Solved: How to get more clients for home building business?

Hi there,

Thanks for getting in touch! I'm happy to give you some initial thoughts and guidance on how to help your dad's custom home building business. It sounds like you're in a tricky spot, but with the right approach, I'm confident you can get things moving in the right direction.

First off, it's great that you're stepping in to help. Many family businesses end up with this kind of plateu and it's great to see you trying to solve it. It can be a challenging market to navigate, but your efforts will pay off.

Let's break down a few key areas you should be focusing on. I'd like to cover ads, Google ads specifically, and also some advice on meeting with realtors and some other small things.

We'll need to look at Google Ads...

When it comes to getting new clients quickly, I'd say your best bet is Google Ads. It lets you target potential customers who are actively searching for custom home builders. But the trick is to make sure you're targeting the *right* keywords. You need to think about what people are actually typing into Google when they're looking for a builder.

Broad keywords like "home builder" are going to be too expensive and won't bring in qualified leads. You want to get specific. Think about keywords like:

• "Luxury home builders near me"
• "Custom home design [city]"
• "High-end home construction [area]"
• "Modern custom home builders [county]"

The more specific you are, the better you'll be able to target the right people and the lower your cost per lead will be. I remember working with a software company, and by refining their Google Ads keywords, we managed to acquire 3,543 new users at a cost of just £0.96 per user.

Also, make sure your ad copy is compelling. It needs to speak directly to the people you're trying to reach and highlight what makes your dad's business special. What sort of homes does he specialise in? Is it ultra-modern? Farm houses? Is he cheap or very expensive? Highlight that, and make it really persuasive to click the ad.

It's essential that your website and landing pages are up to scratch, too. If someone clicks on your ad and lands on a clunky, outdated website, they're going to bounce straight away. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and showcases your dad's best work with high-quality photos.

I'd say you should connect with realtors...

Another great way to get more clients is to build relationships with realtors in your area. They're often the first point of contact for people who are looking to build a custom home, so if you can get them on board, they can send a steady stream of leads your way.

Start by identifying the top realtors in your area who work with high-end clients. Then, reach out to them and see if you can set up a meeting. Bring along a portfolio of your dad's best work and be prepared to answer any questions they might have. Tbh it is much like selling, you just need to be friendly and not pushy.

One thing that I've seen work really well is to invite realtors to tour one of your finished homes. Make it a bit of an event, with drinks and nibbles, and give them a chance to see the quality of your work firsthand. This can be a really effective way to build relationships and get them excited about referring your dad's business.

You could offer them some commission on any successful leads they bring you, to sweeten the deal. It's a common practice in the industry, and it can be a great incentive for them to send more business your way. Even if it's a small amount, it could be just enough.

You probably should be aware of SEO...

SEO (search engine optimisation) is more of a long-term strategy, but it's definitely something you should be thinking about. It involves optimising your website and online content so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords.

When someone searches for "custom home builders near me," you want your website to be one of the first results they see. The higher you rank, the more traffic you'll get to your website, and the more leads you'll generate. It's free traffic, but it can take a year to get going so don't expect it to be an instant solution.

SEO can be a complex and time-consuming process, but there are a few things you can do to get started. First, make sure your website is well-designed and easy to navigate. Then, start creating high-quality content that's relevant to your target audience. This could include blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics.

You'll also need to do some keyword research to identify the terms that people are using to search for custom home builders. Then, you can start incorporating those keywords into your website content and metadata. Think like the Google Ads strategy I explained earlier. Just be consistent and persistent, and you should see a few new organic leads.

You'll need to think about other small things...

Finally, don't neglect the smaller things that can make a big difference. Make sure your website has clear calls to action, such as "Get a Free Consultation" or "Request a Quote." Make it easy for people to get in touch with you and start the conversation.

Also, make sure you're actively managing your online reputation. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review sites. Positive reviews can go a long way in building trust and credibility.

Finally, consider using social media to showcase your dad's work and connect with potential customers. Share photos of finished homes, post updates on ongoing projects, and engage with people who are interested in custom home building.

It's all about putting yourself out there and making it easy for people to find you and learn more about your business.

I've detailed my main recommendations for you below:

I hope this has been helpful! It is a tricky task so don't be discouraged if it doesn't all work out right away.

One last thing to consider is that this is a complex task, and its important to execute it properly to make the most of your marketing. You might consider getting some help from an expert with experience in the home building industry. I've helped dozens of companies reach their target market in a variety of unique ways, and I'd love to offer you a free consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals. If you would like to book a call, send me an email.

Regards,

Team @ Lukas Holschuh