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How To Sign A Renovation Contract

By: Karine Dutemple

How To Sign A Renovation Contract

By: Karine Dutemple

Advice for contractorsWorkers and candidates in the construction sectorHow To Sign A Renovation Contract

Gaining clients for your renovation business is one thing, but sealing the deal with them is another. Business deals and discussions surrounding money or possessions are often uncomfortable and awkward, but they don't have to be!

Knowing the right way to speak to homeowners about your renovation business is crucial to closing potential contracting deals. For this reason, RenoQuotes.com has compiled some advice for you to follow so you can rein in contracts without the interaction being troublesome.

Here are straightforward ways to sign a renovation contract artfully!

Offer Solutions!

Once the client has told you what they're looking for exactly, address these needs directly by way of positive solutions. Does your business model have a unique selling point? Potentially you offer low-cost or premium services? 

Regardless of your selling points, stand behind your brand from the beginning. If your model suggests a low-price point, address the excellent value of your services and relate it back to how the renovation will improve the quality of life of the client: "for only X-amount, you could have the bedroom of your dreams!".

Make sure to be completely realistic regarding the overall cost of a job, as the number one way to piss off a client is to promise low-cost service but charge them more upon finishing. On the flip side, if you are running a premium contracting business, assure the client that they won't be able to find another service as good as yours! 

Offer something that can't be found elsewhere, whether that means a fair price or a rare service, and relate it directly back to their individual needs. This step is key to getting a prospective client to gain interest, potentially bite and move forward with the deal.

Take a Soft Approach

It is important that when attempting to close a deal with a client, you are not too pushy. Appearing initially aggressive in any way is likely to alienate the customer. As a contractor and business owner, you want the experience of working with someone else to be as positive as possible, especially when dealing with a homeowner who is trusting you with their personal space. It is necessary to take a soft approach when interacting with customers.

Adopt a sense of soft confidence, and convey your knowledge of the business as well as the success rates of your previous renovations. Any form of desperation or pushiness will come across as though you're lacking elsewhere, and you surely don't want your client to think that you need to book their job desperately! Maintain certainty without coming across as cocky, and the client will react positively.

Money Talks

Signing a renovation contract_RenoQuotes.com

source: Flickr, KMR Photography

Do not be afraid to mention money upfront. Since business is business, and all business deals involve money in one way or another, it is important to be direct regarding costs. Get the initial mentions of money out in the open by bridging the subject yourself. 

This way, the client doesn't feel the need to awkwardly skirt around prices and amounts. If the customer is requesting concessions based on the prices you offer, attempt to close the deal by agreeing to their terms if they'll sign immediately.

For example, state "I recognize where you're coming from regarding the price. If I negotiate on your terms, can we close the deal right away?" This approach, often referred to as a sharp angle close, could help to land you a job and solidify costs rather than wasting the time of both parties trying to debate and negotiate.

Opinions Count

Closing a deal can be made simple with the "in your opinion" approach. If you are finding yourself and a client moving back and forth regarding pricing and timelines, simply ask them for their opinion: "In your opinion, what could I do differently to help you feel comfortable closing this deal?" 

Moving away from the hard facts of a contract to the opinion of a client allows them to shift their hesitation and refocus. Adjusting your presentation based on customer questions and feedback is essential.

Also, always try to relate the renovation back to emotional responses rather than hard facts. Getting to the root of the problem on an emotional level is important to move beyond the place of negotiation. If you can offer ways to improve in order to fulfill their wishes, the client will not have much to contend with. Making the homeowner feel reassured about their plans and comfortable working with you will help to finalize the contract that much easier.

Objection, Assumption & Direct Approaches

If you have a returning client with a new project, and you feel relaxed with them, there are a few approaches you can take which may not fare as well with newer clients. The objection approach is the softest method of the three. Once most of the contract has been discussed between yourself and the client, go ahead and ask: "is there any reason we can't proceed?"

This question allows the homeowner to raise concerns without a flat-out no for an answer. Newer customers may find this approach discouraging or aggressive, so make sure to gain a sense of the situation without pushing forward with this method.

The assumptive close is also best to attempt when you know a client well enough. This method is straightforward, and all it takes it the assumption that the homeowner is ready to do business with you. After ironing out all the details, hand the client a piece of paper with everything outlined, and wait for their signature on the dotted line. Hopefully, if you've judged the situation right, there won't be much room for discussion and this method will play out smoothly.

