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Tony Gee • September 3, 2021
What is the Best Merchant Service for Your Plumbing Business?
What is the Best Merchant Service for Your Plumbing Business?
Do you need a plumbing merchant account to start or grow your plumbing business? To keep your money coming in reliably and affordable, it is important to turn to a trustworthy payment processor, such as Reliable Payments to open a merchant account for payment processing. A merchant account is a must-have for any business in the modern world.
So, if you are among plumbers who take only cash, checks or money orders and have no way to process credit cards on the go, you should start accepting credit cards if you want to grow your business. Otherwise, you will end up waiting for days to get paid, especially if you are using the traditional invoicing system. Here are some of the key factors to consider when choosing the best merchant account for your plumbing business:
- Equipment to Process Your Payments
A good merchant account provider should be able to provide you with the equipment you need to process your sales. In the case of accepting debit and credit card payments, you will require tech that can read your customer’s credit card information and send it to your processor for approval or rejection. If you’ll be accepting payments online this tech is mostly software, but if you have physical retail presence, that means hardware.
Options for reading credit cards are more robust nowadays. Apart from the traditional wired credit card terminals, there are also numerous wireless terminals and mobile processing systems that combine a smartphone with a very basic credit card reader to offer the same capabilities as a dedicated terminal.
Top merchant service providers, such as Reliable Payments offer the technology, resources and support to deliver complete end-to-end payment processing services to you and your merchant. Whether it is an online personalized payment gateway, or mobile processing on-site with your smartphone, Reliable Payment has a solution for your business.
2. Reasonable and Transparent Fees
When choosing a merchant account provider, you’ll want to look for a fee structure that is both reasonable and transparent. A reasonable fee here refers to the one where the account provider actually provides a valuable service in exchange for that fee. The fee should also be reasonably related to the value of that service. Fees should also be transparent and fully disclosed before you sign up for an account. Here is a list of fees that are commonly associated with merchant accounts:
- Application or Account Setup Fees: While you may not see these often as you used to, some merchant service providers will charge you a one-time setup fee when you begin the service.
- Account Maintenance Fees: Nearly all merchant providers charge some sort of fee to maintain your account. This might be billed monthly or charged monthly as an annual fee.
- Monthly minimum: While this is not a fee in itself, a monthly minimum is a requirement that your plumbing business process a sufficient total amount in transactions to incur at least a specified amount, typically $25 in processing charges.
- PCI Compliance Fees: All merchant service providers must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) security standards. PCI compliance fees are paid by your processor in order to ensure your account remains PCI compliant.
- Chargebacks: Chargebacks can occur due to technical errors, returned merchandise, or actual fraud.
- Early Termination Fees (ETF): Some merchant account providers will sign you up for a long-term contract, typically 3 years, and will charge you an ETF if you try to close your account early for any reason.
3. Real-Time Reporting
Look for a merchant services provider with a simple, cloud-based system that generates real-time reporting, such as Reliable Payments. This will allow easy batch viewing so you can line up your books and provide detailed reports with filters to view data, such as transaction types and time frames. Real-time reporting makes accounting and reconciliation easy.
4. An Understanding of the Plumbing Industry
As a plumbing business owner, you certainly want to work with a merchant service provider that clearly understands the plumbing industry. Plumbers are extremely busy and want a payment processor that reduces costs and streamlines operations. Therefore, a good merchant account service should have innovative solutions to make payment collection for plumbers easy, secure and on time. Reliable Payments offers merchant account services specifically for plumbers and HVAC technicians. Their payment solutions are designed to help you save money while operating an on-the-go business to best serve your customers.
5. Security and Fraud Prevention
We recommend working with a merchant account provider that is PCI compliant. Surprisingly, only one in 10 Merchant Services Providers that offer built-in merchant services is actually certified. Your provider is responsible for securing your customers’ card data, so working with a compliant provider will ensure you get the best security features with your merchant account. The best merchant services should also offer up-to-date software and equipment to protect against fraud.
6. Exceptional Customer Service and Support
Mysterious, unexplained charges will appear on your statement. Chargebacks will occur, even as you work hard to prevent them. For all of these and many other possible issues, you will need solid customer service and support from your merchant account provider. Most merchant account providers offer support via email or telephone. Chat support via the company’s website is also becoming more common. Go for a provider who provides customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
So, what’s the best merchant service for your plumbing company?
The best merchant services provider will have a lasting impact on your plumbing business’ efficiency and bottom. So, it is important to take your time before making the final decision. If you are looking for the best merchant service for your plumbing business, then you should certainly try Reliable Payments. We recommend them due to their simplified payment processing solutions.
