Three More Ways to Use Construction Data Reports

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Readers who are already subscribers to HBW know the value of Construction Data Reports; the reports provide comprehensive data, covering all permits for new residential and commercial construction, as well as renovations valued greater than $25k.

Having access to the latest and greatest construction permit data offers subscribers construction leads that can be filtered to target construction project type, location, construction value and more.  And while the first and most obvious way to use such reports would be to gain access to the latest leads for your sales team, there is also much more to be acquired from construction data reports.

Here is a list of three more ways to use HBW’s Construction Data Reports to benefit your business:

  • Market Patterns – By using HBW construction data reports to monitor trends and patterns in certain markets, you can identify areas where your services may be in high demand, as well as chart seasonal fluctuations, average construction value, and more.  This type of information is vital for a growing business to know the latest about its geographic target area and where the greatest potential for new projects exists.
  • Competition Statistics – Staying on top and ahead of the competition is valuable for any construction business, and builder summary reports by HBW provide subscribers insight into the competition’s latest construction activity. This type of information is not only important for knowing what the competition is doing and where, but it also allows for you to know what your customers may be seeing and hearing in their service area. From the number of permits a competitor may have for a given period or area to the average value of their projects, builder summaries strengthen your understanding of the competition.
  • Historical Data – HBW offers a wealth of archived permit data on construction projects going back more than twenty years. In addition to being useful for understanding patterns and trends in construction over time, this type of information can be used for gaining access to the history of properties, enabling you to identify homes, commercial properties and pools that may be in need of your services.

While the weekly reports serve as a solid source for new construction leads, they can offer so much more.  And with access to the online database, subscribers can go beyond reports and search specific records.  From filtering by field to searching for a particular permit number, builder or physical address, you can pinpoint the information you need for any given permit or project.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Top Spots for Swimming Pools

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HBW metro areas that ranked as the top ten in a recent swimming pool value report by Redfin

Every week, HBW updates its database with the latest information on new swimming pool construction (and other types of construction) in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas; and every month, HBW reviews and reports on the permit data to identify where new construction is booming (and shrinking) in the various territories covered.

The figures for new swimming pool construction for the month of March will be coming in the next couple of weeks (check previous blog posts for February), but until then, we turn our focus to the latest report from Redfin which listed the top areas for swimming pool construction based on the value of a pool, ranked by average premium per square foot.  To get to this figure, Redfin calculated the value of private pool construction as a premium to a home’s sale price (per square foot).  The ranking is limited to metro areas that have a minimum of 5,000 homes sold in 2018 and where at least 2% of the homes sold had swimming pools.

The results reflected some of the areas covered by HBW as top places where swimming pools added significant value to a residential property.  While Los Angeles ranked #1 for having homes with pools selling for nearly $100k more than comparable homes without pools, various metro areas in Texas, Florida and Georgia also topped the list.  Here is look at where some of the metro areas covered by HBW ranked within the top ten of Redfin’s report:

Austin, Texas

Just behind Los Angeles, Austin took the #2 spot for swimming pool value.  In Austin, pools were reported to add more than $50k ($52,228.18) to a typical home’s value, and the average pool premium came in at $28.67 per square foot.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Another HBW area that made the top of the list for places where pools add a high premium is sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Located in the southeastern region of the Sunshine State, Fort Lauderdale ranked #5 as swimming pools added nearly $37,000 to the value of a home.  The average pool premium in the area was listed at $19.57 per square foot, and 45.6% of homes sold in 2018 had a swimming pool.

Tampa, Florida

The next metro area in Florida that made the top ten on the report is Tampa.  Coming in at #8, a pool in Tampa reportedly added a value of $29,611.08 to a median-priced home.  The average pool premium was listed as $17.21 per square foot, and in 2018, nearly 30% of homes sold had a pool.

Houston, Texas

The other Texas metro area that made the top ten of the list is Houston.  In Houston, a pool reportedly added $35,736.25 to the value of a median-priced home.  The average pool premium per square foot was $16.42, and out of the homes sold in 2018, nearly 17% had swimming pools.

