Plumbers are master multitaskers in the installation and maintenance of water, gas, and other fluid systems in homes and businesses. However, developing an effective marketing strategy requires a completely different skill set. 

So, where do you begin?

We’ve compiled a list of effective plumbing marketing ideas to help you reach more leads. From social media to customer reviews, these strategies are designed to drive results. Keep reading to see how they can work for you.

Build a Website That Turns Visitors into Customers

Even with plenty of referrals from satisfied clients, many potential customers will want to check your online presence before deciding to hire you. That’s why your company website is your most important marketing tool. 

A strong, well-designed site creates a great first impression of your business, builds trust, and sets you apart from competitors. It also ensures customers can find your business anytime, day or night. 

Here’s what it takes to create a website that drives leads:

A Focus on Functionality

Your website has the potential to be a lead-generating machine, but you need to know who is visiting it. Use Chekkit's Textchat to automatically capture contact information from your website visitors. This powerful tool helps you turn website traffic into leads and streamline follow-ups, making it easier to secure bookings.

 
User-Friendliness

There’s a lot to consider when designing your website. Yes, we all want a website that looks cool, but making it easy for potential clients to find what they are looking for should always be at the forefront. Be sure to include these elements:

• Your contact details 
• A simple menu that’s easy to navigate
• A clear list of the plumbing services you offer 
• The areas you serve 
• Social proof with reviews and testimonials
• An easy way to book or request services online.
  
  

Optimize for SEO

Local SEO helps small businesses rank higher on search engines and reach more customers in their area. Use this checklist to optimize your website for improved visibility: 
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• Add your website to local directories like Google Business Profile and Yelp.
• Focus on content marketing to keep your website fresh. DIY blogs and how-to videos are a great place to start.
• Use keywords your customers actually search for, like “emergency plumbing services” or “residential plumbers.” Add them to your content, meta descriptions, and headings to make your services easier to find.
• Put your business name, contact details, and service area on every page of your site.
• Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, loads fast, and is easy to navigate so customers can engage with your business on any device.
  
  

Put Your Business on the Map with Google Business Profile

Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile helps your business show up in local searches. It displays key details like your contact info, hours, service area, photos, and reviews in one place.

This is how your Google Business Profile appears when someone searches for a plumber in your area:

Be sure to keep your profile accurate and up to date. Double-check your phone number, address, and hours. If you’re a service-area business, add zip codes or a service radius to show up in local searches from nearby customers.

You can also upload photos, update your business category, and add more details about your services. A well-optimized Google Business Profile can make all the difference in attracting local customers.

Build Trust with Positive Reviews

Positive reviews build trust, which is essential for your business. Customers need to feel confident before letting you into their homes, and great feedback from others helps reassure them. 

Reviews also boost your SEO. Businesses with strong reviews are more likely to show up when someone searches for “best plumber near me.” And with 74% of people reading at least two reviews before making a decision, more positive reviews mean more customers. 

Getting customer reviews doesn’t have to be hard. Send a quick text after completing a job, and happy customers will be glad to leave feedback. Want a more hands-off approach? Chekkit's review management tool automates the whole process, so you can collect reviews while focusing on your business. 

Reach More People with Social Media

96% of small businesses use social media. Is yours one of them? If not, here are some tips to help you get started with social media for your plumbing business:

• Reach more people. With over 5 billion active users, social media is the best place to grow your business. Use organic posts to attract new customers, and targeted ads to connect with users based on their location or interests.
  
  
• Get better leads. Social media helps you connect with people who are already interested in your services. In fact, 90% of people buy from businesses they follow on social media, making it a powerful tool to find new customers.
  
  
• Build trust and authority. When people see you giving good advice, they’ll start to trust you. If they see you as an expert, they’re more likely to call you when they need plumbing work.
  
  
• Foster relationships. Use social media to engage with your customers. Ask questions, respond to comments, and reply quickly to messages. These interactions foster relationships, which often turn into loyal customers.
  
  

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Use SMS to Stay Top-of-Mind

As a plumber, your day is unpredictable. One moment, you're installing a sink. The next, you're across town working on a dishwasher. Emergencies can throw off your entire schedule. 

Staying in touch with clients is critical to getting everything done on time and professionally. But phone calls often go unanswered, and emails can sit unread for hours. 

That's where SMS marketing comes in. Use it for your plumbing business to:

• Attract new customers with targeted ads.
• Build trust by quickly responding to questions.
• Reduce missed appointments with timely reminders. 
• Boost engagement by sharing special offers.
• Gather feedback after every service.
  
  

Chekkit makes it easy to manage SMS campaigns. Send promotional texts, schedule messages, use auto-replies, and streamline communication—all from one platform.

Be the First They Call in an Emergency with Paid Ads

Paid ads help promote your business online by running ads on search engines. They're a great way to get in front of customers who need services right away and don’t have the time for browsing.

Google offers two main ad types for plumbers:

• Search Ads: These appear at the top of search results with a headline, description, and link to your site. A word of caution: these ads are effective but can get expensive if not managed properly.
  
  
• Local Service Ads: These show up above regular search results. They’re perfect for targeting customers in your area. When someone searches “emergency plumber in {{your city}},” they’ll see your business name, hours, Google rating, and a link to your site.
  
  

The best part? You only pay when someone clicks your ad and lands on your site.

Turn Happy Customers Brand Advocates with a Referral Program

You probably already get referrals from satisfied clients, so why not turn that into a formal strategy? 

Start by delivering exceptional customer service. If you’re professional, reliable, and easy to work with, happy clients will naturally want to refer you.

Plumbing software like Chekkit helps you create a better experience. Send “on-my-way” texts, track service history, and let customers request work or pay invoices whenever it’s convenient.

Be careful, though: only ask for referrals after a great experience. If someone has had a negative experience or pushed back on pricing, it’s best to skip the ask. The ideal time is right after a job well done or positive feedback.

Finally, be sure to make referrals more appealing by offering rewards. Offer discounts, gift cards, or simple rewards to encourage customers to spread the word—and bring in more business.

Key Takeaways

Marketing helps plumbing businesses stand out, attract more customers, and build trust in a competitive industry. Here's a recap of the top 7 strategies you can use:

• Build a great website. Make it functional, simple to use, and easy to book services. Add tools to capture leads and improve the experience for visitors.
  
  
• Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Show up in local searches by keep your profile updated with accurate details, photos, and service area.
  
  
• Leverage positive reviews. Boost credibility and bring in more customers by collecting and showcasing positive reviews.
  
  
• Use social media. Share useful content, promote your services, and connect with your audience to build relationships.
  
  
• Send SMS reminders and promotions. Automate messages to stay top-of-mind and cut down on missed appointments.
  
  
• Run paid ads. Use Google Ads to directly reach customers searching for plumbing services in your area.
  
  
• Start a customer referral program. Encourage happy customers to refer friends and family by offering discounts, perks, or rewards.
  
  

Chekkit helps plumbing businesses grow by managing reviews, capturing leads, and keeping customers engaged, all in one place. It’s an easy way to streamline your marketing and boost your business. Ready to grow? Start with Chekkit today.

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