Blog

Oct '21

HVAC Marketing Strategies That Do NOT Work in 2022 (Podcast)

HVAC companies often read about experts who suggest what they should do to improve their online marketing. But how often do contractors hear about things they shouldn’t do? HVAC Webmasters discusses marketing tactics that hurt your company in today’s podcast episode.

1) GMB-Only Marketing

Puzzle piece marketing is a bad idea regardless of which element on which it focuses. Unfortunately, in 2022, the most common misstep is only focusing on Google My Business. An online presence is like a puzzle, and your GMB listing is only one piece. It’s impossible to compete with companies that cover all their bases while only incorporating one marketing aspect.

We understand your logic, though. Investing in GMB is generally a good idea. After all, ranking your listing is free and doesn’t require an agency or web designer to get going. However, you’ll quickly learn that only optimizing your GMB listing won’t get you to rank, even locally. The local algorithm is separate from the regular one, but it still looks at your website and web content when ranking your business listing.

Companies that publish a website and attach it to their GMB listing will outrank you on Google Maps most of the time. This is because Google Maps pulls content from these websites to inform their relevance and prominence ranking factors. They even use certain web pages to include local justifications, enhancing a Google My Business listing. So the bottom line is simple, only doing GMB won’t get your HVAC company good results in 2022.

2) Blogging

Blog posts were once the most popular marketing strategy for many local businesses. However, with more and more blogs getting published each day, search engines have experienced oversaturation in most industries. For example, how many HVAC companies can write 500-word blog posts about the most common air conditioning problems? As a result, Google’s new trend is to ignore these low-quality posts and focus on content users want.

It’s not to say that Google won’t rank blog posts — they will as long as you are willing to write long-form posts that use statistical information and provide expert opinions from qualified sources. However, the truth is that most HVAC companies hire a content writer to regurgitate existing posts from other platforms. The days of ranking these types of posts on page one are gone, and the contractors must decide. Either dedicate your time to writing extremely in-depth posts or stop blogging altogether.

If you choose to give up blogging for good, there are ways to produce other types of high-quality content. For example, you can create dynamic service pages that update with new content each time you perform a job in the field. A software solution like DataPins will automate such updates and insert schema markups on each of your service pages. When customers leave reviews for each job, these will show up on the page too.

DataPins Blog Alternative --- Showcasing Job Pin on Web Page

3) Throwing Money at an Agency (Without Self-Branding)

There was a time when throwing all your money at an SEO agency could get you customers without any additional work. Those days are over in 2022. Every high-ranking heating and cooling company expands brand awareness by performing day-to-day promotional tasks, for example, networking with other companies, keeping tabs on your social media accounts, and asking customers for reviews in person.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for some contractors who believe marketers should promote your brand without any company input. However, the unfortunate truth is that Google is moving away from such a dynamic. For example, the EAT concept relies on expertise, trust, and authority to distinguish relevant websites from those consumers should NOT trust. You can only establish these qualities by showcasing your actual work and fundamental knowledge of your industry.

Unfortunately, most agencies will take your money without asking these types of questions, even though they know it won’t produce results. If you are unwilling to commit to branding your own HVAC company in 2022, there’s no point in investing much money in an agency. Instead, you should probably go for a cheap SEO company that charges a meager monthly fee. Since your results won’t be outstanding, regardless, you can get what you pay for instead of blowing extra funds on false promises.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Oct '21

17 (Helpful + Innovative) HVAC Marketing Trends for 2022

Each year, new competitors emerge within the HVAC industry and your local market. If your marketing ideas lag, you might be the victim of more recent and more energetic competition. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and invest in HVAC marketing trends before they catch on to stay ahead of the game. In today’s post, HVAC Webmasters outlines 17 marketing trends to keep an eye on in 2022.

Table of Contents

1) DataPins

Contractors use a new tool called DataPins to pin jobs to their website and Google Maps listing. The pins include schema markup that communicates important job information with search engines, including Google. As a result, we see these pins replacing traditional city pages with duplicate content, which gives users a leg up on their competitors. However, it’s still early enough to keep pace by utilizing DataPins for your HVAC company.

2) Automated Title Tags

Google changed how they display title tags on Google Search. As a result, web admins can no longer automatically set the title by editing the metadata. Google may pick your H1 or other aspects of your content to display instead, at their discretion. The best way to combat the change is to start focusing more on H1s, in addition to your traditional title tag. Frequently, you will want these two tags to appear identical to encourage Google to use your manual title.

3) Review Automation

Every satisfied customer should get review requests after the service. You can use various tools to automate review requests and include links to the platform of your choice (Google, Yelp, Facebook, etc.). However, automation should not replace personal requests, only enhancing your digital request and making customers more likely to pay attention to emails and text messages. The personal touch sets the stage, and the convenience of digital requests closes the deal.

4) Lead Funnels

Everyone is talking about funneling, but what is a funnel for HVAC companies? A funnel is any part of your marketing and sales process, whether you identify it or not. For example, a contact form on your website is part of a funnel that turns visitors into customers. You can add other components to your funnels, such as email marketing automation and Facebook retargeting. Utilizing CRM software can help you keep track of your prospects and where they exist within your sales funnels.

5) Personalized Images

The trends highlight how personalized photos on your website and business listings increase conversions by 250% compared to stock photos. Customers want to see authentic images of your staff and equipment instead of a picture of an actor holding some repair tools. Genuine images evoke trust and credibility and can make prospects more comfortable taking the next step.

6) Podcasts

One modern trend for expanding brand awareness is podcasting. HVAC companies have a lot of knowledge that listers would find interesting, from different solutions to client stories. There’s an added benefit to podcasting since platforms like Apple and Spotify hold considerable equity in the digital marketing space. Google even presents podcast results to searchers looking specifically for audio content.