To learn more about the latest swimming pool permit data in Texas and Florida, keep an eye on the HBW Blog.  To gain information on the builders, homeowners and permits for new residential and commercial construction activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports.

Is Your Social Media Marketing a Success?

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Three easy ways to measure your social media marketing efforts

Anyone can try their hand at social media marketing, but how do you know if it has been a success? From the variety of networks to the ever-changing focus on content and analytics, it can be intimidating for most construction business owners, leaving them scratching their heads and wondering why they need to expend so much energy and time on it in the first place.

Some business owners simply want to have a “presence” on social media, and that works for the purpose of making yourself searchable and offering another line of communication, but some marketers want more in-depth information about how that presence is ultimately making a difference in attracting and converting visitors.  While tracking your progress in social media isn’t everything, it is important, and there are numerous ways to gauge and engage your audience. To help you get started, here are a few focus areas and performance-based metrics that can help you determine what is and is not working in your social marketing efforts.

  1. Tracking Content – By tracking content metrics, you have the ability to identify patterns. What percentage of your posts are videos, images, links or text, and what has been the most well-received?  You will also want to determine how much of your content is original and originates from you versus how much is cross-promotion and shares.  For example, testimonials, industry charts and graphs, outside publications and articles are all shared content that isn’t original from your company but can help in connecting you to your industry and highlighting your knowledge of current trends and news.
  2. Tracking Time – If you have ever started an email marketing campaign, you know the importance of time. There are certain days and timeframes where the probability of an “open” or “click” is at the highest point.  The same goes for social media posts.  By taking the time to track “time” you can gain a better understanding of the times of day you most often post to social media and when you are experiencing the highest levels of audience engagement.  If you haven’t been able to determine a pattern yet, start testing by posting at different times to see if your engagement spikes or deflates.
  3. Tracking Engagement – Audience engagement can be tricky. For example, you may find that you have great interaction by posting certain content on one network but completely flatline with the same content on a different network.  This isn’t uncommon and usually worth looking into in order to ensure that you are still engaging the “right” audience.  To simplify the process and focus, the main areas for engagement metrics include:
    1. Number of retweets, shares, etc.
    2. Total number of comments
    3. Amount of link “clicks”
    4. Number and quality of “mentions”
    5. Number of authentic DMs and messages

The list goes on when it comes to ways to measure your company and brand’s success in social media, but if you don’t have anything in place, tracking time, content and engagement is a good place to start.  Tracking metrics is a process, and results aren’t apparent overnight.  The longer you monitor progress, the better you will get at recognizing patterns and developing new content that resonates with your target audience.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

OSHA Provides Fall Protection Resources

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There is a reason why fall protection is a hot topic when discussing safety in the workplace; it’s simple – falls remain the leading cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry. With Fall Protection being the #1 most cited OSHA standard, it is important to have not only the proper fall protection equipment, but the proper training; as an employer, it is your duty to be proactive and set up the workplace to prevent employees from falls and injuries.

For this reason, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a variety of compliance assistance resources to raise awareness of common fall hazards in construction, educate employers and workers on fall prevention, and reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities. According to an OSHA News Release published in January 2019, the resources available include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • The sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction – This annual event is scheduled to take place May 6-10, 2019. A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”.
  • A series of fall safety videos show how to prevent construction-related fall hazards from floor openings, skylights, fixed scaffolds, bridge decking, reroofing, and leading edge work. The videos review how quickly workers can be injured or killed on the job and are intended to assist those in the industry to identify, reduce, and eliminate construction-related hazards. Most of the videos range from two to four minutes in duration and are presented in clear, easily accessible vocabulary, and show common construction workplace activities.
  • OSHA’s Fall Prevention Training Guide provides a lesson plan for employers including fact sheets, posters and several Toolbox Talks. The training guide will help you plan how to prevent injuries and fatalities from falls among your crews, as well as provide training for your workers.
  • Fact sheets on ladders and scaffolding provide guidance on the safe use of these types of equipment while performing construction activities.
  • A brief video, 5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls, encourages employers to develop a fall prevention plan and to provide workers with fall protection and training.

