When Houzz specialist Skylar Schock stopped by BATC’s Remodelers Roundtable in February, we were busy taking notes. She told us there’s over 35 million users per month to the site, but our ears really perked up when she mentioned that “over 90 percent are homeowners,” and a large percentage of these homeowners are looking to build or remodel in the next year.
The fact is, Houzz captures the industry’s target market in a unique and engaged way. There is no better online site for potential clients seeking ideas for their future home or future remodel. So, if you’re engaged in this online space, building a strong Houzz profile can serve your business well. Here are a few ways to boost your profile and make Houzz work for you:
Photos are key, but only if they’re searchable
High quality photos could get you discovered, but when there’s over 9.5 million images on the Houzz photo stream, searchability is key. The good news: all text on Houzz is searchable. Before categorizing and tagging your photos, make sure your business profile includes your business description (who you are), services provided (what you do) and areas served (where you are). All of this text is searchable, after all! Once you’ve finished this, upload photos to a project and identify the photo category, fill out as many drop-downs as possible, and use the keyword tool to list photo details. TIP: For increased search strength, use style descriptors to name your project. For instance, “Rustic Contemporary Kitchen Remodel,” as opposed to “The Smith Residence.”
Boost your profile by getting reviews
According to the most recent Houzz and Home Study, the number one thing homeowners look for before hiring a contractor is reviews. Luckily, Houzz makes it easy to get them. From the reviews screen you can easily enter a client email address and request a review. Be sure to include a custom message. Houzz is set up to send a follow-up email ten days later if no response was given. TIP: You can reference sent review requests in case you need a reminder.
Engage current clients with Idea Books
Houzz makes it easy to collaborate and communicate with current clients through Idea Books. Think of Idea Books as your “virtual manila folder” where you can share documents, photos and ideas. Adding collaborators to a project is easy and you have the ability to make your boards public or private. TIP: Want a more advanced tool to communicate ideas? Houzz’s new app, Sketch, makes it even easier to communicate creatively. With Sketch, you can select any of the photos on Houzz, or take photos on your own, and annotate or draw on the photos. You can even draw up mood-boards or floor plans.
Start giving your expert advice
Want to beat the Houzz algorithm and enhance your company’s search strength? Start giving out free advice. No, we’re not pulling your leg. Houzz’s Advice Section is the best place to show off your expertise to consumers that need help. Why should you do this? Aside from the boosting your profile strength, sharing advice as a business page means that your comments will appear alongside the Houzz pro icon when you post. Not only will you boost your exposure and engagement, but your company profile is just one click away if users want to see more, and expert advice is always the best advice.
Not everything is a sales pitch
Ultimately, Houzz is a social media platform, so have fun! Stop worrying about only speaking to local prospects, selling your products and services, and stressing about your ROI. Remember that Houzz is a brand building tool that can serve your business and clients right now, but it can also strengthen your company image and showcase your talents to prospective and future clients in the long run.