The final approach is the most to-the-point, often referred to as a direct close. This is a closed-ended, yes or no question, something along the lines of "So, we are agreeing to move forward with this contract?" This method is most effective If you are confident that the answer will indeed be "yes", so proceed with both caution and confidence.

Seal the deal on contracts for your home renovation company

RenoQuotes.com can help you get home renovation contracts. We get requests from clients looking for trusted home renovation professionals just like you.  Fill out the form on our homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will receive information on how to get new clients for your renovation company through our service.

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives

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Last modified 2023-05-09

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Hiring Foreign Workers On Behalf of Your Renovation or Construction Company

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Law 25: Personal Data Protection in Construction

Technological breakthroughs come hand in hand with a host of advantages, including the speed at which data can be compiled and the ease with which multiple pieces of information can be centralized. However, booming IT proficiency and ready access to digital tools also spell greater hacking risks and the need to protect large volumes of sensitive information. As a contractor, you without a doubt regularly collect a lot of personal and professional information, such as client contact information, employee SIN numbers, banking information, and much more. This goes without saying but, you have to ensure the confidentiality of all the aforementioned information. How to Protect a Company’s Personal and Professional Data Source: Canva Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the meaning of the terms used in this blog article. Personal information is defined as follows: Recorded information that can, directly or indirectly, identify an individual (name, date of birth, social insurance number, email address, etc.). A privacy policy is defined as follows: An overview of practices and measures instilled by a company to ensure the protection of an individual’s personal information. This policy is designed to inform the target public of the level of commitment involved in protecting the data collected and to help individuals provide informed consent. The risk of injury is defined as: An act and event that’s likely to harm the concerned individual or their property. This is a situation that could harm their interests, damage their reputation, cause financial losses, harm their credit history, expose them to identity theft, result in their loss of employment, etc. A confidentiality incident is defined as: Unauthorized access, unauthorized use and communication, or loss of personal information. In addition to various scenarios, this could encompass situations where an employee exceeds their authorized rights and responsibilities by snooping or usurping an identity. It could also include inadvertent data leaks, such as an email mistakenly sent to the wrong recipient, instances of cyber-attacks, or the loss or theft of a USB key containing a sensitive database, among other potential incidents. How to Legally Harvest Personal Information Canadian companies must maintain complete transparency when collecting personal data from individuals. You must: Explain how data is collected (telephone numbers, software, quotes, forms, etc.). Provide information about how data will be used (communication, contracts, newsletters, exclusive discounts, payments, etc.). Gather only information relevant and justifiable in relation to objectives. (For example, there’s no need to obtain a client's banking information for in-person payments or their date of birth for promotional email subscriptions.) Avoid disclosing the information to any third party without explicit consent from the concerned individual, and clearly state the purpose for which the information is being disclosed. (For example, a construction contractor has to provide a client’s information to a field expert to carry out plumbing or electrical work.) State that the individual can withdraw consent for the use of their information. Highlight the rights of access and rectification granted by law. Retain data only for a period that’s reasonably necessary. How to Write a Privacy Policy While specific regulations may not explicitly outline requirements in this matter, it’s best to have an easily accessible privacy policy that’s readily available to your clients. It should be written in straightforward language that’s easy to understand. It should include the following elements: A short description of your company’s activities and services. Include the name and contact information of the company responsible for collecting data (most likely your company but could also include a referral platform like ours). The name and contact information of the person(s) responsible for protecting personal information. Numbers 1-2-5-6-7 of the aforementioned list. The duration for which the collected data will be retained. The security measures implemented to protect information. The date the policy took effect and when it was last updated. What are the mandates imposed by Law 25? Source: Canva Since September 22, 2022, Quebec's Law 25 has modernized the legislative provisions concerning personal data protection, imposing new obligations on all individuals conducting business activities. Additional security regulations are set to be introduced in September 2023 and 2024. Since September 2022, you must: Appoint a data protection officer to oversee your company’s personal information protection and publish their contact information on your website (or any other media readily available if you don’t have a website). In the event of a privacy-related incident, promptly notify the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec and all relevant parties, while maintaining an accurate and current log of such incidents. Obtain consent from the concerned individual prior to using their information for research, statistical analysis, commercial transactions, or any advertising and promotional purposes. As of September 22, 2023, you’ll need to: Apply policies regarding the governance of personal information, and state them in plain language on your website (or other communication methods). Write and publish a clear and concise privacy policy, particularly if you’re harvesting personal data through technology. Inform concerned individuals when they’re solely making a decision based on an automated process and when identification, location, or profiling technologies are employed. Destroy or render anonymous all personal information that’s no longer of use. Assess privacy factors when the law requires it and abide by new communication conditions, prior to divulging personal information outside of the province of Quebec, for