For more information on OSHA’s Compliance Assistance Resources for Fall Protection, visit their latest news release and visit OSHA’s Fall Prevention webpage.

To receive the latest updates on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To gain access to the latest reports on construction permit data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW.

Florida Swimming Pool Construction Update – February 2019  

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An HBW Report on the latest permitting activity for new swimming pool construction in Florida during the month of February 2019

Based on HBW’s latest construction permit reports, there were 1,645 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of approximately $77 million in Florida last month.  The Southwest ranked #1 for total new permits (404 permits) on file with HBW for the one-month period, and the average value of new pool construction statewide ranged from as low as $44k (Southeast) to as high as $55.5k (Jacksonville).

Here is a closer look at new swimming pool permits and leading pool builders in Florida for the month of February 2019:

Southwest

In the southwestern portion of Florida, there were just over 400 new pool permits with a total construction value of nearly $18 million added to the HBW database for the month of February.  The average value of new pool construction ran close to $44.5k, and more than half of all new permits originated from the counties of Collier (142 permits) and Lee (124 permits).

Out of the approximately 90 active builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits in the area:

Builder Total Permits
Aragon Pools & Spas 58
Coast to Coast Pools 30
Pinnacle USA 26
Aquadoc 24
Serenity Pool & Spa 23

 

Tampa

Last month, Tampa ranked second for new pool construction, having just over 370 new permits with a total construction value in excess of $18 million.  The average value of new pool construction was $48,765, and the county with the greatest concentration of new permits was Hillsborough (135 permits).

Out of the approximately 110 active pool builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file:

Builder Total Permits
Dreamscapes Pools & Spas 31
Olympus Pools 29
Challenger Pools 26
Tampa Bay Pools 18
Gulfstream Pools & Spas 16

 

Orlando

In Orlando, there were approximately 360 swimming pool starts with a total construction value in excess of $16.2 million last month.  The average value of new construction was $45,050, and the county with the highest concentration of new construction activity was Orange (113 permits).

Out of the more than 80 pool builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
Bobs Pool Service 63
Dreamscapes Pools & Spas 24
Atlas Pools of Central Florida 18
All Seasons 18
Myrick Pools 16

 

Southeast

In the southeastern region of Florida there were nearly 330 new swimming pool permits with a total construction value of approximately $14.5 million added to the HBW database last month.  The average value of new construction was close to $44k, and the county with the highest concentration of new pool construction activity was Palm Beach County (104 permits).

Out of the more than 120 active pool builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
A&G Concrete Pools 20
Treasure Pools & Service 19
Pools by Greg 14
Louden Bonded Pools 13
RHR Pools 11

 

Jacksonville

Last month, there were 180 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $10 million in the Jacksonville area.  The average value of new pool construction landed on the higher end of the spectrum in comparison to other regions (average value: $55,520), and the counties with the greatest amount of new permitting activity included St. Johns (67 permits) and Duval (44 permits).

Out of the nearly 65 active pool builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file:

Builder Total Permits
Island Pools 12
Superior Design Pools 11
Blue Haven Pools 10
Crystal Pools & Spas 10
Watson Outdoor Services 9

 

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Florida Top Home Builders – February 2019

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An HBW report on the top builders for total new residential construction permits on file during the month of February 2019

When it comes to new home construction in Florida, the top builders are consistent to say the least… While the leaderboard may fluctuate month-to-month, there are two major players in the industry: Lennar Homes and D.R. Horton.  Across the state, and in all regions reviewed, both mega-builders ranked as the top two contractors for housing starts last month.

Throughout the Sunshine State there were approximately 5,540 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database last month, reflecting a 3% month-over-month increase in new residential construction.  Here is a closer look at the construction permit data reports and the leading builders in Florida (Southeast, Southwest, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville) during the month of February 2019:

Tampa

Tampa ranked #1 for total housing starts last month, having approximately 1,440 new permits on file with HBW.  The average value of new home construction was $280,433, and the counties with the bulk of new residential construction activity included Hillsborough (478 permits) and Polk (397 permits).

