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How do I improve my electrician business?

Electrician's circuitboard full of colourful wires and tools surrounding it.

If you work as an electrician, chances are you’ll be operating in a highly competitive industry. Finding ways to improve your business is key to help you stand out from your rivals. Here are some useful tips to take on board.

Get online

If you don’t have a website for your electrical business yet, then now is the time to get one. Studies show that 97% of consumers search for local services online, so having a website helps you to stay on top of your game.

There are many factors that go into having a site that pops, such as your domain name. You’ll want this to be something that reflects what you do. For example, if you’re a 24-hour emergency electrician why not make that your domain name? You can add your city or towns name in there too. You’ll also want to have a website that is sleek and easy to navigate, so your potential customers can find exactly what they’re looking for. Here at Go Sitebuilder, we can help you achieve that!

Make your business visible

In a saturated market, it’s important that your electrical business is as visible as possible, so look for ways to promote your services. With most people searching online for an electrician, boosting your search engine ranking is an effective strategy (just like having a domain name).

Focus on getting your name on local search listings, since most people who require an electrician look for somebody near to where they live or work. Add your business name, address and website URL to local online search directories and Google Maps, so that your business pops up more often when people search for an electrician.

When you’re creating content on your website and all of its pages, incorporate local keywords into the copy to help you rank higher on listings. If you’re located in Bristol (just like us) make sure you include the word Bristol on your pages.

Boost credibility

Most people employing the services of an electrician prioritise finding someone who is reliable and professional. Use your website to boost your credibility so that viewers can see that you’re a trusted source.

One of the best ways to do this is to let satisfied customers sing your praises. Include a testimonials section on your website and add recent glowing reviews that can help win the approval of potential customers.

You can also let others know you’re a reputable electrician by including details of any relevant industry groups or trade associations that you’re a member of.

Case studies

As well as detailing the individual services that you provide, consider adding a section to your website that showcases examples of previous jobs undertaken. This can help to bring your services to life and further reinforce your credentials. Include images of the jobs, and detail what the particular issue or problem was, along with how you solved it.

Easy contact

Many electricians lose potential business by being too slow to reply to customers or to provide a quote, so make sure that you respond to queries with speed and efficiency! Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by providing clear contact details on your website. You might even wish to include a form on your web page that customers can easily fill out to contact you, or even to obtain a free, instant quote.

Make it easy for new customers to find and contact you with a website. If you haven’t got online yet, or your existing website isn’t working for you, check out our free 14-day trial with Go Sitebuilder. Sign up today and start building the website that will make your business a success. You won’t need to hire an expert and you won’t need any previous website building knowledge – you can even start building it straight from your mobile phone!

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How much does it cost to start your own electrical business?

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If you’re a qualified electrician who is looking for their next challenge, or you believe you can earn a better income by starting your own electrical business, understanding the costs associated with starting your own company is an important task to carry out before taking the plunge. From buying the rights to your business name to considering your business expenses, there is a lot to think about when starting up, but we’re here to give you a hand!

So, how much does it cost to start an electrical business? This depends on a number of factors:

1. Your personal finances

Starting up an electrical business can cost you some money – but it will be worth it! You’ll need to work out your current finances and determine what you’ll be spending at the beginning to get your feet off of the ground. Start small and keep investing in your business over time, or you could chuck in a lump sum to cover most things right at the start – it’s up to you! In 2016, Moneywise found that the cost of starting a utility business was approximately £17,962, but don’t let that scare you away. Starting your own business is an extremely personal experience. If you’re good at what you do and have the tools on hand, you can start your business with whatever works for you. You might already own some of the tools or know the right people who can help you get started.

2. Your location

It’s important to note that the costs associated with starting an electrical business will vary based on your location. For example, the same Moneywise report found that Manchester was the most expensive place to start a business, with average costs of £44,733, while Newcastle was the cheapest, at £17,008. A number of factors come into play here, including the cost of renting or buying property (which you may or may not need). Your location can also affect the prices you charge your clients.

3. Your potential overheads

There are a number of business expenses to consider when starting your own business, including:

  • Rent
  • Transport
  • Insurance
  • Bookkeeping
  • Tools and equipment
  • Marketing & website design
  • Employees (if you have any)

Some new companies tend to use their home or van as a business location instead of renting a separate space, and this can help you cut down costs! Whether you choose to rent a space from a landlord or to do it a bit DIY – this will have some expenses involved with it as well, so it’s a good thing to keep in mind.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to be marketed to head off on the road to success. While social media and word of mouth will be important here, you also need to ensure you have a high-quality website that can help you get listed on Google. Your online presence is a place to be yourself and share with your customers. So, make sure you keep everything up to date and share all of your important content here such as hours of operation, photos of your work, contact details and maybe even some blogs!

This list isn’t exhaustive, but learning about the basic costs can help you get started with your new business. We know that taking the plunge into a new business is thrilling and sometimes a little bit scary. We’re here to help you tick one thing off your list: a website. Go Sitebuilder has been designed with busy small businesses in mind. Get started with a 14-day free trial and see just how easy it is to build a professional website all by yourself – no credit card or expert skills required!