example. Adhere to the latest regulations regarding obtaining consent for the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information belonging to minors or legal adults. Configure default settings to enforce the highest level of confidentiality and privacy. Comply with current personal information disclosure regulations to ease the grieving process. As of September 2024, you’ll need to: Provide all personal data collected through technology at the request of the concerned individual. The above-mentioned obligations regarding the protection of personal information apply regardless of the size of your company. Whether you employ 700 individuals, operate as a sole proprietorship, joint-stock company, or general partnership, all physical or artificial persons must adhere to their responsibilities by establishing and implementing best practices in terms of data protection. What’s cybercrime? Cybercrimes target your company’s confidential information and can manifest as the following: Malware that’s installed in incognito mode through apps or websites with the purpose of allowing a thief to access the content of your computer. Ransomware that blocks access to your computer and attempts to convince you to pay a sum of money to recover important data before it’s sold. Phishing uses more conventional methods, such as bogus emails or computerized calls intended to trick you into willingly providing personal information. Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks considerably increase the traffic on your website, making it virtually impossible for your clients to access. It’s a money-making technique that either asks you to pay to restore accessibility or sells you a bogus repair service. Rainbow tables access your server to get ahold of everyone’s information at once, then analyze password algorithms and gain access to an entire server. How to Protect Your Company’s Data Below are some valuable tips to help prevent cyber attacks. Regularly check your software Ensure that your operating system, software, and firewall are up to date, that your antivirus software is of the highest quality, and that your Wi-Fi network is secure. Identify any gaps in your data management and protection, and fine-tune your approach. If necessary, consult experts to find the right tools for your situation, and resolve any problems or potential cyber-security loopholes. Secure data internally Unfortunately, the threat of an untrustworthy individual within your immediate circle or company is a possibility. While countering such adversaries can be challenging, you have to establish effective measures to minimize the risk of data breaches. You could, for example, impose restrictions on computer access in your absence, prohibit USB keys, frequently reset passwords, deny former employees access to internal websites, and install software that logs who had access to what and when that occurred, etc. Furthermore, when hiring new talent, don't be shy about having them sign an ethical code and non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Educate yourself about data protection Train your employees about the risks of using technology outside a highly secure network. For example, logging on to a public network to find client information in your database or clicking on a pop-up ad aren’t recommended, nor is leaving your computer unattended in the presence of your children when you're getting ready to send a confidential email, and so on. Establish a cybersecurity protocol First, outline the steps to be taken, and identify whom to contact in the event of a security breach (police, banks, clients, suppliers, etc.). Then, systematically backup documents on the Cloud and an external hard drive. Likewise, all folders containing personal information should be encrypted, and their encryption keys kept off servers. Get cyber insurance Such insurance could prevent financial losses and crisis management issues, while also putting you in touch with a variety of experts (IT security experts, legal advisors, public relations specialists, etc.). This insurance could cover legal or mediation fees, partially refund your business operating losses, finance a client credit monitoring service, and even contribute to hiring a public relations firm if you require media communication. How to Protect Against Data Breaches Source: Canva As soon as you have reason to believe or are aware that your company's and/or your clients' personal data has been compromised, and that the situation involves a risk of significant injury, you must report it to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and to the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec. You should also inform all those concerned, and immediately log the incident in a database for a period of 5 years. Subsequently, put into practice measures to minimize the extent of the leak and prevent such an event from happening again. For example, you could recover or require the complete destruction of stolen personal information, then fine-tune your security methods and correct any shortcomings identified at the time of the incident. How to Provide Government Services with a Written Notice Include the following information: Company name and NEG (Quebec Enterprise Number). Name and contact information of the individual to contact in regard to the breach. Description of personal information involved. Circumstances of the incident, if possible. Date or period during which the breach occurred and when your company took notice. The number of individuals involved in the breach. List the elements that led you to believe that there was a serious risk of injury. Measures put in place to inform affected persons. Measures taken or planned to minimize the risk of a breach occurring to mitigate the impact of a breach and prevent your company's data protection from being jeopardized by another breach. How to Provide Those Involved with a Written Notice Include the following information: Name and contact information of the individual to contact in regard to the breach. Description of personal information involved. Circumstances of the incident, if possible. Date or period during which the breach occurred and when your company took notice. Advise provided by your company suggesting ways in which the affected person can reduce the risk of injury. Measures taken or planned to minimize the risk of a breach occurring to mitigate the impact of a breach and prevent your company's data protection from being jeopardized by another breach. Last but not least, besides the embedded links we've provided, here are a few other articles about construction IT that may be of interest: Construction Contractor: Why You Should Optimize Your Profile How to Create a Good Website for Your Home Renovation Company Renovation Contractor: Choosing an Estimation Software 6 Apps to Help You Run Your Renovation Business Contractors: Acquiring News Clients Through Social Media How to Use Artificial and Augmented Reality in Construction Industry