7) Google My Business Posts

Most HVAC companies already market their company through Google My Business, but a new feature allows them to share posts through their GMB listing. Posts provide an opportunity to showcase special offers, seasonal promotions, and emergency updates. Studies show that consumers respond to the visual element of posts, making them an appealing marketing trend for heating and cooling companies in 2022.

8) Influencer Marketing

The concept of using influential figures to promote your services is gaining momentum in 2022. You might question how an internet sensation can push your HVAC brand to increase interest, but keep in mind that not every influencer is a household name. The key is finding people who hold influence over your target audience, which may be highly niche-oriented. For example, someone who can influence homeowners in your city may look like a real estate agent.

9) Cross-Promotion

Have you ever considered expanding your brand into other areas? For example, besides providing heating and cooling services to your region, you can also offer digital marketing services for other HVAC contractors. This way, you can leverage your position in the HVAC space to gain HVAC clients for the other part of your business. If you’re interested in learning more about SEO, consider joining an SEO academy that can teach you how to start your own agency in 2022.

10) Customer Segmentation

When attempting to keep existing customers engaged, HVAC companies have traditionally relied on a one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, an email blast about furnace repair during the peak of winter makes sense for all of your contacts. Well, actually, that’s a shortsighted approach that was proven obsolete by newer, more innovative strategies that incorporate segmentation. Breaking customers down into those most likely to respond to particular highlights boosts sales considerably.

11) A/B Testing

Traditionally, contractor companies have published websites, launched email campaigns, and promoted advertisements based on a gut feeling. In 2022, A/B testing allows each of these marketing channels to self-optimize through data comparisons. People are responding to the second variation of that web page instead of the first. Prospects are clicking through the first email variation more than the second. Use this data to put forth your most effective materials and get more customers.

12) Social Proof

Reviews are outstanding for earning trust and building credibility, but other types of content can also boost those entities. For instance, a badge showcasing your local award for best HVAC company of 2021 can increase conversions substantially. The same is true for honors provided from platforms like HomeAdvisor and Angi. So anytime you gain an endorsement, ask for a digital badge to publish on your website.

13) Lead Magnets

Not every potential website visitor is ready to become your next customer. Sure, you could restrict your content enough to target mostly buyer-ready prospects, but you’d be losing out on a whole bunch of additional traffic. The initial idea might be, “who cares?” but some of this traffic can serve more than just your digital marketing presence. For example, someone finds your website through a blog post about the most common air conditioner problems during summer. While this reader isn’t going to use your services today, you can grab their contact information with a lead magnet and promote your services at a later date.

14) Content Marketing

Content marketing is a way to help push your brand to a broader audience. If you limit yourself only to people ready to buy, you’re losing out on countless future opportunities. By capturing people through blog posts, videos, and social shares, you can remarket to them when they need your services. The more people recognize your brand, the more responsive they’ll be when they encounter an HVAC problem in their own household. The content marketing trend expands on the previous trend of lead magnets since the two concepts are often used in unison.

15) Pay Per Call

Google Ads is a common form of Pay Per Click Advertising that most HVAC companies currently utilize. However, a new trend is emerging called Pay Per Call, which prompts advertisers to pay only when a phone call occurs, rather than a click. As you might imagine, a phone call is far more valuable than a click because callers are more likely to become a customer than someone who clicks through to a landing page. So consider investing in Pay Per Call ads to boost your conversions and maximize your budget in 2022.

16) Chatbots

AI can now adequately push prospects through the first parts of your sales funnel without a need for human oversight. With automated chatbots, you can tee up potential customers for the taking. Of course, the first step is installing the chatbot on your website’s homepage and setting up the different rules and automation. Additionally, some customers may sign up for your services without ever talking to a human being. While some human interaction remains imperative, you can increase your client base with chatbots.

17) Nextdoor Advertising

HVAC companies traditionally focus on targeting a specific region, city, or town. But what if you could reach neighborhoods directly? You can with Nextdoor advertising. The platform is ideal for HVAC companies because it consists of real people from real communities in your service areas. Think of spreading through Nextdoor as digital word of mouth since people discuss companies as they would with their neighbors in person.

Tools for The Trends in 2022

Understanding trends is the first step, but putting them into action is the most critical task. You can invest in tools like DataPins, Field360, and Alexa for Business to maximize your execution in 2022. HVAC companies may need some or all of these tools to keep pace in their local market, depending on region, population, and relative competition. Contact HVAC Webmasters for a free marketing assessment.

Sep '21

How To Build an HVAC Images Library (w/List of Sites) in 2021

As a Heating & Cooling Company, building an HVAC images library for your website, social media profiles, and other business citations is essential.

People like to look at images – especially when it comes to choosing an HVAC company. As a result, top HVAC companies are investing in images libraries. An HVAC images library can show your customers what you are capable of, what kind of business you run, and your company’s values.

Building a photo library can be tricky, though. Where do you start? Where do you get the pictures? What kind of images should you include? HVAC Webmasters covers all this and more in the following post.

Table of Contents

Setting a Goal for Your Images Library

Build your HVAC images library with a specific purpose. Most HVAC contractors interested in building an images library promote particular services or need visual components to their web pages.

However, an image library can be more than that and can share your company’s values with visitors to your site. Additionally, images can showcase some of the incredible people you employ. Finally, an image gallery can educate and engage your audience.

Your goal will ultimately inform what kind of images you need and where to get those images. Next, think about what you want people to think, feel, or how you want them to react when they see the pictures in your gallery. What is the ultimate goal of your images gallery? Do you want to sell your services? Tell a story? Teach people about HVAC?

Stock Photos (Are They Worthwhile?)

