Modern tools for service contractors, part 2: Inbound marketing

When folks ask me about working in a small business, I point to the imaginary hat rack in the corner and say “I get to wear every single hat on that rack depending on the weather.”  This analogy is especially true for owners and managers in service contracting companies who will act as technician one day, […]

Online customer engagement is bad yelp review Kryptonite

I found this story on “Yelp Terrorism” amusing.  It seems that the owner of a Massachusetts jewelry store, George Pelz, was “terrorized” by an anonymous Yelp reviewer that claimed all manner of poor customer service, fraud, and malfeasance.  George swears the customer experience is a “complete fabrication” by a “Yelp Terrorist” that is out to […]

Google home services and its impact on small and medium businesses

As we’ve been talking about for a while, Google is making a move into home services. This week we have a first look at how Google may be inserting itself into service delivery for customers who are using the search engine to find a vendor. Google is testing Home Service Ads for users in San […]

Nearby now & ServiceTrade can improve your local search results

Consumers no longer turn to the yellow pages, newspaper ads, or direct mail to find the best service contractors. Instead, they turn to Google to answer the question “Who should I call?”  To address this change ServiceTrade is happy to announce an integration with Nearby Now, a tool that helps the best service contractors showcase their great reputation online and improve local search results. […]

Is your website mobile friendly? Simple test to avoid Google penalties

 If you expect customers to find you online, they must be able to find you online.  Sounds like circular logic, but it is true.  Google is always shifting their rules to make their search engine more valuable to users and advertisers.  You have to keep shifting your website to avoid being pushed down the […]

Jesse James’ advice for service contractors

Jesse James, Train Robber I have been to multiple events in the past several months where service contractors from many trades (food equipment repair, fire safety, specialty cleaning) lament the insertion of one or more parties between themselves and their customers.  It seems that when they do not directly influence the terms of service with […]