If the kitchen is the heart of the home, leads are the heart of your business success.
But attracting a steady stream of potential clients? And then converting them? It can be a real challenge, particularly in today’s climate.
Many residential remodelers are seeing their profit drop. Why? A mix of labor shortages, rising construction costs, and hotter price-based competition among more businesses than ever.
To lock in the kitchen remodeling leads you need to thrive, you’ve got to be creative. That’s where this guide can help.
First, we’ll explain how remodeling leads fuel growth. Then, we’ll share seven innovative and effective ways to draw in more qualified leads.
We’ll spend a bit of time looking at website optimization before finishing up with some quick-fire tips.
A full schedule means a happy, healthy, and sustainable business. Let’s make this a reality.
The Role of Remodeling Leads in Business Growth
Leads are potential customers. They’re interested in your services and have shown it. They might’ve requested a quote or sent you an email, for example.
Leads are important because they become your future business.
Let’s imagine for a minute that 50% of the leads who contact you via your website become paying customers. If 10 people contact you, you’ll have five jobs lined up. But if 40 people contact you, you’ll have 20 projects ready to go.
It’s a numbers game, and the more, the merrier.
Leads increase your project volume. They also deliver these benefits and opportunities:
- You enjoy a steadier cash flow. Your income is more even.
- You can put together more accurate budgets. You can also make informed financial decisions, knowing full well you’ll have the funds to cover the essentials.
- You can invest in your business. That might mean upgrading your equipment or hiring new staff. You might even up your remodeling marketing spend.
The advantages are clear as day. But it’s not always smooth sailing. Common lead generation obstacles include:
- High competition, which makes it harder to stand out
- Poor online visibility, which means those searching Google or scrolling Facebook won’t find your business
- A limited budget, which prevents you from investing in paid marketing initiatives
- Seasonal demand, which means it’s hard to attract leads during quieter periods
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 5 Digital Strategies to Market a Remodeling Business
7 Creative Ways to Boost Kitchen Remodel Leads
You are skilled and passionate. You can transform a dull and outdated kitchen into a home cook’s dream.
It’s time to shape a lead generation strategy that’s just as creative as you are. Here are seven ideas to get you started:
1. Use Social Media Platforms for Targeted Outreach
Social media isn’t just about reconnecting with long-lost friends or spamming family members with photos of your new puppy. It’s a powerful marketing tool.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are perfect for showcasing your best work.
Plus, you can use targeted ads to reach specific audiences. For example, you might use filters to show ads to new homeowners in your area interested in interior design.
Get started now: Choose one or two platforms to focus on. Set up your business account. Then, create a social media calendar for the next month. Include both organic (unpaid) and paid content. Define your audience and use filters to target them.
2. Harness the Power of Influencer Partnerships
Influencers aren’t just for big brands. They can be valuable partners for your remodeling business too.
Do some research and find local influencers relevant to your target audience. Or use an influencer marketing platform like TRIBE.
Offer them a complimentary service in exchange for being featured on their social media profiles. You could even add a special discount or giveaway for their followers. This boosts engagement and reach even more.
Get started now: Find three influencers who align with your brand. Send them a message offering a collaboration.
3. Implement Interactive Virtual Tours
Offering the latest technology is a great way to win over potential customers.
Use interactive virtual tours to showcase your past work. Add these to your website’s project gallery.
Leads can then explore your projects in the comfort of their own homes. They can see your quality workmanship in all its 360-degree glory.
This builds trust and excitement. It helps you stand out and become memorable.
Get started now: Research virtual tour software. Use a comparison website like Capterra to compare features and costs.
4. Customize Email Marketing Campaigns to Capture Audience Interest
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways of generating business. Take your strategy to the next level with customized campaigns.
Today’s customers want personalization. They don’t want irrelevant emails clogging their inbox.
So, use segmentation tools to divide your mailing list into categories. For example, one category might be leads who are interested in a kitchen remodel. Another might be leads who are building new homes and need a kitchen contractor.
Get started now: Brainstorm email ideas that cater to your segments’ unique needs and interests. You might offer inspiration for new builds or tips on reusing old materials in new kitchens.
5. Form Mutually Beneficial Local Business Partnerships
Use another business’s existing client base to expand your own.
You might team up with a local real estate agent, for example. They can recommend you to buyers who might want to spruce up their new property.
You can refer clients redoing their kitchen before selling to the agent. It’s a win-win.
Get started now: Identify two local businesses that align with your services. Draft an introductory letter that briefly outlines how the partnership could work.
6. Use a Referral Program to Incentivize Recommendations
You could be sitting on the most effective marketing tool and not even know it. We’re talking about your happy customers.
A referral program is a way to encourage word-of-mouth recommendations. It works by offering a reward to an existing customer who brings you new ones. The reward might be a discount on a future service or even a gift card to a local restaurant.
It’s a cost-effective way to attract more leads and inspire loyalty.
Get started now: Put together a referral program and decide on the reward. Think about how you’ll promote the program to your customers. You might create a page on your website or include it in your email communications.
7. Try Pay-Per-Click Advertising for Fast Results
Need leads now? There are few faster ways to secure high-quality leads than pay-per-click (PPC) ads.
PPC ads appear on search engines or social media platforms. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, which makes it cost-effective.
Plus, you can use targeting tools to serve your ads to locals genuinely interested in your services. This can boost your conversion rate.
Get started now: Decide whether Google ads or Meta ads are best for your business and target audience. Set a small test budget and run an ad. Learn from your results before launching a more expensive campaign.
RELATED ARTICLE: Part 1 – Building a Marketing Strategy That Works: Lead Generation for Today’s Residential Contractors
Enhancing Website Optimization
Your website is one of the best tools for generating kitchen remodeling leads.
The challenge? Getting more people to visit it and then convincing visitors to take the next step.
Use these five tips to optimize your website and transform it into a kitchen remodeling lead-generation machine:
- Invest in search engine optimization (SEO). SEO helps your website show up higher in search results. The higher you appear for relevant search terms, the more visitors you’ll get. One quick win is adding local keywords to your content. For example, you might include phrases like “best kitchen remodeler Columbus.”
- Prioritize exceptional user experience (UX) to turn visitors into leads. Make sure your site is easy to navigate. The text should be legible and messaging clear. It should function perfectly on mobile too. Add calls to action (CTAs) in strategic locations.
- Use high-quality, original visuals. Add both images and videos of your past projects. Avoid stock or generic photos from the web—this can make you look less trustworthy.
- Adopt real-time customer support using live chat. You could have a customer service rep available during business hours. Or you could use an AI-powered chatbot. Either way, live support helps prospects get the answers they need fast.
- Simplify lead capture forms. For example, you don’t need someone’s birthday to give them a quote. The less information you request, the better.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 4 Digital Marketing Tips for Remodeling Contractors
Top Takeaway Tips to Start Boosting Kitchen Remodeling Leads Today
Here are four tips you can try now to get more kitchen remodeling leads:
- Set measurable lead generation goals. This gives you a target to work toward and helps you track your progress.
- Choose three creative strategies listed above. Pick those that resonate most with you. Make sure they are realistic and within your budget.
- Write an action plan on how to get started. Break each strategy down into manageable tasks. Set deadlines to keep yourself on track.
- Decide how you’ll measure your results. Choose metrics that show whether your strategies are moving you closer to your goals. This might include the number of new leads or website traffic. Keep an eye on these numbers and use them to optimize your approach.