Reliable payments has many payment solutions for plumbers. Whether it is an online personalized payment gateway, or mobile processing on-site with your smartphone, Reliable Payments has a solution for your plumbing business.
Apart from providing smooth payment solutions, Reliable Payments can also help you to add up to 3% back into your bottom line every single year. They will gladly offer you a Free Rate Analysis to help identify saving opportunities for your plumbing business. You’ll also get a reliable waive fee for your Client Payment link on your website, $350 value! Click Here to learn more about Reliable Payments, the best merchant service for plumbing businesses.
In the competitive world of plumbing services, standing out and offering unparalleled customer service can make all the difference. That's where PlumbLine comes in, a game-changing answering service designed specifically for plumbing companies. What sets PlumbLine apart is its innovative pricing model: charging exclusively per booked call. This approach not only ensures cost-effectiveness but also aligns directly with the success of your plumbing business. Tailored for Your Success Understanding the unique challenges plumbing companies face, PlumbLine offers a bespoke solution that caters specifically to the needs of this industry. Our service ensures that every call is answered with professionalism and expertise, acting as an extension of your own business. The per booked call model means you only pay for results, making it a risk-free investment in your company's growth and customer satisfaction. One of the standout features of our service is the ability to book appointments directly into your company's scheduling software. This seamless integration ensures that the booking process is as efficient and error-free as possible, further enhancing the customer experience and streamlining your operations. How PlumbLine Works PlumbLine employs a team of highly trained professionals 24/7/265, who understand the nuances of the plumbing industry. When a potential client calls, our representatives handle the call with the same care and knowledge as if they were your own employees. They are trained to not only answer general inquiries but also to effectively book appointments, ensuring that potential leads turn into actual business. This efficiency boosts your conversion rate and, ultimately, your bottom line. Cost-Effective and Efficient By charging only for booked calls, PlumbLine ensures that your marketing dollars are spent wisely. This pricing strategy eliminates the concern of paying for services that don't directly contribute to your revenue. It's a straightforward, transparent approach that benefits your business by directly linking our success to yours. This model encourages us to work harder for your business, as our growth is directly tied to your success. Benefits Beyond Savings Aside from the obvious financial benefits, partnering with PlumbLine brings numerous advantages to your plumbing business: **24/7 Availability:** Missed calls are missed opportunities. PlumbLine ensures you're always available to your customers, capturing leads even outside of regular business hours. **Professional Representation:** First impressions matter. Our team handles each call with the professionalism and courtesy your customers expect. **Direct Booking into Your Scheduling Software:** Streamline your appointment setting process with our direct booking feature, ensuring efficient scheduling and customer satisfaction. **Increased Conversion Rates:** With expert handling of inquiries and appointment bookings, you'll see a significant increase in conversion rates, driving more business your way. Join the PlumbLine Family PlumbLine is more than just an answering service; it's a partner in your business's growth. Our unique pay-per-booked-call model, combined with our industry-specific expertise and direct booking capabilities, makes us the ideal choice for plumbing companies looking to enhance their customer service and increase their revenue. With PlumbLine, you're not just hiring an answering service; you're investing in a tailored solution that grows with your business. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help elevate your plumbing business to new heights.
How To Implement KPI’s Into Your Plumbing Business Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to boost your plumbing business's efficiency? Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) might be the solution you need. As a plumbing business owner, understanding and leveraging KPIs can significantly transform your operations. KPIs are insightful data points that offer an objective outlook on your plumbing business's performance, spotlighting areas that need enhancement. They serve as your guiding beacon towards achieving your business goals. By implementing KPIs, you can join the 60% of plumbing businesses that have seen a boost in their efficiency. But how can you accomplish this? In this blog, we’ll cover the various types of KPIs you should integrate into your plumbing business. Marketing KPIs A crucial aspect of running your plumbing business involves keeping an eye on your marketing efforts . Specifically, marketing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) offer insights into the effectiveness of your marketing strategies and are critical in making informed business decisions. Here are some marketing KPIs that you should consider implementing in your plumbing business: Cost Per Impression: This KPI measures the cost incurred for every individual who sees your advertisement. It helps gauge the financial efficiency of your marketing campaigns and assists in budget optimization. Cost Per Click: This is the cost an advertiser pays each time a user clicks their online ad. It's an essential KPI for digital marketing as it helps assess the cost-effectiveness of your campaigns in driving user engagement. Cost Per Lead: This KPI quantifies the cost of acquiring a prospective customer. It's crucial for understanding the effectiveness of your lead generation efforts, helping to identify the most cost-effective marketing channels. Cost Per Conversion: Cost per Conversion or Cost per Acquisition, measures the cost associated with converting a lead into a paying customer. This KPI is crucial as it directly relates to the profitability of your marketing efforts. Acquisition Costs: This encompasses all costs incurred to acquire a new customer, from marketing and sales expenses to any additional costs associated with onboarding. It’s crucial to track this KPI to ensure the profitability of your customer acquisition strategies. Marketing KPIs serve as critical tools for evaluating the success of your marketing strategies, providing tangible metrics to assess cost-effectiveness, customer acquisition, and overall profitability. By regularly monitoring and analyzing these KPIs, you can make data-driven decisions that optimize your plumber marketing efforts, improve your lead generation, and ultimately increase your customer base. Dispatch KPIs Effective management of your dispatch operations is another crucial area where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can make a transformative impact on your plumbing business. Monitoring dispatch KPIs helps to manage your resources efficiently, ensuring jobs are completed promptly while minimizing costs. Here are some important dispatch KPIs to consider for your plumbing business: Total Daily Cost: This KPI calculates the total expenditure of your dispatch operations in a day. It's essential for tracking your daily operational costs and identifying opportunities for cost reduction. Type Of Plumbing Calls With Dispatch: This KPI categorizes the type of plumbing calls received and dispatched. It provides valuable insights into the most common issues your business is called to address, allowing for targeted training and resource allocation. Plumbing Appointments: This KPI tracks the number of plumbing appointments scheduled in a period. It provides a snapshot of your business activity level, helping to manage resources effectively and plan for peak periods. Cost Per Conversion/Scheduled Appointments: This KPI measures the cost incurred for every appointment scheduled through dispatch. It helps assess the cost-effectiveness of your dispatch operations and is useful for optimizing scheduling and improving profitability. Cost Per Acquisition/Sales And Invoicing: This KPI gauges the cost of acquiring a customer through the dispatch system, from the initial call through to invoicing. It offers insights into the cost efficiency of your sales process and aids in identifying areas for improvement. Cancellation Rate: This KPI calculates the percentage of scheduled appointments that are canceled. A high cancellation rate may indicate issues with scheduling or customer service, making this an essential KPI for improving customer satisfaction and retaining business. Regular monitoring and analysis of these Dispatch KPIs will enable you to manage your dispatch operations effectively, leading to improved customer service, operational efficiency, and profitability. Sales KPIs In the realm of plumbing business, sales Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide in-depth insights into your business's profit-generating performance. They help you understand the effectiveness of your sales strategies , identify opportunities for improvement, and maximize your profitability. Let's delve into some of the crucial sales KPIs that your plumbing business should consider: Plumbers KPIs: This KPI tracks the performance of individual plumbers in your team. It can include measurements like the number of jobs completed, customer satisfaction rate, and the value of invoices generated. Monitoring these metrics can help identify star performers and areas where training may be needed. Leads Run Per Day: This KPI quantifies the number of potential customers or leads engaged in a day. It's crucial for understanding the effectiveness of your lead generation efforts and can help in planning and resource allocation. Estimates And Invoices: This KPI records the number of estimates provided and invoices issued. It provides insights into your business's sales activities, helping to track your conversion rates and measure the effectiveness of your sales process. Type Of Plumbing Job: This KPI categorizes the types of jobs your business handles, such as drains, water gas, water heaters, spot repairs to reroutes and repipes, and water line spot lines converted to a reroute or a repipe. This data can help you understand your market better and optimize resource allocation based on demand. Drain Cleaning Converted To Drain Repair Or Trenchless: This KPI measures the conversion rate of drain cleaning jobs to drain repair or trenchless jobs. A higher conversion rate indicates successful upselling, contributing to increased profitability. Water Filtration Systems Sold: This KPI tracks the number of water filtration systems sold over specific time periods (daily, weekly, etc.). It's a key indicator of your product sales performance and can help identify trends and plan for inventory management. Average Invoice And Monthly Sales: This KPI calculates the average value of your invoices and total monthly sales. It's crucial for tracking your revenue performance and identifying any trends or potential issues impacting profitability. By implementing these sales KPIs and regularly monitoring them, you can gain valuable insights into your sales operations. It can help you streamline your processes, improve decision making, and ultimately drive your plumbing business towards success. Growth KPIs For a progressive plumbing business, growth Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are of paramount importance. They provide insights into the success of your growth strategies and the return on your investments. Here are some crucial growth KPIs you should incorporate: Average Invoice Marketing VS. ROI In Marketing: This KPI compares the average income generated from invoices against the return on investment in marketing. This metric offers substantial insights into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and their contribution to your business income. Number Of Jobs by Plumbers Per Day/Month: This KPI tracks the