What happens next?
A typical plumber often has a hard time coming up with new marketing ideas. Who has time to come up with plumber marketing ideas? Most plumbers are too busy servicing their customers and running their businesses to think about marketing. The peak time to think about marketing is when you don’t require it.
In this guide, we will run you through some of the marketing tactics that will help your plumbing business get more noticed.
The first step to growing your plumbing business is understanding exactly where people look when they need a plumber. Think about it - when someone's got a burst pipe or a backed-up toilet, where do they turn first? Most grab their phone and start searching, while others ask friends or check local community groups. You need to be where these panicked property owners are looking.
Here’s a breakdown of where these customers are looking for you:
1. Facebook Groups & Community Apps
2. Real Estate Network
3. Local Spot Marketing
The online world is your biggest opportunity to connect with customers who need help right now. Start with Google - it's where most people begin their search for a plumber.
Setting up your Google Business listing is completely free and it's pretty straightforward. Just fill in your business details, add some good photos of your work and your team, and keep your phone number and working hours up to date. When someone in your area searches "plumber near me" at 2 AM with a flooded basement, you want your business to show up right at the top.
Don't stop at Google though. Get your business listed on sites like HomeAdvisor and Angi. These websites are specifically designed for people looking for home services, and many property owners trust them to find reliable plumbers.
The key here is consistency - make sure your contact details are the same across all these sites. And always ask your satisfied customers to leave reviews. A fresh stream of positive reviews shows potential customers that you're active and reliable.
Your website doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to work well. The most important thing is making it easy for people to contact you when they're dealing with a plumbing emergency. Put your phone number where everyone can see it - right at the top of every page. Add plenty of clear photos showing your work - before and after shots of fixed plumbing problems work great. They show potential customers exactly what you can do.
Make sure people can find your website by using simple, everyday words in your content. Think about what people actually type when they need a plumber - things like "leaky pipe," "clogged drain," or "water heater repair." Use these phrases naturally throughout your website.
And since most people will visit your site on their phones, make sure it looks good and works well on mobile devices too.
Just ask for the essential information you need to help them. Their name, phone number, and a brief description of their plumbing problem are usually enough. Remember, someone with a flooded bathroom doesn't want to fill out a lengthy form - they want to reach you quickly and easily.
Here are some ways in which you can market your plumbing business better and make it work for you.
You need one that works and tells people exactly what they need to know - your experience, where you work, and what makes you different. Don't worry about making it fancy. Just make sure people can find what they need quickly.
Getting found online is crucial. Get someone who knows SEO to help you show up when people search for plumbers. Then list your business everywhere that matters - Yelp, Facebook, and plumbing-specific sites like Angi. The more places you show up, the more likely people will find you when they need you.
When someone reaches out, get back to them fast. Plumbing problems don't wait, and neither should you. Keep track of who contacts you and follow up to make sure they're happy with the work. Happy customers tell their friends, and that's the best marketing you can get.
Get active where your customers hang out. Jump into online plumbing communities and help people. Share what you know on LinkedIn or answer questions on plumbing forums. Team up with other businesses too - maybe partner with a local hardware store or real estate agent. You can share advertising costs and help each other grow.
Stay in touch with past customers through email, but don't spam them. Send stuff they care about, like seasonal maintenance tips or special offers. The same goes for social media - show real work you've done, share quick fix tips, and post videos of common problems you solve.
Make your work vehicles work harder for you. Put your name, number, and what you do on them. When someone's got a plumbing emergency, they might remember seeing your truck around town. Create a logo and slogan that's easy to remember - nothing fancy, just something that sticks.
Build relationships with apartment complexes and office buildings. They can give you steady work if you treat them right. Get involved in your community too - support local teams or causes. People like hiring businesses that care about their neighborhoods.
Create simple guides about common plumbing problems and give them away for free. Show people basic fixes they can do safely, but make it clear when they need to call a pro. Make videos showing how you fix things and what happens if problems are ignored. Put your real face out there - people trust actual people more than faceless companies.
