If you’re starting a plumbing business on a limited budget, this guide to free advertising for plumbers is for you.
In this article, I’ll share with you 12 free advertising sites that you can use to increase your online presence and reach more potential customers.
As a former plumber who now helps my fellow tradies grow their business, I know how challenging it can be to stand out in a crowded market, but with the right tools and strategies, you can get your business in front of the right people and start booking more jobs.
So, let’s dive in and explore these 12 free advertising opportunities for plumbers!
Free Advertising for Plumbers: Where to Promote Your Business Online
1. Google My Business
Of all the free plumbing advertising sites I’ll share with you in this guide, Google My Business is the one that no serious business owner can afford to ignore.
The free tool allows you to take greater control of your online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. It’s essentially a business listing that shows up in Google search results, providing customers with valuable information about your business, such as your address, phone number, hours of operation, website URL, and customer reviews.
This can help you earn a spot in Local Pack listings, which, as seen above, are search results that appear in a prominent position on results pages when a user looks for businesses in a specific location.
Local Pack listings typically appear just below sponsored results but above organic ones, making them the best possible way to ensure prime real estate on Google without paying for ads.
Here are some other reasons why Google My Business is essential for businesses:
Improved Customer Experience
Your Google My Business listing provides important information about your business, such as your hours of operation, website URL, and phone number. This information can help customers find you and contact you more easily, leading to an improved customer experience.
Customer Reviews
GMB allows customers to leave reviews of your business, which can help build your business’s reputation and attract new customers. Positive reviews can help increase your business’s visibility in search results and make it more likely that potential customers will choose your business over competitors.
Analytics
GMB provides analytics and insights into how customers are interacting with your listing. You can see how many people are viewing your listing, how many people are clicking through to your website, and how many people are calling your business directly from your listing.
Integration with Other Google Products
GMB integrates with other Google products, such as Google Maps and Google Search Console. This integration can help improve your business’s visibility and performance across Google’s platforms.
2. Bing Places
Bing Places is an essential source of free advertising for plumbers because, as Bing’s answer to Google My Business, it’s the ultimate platform for boosting your visibility on the world’s second-largest search engine.
Your Bing Places for Business listing should provide detailed information about your business, including your contact details, services offered, and customer reviews. By ensuring that this information is accurate and up-to-date, you can attract more customers and improve your search engine ranking.
3. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a digital marketplace where users can buy and sell items with other users in their local community. It is accessible through the Facebook app and website, and it is completely free for users to buy and sell items.
Facebook Marketplace provides a great platform for free advertising for plumbers and tradesmen of all kinds because it allows you to target local customers who are actively searching for the very services you provide.
Additionally, Facebook Marketplace is integrated with Facebook’s other features such as Facebook Groups, Facebook Pages, and Messenger, which can help you expand you reach even further. For example, you can post listings in relevant Facebook groups to target specific demographics or audiences.
4. Instagram Shops
Instagram Shops can be a powerful tool for showcasing your plumbing services to a vast audience of potential customers.
ith over one billion monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. By setting up an Instagram Shop, you can create a virtual storefront where you can not only advertise your plumbing business, but also allow customers to hire you directly from the app.
5. Angi
If you don’t recognize the name Angi right away, you soon will when I tell you it’s former name:
Angie’s List.
Despite the recent name-change, the popular platform remains one of the web’s top sites for connecting service professionals with the homeowners who need them.
As a plumber, you can use Angi to create a detailed profile that not only gets you more customers directly from the site, but also helps improve your visibility in search results since the site frequently appears near the top of search engine results pages for relevent terms.
Angi also offers a range of paid-for tools and features to connect with potential clients and manage their enqurieis, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to grow their business and attract new customers.
6. Manta Business Directory
Manta is a popular online business directory that connects small businesses with their target audience.
The platform provides a range of services, including business listings, lead generation, and marketing tools, all aimed at helping businesses grow and succeed.
Manta also offers tools to help you manage your online reputation. You can respond to customer reviews, showcase your business’s strengths, and address any concerns that customers may have. This can help you build trust and credibility with potential customers.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the platform provides a range of free marketing tools to help you promote your business. You can create custom email marketing campaigns, publish articles on Manta’s blog, and even create promotional videos to share on social media.
7. Craigslist
Craigslist is one of the most well-established free websites to advertise a plumbing business, helping people sell products and services to a huge audience since 1995.
Though Craigslist still looks very much like a product of the 90s, it’s by no means been forgotten about. 60 million people across the United States still use it to buy and sell everything from cars and musical instruments to handyman services, electrical contracting, and, yes, plumbing.
Craigslist’s search functionality enables users to search for services by location and keywords, making it easy for you to target potential customers in your local area.
In addition to posting ads in the “services” section, you can also use Craigslist to find new job opportunities or build relationships with other contractors. Craigslist’s “jobs” and “community” sections provide you with a platform to network, share knowledge and collaborate with other professionals in your field.
8. HomeAdvisor
As a seasoned professional in the plumbing industry, you understand the importance of visibility and accessibility to your clientele. HomeAdvisor provides an excellent opportunity to establish your brand and showcase your expertise and experience.