A lot of HVAC contractors use stock photos to load up their images gallery. Stock images are a handy option because of easy access to pretty much any visual you can think of – including HVAC systems and HVAC technicians. Stock photos are a solid option if:

You are working with a thin budget
You don’t have unique photos of your staff and equipment

HVAC Stock Photo — Some Stock Photos Look Great on Your Company Website

List of Stock Photo Websites for HVAC Contractors

There are all kinds of stock photos you can use for your HVAC company. There are also a lot of sources for stock photos. Here are some of the best stock image websites to get you started:

123RF: 123RF is home to millions of images, and many HVAC contractors have used them to populate their sites with images.
Pixabay: Pixabay offers royalty-free stock photos without needing to sign up for an account.
Deposit Photos: Deposit Photos has been around for about a decade and has amassed hundreds of millions of high-quality images for nearly every industry.
Unsplash: This is a paid subscription, but it can cut a lot of the guesswork out of using stock images (licensing and attribution).

Before you start loading up on stock images, you have to be aware that not all stock images are free. Some are licensed, which means you will either have to pay to use them or give attribution to them on your website.

There are many stock photo websites like 123rf and Unsplash that give you access to their library for a monthly fee. The monthly payments include unlimited usage of their library, and you won’t usually have to worry about attribution when you pay for a subscription service. Free sites like Pixabay will typically specify whether attribution is required on a photo-by-photo basis.

Other Photo Library Options for Heating & Cooling

Stock photos are often necessary, but they don’t come without their downside. For instance, since thousands of websites use the same stock photos, Google can’t distinguish which picture is more valuable, and therefore, none of them provide great SEO value. The good news is that other types of photos provide greater SEO value for HVAC companies.

Infographic Images

Infographics are a great way to educate your visitors and tell them something interesting about your HVAC services in general. When polled, 200 marketers reported that infographics helped them reach their marketing goals more than any other type of visual marketing strategy.

Infographics are also a great way to load up your image library with original content. That way, you won’t have to worry about licensing or attribution at all. In addition, several websites allow you to create your own infographics, like Canva.

Canva Infographic Templates — Canva Provides Various Free Templates You Can Edit for Your Website

Original Photos

Last but not least, you can load up your HVAC images library with photos that you take yourself! These days, camera phones can snap the same types of high-quality images as fancy professional cameras. If you plan to take a bunch of photos with your camera phone, we suggest investing in a tripod. It will keep the camera steady and allow you to take better-quality photos. Taking your own pictures for your images library is a good idea when:

You want to appear as professional and unique for Google and users
The goal is to tell the story of your company or to highlight your staff
You want to show off completed projects

Consider publishing landscape photos of service areas, your logo, or even your satisfied customers (with their consent, of course). Original photos may be the way to go if you want to emphasize your involvement in the community as well. Taking pictures of yourself and your staff at local events is a great way to show your potential customers that you are invested in the community just like they are.

Original Photo for HVAC Website — Original Photos of Your Staff Help With Both SEO and Conversions

Optimizing Your Photo Library

Gathering different kinds of photos is a great way to keep your online presence fresh and visually appealing. But there are other things you should consider when building up your stash. For example, each time you download an image, you will want to name the file something relevant. For example, a picture of your HVAC truck should have a title like (jims-hvac-company-truck.jpg). Naming your image files helps with the following:

SEO: Google can read file names, so your images should contain keywords when possible (and should match the image alt text)

Organization: Avoid keeping duplicate photos in your library by giving each a unique name

Image Library File Name — Rename Your Image Files for Relevance and Matching Alt Text

Aug '21

7 HVAC Postcard Ideas to Maximize Your Direct Mail Marketing

In the following post, HVAC Webmasters discusses seven postcard ideas for HVAC contractors looking to maximize their direct mail marketing campaigns. Believe it or not, direct mail marketing still has its place in the digital world. Don’t believe us? The numbers don’t lie. In 2021 the average direct mail marketing open rate was 90%.

Some people believe direct mail marketing is crucial in 2021 because COVID is still forcing people to work from home. However, now that people stay home more often, they are actually checking their mail and opening it.

Still, it may be simpler than all that. Getting a physical postcard in the mail that you can then pin to the refrigerator or your corkboard to remind you of an appointment is still helpful for many people. So in the following post, we will be giving you some HVAC postcard ideas to give your direct mail marketing campaign a shot in the arm.

Table of Contents

Why Use Postcards?

As an HVAC company, you provide an ongoing service. Therefore, everyone needs to have their heaters, AC’s or ductwork worked on from time to time, and postcards can help people keep track of when they need service. Here are some instances when an HVAC postcard would be appropriate:

Service Reminders: No one wants to get caught with a faulty HVAC system in the dead of winter or dog days of summer. A friendly service or maintenance reminder in the form of a postcard can help the consumer maintain a working HVAC system and boost your sales.
Promotions: Postcards are also a great way to tell your current customers about special deals that may interest them. Try to personalize the mail list by sending postcards about a service that the receivers have used or enquired about previously.
Greeting New Residents: You can send a postcard greeting to people who have just moved into your service areas, letting them know that you provide HVAC services. You can also send postcards to residents in areas where your company expands.
Thank You Notes: Making customers feel appreciated is essential for any business – HVAC included. Postcards are a great way to say thanks to a customer for their patronage.

Awesome HVAC Postcard Ideas

Creating effective postcards has a lot to do with visuals and the actual copy on the cards. Take a look at some HVAC postcard ideas for inspiration:

1) Make it Personal

Personalizing your postcards as much as you can is always a good idea. In email marketing campaigns, customized messages increase conversion and open rates. The same principle applies to physical mail marketing. People don’t want to see a general statement sent to hundreds of other people. They respond more when they know the message is personal. When you send thank you cards, mention the service the customer purchased. When promoting a service, use your sales history data to send promotional postcards to a targeted mailing list.

2) Drive Action

If the goal of your postcard campaign is sales, it can help create a sense of urgency that drives action. For example, if you are promoting a sale on duct cleaning, make sure that the offer is time-sensitive so that people will feel compelled to take more or less immediate action. In addition, any offer you promote through direct mail postcards should most certainly have a clearly marked expiration date.