Out of the nearly 205 active builders in the Tampa area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new residential construction permits:

Builder Total Permits
Lennar Homes 322
D.R. Horton 200
The Villages of Lake Sumter 121
M/I Homes 39
Taylor Morrison 35

 

Orlando

In Orlando, there were more than 1,240 housing starts last month.  The average value of new construction in the Orlando area was highest in comparison to other regions reviewed (average value: $316,854), and Orange County held the greatest concentration of new residential construction activity (534 permits).

Out of the more than 180 active home builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 190
Lennar Homes 159
Minto Builders 72
Meritage Homes 65
M/I Homes 49

 

Southwest Florida

Not far behind Orlando, the southwest region of Florida ranked #3 for total housing starts, having 1,145 new residential construction permits on file last month.  The average value of new home construction was $250,321, and the counties with the greatest concentration of new permits included Lee (280 permits) and Collier (273 permits).

Out of the approximately 220 active home builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new residential construction permits in the area:

Builder Total Permits
Lennar Homes 197
D.R. Horton 131
Pulte Homes 121
Neal Communities of SW FL 79
Taylor Morrison 36

 

Jacksonville

Last month, there were nearly 960 housing starts in the Jacksonville area.  The average value of new construction was $232,260, and the counties with the highest concentration of new permits were St. Johns (367 permits) and Duval (296 permits).

Out of the 142 active builders on file for the month, the following ranked as the top five for total new residential construction permits:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 165
Lennar Homes 151
Dream Finders Home 101
American Classic Homes 54
KB Homes 46

 

Southeast Florida

While the Southeast (756 permits) held the fewest new residential construction permits for the month of February, the area continued to hold a high value of new construction (average value: $291,886).  More than half of all new construction permits originated from two counties at the northern point of region: St. Lucie (288 permits) and Indian River (145 permits).

Out of the 145+ active home builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file with HBW:

Builder Total Permits
D.R. Horton 131
Lennar Homes 123
GL Building Corp 40
Synergy Homes 32
Pulte Homes 23

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Tip for Improving B2B Marketing

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A look at some ways to improve communication and marketing business-to-business

Whether you are in new construction, renovations or landscaping, you probably have a clear picture of your target audience.  Your typical customer probably lives within a few defined areas and is seeking one or a two of your most popular products or services.  Having a clear understanding of your client is essential in crafting a marketing strategy that speaks to their interests and needs.  And while marketing to the individual may be easier for you, business-to-business marketing should not be overlooked.

When creating a B2B marketing strategy, it tends to be a bit more of a challenge to visualize the end-user.  For this reason, our marketing and communications can become stale and lackluster, all in attempt to speak to a general audience and cast a wide B2B net.  The truth is that a business has just as many personal goals and needs as an individual, perhaps just framed and presented differently.  Think about it…. Just as an individual, a business has a budget, vision and goals for their property; it is comprised of individuals who have an end goal for their project and are trying to find the right solution for their construction needs.  For this reason, it is important to get to know the person or people who are seeking your expertise – Get to know them, their concerns and how you can help them reach their goals.

Here are three easy tips for improving your B2B communications and marketing:

  1. Speak Many Languages – Perhaps you have a go-to brochure, flyer or web page that has been the staple to your marketing strategy for years – That’s great, but you should change with the times and speak to your audience in several “languages”. In other words, not every format works for every customer.  For this reason, make sure you change up the formats in which you are communicating to your audience.  From blogs and social posts to infographics, videos and webinars, there are many formats available for conveying the same message.  Get to know the businesses you are targeting to understand what format “speaks” to them.  Keep in mind, there will definitely be more than one.
  2. Network – If you have ever attended B2B events, expos or meetings, you have probably had your fair share of let downs. Not every networking event or experience is going to lead to a closed deal, but that shouldn’t deter you from continuing to put yourself out there.  Keeping your brand visible to business clients is just as important as staying relevant to the consumer.  In addition to networking events, you can’t ignore the importance of social networks geared to businesses.  For example, LinkedIn is the largest business network in the world, and 94% of B2B marketers use LinkedIn to share content.  Make sure to create a company page and make the most of targeted advertising, blogs and groups where you can connect with other businesses.
  3. Focus on Results – Unlike your consumer, businesses aren’t looking for the shiny object; they are looking for results and outcomes. In order to market and sell to a business, you must present information on how you are going to improve their operations and offer bottom-line business results.  How will you save them time, energy and money with your design or addition?  How will your product/service make an impact, and how will it be better than the competition?  By staying focused on results, you can more directly communicate how you can help your business client achieve their overall vision and goals.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.

