The importance of locksmith marketing

Are you a locksmith looking to grow your business? Do you need to promote your services to a wider audience? If you want to see a boom with a rise in profits then you need to do some locksmith marketing!

Marketing ideas for professional locksmiths

Locksmith marketing is all about promoting your business services and getting your name known to a wide range of potential customers.

Being a locksmith these days can be an incredibly rewarding profession. Helping people out at a time when they are particularly vulnerable. You could:

• Work on homes, replacing and fixing broken locks

• Install and maintain commercial security systems

• Help people locked out of cars as a motor vehicle lock expert

Whatever your specialism, you’re going to want to attract new customers to grow your locksmith business. Creating a targeted marketing strategy is the perfect way to do this.

Let’s explore the two main types of marketing you’ll want to focus on to grow your locksmith business.

Getting to grips with traditional locksmith marketing

Classic marketing methods often use print. This more "traditional" approach to marketing helps promote your locksmith business in the physical domain. It can include the use of signage and branding and can involve:

• Mailing brochures, flyers, and leaflets by post

• Using your brand name on your vans and office

• Sponsoring local events with your company name

• Posting adverts in local magazines and newspapers

• Offering your services on community bulletin boards

• Using word of mouth marketing and customer recommendations

You could also consider using TV and local radio advertising if your budget is big enough.

Marketing is essential for your locksmith business. In today’s world, however, you will also need to consider using digital methods as well as more traditional techniques.

Boosting your digital locksmith marketing

Digital marketing is all about online business promotion. If you don't have an online presence for your locksmith business, then you’re potentially missing out on customers and crucial work.

With more people than ever doing online research before choosing a business to work with (part of social proofing), your digital footprint is extremely important.

To boost your digital marketing, you’ll need:

• A professional user-friendly website

• Business social media profiles

• Online customer testimonials (both on your website and on third party reviews sites)

• Membership to an online directory (such as Checkatrade!)

Your brand identity should also be consistent across all the platforms you use. For example, if you choose a logo or a colour scheme for your business, stick with it.

Over time, customers will associate these elements of your business with the high-quality services that you provide.

Keep reading for more ideas on how to sort your online marketing and find more work for your locksmith business!

Building your locksmith website

Your website is your online showroom. It is the place where your customers will read about your services, find out about your experience and professional qualifications, and discover the area where you work.

It is also the place where potential clients will be able to view examples of your work and read customer reviews.

When creating a website for your locksmith business, some important things to include are:

• Your company name

• Contact details (telephone, e-mail, online contact form etc.)

• The areas where you work

• The type of work you do (homes locks, security systems, cars, vans, CCTV etc.)

• Pictures or videos of your work

• An appointment or request information form

• A customer review section

Your website should be attractive, clear, and easy to use. It should also be designed to promote your brand identity.

Always use clear images and ensure that your website works on all types of devices including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and desk top PCs.

Common website mistakes for businesses to avoid

Why your business should be online Whether you are just starting out in business or looking to grow, the internet is an important tool. These days, everyone is online. According to data from Statista*, the UK has one of the most active populations of internet users in the world. It is estimated that

Learn more

Signing up to social media

Today, many people will use social media to find a business. Adding a social media profile to sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) can also help you to attract new customers.

• Regularly posting images and videos of your work can help engage potential customers

• Images should be clear and crisp while videos should be short, informative, and to the point

Remember that all your social media profiles should link back to your locksmith website. This helps to join up all the different areas of your digital marketing.

Create an SEO strategy

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is all about getting your website to rank alongside your competition.

An SEO strategy can help you to appear higher up in internet searches, making it more likely that your potential customers can find you.

Working with a professional marketing agency is a great way to boost your SEO. It's a tricky science to master, so while you could create your own content, getting it to appear higher for relevant searches is a skilled art.

If you're a locksmith, you'll know the tricks of the trade. Considering a digital marketing agency is an option for finding someone to help your business with their own skills.

Try PPC advertising

PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising is a useful marketing device that functions alongside your SEO strategy.

PPC adverts appear above organic internet search results. For people looking for a locksmith business they are often the first place they visit.

PPC advertising is an extremely effective way to ensure that customers can find your website.

Join an online trade database

Trade databases are a great way to promote your locksmith business. They are an impartial platform that builds confidence in customers and grows relationships between businesses and their clientele.

Various trade associations also tend to have a database of relevant trade businesses. This goes for the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) and their "Near Me" feature.

There are a number of reasons to consider:

• Having a business profile can provide a concise view of your services

• You can include reviews, images and contact details

• You can highlight your website and coverage are

• You can highlight your membership of trade bodies (such as associations and competent person schemes)

Naturally we think that becoming a Checkatrade member could be the best decision for your locksmith business. If you have the cash flow to allow for it, getting listed in more than one place helps raise your online profile even more, and can help you find those all important leads.

Become a Checkatrade approved locksmith

As a Checkatrade member you gain exclusive access to numerous benefits. These include:

• Exclusive offers and discounts on business essentials

• Membership support and advice

• Savings on trade skill training and public liability insurance

• Any jobs booked through us get guaranteed up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply)

• Access to a dedicated Member's Area and trade app (with job and management, and quoting/invoicing tool)

As part of your Checkatrade profile, you can also add your location and the areas you would like to target.

With a hard earned reputation over many years, being listed on Checkatrade is a great way to attract customers in your area. You can focus on the jobs you want and attract the right customers for your locksmith business.