10 min read

Cynthia Laferrière 12 May 2023

Law 25: Personal Data Protection in Construction

Technological breakthroughs come hand in hand with a host of advantages, including the speed at which data can be compiled and the ease with which multiple pieces of information can be centralized. However, booming IT proficiency and ready access to digital tools also spell greater hacking risks and the need to protect large volumes of sensitive information. As a contractor, you without a doubt regularly collect a lot of personal and professional information, such as client contact information, employee SIN numbers, banking information, and much more. This goes without saying but, you have to ensure the confidentiality of all the aforementioned information. How to Protect a Company’s Personal and Professional Data Source: Canva Firstly, let’s take a closer look at the meaning of the terms used in this blog article. Personal information is defined as follows: Recorded information that can, directly or indirectly, identify an individual (name, date of birth, social insurance number, email address, etc.). A privacy policy is defined as follows: An overview of practices and measures instilled by a company to ensure the protection of an individual’s personal information. This policy is designed to inform the target public of the level of commitment involved in protecting the data collected and to help individuals provide informed consent. The risk of injury is defined as: An act and event that’s likely to harm the concerned individual or their property. This is a situation that could harm their interests, damage their reputation, cause financial losses, harm their credit history, expose them to identity theft, result in their loss of employment, etc. A confidentiality incident is defined as: Unauthorized access, unauthorized use and communication, or loss of personal information. In addition to various scenarios, this could encompass situations where an employee exceeds their authorized rights and responsibilities by snooping or usurping an identity. It could also include inadvertent data leaks, such as an email mistakenly sent to the wrong recipient, instances of cyber-attacks, or the loss or theft of a USB key containing a sensitive database, among other potential incidents. How to Legally Harvest Personal Information Canadian companies must maintain complete transparency when collecting personal data from individuals. You must: Explain how data is collected (telephone numbers, software, quotes, forms, etc.). Provide information about how data will be used (communication, contracts, newsletters, exclusive discounts, payments, etc.). Gather only information relevant and justifiable in relation to objectives. (For example, there’s no need to obtain a client's banking information for in-person payments or their date of birth for promotional email subscriptions.) Avoid disclosing the information to any third party without explicit consent from the concerned individual, and clearly state the purpose for which the information is being disclosed. (For example, a construction contractor has to provide a client’s information to a field expert to carry out plumbing or electrical work.) State that the individual can withdraw consent for the use of their information. Highlight the rights of access and rectification granted by law. Retain data only for a period that’s reasonably necessary. How to Write a Privacy Policy While specific regulations may not explicitly outline requirements in this matter, it’s best to have an easily accessible privacy policy that’s readily available to your clients. It should be written in straightforward language that’s easy to understand. It should include the following elements: A short description of your company’s activities and services. Include the name and contact information of the company responsible for collecting data (most likely your company but could also include a referral platform like ours). The name and contact information of the person(s) responsible for protecting personal information. Numbers 1-2-5-6-7 of the aforementioned list. The duration for which the collected data will be retained. The security measures implemented to protect information. The date the policy took effect and when it was last updated. What are the mandates imposed by Law 25? Source: Canva Since September 22, 2022, Quebec's Law 25 has modernized the legislative provisions concerning personal data protection, imposing new obligations on all individuals conducting business activities. Additional security regulations are set to be introduced in September 2023 and 2024. Since September 2022, you must: Appoint a data protection officer to oversee your company’s personal information protection and publish their contact information on your website (or any other media readily available if you don’t have a website). In the event of a privacy-related incident, promptly notify the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec and all relevant parties, while maintaining an accurate and current log of such incidents. Obtain consent from the concerned individual prior to using their information for research, statistical analysis, commercial transactions, or any advertising and promotional purposes. As of September 22, 2023, you’ll need to: Apply policies regarding the governance of personal information, and state them in plain language on your website (or other communication methods). Write and publish a clear and concise privacy policy, particularly if you’re harvesting personal data through technology. Inform concerned individuals when they’re solely making a decision based on an automated process and when identification, location, or profiling technologies are employed. Destroy or render anonymous all personal information that’s no longer of use. Assess privacy factors when the law requires it and abide by new communication conditions, prior to divulging personal information outside of the province of Quebec, for example. Adhere to the latest regulations regarding obtaining consent for the collection, disclosure, or use of personal information belonging to minors or legal adults. Configure default settings to enforce the highest level of confidentiality and privacy. Comply with current personal information disclosure regulations to ease the grieving process. As of September 2024, you’ll need to: Provide all personal data collected through technology at the request of the concerned individual. The above-mentioned obligations regarding the protection of personal information apply regardless of the size of your company. Whether you employ 700 individuals, operate as a sole proprietorship, joint-stock company, or general partnership, all physical or artificial persons must adhere to their responsibilities by establishing and implementing best practices in terms of data protection. What’s cybercrime? Cybercrimes target your company’s confidential information and can manifest as the following: Malware that’s installed in incognito mode through apps or websites with the purpose of allowing a thief to access the content of your computer. Ransomware that blocks access to your computer and attempts to convince you to pay a sum of money to recover important data before it’s sold. Phishing uses more conventional methods, such as bogus emails or computerized calls intended to trick you into willingly providing personal information. Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks considerably increase the traffic on your website, making it virtually impossible for your clients to access. It’s a money-making technique that either asks you to pay to restore accessibility or sells you a bogus repair service. Rainbow tables access your server to get ahold of everyone’s information at once, then analyze password algorithms and gain access to an entire server. How to Protect Your Company’s Data Below are some valuable tips to help prevent cyber attacks. Regularly check your software Ensure that your operating system, software, and firewall are up to date, that your antivirus software is of the highest quality, and that your Wi-Fi network is secure. Identify any gaps in your data management and protection, and fine-tune your approach. If necessary, consult experts to find the right tools for your situation, and resolve any problems or potential cyber-security loopholes. Secure data internally Unfortunately, the threat of an untrustworthy individual within your immediate circle or company is a possibility. While countering such adversaries can be challenging, you have to establish effective measures to minimize the risk of data breaches. You could, for example, impose restrictions on computer access in your absence, prohibit USB keys, frequently reset passwords, deny former employees access to internal websites, and install software that logs who had access to what and when that occurred, etc. Furthermore, when hiring new talent, don't be shy about having them sign an ethical code and non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Educate yourself about data protection Train your employees about the risks of using technology outside a highly secure network. For example, logging on to a public network to find client information in your database or clicking on a pop-up ad aren’t recommended, nor is leaving your computer unattended in the presence of your children when you're getting ready to send a confidential email, and so on. Establish a cybersecurity protocol First, outline the steps to be taken, and identify whom to contact in the event of a security breach (police, banks, clients, suppliers, etc.). Then, systematically backup documents on the Cloud and an external hard drive. Likewise, all folders containing personal information should be encrypted, and their encryption keys kept off servers. Get cyber insurance Such insurance could prevent financial losses and crisis management issues, while also putting you in touch with a variety of experts (IT security experts, legal advisors, public relations specialists, etc.). This insurance could cover legal or mediation fees, partially refund your business operating losses, finance a client credit monitoring service, and even contribute to hiring a public relations firm if you require media communication. How to Protect Against Data Breaches Source: Canva As soon as you have reason to believe or are aware that your company's and/or your clients' personal data has been compromised, and that the situation involves a risk of significant injury, you must report it to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and to the Commission d'accès à l'information du Québec. You should also inform all those concerned, and immediately log the incident in a database for a period of 5 years. Subsequently, put into practice measures to minimize the extent of the leak and prevent such an event from happening again. For example, you could recover or require the complete destruction of stolen personal information, then fine-tune your security methods and correct any shortcomings identified at the time of the incident. How to Provide Government Services with a Written Notice Include the following information: Company name and NEG (Quebec Enterprise Number). Name and contact information of the individual to contact in regard to the breach. Description of personal information involved. Circumstances of the incident, if possible. Date or period during which the breach occurred and when your company took notice. The number of individuals involved in the breach. List the elements that led you to believe that there was a serious risk of injury. Measures put in place to inform affected persons. Measures taken or planned to minimize the risk of a breach occurring to mitigate the impact of a breach and prevent your company's data protection from being jeopardized by another breach. How to Provide Those Involved with a Written Notice Include the following information: Name and contact information of the individual to contact in regard to the breach. Description of personal information involved. Circumstances of the incident, if possible. Date or period during which the breach occurred and when your company took notice. Advise provided by your company suggesting ways in which the affected person can reduce the risk of injury. Measures taken or planned to minimize the risk of a breach occurring to mitigate the impact of a breach and prevent your company's data protection from being jeopardized by another breach. Last but not least, besides the embedded links we've provided, here are a few other articles about construction IT that may be of interest: Construction Contractor: Why You Should Optimize Your Profile How to Create a Good Website for Your Home Renovation Company Renovation Contractor: Choosing an Estimation Software 6 Apps to Help You Run Your Renovation Business Contractors: Acquiring News Clients Through Social Media How to Use Artificial and Augmented Reality in Construction Industry

