Struggling to Find New Customers? How Plumbing & Heating Businesses Can Improve Their Customer Acquisition

As a plumbing and heating business owner, you know that finding new customers is key to your success. But recent results from our Plumbing and Heating Business Health Check show that many businesses in the industry are facing challenges in this area. In fact, 64% of respondents scored low when it comes to attracting new customers. This highlights a clear gap in effective customer acquisition strategies - and it’s something that needs attention.

The Importance of Finding New Customers

Attracting new customers is not just important for the short-term - it’s crucial for the long-term growth and sustainability of your business. Without a steady stream of new customers, your business can quickly plateau, making it difficult to reach the next level of success. But finding new customers isn’t always straightforward, especially in a competitive industry like plumbing and heating.

The challenge lies in developing a consistent and effective strategy to generate leads month after month. It’s not just about getting any leads - it’s about attracting qualified leads that are more likely to convert into paying customers. When your customer acquisition strategy isn’t working, it’s hard to keep the business growing, and you might find yourself spending unnecessary resources on ineffective marketing.

What’s Holding Plumbing & Heating Businesses Back?

From the results we’ve seen, it’s clear that many plumbing and heating businesses are struggling to develop the right approach to attracting new customers. The common problems often include:

• Lack of consistent lead generation: Without a steady flow of new leads, business owners find it difficult to keep the pipeline full.

• Not tracking (CAC) customer acquisition costs: Without knowing how much it costs to acquire each new customer, it’s difficult to allocate marketing resources effectively.

• Limited use of digital marketing: Many businesses still rely on traditional methods, which might not be as effective in today’s digital-first world, and for those of you who are focusing on digital channels - the majority, have no automated follow-up systems to convert the leads your aquiring into paying customers.

But don’t worry - these challenges can be addressed.

What You Can Do About It

If your plumbing or heating business is struggling to attract new customers, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Here are a few practical steps to help you get started:

1. Evaluate Your Current Marketing Strategy
   Are you using digital marketing tools and managing your leads effectively? Do you have a system for missed calls and automatic follow-ups? If you answered "no," it's time to make a change. Tools like this can greatly improve your efficiency and boost your conversion rates.

2. Track Your Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)
   Knowing how much it costs to acquire a new customer allows you to make informed decisions about where to invest your marketing budget. By tracking your CAC, you can optimise your strategy and ensure you’re getting the best return on your marketing spend.

3. Leverage Local SEO and Google My Business
   Make sure your business is visible to potential customers in your area. An optimised Google My Business listing and a solid local SEO strategy can significantly increase your visibility and drive traffic to your website.

4. Create Automated Follow-Up Systems
   Once you’ve captured a lead, the next step is to convert it into a paying customer. Automated follow-up systems—such as email sequences, calls, or text reminders—can increase your conversion rate by keeping leads engaged until they’re ready to book.

5. Consider a Referral Program
   Happy customers are your best advocates. A well-designed referral program can incentivise your existing customers to bring in new business, making it easier to attract high-quality leads.

Take Action Today

If you're unsure where to start or how your business is currently performing, the Plumbing and Heating Business Health Check can provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations. It’s a quick, easy way to evaluate where your business stands and identify areas for improvement. Plus, it’s completely free!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your customer acquisition strategies. Take the health check today and see how you can improve your marketing efforts to attract more customers and grow your business.

Take the Business Health Check Now

By taking the time to reassess your customer acquisition strategies and implementing some of these steps, you can set your business up for greater success. And remember, you're not alone—whether you need help with digital marketing, creating automated follow-ups, or optimising your local SEO, we’re here to help you grow.

Stay tuned for more tips on improving different areas of your business through our upcoming blogs. And remember, if you want more tailored advice, the Plumbing and Heating Business Health Check is always there to guide you on your journey to success.

Attracting new customers doesn’t have to be complicated. By reassessing your current approach, embracing digital tools, and tracking your marketing performance, you can improve your customer acquisition strategies and set your business on a path to growth.

If you'd like more help with any of these areas, or you're unsure about the next steps, don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to help your business succeed.