3) Utilize a Call to Action

Just like with web copy and email marketing campaigns, you need a call to action on your HVAC postcards to let the recipient know what you want them to do and so that you can measure the effectiveness of your campaign. For example, giving special codes for a specific discount is an easy way to track the effectiveness of a promotion and a direct mail marketing campaign.

4) Use Copy Sparingly

The written content on your HVAC postcards shouldn’t look like an essay when your customers receive it. That will only scare them away. So instead, keep your message short, simple, and focused. In other words, don’t try to cram a bunch of different promotions or topics onto the same card. Instead, stick to the most important message and a straightforward call to action.

5) Be Careful with Images

Piggy-backing off the last point, be careful with what images you include on your postcard. While images can certainly increase open rates, having too many will make your postcard look too busy and unattractive to the recipient. Instead, use only one or two images at the most. Also, you always have to make sure that the images you use are high resolution for print. Remember that when you see an image on a computer screen, it might not necessarily look as clear and crisp in print. In general, though, you want your pictures to have a print resolution of at least 300 DPI.

6) Create a Compelling Headline

The headline should be the largest font on your postcard. It should also be as compelling as possible. For example, if you are promoting a special discount on an HVAC service, the gist of the service should be your headline. For example, if you promote a special on AC tuneups, your headline could be something like “Stay cool in the sweltering summer months.” This headline pressures the pain of not having a properly working AC at the hottest time of the year. It conjures up an uncomfortable image for the reader and may spur them to action. Here’s another example for an HVAC inspection special: “Save money on your monthly utility bills.” Again, this headline pressures the pain of high utility bills due to an inefficient HVAC system. However, it also offers a solution for the recipient.

7) Keep Track of the Results

Last but not least, you will want to make sure you can measure the success of your direct mail marketing campaign. That way, you can figure out what messages are working and which are flopping. You can track the results by phone by using a specific number on the postcards for customers to call. Link that phone number to a call forwarding system so you will know each time the phone rings as a result of your postcard campaign. You can track results by website visits by including a unique URL on the postcard that links to a specific landing page. Finally, you can track actual purchases by including a special discount code on the postcard.

Jul '21

The 7 Best HVAC Websites on The Internet

Growing your HVAC business online is an attainable goal in 2021. Of course, you will need a high-quality website to achieve your goal. When it comes to the best HVAC websites in the USA and globally, they all share specific qualities. In the following blog post, HVAC Webmasters reveals the seven best heating and cooling websites on the internet today and which shared qualities make them successful.

Table of Contents

1) A 100% Guarantee Heating & AC

A 100% Guarantee’s website makes things simple for the visitor with clear and convincing calls to action and an appealing color scheme. The chatbox on the bottom right makes contacting their business more accessible than ever, and the main navigation menu shows prospective customers their service options. In addition, the review widget provides social proof to build trust with potential customers.

2) Airmatics

Airmatics grabs visitors’ attention immediately with a featured slider that offers both an instant online quote and a free service call. Talk about making a first impression. The site continues to impress visitors with badges of honor, such as the Thumbtack Top Pro award, which provides the necessary social proof to foster trust. The homepage goes onto to describe different service types and showcase Google review through an embedded widget.

3) DRX Air Duct

DRX Air Duct’s website is all about establishing its brand. The color scheme, top images, and truck wraps drive home their well-known brand and build instant trust with potential clients. The homepage shows even more authority by showcasing DRX Air Duct’s social media pages, video content, and unique images. The company even showcases how they accept bitcoin as a payment form to appeal to customers with cryptocurrency.

4) Einstein Air Conditioning

Who inspires more trust than Albert Einstein? The HVAC website below features their Einstien-like logo and truck wrap to build instant trust with visitors. If that weren’t enough, a prominent video introduces their company to personalizes the experience. The homepage builds authority by showcasing online reviews from Google and Facebook and featuring additional unique images of their staff and equipment. The main navigation menu outlines the different services they offer.

5) Total Comfort Cooling & Heating

Total Comfort’s website features a sleek and simple design that matches the brand color scheme and provides an excellent user experience. The form on the top right of the homepage allows users to register for a free quote which converts lots of leads in a short period. The company’s Approved Installer badge from Service Finance appears prominently on the homepage and builds trust with prospective clients. Additionally, logos of different HVAC brands give prospects some insight into potential HVAC solutions.

6) Woolace and Johnson

Woolace and Johnson is one of the best-looking HVACR websites you’ll ever see. The truck wrap establishes brand authority from the jump, and the rest of the homepage goes on to detail services and provide social proof. Like several other websites on the list, Woolace and Johnson features a review widget to show off 3rd party reviews and encourage visitors to take action. The top-right phone number matches the site’s color scheme and stands out to visitors intending to schedule HVAC services soon.

7) Mission Critical Comfort Solutions

MCCS shows why personalization is so essential for website success. Their homepage features a picture of their staff so that potential customers can immediately connect with the brand. The subsequent video further drives home their brand personalization and encourages prospects to take action. The “Request A Quote” CTA gives website users a straightforward course of action and extensive navigation menu details each service provided to customers.

Qualities of The Best HVAC Websites in 2021

While each of these websites presents different strengths, they all share specific qualities that are symptomatic of a robust HVAC website. If you can master the common themes of these seven websites, you will give your HVAC company a chance to convert online customers and grow your brand in 2021.

Branding

Websites that feature their logo and images of their brand convert at a 164% higher rate than non-branded sites. The best way to brand an HVACR website is to match the logo colors with the site theme. In addition, companies can drive home their brand by showcasing truck wraps, staff members wearing company shirts, and videos with a brand introduction.

Calls To Action (CTAs)

Every robust website must have a prominent CTA so that users can take action. A great-looking website without an accessible CTA fails to convert the visitors it inspires. Imagine doing all that work just to lose out to competitors? The CTA is essential to lead generation and perhaps the most critical aspect of your company website.