8 min read

SoumissionRenovation.ca 04 Apr 2023

What Are the Best Marketing Tools for Your Construction Company?

There’s a plethora of marketing tools available, and, as a novice, you can easily get confused or spend your entire budget on them. With management tools, competitive analysis tools, and other keyword tools, it can be hard to know where to focus. We met with Dalia Ceron Gonzalez, of Image Marketing, to shed some light on this complex subject. Here’s how she summed it up: “The 5 recommended marketing tools for start-ups are a logo, brand image, main contact information, website, and business cards.” No more, no less. We’ll explain all of the aforementioned points, as well as the different tools to rationalize your marketing strategy and take it to the next level. Most of these tools are free and effective. The Relevance of Marketing Tools for Companies Source: Canva “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” The “law of instrument” or Maslow’s Hammer, as revealed by Abraham Kaplan and Abraham Maslow applies to numerous fields, including marketing. The key to successful digital marketing is using the right management and marketing tools. Rest assured, not every tool will require an additional monthly or yearly subscription. Most marketing tools are free and powerful enough to help you plan your marketing strategy like a pro. What Are the Marketing Communication Tools? Source: Canva Digital marketing isn’t the only way to win clients over. Your communication starts with much simpler elements: Logo A logo is indispensable for your company’s identity. Even if your core area of expertise is complex, your logo should still be simple. Take examples like Nike, Apple, or McDonald’s—they all have renowned logos because of their simplicity. When it comes to colour, stick to your graphic charter. Graphic charter Your company should have brand colours. These colours will not only be present in your logo but also featured on the pages of your website. Consider favouring greens to represent ecology, red for luxury, white for simplicity, or black for elegance. Business cards Source: Canva Keep it clean, simple, and to the point by including the following essential elements: Your address; Phone number; Email; QR code linked to your website. Portfolio Potential clients want to know what you’re capable of. Nothing’s worth more than a good portfolio filled with your best work. Fortunately, there are some websites like Heyzine that allow you to create up to 5 free portfolios and embed them on your website. Sponsorships As a construction company, you can make a name for yourself locally by sponsoring a sports team. How, you ask? By purchasing their team jerseys, for example, and having your company logo printed on them. Is the local hockey team organizing an annual raffle? Consider offering giveaways to promote your company locally. Expos Meet potential new clients not coincidentally, but where they’re actively seeking you out: expos. When they come up to you, it indicates that you have a solution to a problem they’re struggling to fix. Expo centres provide an opportunity not only to understand clients’ needs but also improve your services and refine your company’s message to better serve them. 5 Digital Strategy Tools for a Construction Company Source: Canva 1- Your website Accuracy and conciseness should guide you while creating every single page of your website. Potential clients should be able to quickly find answers to their questions. Within 5 seconds, all users should be able to gather the following information: Who you are. What you do. What your services are. What sets you apart from the competition. But most importantly, they should know what’s expected of them: Request a quote. Get in touch. Provide their email addresses. etc. If your website fails to deliver, redesign it until it becomes straightforward. 2- Social media As a construction company, your work is primarily focused locally. While Facebook is a good social media platform, it may not necessarily be the best option. Achieving high levels of exposure on Facebook without paying is becoming increasingly difficult. However, many contractors are now creating videos to showcase their work as tutorials and then posting them on YouTube. When it comes to establishing brand awareness throughout the province, few tools are as powerful as YouTube. Learn more about it in our article Contractors: Acquiring New Clients Through Social Media. 