Texas Top Pool Builders – February 2019

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An HBW report on the top pool builders in Texas during the month of February 2019

Every month, HBW reports on the latest construction data on file for subscribers.  From residential permits in Texas to new swimming pool construction in Florida, HBW construction data can be used to find targeted leads at any stage in the construction process.

When reviewing Texas, four major regions are reviewed (Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio), and when it comes to pool construction, the leading companies vary widely depending on the metro area.  Out of the more than 675 new swimming pool permits on file in Texas for the month, the greatest amount of new construction could be found in Dallas, and the highest average value of new swimming pool construction took place in Austin.

In order to gain a better understanding of the construction statistics and leading builders in Texas last month, here is a closer look at the figures and top pool builders by area:

Dallas

Last month, Dallas ranked #1 for total new swimming pool permits on file – In Dallas, there were nearly 320 swimming pool starts with a total construction value of nearly $16.4 million last month.  The average value of new pool construction was $51,719, and the county with the highest concentration of new permits was Dallas County (87 permits).

Out of the 126 active pool builders on file in the area, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits last month:

Builder Total Permits
Riverbend Pools 24
Claffey Pools 16
Gold Medal Pools 12
Hobert Pools 11
Robertson Pools 11

 

Houston

In Houston, there were just over 200 swimming pool starts last month with a total construction value of nearly $12.2 million.  The average value of new construction was on the higher end of the spectrum (average value: $60,033), and the county with the greatest concentration of pool starts was Harris County (82 permits).

Out of the approximately 80 active pool builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits on file:

Builder Total Permits
Anthony & Sylvan Pools 20
Preferred Pools 10
C3 Building Solutions 8
Platinum Pools 7
Premier Pools 6

 

Austin

In Austin, there were 106 swimming pool permits with a total construction value of nearly $7.2 million on file last month.  The average value of new pool construction was highest in Austin (average value: $67,690), and well over half of all new permits originated from Travis County (66 permits).

Out of the 66 active pool builders on file last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits:

Builder Total Permits
Cody Pools 13
Texas Pools & Patios 7
Premier Pools & Spas of Austin 6
Anthony & Sylvan Pools 6
Preferred Pools 4

 

San Antonio:

Last month, there were 50 swimming pool starts in San Antonio with a total construction value in excess of $2.5 million.  The average value of new pool construction was $50,394, and nearly all new construction activity took place in Bexar County (46 permits).

Out of the 22 active builders in the area last month, the following ranked as the top five for total new permits for the one-month period:

Builder Total Permits
Keith Zars Pools 12
Cody Pools 5
Pool Concepts by Pete Ordaz 5
Gary Pools 4
Aquamarine Pools of Texas 3

 

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Texas Residential Construction Report – February 2019

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An HBW review of new residential construction permits on file in Texas for the month of February 2019

Last month, there were approximately 5,070 new residential construction permits added to the HBW database for Texas, reflecting a month-over-month decrease in new residential construction of nearly 3%.  Out of the four major metro areas reviewed (Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio), Houston ranked #1 for total new permits (2,111 permits), while Dallas continued to hold the highest average construction value ($311,820).

