Not too long ago, electricians would advertise their services in newspapers or on flyers or rely on word of mouth. While these methods can still work, they have limits.
Think about how often you search online to find a business or service. This is why digital marketing is so important.
In this article, we’ll unpack the building blocks of digital marketing. We’ll explore content creation and paid advertising.
Finally, we’ll share four tips you can use to start building a digital marketing plan. Let’s jump into it.
Why Is Digital Marketing Important for Electricians?
Traditional marketing alone isn’t enough anymore. But that doesn’t mean you should forget marketing altogether.
Marketing helps more people learn about and remember your business. It helps you attract new customers and retain existing ones.
The solution: digital marketing for electricians.
Two-thirds of marketers agree that digital advertising achieves better results than traditional approaches.
Being online gives you the chance to be seen by many people in your area.
If you have a strong online presence, customers can find you easily. This means they can learn about your services, see your work, read reviews, and contact you—all with a few clicks.
In short, digital marketing is crucial for electricians because it:
- Reaches more people than traditional marketing
- Connects you with customers exactly when they need your services
- Builds trust with potential customers through reviews and a professional online image
- Allows you to measure and optimize your marketing to maximize your return on investment (ROI)
So, to stay competitive and grow your business, being online isn’t just an option. It’s an absolute must.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Grow a Small Electrical Business
Digital Marketing Building Blocks
To grow your electrician business, you need to be online.
Here are the building blocks of your successful digital marketing strategy:
Create a Digital Marketing Plan.
A digital marketing plan is like a roadmap. It outlines where you want to go and how you plan to get there.
For electricians, this helps you decide who you want to reach and the best ways to reach them online.
Without a plan, you might waste time and money on things that don’t work. A good plan keeps you focused and helps you get the most out of every dollar.
Get started now:
- Set clear goals. Decide what you want to achieve. Do you want more calls? More people visiting your website? Write down your goals.
- Know your audience. Think about who needs your services. Are they homeowners? Businesses? Knowing this helps you tailor your message.
- Choose your strategies. Will you use social media, search engines, or email? Pick the methods that will best reach your audience.
Build a Professional Website.
A professional website makes a good first impression. It’s the representation of your business on the internet.
It’s also the center of your digital marketing. All your online marketing efforts will point people to your website.
Get started now:
- Decide to DIY or get professional help. Think about whether you have the time and skills to build a website yourself.
- Plan your site’s structure (site map). Before you start building, plan what pages you need. Most electrician websites need a home page, services page, about us page, and contact page.
- Think about your brand identity. Your website should reflect your business’s brand identity. This includes your domain name, logo, colors, and the tone of the text.
Get on Social Media.
Social media is where people chat, share, and look for recommendations—including for electricians.
Being on social media helps you show off your work, share customer reviews, and connect with potential and existing customers. It makes your business feel more personal and trustworthy.
Get started now:
- Choose the right platforms. You don’t need to be everywhere. Start with one or two platforms where your customers spend their time, like Facebook or Instagram.
- Post regularly. Keep your profile active. Share photos, customer testimonials, and tips about electrical safety or saving energy.
- Engage with your audience. When people comment, always reply. This shows you’re attentive and care about your customers.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: How to Use Social Media the Right Way for Small Businesses
Use Local SEO Strategies.
SEO, or search engine optimization, helps your website appear when people search for electricians in your area.
Most people look online to find local services. If your website appears at the top of search results, more people will likely call you for their electrical needs.
Get started now:
- Choose keywords wisely. Include words on your website that people might use to search for an electrician, like “electrician in [Your City].”
- Claim your Google Business Profile. This free listing ensures your business appears on Google Maps and in search results, making it easier for locals to find you.
- Collect reviews. Ask your happy customers to leave reviews on Google. More positive reviews can improve your search ranking and convince others to hire you.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: A Guide to Local SEO for Small Business Owners (No Technical Skill Needed!)
Grow an Email List.
An email list is a group of customers and potential customers who have said it’s okay to send them news and updates.
Email lets you keep in touch with people interested in your services.
