The roofing industry is full of competition, and you have to do everything you can to stand out. Often, that comes down to the appearance of you and your company. At ABC Supply, we know that roofing contractors are skilled, professional business owners, and we’ve been treating them with respect since 1982. Here are our tips to help you enhance your business’s professional image and impress customers and prospects.

1. Design a Company Logo and Use It on Promotional Items

Creating a unique logo and using it on items like stationery and pens can make your business appear more professional, memorable and reputable. It can also improve the crucial first impression you make with prospects. At ABC Supply, we offer a suite of professional, image-building resources for our contractor customers, including logo development, letterheads, custom leave-behinds and business cards, through our Freedom Programs.

2. Maintain a Professional Appearance

It’s important to put your best foot forward whenever you meet with customers. Make sure your office space is kept neat and tidy, and be courteous of the customer’s property — take off your shoes when you enter their home and try to keep mess from the project to a minimum. Change into clean, professional attire if you’re coming from a jobsite, and consider incorporating apparel branded with your company’s name and logo into the wardrobe for yourself and your team. There’s likely a local business in your community where you can custom order these items. ABC Supply can also help with this through our Freedom Programs.  

3. Set Up a Business Phone Number and Email Address

Having a business email address and phone number can go a long way to helping prospective customers feel confident in their decision to contact your business and solicit your services. Set up a dedicated phone line for your company. If the thought of carrying two cell phones sounds like a pain, there are apps available that allow you to add a business line to your personal cellphone. As for email, use your business domain (e.g., johnsmith@smithroofing.com) instead of a default Gmail or Yahoo address — it’s a small trick that makes a big difference. Learn how to update your Gmail address here.

4. Build a Website for Your Business

With the internet at their fingertips, homeowners today are very informed. Before hiring a contractor, they research their options online. That’s why it’s so important for you to have a professional website with contact information, your capabilities, project examples, photos, testimonials from satisfied customers and the ability to request a quote. It can seem daunting to create a website if you’re not technologically savvy, but the good news is that there are easy-to-use, affordable website-builder platforms available. ABC Supply also offers three templated design options through our Freedom Programs.

5. Establish a Social Media Presence

Nearly 80 percent of the United States population uses social media to connect with and learn about different companies, so it’s essential to build a professional account on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn or even local neighborhood apps like Nextdoor. Fill out your profile on each channel with information about your company (including a link to your website) and upload professional profile images. Make a plan to post regularly about your projects and manage your reviews, which will help your company build an audience and appear established.  

6. Use High-Quality Photos

If you’re creating a website, social media posts and marketing materials, you’ll need to have high-quality photos. Ones that are poor resolution, unflattering or out of focus just won’t cut it. If you’re unable to take high-quality photos on your own, hiring a professional photographer for a day can be a great investment. Invite the photographer to take your headshot, photos of your team members working and photos of finished jobs. If a photographer is outside your budget, you should still be taking before and after photos of your jobs. Camera phones have come a long way and can be a great tool for making sure you have photos to showcase your business to potential customers.

7. Be a Good Resource to Your Customers

Part of putting your best foot forward is being a good resource to your customers. One way you can do this is by taking advantage of ABC Supply’s Solution Centers, located at most of the company’s locations. If a customer is having difficulty envisioning the completed project, consider using tools like Pictureit to show them a visual rendering of their home with new siding or roofing. If a customer is asking questions about which materials to choose, bring them to a Solution Center to see product samples in person and to learn about the products from knowledgeable ABC Supply associates. Many Solution Centers also include dedicated rooms that you can use to meet with customers in a professional environment.

Consider these tips to enhance your company’s professional image and give your business a boost. For more business-building tips for contractors, visit ABC Supply’s blog.