Personalization

Stock photos fail to establish the level of trust that custom photos do on a website. Personalization is about connecting with visitors on a personal level. When prospects can see the company owner, staff members, and truck, they immediately feel an emotional connection. At the very least, they know they’re dealing with an honest company and not potential spam.

Social Proof

Every HVAC website talks about how great their company is, but how many of them can prove it with data? Showcasing 3rd party reviews is the best way to publish social proof and increase conversion rates. Ensure the reviews widgets feature 3rd party reviews, like Google Reviews, for example, because people are less likely to trust feedback that comes straight from the company. Anybody can copy and paste reviews to look favorable, but a reviews widget pulls the feedback straight from Google.

FAQ about Heating and Cooling Websites

Should I Use an HVAC Website Builder?

We don’t recommend website builders because they limit your SEO potential. In addition, most builders use pre-made code blocks that resemble countless other websites throughout the internet. If you have no web design help, however, it’s not a bad alternative.

Should I Use HVAC Website Templates?

Using website templates is generally acceptable as long as they are on WordPress and feature original pages and content. Custom design is the best option for companies who want to maximize their SEO efforts, but templates serve their purpose for companies who wish to add content and brand their website.

Where Can I Get HVAC Website Content?

Most SEO agencies provide custom content for your website. You can also hire content writers from crowdsourcing websites or through regular advertisements. However, be careful who you hire since some people will copy and paste content from other websites. You should run your content through Copyscape to ensure its 100% uniqueness.

Jul '21

9 HVAC Industry Statistics to Consider in 2021

Whether you are considering a career in HVAC, are already firmly entrenched in the industry, or are a consumer wanting to know more about HVAC before making a purchasing decision, there is always knowledge is always power.

Or, to put it another way, there is strength in numbers and statistical numbers in particular. So you should always know what you are getting yourself into, whether you are buying a new AC unit or deciding on a career path.

To that end, HVAC Webmasters thought we’d dedicate today’s blog post to the most exciting and insightful HVAC industry statistics.

1) The HVAC Market is Projected to Grow by 6.1%

Back in 2020, the HVAC market in the United States was estimated to pull in 57 billion dollars. In just five years, that number is projected to reach 82.5 billion dollars. That’s a projected industry growth of 6.1%.

Beyond this immediate growth, experts predict that with the ongoing climate changes, demand for HVAC systems will only continue to grow. Such a trend may be of particular interest if you try to decide on a career path with good job security.

2) The Average HVAC Technician Salary is $23.68 Per Hour in the US

So you know that your HVAC job isn’t likely to be in danger any time soon, but how much can you expect to be paid? That all depends. The number one factor that will determine your HVAC salary is where you live.

The average salary for HVAC technicians varies by state. The national average, however, is $23.68 per hour. To put that figure into perspective for you, consider that as of May 2021, the national average for hourly pay in the US was $11.41.

Some of the highest paying states for HVAC contractors and technicians are on the East Coast to give you even more perspective. For example, Connecticut pays its HVAC technicians the highest national hourly rate at $52.93 per hour. Conversely, Idaho HVAC specialists earn the lowest average at just $22.22 per hour – more than a dollar below the national average.

3) 46,000 new HVAC Jobs will Be Created by 2028

If you are wondering how likely it will be to find a job once you are a licensed HVAC technician, consider the following statistic: the Bureau of Labor estimates that by the year 2028, there will be 46,000 more HVAC jobs created in the US alone.

What’s the reason for this boom? Well, as we already discussed, climate change is playing its part. More importantly, however, is the growth of the construction industry. The HVAC and construction industry have always been very closely tied and as one goes, so does the other. At least most of the time.

Labor experts believe that because the construction industry is projected to grow in the coming years, the HVAC industry will too. As a result, 46,000 more jobs will be needed to be filled by 2028 which, translates to a 13% increase in job growth.

4) 75% of US Homes Have Central Air

Wondering what you might want to specialize in as an HVAC contractor or technician? According to experts, you might want to brush up on central air units in particular. It is estimated that 75% of US households have central air systems installed.

Still, you shouldn’t simply assume that everyone in your geographical market will need central air services. As with most things in life and work, it all depends on the region. For example, if you live in a northern state, you will likely see fewer central air units. Instead, you will probably run into many more window units and individual cooling appliances in colder regions where air conditioning is only needed a couple of months a year. In this case, it may be wiser to specialize in swamp coolers, window units, and portable AC systems.

5) 67% of Households in Southern States Leave Their AC Running All Day

If you live or have ever visited the South, you know how brutal and unrelenting the heat can be. A survey of Southern households revealed that more than 67% of residents leave their air conditioner running all day.

If you don’t live in the South but are willing to go to where the demand is the highest for HVAC technicians, this statistic may make you consider a relocation. The only drawback is that most people don’t have their air conditioner serviced every year like they ought to – even in Southern states.

Still, it is an encouraging statistic as an HVAC contractor because you know that there will be many AC repair and replacement opportunities in the South.

6) The Average American Pays $319 on HVAC Repair

There are no set guidelines for how much you will pay for HVAC repair/service as a consumer. It will always depend on where you are, what the nature of the repair/maintenance is, what type of unit you have, and who you hire, just to name a few factors.

On average, though, you will pay $319 to have your AC repaired or serviced. If you need your furnace looked at, you can expect to pay an average of $268. You can also spend upwards of $2,900 for serious HVAC repair jobs or installations.

7) California had the Most HVAC Jobs in 2019

As recently as two years ago, California led the nation in employed HVAC technicians and contractors. In 2019, California employed more than 187,000 HVAC technicians and contractors. That was by far the highest in the country. The state with the 2nd highest number of HVAC employees was New York with 67,300.

Those numbers are expected to hold steady too. As a result, the HVAC industry’s job growth is expected to mirror the overall industry growth in the nation.