3- SEO Source: Canva That’s your blog articles, specifically written around keywords that you're targeting as a construction company. To ensure your presence among search results, it’s important to ensure that the content you create is: Up-to-date; Regular; Accurate; Interesting; Original. To outperform the competition, don’t look at what they’re writing. Instead, explain, in your own words, what you do and how you do it (techniques, materials, legislation, perspectives, innovations, etc.). 4- Google Business Profile This tool enables you to locate your company on Google Maps. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be surprised by the number of new clients who used to drive by your place of business every day without knowing it. Keep in mind that in this day and age, when people have a need, they often turn to Google as their first resource. 5- Google Ads It’s advertising, and you can achieve it on Google by targeting specific keywords. The goal is to rank first on the search results page. The benefit of using this technique is that it provides quick results at low costs, thanks to: Pay-per-clicks on your ad; Budget control by setting a maximum pay-per-click bid; No minimum budget requirement. Since you have the ability to stop your advertising campaigns at any time, you can manage your scheduling and stay in control. What Are the Most Used Digital Marketing Tools? Source: Canva If you’ve already done some research on the matter, you’re probably familiar with a few popular marketing tools. This is normal since they're the most widely used in digital marketing. Mailchimp Mailchimp is one of the most widely-used digital marketing tools for managing email campaigns. Its purpose is to automate your email sequences, increase open rates, generate more clicks, and ultimately drive more sales. Canva In digital marketing, design plays a crucial role in creating signs, videos, graphics, and social media posts. Canva allows you to do all of this yourself, like a true professional. Yoast SEO Yoast SEO is a WordPress plugin that is essential for your website’s SEO. As its name suggests, it serves as an SEO tool. It not only enables you to write your meta descriptions for your website but also helps you automatically generate the layout of your pages using schema.org. Semrush Semrush is a comprehensive marketing tool that allows you to analyze and monitor your competitors. With Semrush, you can uncover valuable insights such as: Their sources of website traffic; Their backlinks; Pay-per-click search traffic; Their ads on the Google Display Network; Their website’s ranking for each keyword. Trello Trello’s a free and user-friendly project management tool. It enables you to efficiently organize workflows among your team members and keep track of ongoing projects. Two Free Online Strategic Analysis Tools Source: Canva If you want to establish an online presence, Google is the way to go, and the good news is that Google offers a range of marketing tools designed to optimize your digital marketing campaigns. The best part is that all Google tools are free to use. 1- Google Analytics Google Analytics is the ultimate online tool for digital marketing. By setting up a line of code on your website and configuring Google Analytics, you gain valuable insights into your website’s user behaviour. You can track: User’s country and city of origin; New users; Visited web pages; Time spent per visit; Source of traffic (Google search, direct, social media); etc. Google Analytics provides you with a comprehensive understanding of how users navigate your website. It’s such a valuable tool that nearly every webmaster in the world uses it. 2- Google Search Console Google Search Console is an ideal add-on to Google Analytics. It’s a free online tool that enables you to: Monitor how your pages rank on Google’s search engine. Determine the keywords that contribute to your search rankings. Identify any page indexing issues on your website. Evaluate the user experience based on core web vitals.


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