You can send them special offers, news about your business, and tips. This keeps your business on their mind.
Get started now:
- Create a sign-up form. Add a form to your website where visitors can sign up to receive your emails.
- Offer something in return. Give people a reason to sign up, like a discount on their next service call or a free guide to electrical safety.
- Send interesting emails. Don’t just talk about your business. Share useful tips, like how to lower electric bills or when to call an electrician. Interesting content adds value and keeps people reading.
Content Creation for Electricians
Building your online presence starts with great content.
If you’re an electrician, share your expertise through blog posts, videos, and infographics. These types of content not only attract more people to your site but also show you’re an expert in your field.
Why Optimize Content for Search Engines?
Creating exceptional content is just the beginning. You need people to see it.
Optimizing content for search engines means making sure your articles or videos are easy for Google to understand and show to people looking for electrician services.
This helps more people find your website when searching for help with their electrical problems.
If done right, your website appears higher in search results, attracting more visitors. More visitors can lead to more customers.
Here are some best practices to follow:
- Use keywords. Include words in your content that people use to find electrician services and information, like “how to fix a light switch” or “best electrician in [Your City].”
- Make it readable. Use headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points so people and search engines can easily read your content.
- Add links. Include links to other pages on your website or to reputable sources. This helps search engines see your site as helpful and trustworthy.
Encourage Visitors to Take Action.
A call-to-action (CTA) is a signpost that tells your website visitors what to do next.
CTAs prompt people to take action, like calling your business, signing up for your newsletter, or requesting a service quote.
You can put CTAs at the end of a blog post, in your videos, or on your homepage or social media posts.
Here are some tips with examples so you can see the impact of a compelling CTA:
Be clear and direct. Tell your readers exactly what you want them to do.
- Before: “Interested?”
- After: “Call us now for a free safety inspection.”
Use action words. Start your CTA with a verb to get people moving.
- Before: “Our newsletter has more tips.”
- After: “Subscribe to our newsletter for more electrical safety tips!”
Make it stand out. Use buttons or bold text to make your CTA easy to see.
- Before: Hidden at the bottom of a page, “Contact us.”
- After: A big, bright button that says, “Get Your Free Quote Today!”
Paid Digital Advertising for Electricians
Paid digital advertising means paying to get your electrician business seen online.
It’s different from organic methods, where you attract visitors without paying, like through search engine results or social media followers.
Paid advertising can get your business in front of more people quickly.
Here are a few avenues and methods you need to know about:
Google Ads
Google Ads lets you show your ads to people searching for electricians on Google.
You create an ad and choose keywords related to your services, like “electrician in [Your City].” When people search those keywords, Google might show your ad. You pay only when someone clicks on it, also known as pay-per-click.
Social Media Ads
Paid ads on social media platforms let you show your services to users based on their interests and behavior. In 2024, money spent on social media ads is expected to hit $219.8 billion.
Social media ads can be more visual than Google Ads. You can include images and videos. They also allow interactions. People can like, comment, and share, increasing your reach.
Targeting Local Audiences
Whichever paid digital advertising platform you choose, you’ll want to target people in your area.
Local targeting ensures your ads are shown to people who can actually hire you.
Monitoring and Assessing Ad Performance
Knowing if your ads work is important.
Monitoring lets you see which ads bring calls or emails and which don’t. This way, you can spend more on what works and less on what doesn’t.
Use tools like Google Analytics for your website and the analytics provided by social media platforms.
Look at the number of clicks, how many people saw your ad, and the actions taken.
FROM ONE OF OUR PARTNERS: 7 Essential Features of Electrical Contractor Estimating Software
4 Tips for Building a Digital Marketing Plan for Electricians
Here are four tips to help you get started:
- Decide on the most important channels. Not all digital platforms are the same. Choose where your potential customers spend their time.
- Choose between paid, organic, or both. Decide if you want to pay for ads, use free posts and SEO, or combine both methods.
- Set SMART goals. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, “Gain 30 new clients from online leads this quarter.”
- Define your audience. Know who needs your services. Understanding your audience helps you create messages addressing their needs and concerns.