8) The Industry is Moving Away from Gas Heaters

Home appliances are changing and evolving. For example, since 2001, the popularity of electric water heaters has grown. As a result, more people have electric water heaters installed in their homes and are moving away from gas storage units.

The reason for this is the perceived superior efficiency of electric water heaters. As a result, they are said to waste less electricity and water.

9) More People Use Gas and Electricity to Heat their Homes

Gone are the days of kerosene, propane, and fuel oil. Instead, most Americans use gas and electricity to heat their homes in 2021. It is estimated that 43% of Americans utilized utility gas to heat their homes, while 44% have already switched over to electrical heating systems.

Take your HVAC Company Into the Future

Here at HVAC Webmasters, we are all about helping you prepare for sustained success. That’s why we wanted to provide you with some HVAC industry statistics that highlight the current industry trends. That’s also why we offer modern digital marketing services.

Your HVAC business won’t survive in the digital age unless it employs digital solutions. So let us take your company into the future today.

Jul '21

5 Outstanding HVAC Software Apps for 2021

2021 is a great time to be in the HVACR industry with over 400,000 U.S. jobs and a projected growth of over 12% over the next several years.

The construction of commercial and residential properties lends itself to a need for HVAC services.

As your heating and cooling company grows, it is critical to hire competent technicians to get the job done. In addition, as a company owner, it is your job to empower your customers with the best possible HVAC software and applications to maximize performance.

With this in mind, HVAC Webmasters presents the best HVAC software list for 2021:

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1) Service Titan

When it comes to field management software, few apps match the performance of Service Titan. While the software itself is expensive, it provides technicians with all the tools they need to maximize their performance. Perhaps most importantly, the app helps business owners streamline their operations and track their progress daily.

The mobile app presents vital ease of use and superior user experience, making it noticeably better than other mobile apps in the industry. For example, drag and drop capability allows dispatchers to provide technicians or anyone else with the customer info immediately.

Pricing: (Contact for Pricing) (Estimated $245/month per seat)

2) Jobber

Jobber is another powerful app for HVAC technicians in 2021 and caters more to smaller businesses than Service Titan. As a result, pricing is lower with this app, and for small to medium-sized operations, it’s all you’ll need.

Most of its features empower technicians and managers to maximize performance, such as invoice organization and an included mobile app. The app even supports timesheets so that businesses can track their employees’ hours.

Pricing: $29/month (1 user), $200/month (>30 users)

3) DataPins

DataPins is a powerful Local SEO tool for HVAC companies. This app performs pin drops using schema markup to validate service and service areas to Google. Furthermore, the app serves to optimize conversion rates by showcasing local jobs to prospective customers. The app even comes with built-in reputation management that automates review requests via text and email.

While you might not think of DataPins as field service management software, it includes field service features. For example, customers receive a bio of their technician via text, and employers can track their technicians and dispatch jobs. As a result, DataPins is the most robust HVAC software on the market.

Pricing: Contact for Pricing

4) Housecall Pro

Housecall Pro presents field service management software to more than 15,000 businesses in the home service industry (including HVAC) and is full of features required to run a competent organization. For example, admins can assign and edit jobs for technicians and utilize drag-and-drop scheduling.

Perhaps most impressively, Housecall Pro automates various tasks, including digital forms, based on pre-existing information so that dispatchers and HVAC business owners can focus on growth and ROI.

Pricing: $49/month (1 user), $199/month (9 users), $30 per additional user

5) Jobber

Jobber serves more industries beyond HVAC, but it certainly works well for HVAC companies, particularly those focused on residential jobs. In many circles, Jobber is considered to preferred choice for field management software. Its feature list is vast, and its UX is intriguing.

Jobber allows customers to book services through your website or Facebook page, and every time you receive a booking request, you get notified through the Jobber mobile app. Notable features include batch invoicing and route optimization, which help streamline your entire operation.

Pricing: $29/month (1 user), $199/month (30 users)

Is HVAC Software Free?

The closest thing you’ll get to free HVAC software is ReachOut Suite, which offers three users a free trial. Unfortunately, none of the software listed in our top five provides free services, so you will have to pay a monthly fee to utilize them for your heating and cooling business.

What’s The Best Commercial HVAC Software?

The best commercial HVAC software is DataPins. While most of the apps above support commercial heating and cooling businesses, DataPins lends itself most to the commercial industry by allowing companies to showcase jobs and drop pins at various locations.

Why Should my HVACR Business Use Software?

Modern software makes your job easier as an HVAC contractor. Mobile apps are beneficial if you manage a team of three or more technicians as they empower you to streamline your field management operation. Investing in software typically yields a positive ROI for HVAC businesses since it helps provide a better service to customers and allows companies to run more efficiently.

Jun '21

6 Best Content Management Systems for HVAC Websites

Content management can be a huge chore – especially if your HVAC website gets a lot of monthly traffic. The demand for new content and to optimize your existing content is ceaseless. Search engines want fresh content to display at the top of the rankings, consumers wish to organized and informational content at the ready, and your website needs to provide a rich and easy-to-use interface.

As you can imagine, accomplishing all this is a daunting task. That’s why many HVAC business owners and contractors turn to Content Management Systems. In short, Content Management Systems (or CMS’s) help automate much of the content management processes. But which is the best CMS for your HVAC business. We will help you answer that question in the following post as we run down the best content management systems for HVAC websites.

Table of Contents

What is a Content Management System?

Before we dive into the list, you may have some general questions about CMSs. A content management system is typically a software suite that makes it easier for you to create, publish, update and manage your website’s content.

The content can be everything from blog posts and written content on your About page to images and online forms – basically anything that appears on your website. The best content management systems are essential for many industries because they allow you to design, publish, and update your website without using complicated code.

Chances are, you are probably already familiar with a content management system,” WordPress. WordPress is a perfect example of a CMS as it allows you to build and manage a website. That is a CMS in a nutshell.

