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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
Topic: | Houzz for integrators? This thread has 23 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15. |
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Post 1 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 11:59 |
Conundrum Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | February 2005 154 |
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Who's using it for their integration business, and what are your thoughts on using it for marketing?
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Post 2 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 12:10 |
Ernie Gilman Yes, That Ernie! |
Joined: Posts: | December 2001 30,104 |
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It's a bit discouraging to see that among the categories from which one can choose, there's not only nothing about home entertainment or electronics, there's not even a category for electricians!
Also, when I decided to look into the site a little bit, a SIGN UP page appeared and I had to actually close the website to escape it! They have to let me see a little of what they're doing before I hand over any personal information.
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A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw |
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OP | Post 3 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 12:53 |
Conundrum Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | February 2005 154 |
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They do have a category called "Home Media Design & Installation". Not sure if this is new or not.
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Post 4 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 13:48 |
Mac Burks (39) Elite Member |
Joined: Posts: | May 2007 17,518 |
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On November 13, 2017 at 12:10, Ernie Gilman said...
It's a bit discouraging to see that among the categories from which one can choose, there's not only nothing about home entertainment or electronics, there's not even a category for electricians! There is a category for electricians. Find Navigate to...Professionals/Home Services/Electricians For Home Automation & Entertainment...Find Professionals/View All Pros (bottom left corner of drop down)/Home Improvement (on the left side of the page) Home Automation & Home Media Also, when I decided to look into the site a little bit, a SIGN UP page appeared and I had to actually close the website to escape it! They have to let me see a little of what they're doing before I hand over any personal information. There sign up page is a landing page with no navigation. Annoying but the browser back button works just fine.
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Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps |
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Post 5 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 13:50 |
Mac Burks (39) Elite Member |
Joined: Posts: | May 2007 17,518 |
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On November 13, 2017 at 12:53, Conundrum said...
They do have a category called "Home Media Design & Installation". Not sure if this is new or not. First i have heard of it. I found an integrator who has a houzz review from 2013 so its not that new. To be honest i never spent more than 5 minutes at Houzz and it was looking for bathroom remodel photos not Home Automation.
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Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps |
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Post 6 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 14:44 |
buzz Super Member |
Joined: Posts: | May 2003 4,376 |
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I'm not clear about the Houzz business model. Who are they charging?
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Post 7 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 16:16 |
osiris Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | November 2004 442 |
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On November 13, 2017 at 14:44, buzz said...
I'm not clear about the Houzz business model. Who are they charging? Tradespeople can pay for advertising to have their results come up higher in key searches, and vendors can "tag" their products in photos to bring up a direct link to purchase the product, which I'm sure has a kickback to Houzz when someone uses it, like an Amazon affiliate link. I have had a Houzz account at both businesses I've worked at since it started. I have never had it generate a lead that I know of...but that's the same as Facebook, Instagram, etc. Has little to do with direct lead generation and more to do with big-picture branding of the company.
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Post 8 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 20:55 |
Palnews26 Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2009 490 |
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Here's something to think about.
" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allowfullscreen>
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Post 9 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 21:20 |
iimig Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2011 1,154 |
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A company I used to work for pays for Houzz and invests a lot of time into their profile. It has paid off big time for them. And has a tendency to prequalify prospective clients since every project shows the price range. All that being said the popularity seems based on the region.
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The less I say, the smarter I will appear |
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Post 10 made on Monday November 13, 2017 at 23:26 |
Hasbeen Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | November 2007 5,274 |
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I could break the internet on this topic, but instead I'll offer my .02 on the subject and offer to answer any questions that you might have by email or a phone call.
Second, that video posted above is 100% spot on correct. When you use sites like Houzz, HomeAdvisor, AngiesList, you're building their brand awareness, not yours.
That being said, it depends on what your specific goals are...If you're trying to use sites like Houzz, Yelp, etc. to sell your services you must stay on them on a regular basis. Most guys that I talk to don't, and in that case, it actually hurts you. Nobody is buying anything from anyone who's last post/comment whatever was in 2015. It's an immediate turn off.
Third, this industry is filled with small 1-4 man shops that have a web presence, but it's poor at best, and they're not doing anything right in regard to their website...Why is that good for you? Because you can capitalize on what they're doing wrong....as long as you do it right...
I like for my customers to use those sites for citations. If you're interested, send me an email and I'll send over an excel spreadsheet of places to put your business online, which will help you get ranked. But if your site is garbage, don't bother.
Lastly, for my money I'd recommend Facebook. It's the cheapest advertising dollar you can spend, and it's highly customizable. But there's a method to it, and if you don't keep up with it, it's not going to help. Think about it like this, the average conversion rate for marketing is 1-2%, People don't necessarily go on FB to buy something so let's call it 1%. So are you necessarily selling on Facebook? Or are you building brand awareness with your followers (and their friends who are also the buyer persona you're looking for).
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Post 11 made on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 02:24 |
Mario Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | November 2006 5,681 |
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I looked into them a while ago, had few meetings, etc. I can see how it can work well for designers, architects, builders and remodelers.
It's picture based. Client sees nice picture, desires that a builder does nice work and hires them. In our industry, if we do our job right, you might notice a keypad or touchscreen, maybe even a flat screen TV, that's about it.
For our industry, I personally don't see a big conversion rate based on pictures. Same for electricians. What are they going to show -- a pretty chandelier?
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Post 12 made on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 02:27 |
Mario Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | November 2006 5,681 |
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Following up on my previous post: Show any of the gorgeous pictures or videos that Paul posts to your wife, mother, friend. Mute the narration. Ask them what they noticed. A bet you a drink that not one person will say technology.
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Post 13 made on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 06:36 |
longshot16 Super Member |
Joined: Posts: | November 2009 3,442 |
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Clear ROI every year.
Not a high frequency but high dollar kind of deal.
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The Unicorn Whisperer |
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OP | Post 14 made on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 10:45 |
Conundrum Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | February 2005 154 |
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Thanks RC community for chiming in. I appreciate that you took the time to read and respond. Please keep comments coming with good or bad experiences. Interesting video by Palnews26, Hadn't considered this potential downside.
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Post 15 made on Tuesday November 14, 2017 at 11:37 |
Ernie Gilman Yes, That Ernie! |
Joined: Posts: | December 2001 30,104 |
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Mario is a wise, wise man: On November 14, 2017 at 02:24, Mario said...
It's picture based. In our industry, if we do our job right, you might notice a keypad or touchscreen, maybe even a flat screen TV, that's about it. For our industry, I personally don't see a big conversion rate based on pictures. Same for electricians. What are they going to show -- a pretty chandelier? An installer told me of a client who complained one day that even though he had been working all day while she was out, the place looked just the same as when she left in the morning... he started to laugh as she talked... suddenly she stopped talking, then realized that one of the goals of the installation was to make it not obvious... the new keypad, the added speakers, and of course anything in the rack; NONE of that was visible. How do you sell that using pictures? How do you sell how well you conceal changes to the look of the home?
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A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw |
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