Business Building Ideas
July 2006, Volume 1, Issue 6

Dear Friend:

If I asked you what one tool has had the most impact on the way your remodeling business runs, what would you say? Is it a power tool or an electronic gadget? How about a fancy new office machine? My answer to this question would undoubtedly be ... the Internet.

As Executive Editor of HomeTech Business Building Ideas, I want to highlight some valuable Internet tips and tools that will truly help you build your business. Given my expertise in this area, Walt Stoeppelwerth asked me to pull together a few great Internet ideas for remodelers that can be implemented easily and quickly.

If you've never thought of the Internet as a tool, it's time to do so. The Internet is one of the most powerful tools available to help you succeed in business today. There are many ways that you can use the Internet to market your business, some of them for little or no cost. This month's article will help you get started or maybe give you some new ideas on using the Internet to grow your business.

- Mitch Lapides, Executive Editor

P.S. Don’t forget that we’re waiting to hear from you. Please share your success stories, great ideas, or pressing problems. We want you to use this newsletter as a forum to share information, but we can’t do it unless you help! Please contact us at feedback@hometechonline.com.

In This Issue

Feature Article

Build Your Business Using the Internet

The growth of the Internet has made huge changes in the way that business is conducted today, both personal and professional business. Currently, almost 70% of the U.S. population uses the Internet. And, many of these people will consult the Internet before making any major purchasing decision.

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to get on the bandwagon and use the Internet to promote your business. And, if you are already using the Internet, you may want to try something new. Below are five different ideas for you to try.

1. Directory Listings
Many organizations -- both local and national -- provide listings of their members. Some of these groups also offer their lists online as a searchable resource for consumers. Check with your local chamber of commerce and any other organizations that you may be a member of to see if they offer this option. The following industry organizations provide online listings for their members:

2. Online Referral Services
Online referral services are Web sites that match consumers who are looking for a contractor with an appropriate contractor in their area. There are several different types of referral services that have different offerings and cost structures. Some are national, and some are local. Here are a few of the choices.

  • ServiceMagic
    This is a national service that allows consumers to enter the specifications for their job and then will pass the lead along to local contractors that meet their needs. On this site you pay a fee to sign up and then a fee for each lead that you receive. The cost per lead depends upon the project type.
    www.servicemagic.com
  • Contractors.com
    Contractors.com is another national service that also sells leads to contractors, but this site is mainly consumer driven. It allows consumers to search a database of contractors to find ones that meet their needs. They can then contact you directly. On contractors.com you will pay a flat fee for your listing which will vary by the type of listing you choose.
    www.contractors.com
  • Homeowner Referral Networks (HRNs)
     HRNs are local resources for consumers looking for contractors. An HRN will usually charge a percentage based on the size of the project. You can go to www.homereferralbiz.com to see if there is an HRN started in your area. A couple of successful HRNs that you can check out are www.urbanreferrals.com in the Washington, DC, area and www.45fix.com.
    •

3. Your Own Web Site
A Web site can be an incredibly strong marketing tool. A good site tells prospects that you are an established and professional company. It acts as a marketing brochure without the printing costs. If you put your Web address on everything you print (especially job site signs), it gives people a risk-free way to learn more about your company.

There are many ways to develop a Web site, depending upon your computer expertise and your budget. If you want someone to do all of the work for you, hire a Web design agency. But, if you’re willing to do some of the work, you can buy a predesigned template online and fill it in yourself. Some sources for templates are:

4. Use Email
With the advent of email, you can now communicate with customers and prospects more quickly, efficiently, and at a lower cost than ever before. However, there is much more to using email than direct communication with individuals.

Email can be a powerful tool for developing and maintaining relationships within your circle of influence. Consider how an email newsletter, delivered on a quarterly basis (or more frequently), would help to keep you in touch with your mailing list. It is much less costly than regular mail and less likely to get tossed with the junk. Check out Constant Contact at www.constantcontact.com as a low cost tool for getting started.

5. Google AdWords
If you already have a Web site and want to try something new to boost your site traffic, consider Google AdWords. This is relatively simple to set up and is flexible in terms of costs, giving you the option to choose how much you want to spend. You simply write a short ad and select key words that you think people might type into Google while searching for a company like yours. You should target your ads geographically. So, be sure to include your location among your key words. With Google AdWords, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. For more information, go to https://adwords.google.com.

Hopefully, you’ve found something new to try in all of the above suggestions. The Internet can be a powerful marketing tool. So, give it a try. It just might give your business the boost it needs.

HomeTech ADVANTAGE Tip

Rearrange Line Items in Your Estimate

HomeTech ADVANTAGE allows you to rearrange the order of your estimate line items within a particular Division. Since the order of line items on the screen will also be the order of line items in your print reports, you may want to use this feature to make your estimates easier to read. Simply changing the line item of a number allows you to move that item anywhere within a Division.

Click here for detailed instructions on rearranging the order of line items in your estimate.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the price of gas isn’t the only one of your costs affected by rising oil prices? Asphalt fiberglass roofing shingle prices have gone up, too. Your cost could be anywhere between 5% and 10% higher, depending upon your region, just since April. Be sure you’re using current pricing for your estimates. Remember, HomeTech updates prices quarterly, so be sure you have current costs if you’re a HomeTech ADVANTAGE or Cost Estimator subscriber.

Let us know how you liked this article and what else you’d like to learn about at feedback@hometechonline.com. These newsletters are for you, so we plan to listen and write about what you want to hear, but only if you tell us.

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