How to Stand Out From the Competition

Have you Googled “plumbers near me” recently? It can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of options out there. So how do you stand out amongst the competition? What makes a customer choose you over someone else?

It doesn’t matter if you're a seasoned pro or just starting your business, knowing your competitors and setting yourself apart can make all the difference between blending in or standing out.

Let's dive into how to understand your competitors and look at some ways to stand out in the crowded home services marketplace.

How to Understand Your Competition

Direct Competition

Indirect Competition

Understand How Your Customer Makes Decisions

What You Need to Know About Your Competitors

How to Stand Out From Your Competitors

How Standing Out From Competitors Can Help Your Business Grow

It's essential to have a clear understanding of who your competitors are and what they offer. Here are two key factors to consider:

Your direct competitors are other tradespeople or businesses offering similar services in your area. They may target the same customer base and offer similar solutions to the problems you solve.

Indirect competitors are businesses that offer different services but compete for the same customers' time, attention, and resources. For example, your plumbing business might indirectly compete with a home maintenance company or a DIY store.

Learn more about the difference between direct and indirect competition in

this video

.

Understanding your competitors also means knowing what options your customers have when they're looking for services. This includes considering factors like price, quality, convenience, and reputation.

Understanding what influences your customers' decisions helps you adapt your approach to meet their needs effectively.

Check out this video

to learn more about how your customers make choices.

To stand out, you need to collect valuable insights about your competitors. This includes understanding their strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, marketing tactics, and customer satisfaction levels.

By conducting detailed research and analysis, you can identify opportunities to differentiate yourself and gain a competitive advantage.

Learn how to do a competitor analysis

in this video

to learn more about your competitors.

Now that you have a clear understanding of your competitors, it's time to put in place strategies to set yourself apart. Here are some ideas to make your business stand out in the minds of your customers:

Having your team wear branded uniforms makes them look more professional and your brand more visible. When your technicians arrive at a job site in uniform, they immediately convey a sense of reliability and credibility to the customer.

The uniform serves as a visual representation of your brand and creates a unified team identity. Customers are more likely to remember and recommend a business that looks professional.

ServCraft customer

Pool Sqaud

’s professionally designed uniform is a great example of how a consistent look adds another layer of professionalism to its service.

Branding your vehicles with your logo and contact information is like having a mobile billboard for your business. Clean, branded vehicles not only look professional but also serve as a form of advertising as they travel from one job site to another.

When your branded vehicles are seen in the community, it strengthens your brand and can attract potential customers who need your services.

ServCraft customer

BrightServ

’s vehicles are a great example of how to brand your vehicles to advertise and help your business stand out while on the move.

Offering electronic signatures after completing a job streamlines the paperwork process and enhances customer convenience. By using tools like ServCraft to collect digital signatures, you demonstrate your commitment to modern technology and efficiency.

Customers appreciate the convenience of signing documents electronically, especially when they can quickly move on with their day. This attention to detail and customer experience sets you apart from competitors who might still rely on traditional pen-and-paper methods.

Using a tool like ServCraft to send a job card or report with pictures alongside your quote or invoice after finishing a job or callout is a great way to communicate with customers. Including visual documentation of the assessment or work helps the customer understand the problems they have better and shows that you take pride in your work and are accountable for the services provided.

Customers appreciate the thoroughness of receiving a job card with pictures since it helps them understand what work was completed and gives them peace of mind about the quality of your service.

Positive customer reviews are a powerful tool for building trust and credibility in the eyes of potential customers.

Encourage satisfied customers to leave feedback on platforms like Google, Hello Peter, or your website. You can ask satisfied customers to leave reviews automatically with tools like ServCraft, making it easier to gather and share positive testimonials.

By highlighting glowing reviews on your website and social media channels, you can improve your reputation and credibility, distinguishing your trade business from competitors.

Check out how BrightServ showcases reviews on their website to help build trust and read our article on

how to get reviews for tradespeople

for more info.

Open communication is key to building strong relationships with customers. ServCraft boosts seamless communication with customers through features like automated appointment confirmations, status updates, and post-service follow-ups.

Keeping customers informed at every stage of the service process shows that you’re reliable and attentive, building trust and satisfaction among customers.

Finally, differentiate your business by offering a unique value proposition that resonates with your target audience.

By using a tool like ServCraft you can set yourself apart from your competitors by offering consistent service delivery through tools like job cards, customisable forms, and real-time visibility into job progress.

It also helps you prioritise customer satisfaction through automated notifications and feedback requests while making payments a breeze payment processes with on-site invoicing and electronic approvals, helping you to stand out with exceptional service.

Sign up for a

free 14-day trial of ServCraft

to see how it can help your business stand out.

Understanding your competitors and knowing how to stand out is essential for tradespeople looking to succeed and grow their business.

By recognising your competition, understanding your customer’s options, and putting these strategies in place, you can attract and retain customers while building a reputable and successful business.