Many home improvement contractors rely on referrals or word-of-mouth marketing to find new clients. While these tactics can be effective, more homeowners are researching online reviews before contacting a contractor. Home remodeling review sites showcase client testimonials and can lead to more online referrals for your business. Learn how to boost your home improvement business with a strong review marketing strategy.
Home improvement referral services connect homeowners with contractors for home repair, maintenance and remodeling. They are usually based on a paid subscription and include a project database, bid opportunities and contractor profiles. They are often considered the yellow pages for the modern age and provide a convenient way for consumers to compare local contractors. Unfortunately, some referral services are abused by fraudulent contractors and tarnish the reputation of the entire industry.
A quick search on Google will reveal a variety of home improvement referral websites. Some of these sites function as little more than community bulletin boards for contractors, while others are strictly limited to vetted and licensed contractors who have passed background checks. Others are more robust and offer additional conveniences to the consumer such as coordinating pricing, scheduling and facilitating payment.
The most popular home improvement referral site is Angi (formerly Angie’s List). Angi has the distinction of being one of the oldest and most reputable referral services. Unlike other home improvement referral services, which are free for contractors to join, Angi requires that contractors pay for leads. Despite this, Angi is still an excellent resource for finding home service professionals.