbing business ranks high in those searches. This involves:
- Google My Business: Creating and optimizing a profile on Google My Business (GMB) helps plumbers show up on Google Maps and local searches.
- Local Keywords: Incorporating location-based keywords (e.g., “plumber in Kent”) on the website and in content.
- Local Reviews: Collecting positive customer reviews on Google and other review sites can boost your local rankings.
Keyword Research for plumbing businesses
Plumbers need to identify the terms and phrases their potential customers are searching for. These could include things like:
- “emergency plumber”
- “leak repair services”
- “toilet installation”
- “plumbing contractors” By targeting these keywords in website content, blog posts, or service pages, a plumber can rank higher for these terms and attract more targeted traffic.
The above images show a snippet of keyword research we have done for a plumbing business. We can see that the keyword search term “emergency plumbers” gets around 14,800 monthly searches, cost per click and the competition. This means that if you were to run PPC advertising you would pay on average £15.43 per click (which is very expensive!). It also says that competition is low, meaning that there isn’t many websites that are targeting this keyword, so it would be good to target this when you are optimising your website and advertising.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising for Plumbers
Platforms like Google Ads allow you to target customers searching for plumbing services in your area. Bid on relevant keywords, such as “emergency plumber” or “boiler repairs,” to appear at the top of search results. Set a clear budget to manage costs effectively.
1. Targeting Local Customers
Since plumbing services are often location-specific, plumbers can use PPC to target people in their local area who are searching for plumbing services. For example, if someone searches for “plumber near me” or “emergency plumber in Maidstone,” plumbers can create ads that target those specific search queries.
Google Ads allows plumbers to bid on keywords related to plumbing services and set their ads to appear only when people in their service area search for those keywords. By doing so, plumbers can reach customers who are actively looking for their services in their local area.
2. Ad Formats and Platforms
PPC ads can appear in a variety of formats, on different platforms, and at different stages of the customer journey:
- Google Ads: Ads can appear on the Google Search Network when users search for relevant plumbing terms or services (e.g., “plumbing repair,” “pipe leak fix,” “drain cleaning”).
- Google Display Network: Plumbers can use image or text ads on websites related to home improvement or plumbing content, reaching users who may not have searched for plumbing services but are still interested in-home services.
- Local Services Ads: Google offers a specialized ad format for service-based businesses like plumbing, called Local Services Ads (LSAs). These ads appear at the top of search results and allow customers to directly book a plumber’s services. LSAs also include ratings and reviews, making it easier for potential customers to trust the service.
There’s lots more info about PPC advertising that you find online, but if you want to start getting leads for your plumbing business today, get in touch with us.
Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to showcase your work, share customer testimonials, and engage with your audience. Post helpful plumbing tips or share before-and-after photos of jobs you’ve completed to build trust and attract followers. If done consistently social media can massively change your business, but if it’s not for you, then don’t waste your time. You can spend your resources (money and time) on other areas like PPC and SEO if you want more direct and fast results.
Encourage Online Reviews
Positive reviews on platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and Yelp can significantly boost your credibility. Ask satisfied customers to leave a review and respond promptly to all feedback. Strong reviews can help you stand out from competitors. Having 5* reviews for your business will give you a huge boost in customer enquiries and will make you stand out above the competition.
At Developer Rocket we can help you set up Google My Business account and get you on Google Maps. This will then allow you to start getting Google Reviews. We can then put them on your website to show off.
Offer Free Estimates or Discounts
Promote offers like free estimates or a discount for first-time customers on your website and social media. These incentives encourage potential clients to choose your services over others. If you have a form on your website that asks users to fill in their details for a free quote then you’ll be sure to get customer enquires when they land on your site. This then allows you to get in touch and even start a marketing email list.
Create Valuable Content
Start a blog or YouTube channel to share helpful tips, such as “How to Fix a Leaky Tap” or “Top 5 Signs You Need a Boiler Replacement.” Providing useful information establishes you as an expert and helps attract potential customers searching for solutions. Creating this kind of content has several benefits, it creates trust in your viewers of the site and business, and if you are providing valuable content users will assume you know what you are talking about. Blog posts are also a great way to generate organic traffic from search engines when people are searching for solutions to their problems.
Partner with Local Businesses
Collaborate with other local businesses, such as hardware stores or property management companies, to get referrals. Offer to feature their services on your website in exchange for referrals to your plumbing business.
Use Online Directories
List your business on popular online directories like Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder. Ensure your profiles are complete, accurate, and regularly updated to improve visibility and attract more leads.
Getting more business for Plumbers online
The key to generating more leads online as a plumber in the UK is to stay consistent and provide excellent service. By implementing these strategies, you can expand your reach, attract more customers, and grow your business effectively. Don’t wait—start applying these tips today and watch your leads grow! Developer Rocket is here for you when it comes to making a brand-new website, improving your SEO, PPC advertising and creating valuable content.