Always follow up after jobs. Send a quick thank you, maybe offer a discount for next time, and ask if everything's still working right. If something's not perfect, fix it fast and thank them for letting you know. People remember how you handle problems more than perfect jobs.
Online communities are a powerful way to drive traffic to your site by giving potential customers insight into your business and how you operate. Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to showcase your expertise in a space where professionals are actively looking for solutions.
Question-and-answer sites like Quora and Yahoo Answers let you engage with audiences by addressing their queries, while industry-specific forums, such as Plumbingforums, help you connect with a targeted audience and share valuable insights.
Collaborate with a company in the same market to share advertising costs. This makes it easier to afford high-quality printing or larger ads. Even for online marketing, you can create a joint banner and landing page that directs traffic to both businesses, offering mutual benefits.
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to stay connected with your customers and keep your business top-of-mind. Here's how to do it right:
Social media isn’t just for likes and shares—it’s a platform to stand out from competitors. Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to demonstrate your expertise and build credibility. Post videos on YouTube that show how to fix common plumbing issues or write helpful articles on Facebook. Being a helpful resource makes your business the go-to choice when problems arise.
Many plumbers overlook the power of a strong slogan and logo, but these simple elements can set your business apart. A catchy slogan or a visually appealing logo helps customers associate your brand with reliability and quality, giving you an edge over competitors.
Showcase the human side of your business. Add photos of you and your team to your website or marketing materials. A friendly face helps people connect with your brand, making your business more relatable and trustworthy. Videos, in particular, are an excellent way to introduce your team and leave a lasting impression.
Make videos showing how to handle plumbing issues, why timely repairs matter, or how to fix simple problems. Post them on YouTube, embed them on your site, and share them on your social
Send high-quality postcards to homes in specific zip codes to get your business in front of the right audience. Use bold prices, attractive graphics, and clear contact information to ensure your postcard leaves an impression, even if it’s briefly glanced at or saved for later.
Synup helps plumbing businesses manage online listings, ensuring your business appears on top directories like Google, Yelp, and others. It also tracks local SEO performance, and customer reviews, and helps maintain consistency across all online platforms, which is key for local service businesses like plumbing.
For healthcare businesses, Synup ensures potential patients can easily find and trust your practice online.
ServiceTitan is a powerful tool for plumbing businesses, offering everything from CRM features to job scheduling, payment tracking, and customer communication. It also includes marketing features to help you track leads, nurture customer relationships, and run promotional campaigns.
PlumberSEO is a specialized digital marketing agency that helps plumbing and HVAC businesses grow their online presence and generate more leads. They offer tailored services, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, website design, and local SEO strategies. By focusing exclusively on the plumbing and HVAC industries, PlumberSEO ensures that its strategies are highly effective and industry-specific
Jobber is a service management software designed to help small businesses in the home service industry stay organized and efficient. It offers tools for scheduling, invoicing, and managing customer relationships, all in one place. With features like automated follow-ups, online booking, and payment processing, Jobber makes it easier to deliver a professional customer experience. It’s a practical solution for businesses like plumbing, landscaping, and cleaning services, helping them streamline operations and focus on growth.
How do I market myself as a plumber?
Market yourself by building a strong online presence with a professional website, showcasing your services, customer reviews, and certifications. Use social media to share tips, success stories, and promotions while listing your business on local directories like Google Business Profile for visibility.
How do I get more customers for my plumbing business?
Attract more customers through referral programs, targeted local ads, and partnerships with real estate agents or contractors. Providing excellent service and actively collecting reviews can also help spread word-of-mouth recommendations.
How do plumbers find clients?
Plumbers find clients by networking within their community, advertising locally through flyers or direct mail, and maintaining a presence on platforms like Yelp or Angi. Offering emergency services and responding promptly can also bring in more clients.
What is the target market for plumbing?
The target market for plumbing includes homeowners, landlords, property managers, and small businesses needing regular maintenance or emergency repairs. Larger clients can include construction companies and developers for new installations.
And, less time obsessing about your local presence