The metro area that experienced monthly gains in new construction include San Antonio with a 30% month-over-month increase in new permits, and Austin with a 2% month-over-month increase in permits.  As per usual, when it comes to home builders, D.R. Horton ranked high on the charts and listed as the top builder for total housing starts in three out of four areas reviewed.  Here is a closer look at the latest figures for new residential construction permits in Texas last month:

Houston

Total Permits: 2,111 permits (↓5% month-over-month decrease)

Total Construction Value: $425+ million

Average Value of Construction: $201,371

Top County for Total Permits: Harris County (1,018 permits)

Top Builder for Total Permits: D.R. Horton (385 permits)

 

Dallas

Total Permits: 1,649 (↓8% month-over-month decrease)

Total Construction Value: $514+ million

Average Value of Construction: $ 311,820 (ranked #1 for highest average value of construction)

Top County for Total Permits: Tarrant County (509 permits)

Top Builder for Total Permits: D.R. Horton (268 permits)

 

Austin

Total Permits: 832 permits (↑2% month-over-month increase)

Total Construction Value: $203+ million

Average Value of Construction: $ 244,098

Top County for Total Permits: Travis County (558 permits)

Top Builder for Total Permits: D.R. Horton (167 permits)

 

San Antonio

Total Permits: 477 (↑30% month-over-month increase)

Total Construction Value: $95.5 million

Average Value of Construction: $200,136 (lowest average value)

Top County for Total Permits: Bexar County (352 permits)

Top Builder for Total Permits: Continental Homes of Texas (69 permits)

To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.

Take Five: A Quick Tip Marketing Fix

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A couple of months have passed since we posted some fresh new marketing tips for 2019.  Since the last post: “Upgrade Your Online Marketing in 2019”, we have come up with a few more tips for HBW subscribers that are sure to keep your brand visible and in front of your target audience.  Here are a few more must-haves and refreshers to keep your online marketing momentum going:

  1. Get Mapped – While your contact page and social media profiles probably have your address listed on a visible map, you want to make sure that you are present on “Maps”. When consumers are looking for your business on the go, they often go to apps like Google and Apple “Maps”.  By claiming your local listing and ensuring that the information (address, phone number) is current and accurate, you will be secure in knowing that customers can easily locate you.
  2. Claim Your Google+ Page– Claiming and optimizing a Google+ Local page is vital for your business to show up in Google Maps and Google’s local search results. Additionally, this is where users will be able to view important information such as your hours and contact details, as well as list ratings and reviews.  It is important that after you claim your page, you manage it (and the ratings) as well.
  3. Play the Backlinks – High-quality links to your website, landing pages and social profiles are important, especially those that you develop through and with partners and third-parties. Backlinks, such as those from influencers, are great for building your online identity and credibility. Along with expanding your presence and positive reputation, they signal search engines that your online profiles and pages are credible and can lead to higher ranking of your website and related links.
  4. Start Yelping – Yelp isn’t just for disgruntled workers or dissatisfied customers (not that you have either) to post subpar reviews; it can actually serve as a great hub for hosting information about your business. Yelp can house information including your operating hours and industry to preferred payment methods and positive reviews. A good place to start is to see what may already be on there for your business.  Once you have your business listed, it can serve as a solid way for consumers to find you, as well as a place to send happy customers to post a review.
  5. Start Blogging – You don’t need to be a published author to blog about your own business. We are not talking about writing a novel; short summaries of current projects, industry expos attended or new team members can easily be posted on a blog to reflect important business activity and updates.  By maintaining a blog with one or two stories per month (minimum), you can boost your site’s SEO, and from the content end you can showcase your expertise and industry knowledge.  Blogs can make companies relatable, as well as build their reputation.  Just remember to have a system in place for proofreading and approval prior to publishing; this is especially important if you have more than one blogger on board.

Your business and its online presence provide a “first impression” experience with every new hit or visitor.  For this reason, it is important to give time to review websites and profiles and make some quick fixes that can strengthen your marketing efforts and your authority online.

For more information on construction business and marketing tips, stay connected with the HBW Blog.  To get ahead of construction activity and gain access to the latest permitting data in Florida, Texas, Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, contact HBW for more information on construction data reports and industry leads.