If you’re a plumbing company, you know that marketing is essential to your success. But what are the best marketing strategies for plumbers? How can you reach new customers and grow your business? 

In this guide, we’ll go over a variety of marketing strategies plumbers can use to get more leads and make more sales. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the plumbing industry for years, this guide has something for you.

Table of contents

What is plumbing marketing?

Plumbing marketing is the process of using various marketing techniques to promote and sell plumbing services and products. This can include advertising, public relations, and online marketing strategies like SEO and social media marketing. Plumbing companies can use these methods to reach new customers and grow their businesses.

Benefits of plumbing marketing

Plumbing marketing can be a great way to grow your business and beat out the competition. It helps you increase your search engine ranking so that potential customers see your plumbing company first during their online searches. Other benefits include:

  • Generates more quality leads
  • Increases sales revenue
  • Builds brand awareness and loyalty
  • Helps better understand your customers
  • Creates a positive reputation

In addition, plumbing marketing can help you reach new markets and expand your customer base. With a well-executed plumbing marketing strategy, you can take your plumbing business to the next level.

8 online plumbing marketing strategies

Let’s dive into the most popular online plumbing marketing ideas.

1. Develop a professional website

These days, potential customers will almost always start their search for a plumber online – and that’s why it’s absolutely essential your plumbing business has a professional website. Your website should be designed with both customers and search engines in mind. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and that your contact information can be easily found. Be sure to also include relevant keywords throughout your site so customers find you when they do an online search. 

2. Invest in valuable content

If you want your website to attract attention, you’ll need to have high-quality content that provides value to the reader. You could write blog posts, create infographics, post photos, or shoot videos. Make sure your content is well-researched and informative to keep your customers coming back for more. 

3. Claim or create a Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is key to getting discovered in search results and getting chosen by potential customers. Google serves as the front door to local businesses, and it’s where the initial search for a business starts. Your Google Business Profile is an invaluable search, review, and marketing tool.

4. Use search engine optimization to your advantage

SEO stands for search engine optimization. Essentially, it’s the process of making sure your website is as visible as possible on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! The higher your website ranks on search engines, the more likely people are to find it – and the more people find your website, the more customers you’re likely to get. 

There are a few different ways to optimize your website for SEO. One is by using relevant keywords throughout your website content. Another is by making sure your website is mobile-friendly, as more people are using their phones and tablets to search the internet. For more information on this, check out our article on optimizing your website for mobile SEO.

Another way to boost SEO is by managing your business listings. Today, most people turn to search engines to learn more about a business – and that’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure information about your business is correct across the internet. If you haven’t done so already, claim your business listings for all of your locations on top directory sites like Google (as mentioned above), Facebook, and Bing. Inconsistencies in your listings can lead to poor SEO and a lower ranking on search engines.  

5. Generate more reviews to build a strong online reputation

Whether you’re a local plumbing business with a single location or a multi-location business, the importance of a strong online reputation can’t be overstated. Your reputation doesn’t just determine how customers view your business – it’s the deciding factor of whether or not they choose you over your competition. These days, potential customers are more likely than ever to check online reviews before making a purchase. In fact, studies show that 93% of customers read online reviews before buying a product or service. 

Online reviews can also have a big impact on a business’s bottom line in other ways. Reviews are directly linked to how easily people can find your business online. When customers post positive reviews about a business, it helps improve the business’s ranking in online searches. Search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! value online reviews as much as your customers do. The more positive reviews you have, the more reliable you appear, and the more customers will choose your business over the competition. 

Plus, when you’ve built a positive reputation, employees will be proud to work for a five-star company. Word will spread that your business is a great workplace, encouraging more candidates to apply.

6. Build relationships with customers and prospects through email marketing

Email marketing involves sending targeted emails to a list of subscribers who have chosen to receive updates from your business—usually in the form of a newsletter or exclusive offers and coupons. If done correctly, email marketing can be an extremely effective way to build relationships with potential and existing customers alike — and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are plenty of free email marketing software options out there for businesses without a large email marketing budget.

To get started, here are some examples of topics to include in your email marketing: 

  • How to clean your drains and prepare your home for rain
  •  5 tips to prep your plumbing for the holidays
  • Water heater tips for increasing its efficiency
  • Hard water’s impact on your plumbing: what you need to know

7. Promote your business on social media

Social media marketing involves promoting your business on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It can be an effective way to connect with potential and existing customers alike—and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, either. In fact, organic social media marketing is free—although if you want to reach even more people with your message, you can always supplement your organic social media efforts with paid social media ads.

You can start with a simple topic to engage with your followers, such as ‘simplest plumbing hacks that you should know,’ or’ do I need a bathtub with my shower?’

For more information, check out our article on social media marketing strategies for plumbing businesses.

8. Use pay-per-click advertising to attract leads

Pay-per-click (PPC) is a type of online advertising where businesses pay a fee every time one of their online ads is clicked. The most popular platform for PPC ads is Google Ads, although there are several other platforms out there including Microsoft Ads, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

PPC can be an effective way to attract leads because it allows you to specifically target potential customers who are already interested in what you have to offer. For example, let’s say you own a plumbing business in Austin, TX. With PPC ads, you could target people who live in Austin and who have recently searched for terms like “plumber Austin” or “plumbing services Austin.” These people are more likely to be interested in what you have to offer than someone who doesn’t live in Austin, TX, or who has never searched for anything related to plumbing before.

Offline plumbing marketing ideas

In addition to online approaches, here are some traditional marketing methods that are equally effective in attracting customers. 

Get involved in your community

As a local business, it’s important to get involved in your community. While you’re at it, you can also market your business. Attend local events, sponsor youth sports teams, and/or donate to local charities. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also help develop positive relationships with members of your community. These relationships can lead to word-of-mouth marketing. According to Nielsen’s 2021 Trust in Advertising Study, nearly 90 percent of respondents stated that word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family were the most trusted advertising channel.

Getting involved in your community won’t just help raise awareness of your business – it can also make people more likely to use your services.

For example, let’s say your business is sponsoring a local fair this summer and you have a booth, it would be great to provide water-saving tips, like which appliances to focus on first, and ways to conserve water outdoors.

Make use of traditional marketing tactics

Just because we live in a digital age doesn’t mean traditional marketing tactics are no longer of any use. In fact, many of them are still very effective, especially when it comes to reaching new customers in your area. 

Some traditional marketing tactics you may want to use include things like print advertising (in newspapers, magazines, etc.), TV or radio advertising, and direct mail campaigns. Be sure to tailor your traditional marketing tactics to your target audience (e.g., homeowners, real estate agents, business owners, property managers, or other contractors) for maximum impact. 

Frequently asked questions about plumbing marketing

What is the best social media platform for plumbing businesses?

Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world, with nearly three billion monthly active users. Facebook’s massive audience and platform provide a great opportunity for customers and prospects to engage with your business. They can like, share and comment on posts, use Facebook Messenger to communicate directly with your business, and leave a ‘recommendation’ showing their satisfaction.

Be the top choice plumbing business in your area

Marketing your plumbing business doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Birdeye is the most trusted reputation and customer experience platform for local businesses and brands. Over 150,000 businesses use Birdeye’s all-in-one platform to effortlessly manage online reputation, connect with prospects through digital channels, and gain customer experience insights to grow sales and thrive. Watch our free demo to learn more.