Did you know that 68% of consumers say that checking and responding to text messages is the activity they do most on their phones throughout the day?
While homeowners are flooded with emails, social media, and various digital communication channels, text messaging remains one of the most affordable and valuable strategies available to business owners, when it comes to customer communication.
This is especially for roofers looking to win more deals and create a better customer experience.
So, why is text communication a great option for roofers?
Reason No. 1: Connect with your customers/audience immediately and personally
Homeowners today want to feel more connected to businesses and expect them to be instantly accessible. Text messaging is a great way to reach homeowners instantly, interacting with them in a more personalized way and strengthening the relationship. What better way to connect with a customer than directly through their cell phone?
Reason No. 2: Gain and follow up with new leads
78% of jobs go to the business that responds first, so it’s critical to engage new leads immediately and interact with them through question-and-answer texts, appointment reminders, and more! Text communication is a great tool to easily respond to lead inquiries without setting aside time for phone calls or leaving voicemails. The higher level of engagement helps prospective customers feel that they are important and shows a general level of professionalism.
Reason No. 3: Improve sales!
Text messaging has excellent open rates and, over time, can improve your sales and engagement significantly. In fact, 90% of consumers claim they prefer a text message over a phone call when it comes to a sale. With the rise of robocalls, customers are hesitant to pick up the phone but are willing to read a quick text message that clearly explains what you are offering.
Reason No. 4: Provide excellent customer service
If customers have an issue, they want to be able to connect with you immediately. Their mobile phone may be their go-to, and rather than a lengthy phone call where they may be on hold, they may prefer interacting through SMS texts. It’s your chance to provide amazing customer service on a mobile platform. Texting provides your business the opportunity to provide a 360° experience at the customer’s convenience. With an automated text messaging platform, you can easily respond to common requests and questions. This is part of providing a great customer experience that they will want to tell others about.
Reason No. 5: Texting is cost-effective
Unlike hiring additional administrative employees to answer the phone and perform routine tasks such as setting up appointments for estimates, text messaging is an affordable solution for roofing businesses of any size. It doesn’t require any special equipment and can be done when you’re out on job sites.
Reason No. 6: Texting is the most used mobile device feature
As stated at the beginning, 68% of consumers say that they use their phone for texting, more than anything else. Regardless of the type of text that is being sent (autoresponder, chat, SMS remarketing, etc), your customers will likely open and read your texts.
In fact, text communication has a 98% open rate, compared to 20% for emails. This is a testament to how much consumers are texting. This shows how text communication is one of the sure-fire ways to reach your customers immediately and directly.
Reason No. 7: Most customers prefer text communications
When compared to phone and email usage, 66% of consumers lean toward mobile text messaging. This makes it a communication medium that cuts through the noise and gets your message across to your customers more effectively. Most importantly, you reach them in a way that they prefer.
By offering your customers a choice, they are more likely to choose your company over the competition. A study showed that 77% of customers between the ages of 18-34 are likely to have a more positive perception of a company that offers business text messaging capability. (CIO Today)
Reason No. 8: Texting is versatile and multi-functional
You can use text communication strategies at every stage of your process, whether to respond to new leads, inform customers of new services, appointments, or changes in your pricing.
Also, because texting tends to be interactive, you can also use text communication as a way to start real conversations with your customers. It’s less intrusive than a phone call and less formal than an email, making it easier for customers to respond without much effort or reservation.
Take the guesswork out of text communication
Partner with a provider like Signpost that understands the roofing industry and can help optimize and automate your communication to create a powerful customer experience and help you close more jobs.
Signpost offers text and chat services to help roofers simplify the way they respond to leads and manage their customer communication.