So you can see why a CMS is essential whether you don’t have a website yet or need to manage the content on your existing site. With the introductions out of the way, we present you with our list of HVAC contractors’ best content management systems.

Top CMSs for Heating & Cooling in 2021

1) WordPress

You didn’t think we’d leave out one of the most popular CMS’s on the internet, did you? WordPress is an open-source CMS that offers a free version and a premium paid version. WordPress boasts some of the most robust and valuable plugins, including the Yoast SEO plugin which, helps you optimize your content for maximum digital exposure. WordPress also has a slew of template themes that can help your website stand out without breaking your back on coding. It’s user-friendly, and you can master the dashboard with just a few days of use.

Source: WordPress

2) Joomla

We start our list with a free, open-source CMS called Joomla. The great thing about Joomla (besides being free) is that you won’t need in-depth technical knowledge to utilize it effectively. It is intuitive, user-friendly and you can get a handle on the essential functions pretty quickly.

Open-source software can be necessary for HVAC contractors because it gives you access to a vast array of plugins, custom templates, and tools you may need for your business. For example, with Joomla, you will be able to add online form plugins so your customers can schedule appointments online.

Source: Joomla

3) Kentico Kontact

Next on the list is Kentico Kontact which, offers a free version and a paid version. Kentico is an excellent option if you have multiple sites and a mobile site for your company, as it allows you to use your content pretty much anywhere easily. It uses Cloud storage to make it easier to implement your content to various sites.

Kontact is a headless CMS that gives the content you create more fluidity because it is stored as data instead of being tied to a web page. The downside is that you will need a good amount of experience and design knowledge to utilize it effectively.

Source: Konten t

4) HubSpot CMS

Hubspot CMS makes our list of the best content management systems for HVAC websites because it provides helpful in-house tools you can use to optimize your site. For example, you can use an in-house A/B tester can be used to see which landing pages are earning more clicks and which need to be tweaked.

Hubspot CMS also assists with SEO which, let’s face it, everyone can use help within 2021. Building a page from scratch is also very easy on this platform: a simple drag-and-drop page builder and editor you can use if you have little to no design experience.

Source: Hubspot CMS

5) Contentful

If you have multiple websites for different areas that you service or a slew of landing pages tied to your PPC ads, then Contentful may be a good option. Contentful makes it easy to create and organize different content in a centralized software suite then distribute it to various online channels.

There are two downsides to Contentful, however. One, it is a headless CMS, so you will need to be somewhat tech-savvy. Two, there is no free version.

Source: Contentful

6) Grav

Grav is a good option if you already have your website up and running and somewhat optimized. That’s because Grav uses a flat-file database to help you upload content to your existing site. The upside to this is that Grav lightweight and won’t slow your website down. You can also use it on pretty much any platform since it’s so minimal.

Grav is an excellent option if you upload many new photos, blog content, or other files onto your HVAC site. As a bonus, it’s another free CMS.

Source: Grav

Web Design and so Much More

The best content management systems will help you design and update your website yourself. However, it always helps to have a professional in your corner for everything else. Here at HVAC Webmasters, we can design a custom HVAC website for you and make sure it ranks high in your local market. Start earning more business today!

May '21

8 Reasons to Use WordPress for Your HVAC Website in 2021

If you have just started your own HVAC business or want to revamp your existing one, you may be staring down some serious choices. Namely, “Which website builder should I use?” There are a few trendy choices out there for you, but few offer the kinds of resources that WordPress does.

There is a reason why WordPress is the most used website builder on the internet – or rather, there are eight excellent reasons. If you have been debating about which builder you should use for your new HVAC site, allow us to play devil’s advocate and tell you about the advantages of WordPress.

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1) It can be Free

Please note the italics in the heading. One of the best things about WordPress is that using its primary model is free. You can have an essential WordPress website up every month without paying a dime. If you want premium features like faster hosting, you will have to pay a bit for that. In general, though, small businesses don’t have to spend much to maintain a quality WordPress website. Some don’t pay anything at all. If you are working with a minimal marketing budget, a free WordPress HVAC website may be just what the doctor ordered.

2) Open Source Software

WordPress is open-source, and that means a couple of things. First and foremost, it means that you can use it with software and plugins made by third-party developers. Other website design platforms are closed-source, relegating the user to plugins and tools created by the platform’s designers (similar to the difference between Android and iOS). Secondly, open-source means that many plugins and tools are free. Third-party developers usually offer their software for free (at least initially). You have more flexibility and options when designing and optimizing your WordPress HVAC website.

3) Makes Blogging Easier

Let’s flashback to 2003 for a minute to WordPress’s initial launch, and it was used almost exclusively by bloggers. It was designed for bloggers to launch their sites quickly and easily. Flash forward to 2021, and WordPress is still rooted in its blogging history. Of course, it has expanded immensely, and you can create virtually any kind of website you want with it, but it still makes posting new blogs on a daily or weekly basis very easy. The interface can quickly and easily crank out fresh blog posts. Why is this important for your WordPress HVAC website? Because you should have a blog on your HVAC website. Not only do people prefer to get information about a company through blogs rather than advertisements, but websites that have a blog also earn significantly more traffic than ones that don’t. The WordPress platform makes it ridiculously easy for you to maintain your HVAC blog with scheduling tools, SEO plugins, and more.

4) Lots of User Resources

One of the biggest reasons small businesses flock to WordPress is that most people aren’t web design wizards. We need help from time to time. Since WordPress is open-source, the community is enormous. If you ever have questions about using WordPress or run into a problem, there is more than likely a tutorial for it on the WordPress forums. Even if there isn’t, thanks to being the most used website builder globally, there are plenty of outside resources available from fellow users. No matter what problem you run into with your site, someone has posted a forum comment, blog post, or video tutorial about it.

