According to IBIS World, there are currently 119,359 HVAC businesses in the U.S. That’s a 2.1% increase from 2020. At this rate, the HVAC industry is expected to keep growing for the next eight years.

But as the demand increases, so does competition. As a business owner, you need to set your company apart from the rest, from sharpening your business skills to HVAC website design and everything in between.

Here are strategic ways you can take your company to the next level.

Health and Safety: Maks, Sanitation, Health Checks, and More

Business owners need to prioritize the safety of their employees and customers in order to be successful, especially in this day and age.

Today, everyone is hyperaware of cleanliness because of the ongoing global pandemic. So, it’s understandable if customers are a little hesitant to allow other people in their homes, your employees included.

To remedy this, examine what are the standards for health and safety in the industry. If you need more materials, there is a helpful guide for in-home repair service workers in the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

After doing your research, develop a plan for keeping employees and customers safe, set protocols, and communicate it with both parties.

Setting these protocols and being upfront about them helps put the minds of your customers at ease. It also makes sure that they call you next time.

Marketing: HVAC Website Design, Social Media, and Community

When people need an HVAC professional, what do they do? They pull out their phones, open the browser, and do a quick online search.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Everything and everyone has gone digital, so it would be wise to invest in marketing.

Company Website

With the growing competition, one of the ways you can stand out is through your website. Some people think that as long as you upload text and photos, you’re good to go.

However, that’s not the end of it. There is more to a good HVAC website design than texts and photos. You have to consider things like a good story page, conversion, and more.

Social Media

Some of the best opportunities to market your company are free, and it’s called social media. Don’t underestimate it. It’s a good platform for you to connect with past and potential clients.

All you need to do is maintain an active online presence, post regularly, and your business will organically grow with time and effort.

When setting up your account, remember to:

• Have an easy username to remember
• Have a recognizable brand/logo or photos
• Post helpful HVAC content to boost search engine optimization (SEO)
• Tap into a new market and expand your service area with social media

Community

Aside from the internet, people ask friends, family, and neighbors for referrals. In fact, a recently conducted study showed that, even if they have not mastered the method, more than half of marketing executives believe that word of mouth marketing is the most effective way of spreading brand awareness.

You can use this to your advantage by spreading the word during community gatherings. Just casually bring up that you have a business, increasing the chances that they’ll call you when they need an HVAC professional.

Skills: HVAC and Business

If you’re an HVAC business owner, then you most likely have the technical skills needed for the job. But you might not be as well-equipped to deal with running a business; doing so requires a different set of skills. You need to know the basics of business management, like how to manage your:

• Finances
• Operations
• Human Resources
• Marketing

You can sharpen your business skills through:

Courses, Training, and Books

One way to accomplish this is by joining a trade organization, like the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association. These organizations make information about the industry, running a business, and other related subjects more accessible. You can also go for podcasts and books if you want to go the extra mile.

A Mentor

You can seek out a mentor, someone who has already made great strides. This can be a great idea especially if you’re just starting up. It can be anyone in the industry as long as they:

• Have extensive experience
• Are willing to share their knowledge
• Are someone you look up to

Once you are learning from them, make sure to shadow them on the job and ask as many questions as you can. How did the company start and what were the cost? What is the business structure?

Remember to build your business to survive without you. Focus on what you do best, then shed the rest.