Here at Nova Insurance we often write on how important it is for traders to try new ways to improve their businesses, especially if they want to stay ahead of the competition. One method is to create an online presence, especially as more and more customers are going online to find traders. We have already seen a number of tradesmen rating sites becoming increasingly popular over the past few years, and now traders are being advised to also use digital media to advertise their services.

Recently, trade tools supplier Screwfix published a report stating that their sales growth increased by almost twenty two per cent in just thirteen weeks due to opening further stores and utilising digital media. Discussing their success, chief executive of Screwfix Andrew Livingston said: “Our unique retail model is driving continued success. While many retailers are moving their operations online, we are continuing to invest in our stores alongside our digital offering to ensure our customers can get the products they need, when they need them.

“We are also planning to expand our network of stores further to over 400, so tradesmen will never be too far from a Screwfix store whether working on-site, or travelling between jobs. We value our store presence just as highly as our website and mobile offering and it is this focus on both areas which is making us the supplier of choice for tradesmen and serious DIYers both at home and internationally.”

“From screws and nails to power tools and paint, Screwfix stocks the everyday products right up to cutting edge machinery, keeping customers of all trades, levels and pursuits equipped for the job in hand. We are committed to continually investing in high quality products and supplying them at low trade prices. Our customers are viewing and purchasing products on the move, so it’s important we constantly evolve our services to reflect this. Increasing accessibility is the foundation of all we do and we look forward to another exciting and successful year ahead.”

Even though Screwfix’s business strategy focusses on both their stores and their online presence, the company has also predicted a ‘social revolution’ in the near future as forty eight per cent of tradesmen have said they’ve won new business using social media sites. John Mewett, marketing director at Screwfix, said: “Technology is empowering consumers. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are today’s equivalent of the telephone directory – members of the public are now more likely than ever to go online to find and research local tradesmen in their area.

“As tradesmen increase the amount of business tasks and transactions they undertake online, social media should be seriously considered as a cost-effective way to market themselves to more and more customers. We know tradesmen are increasingly using smartphones and laptops during the working day to communicate with colleagues and clients as well as speeding-up the purchasing of essential products and tools.

“The use of social media for business is set to continue – the Screwfix Twitter page has more than 16,500 followers, our Facebook page has over 76,500 fans and we have more than 1.2m posts on our forum.” Screwfix’s research also showed that two fifths of tradesmen believe having a social media page makes their business look more established, while thirty two per cent use social media sites to check on their competitors and find out more information on what services and prices they’re offering.

The Internet Advertising Bureau UK also recently published figures supporting Screwfix’s findings, as they showed that nearly eighty per cent of customers would be more inclined to purchase services or products if a company has a social media presence. Not only can traders benefit from increasing their customer base by going online, but they can also find more information on tools, new skills and services or cheap tradesmen liability insurance policies.

With the use of digital media becoming increasingly popular it’s no surprise that tradesmen are utilising it to improve their businesses. Not only can it help them find more customers but also gain valuable feedback from previous ones and use this to adapt their offerings in the future and expand into areas where there is already sufficient demand.