5) Simple Interface

Again, things can get a bit more complex when you start adding more plugins and software; but the primary interface of WordPress is very straightforward. Again, not all of us are tech-savvy; but you will understand the essential functions if you spend an hour on your WordPress dashboard. The ease of use is often cited by WordPress users when asked why they chose the platform in the first place – and 64 million people using WordPress to power their sites can’t all be wrong.

7) It Grows with your Business

Never forget that the whole point of having a quality website is to grow your business. So you’ll want a platform that can grow with it. WordPress can accommodate as your website gains traction, gets more traffic, and customers start demanding more from it. The myriad of free and paid WordPress plugins can add more functionality to your site without having to uproot the whole thing. Plus, many premium themes can help you scale your site as the business grows. You can even use new themes to change the look of your website without totally redesigning it. Many tools can improve the user experience for your visitors and online form plugins, and digital appointment scheduling.

8) WordPress Makes SEO Easier

Last but certainly not least, the popular Yoast SEO plugin seamlessly integrates SEO elements into your content. Please make no mistake about it; SEO is still crucial in 2021. While SEO can be a headache, WordPress makes the task a lot simpler by automatically scoring your pages based on SEO criteria, suggesting titles and meta descriptions, and suggesting ways to boost your HVAC SEO. The learning curve is minimal, and it can have a significant impact on your monthly traffic.

Professional WordPress Web Design

WordPress is great because you can use it to great success by beginners and seasoned design vets alike. Do you know who else uses WordPress? We do! Here at HVAC Webmasters, we use WordPress to craft unique and alluring websites for our clients in the HVAC industry. We can do the same for you, so talk to us about our web design services today.

Apr '21

User Experience + User Interface for HVAC: The 2021 Guide

Table of Contents

What is User Experience for HVAC Websites?

User Experience or UX is the ease in which visitors interact with your HVAC website, including navigation, information, and efficiency. The goal of UX is to meet the user’s needs and encourage them to take decisive action on your website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Fx_UvLa4z8

What is User Interface for HVAC Websites?

User Interface or UI is the presentation and appearance of your HVAC website, including its design, theme, and general design framework. UI contributes to UX because well-crafted interfaces enhance the user’s overall experience.

The Influence of UX & UI on HVAC Consumers

Have you ever visited a website and became frustrated because it was challenging to navigate or because you couldn’t find the information? Conversely, think of when you were on a website, and everything you came for was available with just a few clicks. These interactions are examples of User Experience and User Interface (UX and UI): the former being a bad example and the latter being a good example.

UX and UI are closely related to website design, which may be a subject outside your realm of experience as an HVAC tech or contractor. However, they are vital to your company’s success because they are closely related to marketing and lead generation. If you aren’t familiar with HVAC user experience or user interface, then read on as we provide a basic primer on these concepts.

Showing How Concise Design Helps SEO for HVAC Professionals

Differentiating UX and UI

On the surface, the user interface and user experience look like the same thing. They are very closely related; however, it’s essential to know the difference. UI is a subset of UX. UX considers how a person feels when they are on your website, while UI deals with the more specialized technical aspects of how the user interacts with the website.

You can think of it in these terms: UI is relegated to technical aspects while UX deals with complex technical and human aspects of website design and function.

What Goes Into Good UX and UI?

Again, you may not have a lot of in-depth knowledge of UX and UI design, but you should know what it takes to create a site that gives visitors what they want. The process of UX and UI design should include:

Planning

Whether you are tackling UX and UI yourself or working with a designer, it’s crucial to establish well-defined goals for your HVAC website. You may offer HVAC services, and you may sell HVAC equipment. So your goal would be to promote your products and your services.

You may only provide HVAC services, in which case the purpose of your website would be to promote only your services. You may have a blog intended to educate people on HVAC services, so you’ll want to get as many eyes as possible on your posts. Whatever the case may be, you have to be aware of what the goals are for your site.

Defining Personas

In UX design, a persona refers to the class of people who are likely to visit or use your website. It’s essential to determine your persona as clearly as possible so you can design your website according to their technical proficiency and preferences. For example, if your target market is middle-aged homeowners, you will want to create your UX around that persona.

Mapping

Now it’s time to take your UX goals and your personas and use them to create a map that will guide them toward action. Mapping for an HVAC website may look like a homepage, service pages, contact page, appointment page, etc. You will want to create a flow of clicks based on who is likely to use your site and their needs, goals, and behaviors.

Page Schematics

Once you have a map (or two) set up, it’s time to turn it into a visual schematic. You can use plenty of tools to create the page schematic of your website, but no matter which device you use, the goal remains the same: create a basic framework for your website that outlines how the visitor will navigate it.

Page schematics illustrate the layout of your website. The schematic should be created and closely scrutinized before actual development begins. At this stage, you will need to work out page sizes, content layout, and navigation elements.

Site Testing

Site testing can provide you with tons of helpful information before your website goes live. You may not always have the luxury to test a prototype of your site with actual users before it goes live, but if you do, take advantage.

Site testing involves gathering a small group of users (personas) and taking into account their input as they navigate the basic prototype of your site. Was it easy for them to see all the pages? Did they get the information they were after? Were they able to take specific actions? Was the site responsive?

A/B Testing

Your job continues once you have completed all the steps mentioned above and your site goes live. Real-time testing should be conducted regularly, also known as A/B testing, and it can help you make quality HVAC user experience upgrades to your site.

A/B testing involves running your current site against a variant and seeing which one performs better (which gets more clicks, more traffic, engages people for longer sessions, etc.). A/B testing should run for at least seven days, so you can get a good sample size and get a clear idea of what can be improved.

Website Design for HVAC Companies

All in all, your UX design should be marketing-oriented. Your website should be the primary source of leads for your HVAC business. Here at HVAC SEO Webmasters, we design websites that are not only focused on UX and UI; but ones that also help you gain new customers. When customers book your HVAC services, your website has achieved its goal, and your marketing budget provides a substantial ROI in 2021.