The process is straightforward; you create a profile and list your services, and HomeAdvisor matches you with customers in need of plumbing services within your region. With HomeAdvisor, you can access a vast pool of potential clients without incurring any advertising costs, making it a much-recommended source of free advertising for plumbers.
9. Yelp
Yelp is a popular review website that allows customers to leave reviews and ratings for businesses. By creating a Yelp listing for your plumbing business, you can encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and attract more customers searching for plumbing services in your area.
10. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is a popular platform that connects contractors with customers seeking their services.
As a plumbing contractor, you can create a profile on Thumbtack and list your services, expertise, and experience. Customers looking for plumbing services in their area can then find you and request quotes for their projects.
What makes Thumbtack one of the best sites to get free advertising for plumbing contractors is that you only pay when you get hired for a project. In other words, you do not need to spend money upfront, making it an ideal option for small businesses with limited budgets.
11. Merchant Circle
MerchantCircle is a popular online platform that helps small businesses to connect with local customers by providing them with a variety of digital marketing tools. The platform was founded in 2005 and has since then become one of the largest online business directories in the United States.
MerchantCircle offers a range of services, including business listings, advertising, email marketing, and social media management. One of the key features is its ability to help businesses improve their search engine rankings. By creating a detailed business listing on MerchantCircle, businesses can improve their online visibility and attract more customers.
MerchantCircle also allows businesses to offer deals and promotions to their customers, which can be an effective way to attract new customers and retain existing ones. The platform provides businesses with a range of marketing tools, including email marketing, social media marketing, and paid advertising, to help them reach a wider audience.
One of the reasons why MerchantCircle is such a great place to advertise your business for free is that it offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools at no cost. This means that businesses can create a detailed business listing, offer deals and promotions, and engage with customers on social media, all without having to spend a penny.
12. NextDoor
Nextdoor is a private social network for neighborhoods, which allows residents to communicate with each other about local news, events, and concerns. It was founded in 2011 and currently has over 10 million registered users across the United States.
One of the benefits of Nextdoor for business owners like you is that it provides a platform for m to connect with potential customers within your local area. You can create a free business page on Nextdoor and use it to promote their products or services to residents in their neighborhood.
13. Houzz
Houzz is a popular website that caters to homeowners who are renovating or remodeling their homes. It offers a platform for homeowners to find and connect with trade professionals, including plumbers, to help them complete their projects successfully.
As a plumbing professional, you can create a profile on Houzz, list your services and showcase your expertise and experience. This makes it easy for homeowners to find you and request your services for their remodeling projects.
By creating listings on websites like Google My Business, Craigslist, Facebook, Yelp, Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, and Nextdoor, you can improve your online visibility and attract more local customers searching for plumbing services. Keep in mind that advertising is an ongoing process, and it’s important to regularly review and update your listings to stay ahead of the competition. With a targeted and effective advertising strategy in place, you can grow your plumbing business and achieve your business goals.
How to Make the Most of Free Advertising Sites for Plumbers
Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of free advertising:
- Ensure Your Business Information is Accurate and Up-to-Date:
Ensure that your business information is correct, including your contact details and service area. This helps customers find you easily and can lead to more inquiries. - Use Relevant Keywords in Your Listings and Ads:
Use relevant keywords in your listings and ads to improve your search engine rankings. This can help you get more visibility and attract more traffic to your business. - Respond to Customer Reviews Promptly and Professionally:
Responding to customer reviews, whether positive or negative, can help you build a good reputation and earn trust with your customers. Make sure to respond promptly and professionally to show that you value their feedback. - Offer Discounts or Promotions to Attract New Customers:
Offering discounts or promotions can be an effective way to attract new customers and encourage repeat business. Consider offering a discount to first-time customers or providing a special offer for a limited time. - Get Involved in Your Community and Network with Other Businesses: Participating in local events, sponsoring community activities, and networking with other businesses can help you build relationships and promote your business to a wider audience. Consider joining local business groups or attending networking events to connect with other professionals in your industry.
By following these tips, you can maximize the benefits of free advertising and attract more customers to your business.
Where to Find Free Advertising for Plumbers: A Recap
By now, I hope you’ve learned all you need to know about where to find free advertising for plumbers.
While Google My Business and Bing Places may be the most essential sites to promote your business for free, don’t overlook the tremendous value to be gained from other platforms such as Angi, Thumbtack, and Houzz.
By taking advantage of these platforms and implementing the tips we’ve discussed, such as keeping your business information up-to-date, using relevant keywords, responding to customer reviews promptly, offering promotions, and networking with other businesses, you can increase your visibility and attract more customers to your plumbing business.
With a little effort and persistence, you can leverage these free advertising resources to build a strong online presence and grow your plumbing business in today’s competitive marketplace.
For more weekly advice on how to start, manage, and grow your business as a self-employed tradesperson or contractor, follow Tradesman Biz on Twitter, Facebook, or Linkedin.
Leave a Reply