productivity of your workforce by quantifying the number of jobs handled per day or month. It can help monitor individual performance, plan work schedules, and identify areas for improvement. New Hires: Counting the number of new hires shows the expansion of your team, which reflects your company's growth and the need to meet increased demand. Number Of Plumbers: Keeping track of the size of your team gives you insights into your operational capacity and helps in manpower planning. Overhead VS. Profit: This KPI calculates the proportion of your income that goes towards overhead costs and compares it to your profit. A lower overhead-to-profit ratio indicates healthier business performance. Gross Profit Margin: Calculating your gross profit margin as a percentage shows the proportion of your revenue that remains after subtracting the cost of goods sold (including materials and gasoline). This KPI is vital for understanding your financial health. Operational Costs: This KPI tracks costs related to daily business functioning, such as materials, gasoline, etc., helping maintain cost efficiency. Growth Rate Percentage Per Year: This KPI measures the annual percentage increase in your business, providing an overall sense of your company's growth and helping set future goals. Utilizing a competent Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system like Jobber or Housecall Pro can significantly simplify tracking these KPIs. These CRMs facilitate easy monitoring with just a click of a button. They are essential tools to help track job tags and leads, providing valuable insights to assist in growing your plumbing business. In conclusion, the implementation and diligent tracking of KPIs is an essential step to unlocking the potential of your plumbing business. Leveraging these metrics allows for improved strategic decision making, enhanced operational efficiency, increased profitability, and robust growth. However, navigating these KPIs can be challenging without expert guidance. Tony Gee is a trusted plumbing business coaching expert. With over 15 years of experience as a plumber and a proven track record of helping over 450 businesses flourish, Tony offers valuable insight and practical methods for KPI implementation. Don't miss this opportunity to turbocharge your plumbing business' growth. Schedule an appointment today to grow your plumbing business and make more money.
As a plumbing business owner, you may often find yourselves stumped on how to attract more calls and expand your client base. One of the key solutions lies in the realm of cyberspace - Google. With the internet being the go-to resource for 90% of consumers looking for plumbers in the past year, and 33% looking every day, it's clear that Google's reach is unparalleled. This search engine handles over 3.5 billion searches daily, making it one of the best platforms for getting plumbing leads. In this blog post, we'll delve into five strategic ways you can harness Google to increase your plumbing calls and take your plumbing business to new heights. 1. Google Guarantee Google Guarantee is a certification program offered by the world's most popular search engine, Google. It is a powerful tool designed to boost customer trust and confidence in local businesses, like plumbing services. To qualify for the Google guarantee program, the plumbing business owner must go through an extensive screening process, which includes background checks and license verification. Once approved, their business will receive a "Google Guaranteed" badge on their Google My Business listing, indicating that they have met Google's stringent criteria for quality and reliability. Why Is This Important For Plumbing Business Owners? Increased Credibility: The "Google Guaranteed" badge acts as a stamp of approval from Google and serves as a powerful tool to build trust with potential customers. Improved Visibility : Businesses with the Google Guarantee badge are displayed at the top of search results, increasing their visibility and chances of being contacted by potential leads. Higher Conversion Rates: The Google Guarantee program instills confidence in customers, making them more likely to choose a "Google Guaranteed" business over competitors. Better Reputation Management : With the ability to claim refunds for unsatisfactory service, businesses are incentivized to maintain high-quality standards and respond promptly to customer complaints. Google Guarantee can significantly impact your plumbing business. It helps attract more calls, sets your plumbing business apart from competitors, and strengthens customer trust in your services. So if you're looking to increase your plumbing calls and elevate your business, enrolling in the Google Guarantee program is a strategic move worth considering. So why wait? Contact us for professional help with setti for Google Guarantee today 2. Google PPC Google PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a digital marketing strategy where advertisers pay a fee each time their advertisement is clicked by a user on Google's search engine. This marketing model essentially buys visits to your site, instead of attempting to earn them organically. Here's how it works: You create an ad and bid for it to be shown in Google's search results. When someone searches a keyword related to your business (e.g., "plumbing services near me"), your ad may appear on the top of the search results. Each time your ad is clicked, leading the user to your website, you pay a small fee to Google. Why Is Google PPC Important For Plumbing Business Owners? Increased Exposure: Google PPC helps your plumbing services appear at the top of Google search results, effectively increasing your online visibility. Targeted Advertising: You can specify the keywords that trigger your ads, ensuring that they are shown to potential customers actively looking for a plumbing service. Cost-effective: You only pay when a user clicks on your ad, guaranteeing that your marketing budget is spent on leads that show interest in your services. Measurable Results: Google provides detailed analytics for your PPC campaigns, allowing you to understand what's working and where improvements can be made. In the competitive industry of plumbing services, Google PPC can be a game-changer. It not only boosts your online presence but also brings in high-quality leads that can convert to actual service calls. With a well-structured PPC campaign, you can effectively maximize your return on investment, attract more calls, and grow your plumbing business. 