“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” ~ Will Rogers

Big roofing companies with large advertising budgets make first impressions with potential customers every day. Through their billboards, TV ads, radio commercials and other marketing that costs thousands.

How does your small roofing company, without the resources or staff compete with that?

By making a great first impression! If you are able to respond quickly and professionally, and follow that up with a friendly appointment for an estimate- you'll build trust in your company. A new roof is a big investment for a homeowner- and they're likely to seek out multiple estimates. If you impress your potential customer upfront- you won't have to compete on price alone.

Here are 5 ways to win the job against the big guys! 👊

1. Make it easy to contact you

The big companies have appointment schedulers and technology to follow-up on leads. If a customer can't get a reply quickly when they reach out to you, they'll move right on to the next company. A customer service solution using texting and automatic replies will let your customer know you have received their message, even if you can't take their call at that moment. Don't lose leads while you're up on the roof on a job, use technology to capture those leads.

2. Build a strong online presence

One of the best ways to compete against larger companies is to establish a strong online presence. Many consumers search for roofing services online, so having a website that is optimized for search engines can help smaller roofing companies attract new customers. Additionally, creating a Google My Business profile and managing social media accounts can help smaller companies reach more potential customers.

3. Provide exceptional service- and make sure you get reviews

Providing exceptional customer service can help smaller roofing companies stand out from larger companies that may not have as much flexibility to cater to individual needs. When a customer has a positive experience with a roofing company, they are more likely to refer that company to others. Smaller companies can capitalize on this by focusing on building long-term relationships with customers.

When you finish a job- take a picture with the customers phone in front of their new roof. Then ask them to add that picture to their review!

4. Ask for referrals- and not just with business cards

Many small companies finish a job, a hand a stack of cards to their customer. Even if they're thrilled with the service, this isn't always the ideal time to ask for a referral. Passing out a couple cards is nice, but to really impress a customer, you need to follow up with them down the line. Almost no business, big or small follows up enough with past customers. A month or two later- a quick text to check in and make sure everything is going smoothly will blow them away. That is the prefect time to ask for a referral again.

5. Focus on Niche Services

Smaller roofing companies can differentiate themselves from larger companies by focusing on niche services. For example, a smaller company may specialize in metal roofing, eco-friendly roofing or historic restoration roofing. By focusing on a specific niche, smaller companies can position themselves as experts in that area and attract customers who are seeking specialized services.

If you can become the go-to company for your preferred niche, you will build up trust and a reputation for excellence. Often homeowners won't even consider calling another company.

Need help building your business for success?

Home Service Pup provides an all-in-one customer service solution that can help you stand out from competitors, big and small, by delivering the best service. Our time saving solution makes it quick and easily for customers to contact you, to follow-up on leads, and to provide service before, during and after the sale.

Learn how we can help