Households in the United States spend $5,000 on average per year on services (Zipdo). Are you making sure that your business is taking a piece of this $440 billion market?
If you own or work for a home services business, you already know that you have an extremely large audience to reach. At any point, a homeowner or renter may need your services, and you want your business to be the first that comes to their mind. And while online resources like Google reviews, Nextdoor, and Thumbtack are all great options for potential customers that are searching, effectively managing these platforms isn’t enough to get your brand in the minds of your target audience.
From plumbers to landscapers and many businesses in between, home services companies need an advertising option that can provide them with broad brand awareness. You need your brand to be the one that potential clients gravitate towards during their online searches, and that’s where out of home advertising and public transit can make a difference.
Here’s why you should consider public transit advertising for your home services business:
1.) Bus Advertising Reaches the Local Community
Home services businesses target local customers who need reliable, quick service.
Think about what you would do if your kitchen sink started suddenly leaking. Water is quickly spilling out onto the floor, and you’re hectically trying to figure out how to turn the water off to that location. You don’t have time to research pricing and available plumbers – you’re going to rely on a local business that can solve the issue quickly.
Now, if you saw a bus earlier that day with Jolly Plumbing’s logo and services – that name may be the first to come to mind, and the first to get the business of fixing your leaky kitchen sink.
Bus advertising is a perfect advertising choice to reach this local target audience, as the buses run on routes throughout the city, driving in and out of neighborhoods and stopping in populated areas. Transit advertising brings what your audience hears on the radio, on television, and online into their physical world.
Unlike billboards that are situated next to highways and may reach out-of-state travelers, bus ads are on local streets. They remind the local population that you’re there for them. Plus, with transit advertising, your advertising stays on the streets where people live, work, and play every single day – and the local community will see it again and again.
That’s why Northern Kentucky plumber Jolly Plumbing decided to advertise on buses, establishing themselves as the local leader and top choice for plumbing services. They know that their buses are on different routes every day, reaching the local community – so that “when that faucet does drip, the first people that come to mind are Jolly Plumbing.”
2.) Cost-Effective Advertising that Generates Leads
Another benefit of public transportation advertising is that it is cost-effective. Unlike using Google Ads, where costs per click can reach higher than $40 for some home services keywords, transit advertising enjoys one of the lowest costs per 1,000 impressions (CPM).
Take pest control companies, for example. Many are paying nearly $39 per click online, with leads costing around $100 each. However, with transit shelters having the lowest median CPM out of all surveyed media options, at $2.18 CPM, pest control companies could not just reach their target audience with an impactful in-person ad, they also don’t have to pay for each QR scan or click (Soloman Partners). If you’re looking to maximize your marketing budget, adding transit to your next campaign is a smart choice.
Additionally, research shows that consumers searching for certain home services – like plumbing, appliance repair, electrical, and roofing – aren’t likely to make the purchase online. They’d prefer to speak to a live agent over filling out a form. So, if you’re a pest control business, you should know that research says that 76% of potential customers that are searching for your business aren’t going to act on that web click, but instead are going to call your business directly (Invoca, LSA). Here’s a fantastic opportunity to put your phone number right on the side of the bus, saving yourself that $39 click.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective advertising solution that still drives business, consider transit. Especially since most home services customers are going to call anyway – move away from relying on online forms or social media ads and put your contact information where everyone can see it!
3.) Constant Visibility Creates Brand Recognition
Perhaps one of the main reasons that home services businesses choose to add transit to their marketing mix is the constant visibility they provide. Unlike digital, TV, or radio advertising that is only shown or heard for a short amount of time and is easily forgotten, a rolling 40-foot billboard sits in front of or passes by thousands of potential customers each day. That’s something that your target audience will remember.
Transit advertising creates brand recall, which is exactly why Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in Des Moines decided to advertise with Dart and Adsposure. Golden Rule believes that their buses are an extension of their brand and remind the community of their presence and authority in their industry. Hear from their Director of Sales & Marketing on why they choose to advertise on transit in the video below:
Additionally, there aren’t time slots for your advertising on transit. The bus with your ads on it will be on the streets of your local area for an average of 10-12 hours per day, with some buses traveling for as long as 18-20 hours. That means that your ad can be seen repeatedly throughout your area, creating familiarity with your branding and message.
By having your brand in front of the local community on a consistent basis, you are building your reputation as the local leader in your industry. So, when the need for your service arises, your business will be the first to come to mind.
4.) An Eye-Catching and Creative Advertising Option
Transit advertising is a fantastic choice for home services advertising because of its impact. Advertising on public transit allows your business to tell the full story of your brand, with a large canvas that turns into an eye-catching work of art. There are few limitations to what you can do with your advertising space, and with so many bus ad types, there’s a solution for every business and budget.
For advertisers who opt for large format ads on the outside of the bus, your message is seen by all near the bus. From people in cars to pedestrians, your moving billboard is right at eye-level and easily seen. Many home services advertisers opt to purchase a full wrap advertisement, as the large amount of space allows them to truly make an impact on the community they are serving. Additionally, these full wrap buses are often seen as an extension of the existing fleet of vehicles many businesses have, which gives the feeling of establishment and professionalism.
On the other hand, some home services advertisers may have messaging that needs time to digest or read – like coupon codes or safety information. That’s where interior ads shine. Interior advertisements allow your message to be right in front of those riding the bus for a long time. This is highly beneficial for businesses who may have an immediate call to action – like a QR code to scan or a coupon code to enter.
And for advertisers who want the best of both – a transit takeover – is the way to go!
Here are a few examples of fantastic home services advertisements on transit. You can see that these ads often incorporate photos of the product, striking brand colors, and fun designs that capture the attention of the community.
Home Services Advertising on Transit
Public transit advertising offers home services companies an effective way to reach the local audience with a cost-effective creative medium that is constantly driving brand recognition. If you want your brand to be the one that potential customers think of when they need your services, transit advertising is a fantastic way to ensure your message stays top of mind. With transit advertising, your brand will be creating an impression that turns awareness into action.
If you’re ready to kick off your transit advertising campaign, reach out to the team at Adsposure! We are ready to build your brand and promote your services city-wide.