3. Google Business Profile Formerly known as "Google Maps," Google Business Profile is a free tool that allows you to manage your online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. This is how it works: You start by creating or claiming your Google Business Profile. Next, you can update your profile with compelling information such as your business address, hours of operation, contact information, and photos of your plumbing services. Once your profile is live, potential customers can easily locate your plumbing services on Google Search and Maps. There is also an option to respond to customer reviews, post updates, and even allow customers to book services directly from your profile. How Does Google Business Profile Help You Get More Plumbing Calls? Increased Visibility: Google Business Profile puts your plumbing business on the map, quite literally. Potential customers in your area can easily find your services when they search on Google. Established Trust: Customer reviews on your Google Business Profile foster trust and confidence in your services. A well-maintained profile with positive reviews can greatly influence the decision-making process of potential customers. Direct Contact: Your Google Business Profile provides customers with your contact information, making it simple for them to call or book your services. Insights and Analytics: Google Business Profile offers insights into how customers are interacting with your profile, helping you understand what's working and where improvements can be made Google Business Profile is an invaluable tool for plumbing businesses. It not only enhances your visibility but also helps convert online searches into actual service calls. If you're looking to expand your reach and get more calls, optimizing your Google Business Profile should be your next step. 4. Organic SEO Organic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your website and content to improve its visibility in search engines. Unlike paid advertising strategies, organic SEO focuses on achieving high search engine rankings through non-paid, or "organic," methods. This involves: Keyword Research: Identifying the keywords and phrases potential customers are using when looking for plumbing services. On-Page SEO: Optimizing your website's content, title tags, URLs, and image alt text to align with these keywords. Off-Page SEO: Building high-quality backlinks from other websites to increase your site's credibility and ranking. Why Is Organic SEO Vital For Plumbing Business Owners Seeking More Plumbing Calls? Sustained Online Presence: Organic SEO helps your website rank higher in search engine results over time, providing a sustainable online presence. Unlike paid ads, the effects of SEO are long-term and continue even after you stop optimizing. Cost-Effective Marketing: While initial SEO efforts may require an investment, its long-term nature makes it more cost-effective than continually paying for ads. High-Quality Traffic: Organic SEO targets users actively searching for plumbing services, resulting in high-quality traffic and a higher likelihood of converting visitors into calls. Trust and Credibility: Websites that rank high in organic search results are often perceived as reliable and credible, which can increase the likelihood of customers choosing your service over others. Organic SEO plays a significant role in increasing your plumbing calls by improving your website's position in search engine results. With strategic keyword use, high-quality content, and continuous optimization, you can enhance your online visibility, attract more potential customers, and ultimately, receive more service calls. Retargeting on the Google Network Retargeting, also known as remarketing, is a powerful online marketing tool that allows you to stay connected with your target audience, even after they leave your website . Retargeting is a technique used to display targeted ads to users who have previously visited your website or shown interest in your plumbing services. These ads appear when they browse other websites within the Google Display Network or use Google Search. How Does Retargeting Work? Cookie-Based Technology: When a user visits your plumbing website, a small piece of code (often referred to as a cookie) is placed on their browser. This cookie informs Google to show them your retargeting ads. Ad Placement: Your retargeted ads will appear to this user as they browse different websites within the Google Network, reminding them of your plumbing services and prompting them to revisit your site. Why is Retargeting Important for More Plumbing Calls? Increased Brand Exposure: The more your potential customers see your brand, the more familiar they become with your business. This familiarity can result in them choosing your service when they need a plumber. Highly Targeted Ads: Retargeting allows you to show specific ads based on the user's behavior on your site. For instance, if they viewed a particular service, you can retarget them with ads related to that service. Improved Conversion Rates: Not all users will convert on their first visit. Retargeting keeps your brand at the forefront, increasing the likelihood of them returning to your site and converting to a service call. Cost-Effective: With retargeting, you're specifically targeting users who have shown interest in your services, making your marketing efforts more efficient and cost-effective. Retargeting on the Google Network offers a better opportunity for your plumbing business to maintain visibility and stay top of mind. This strategy is a powerful way to transform your first-time website visitors into repeat visitors and eventually into customers, thereby increasing your plumbing calls.
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