10 Proven Plumbing Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business

There are currently over 504,000 plumbers in the U.S. That’s a lot of businesses competing for the same customers, meaning word of mouth alone won’t keep you booked.

While a strong reputation matters, a strategic marketing plan will help you get more leads, close more jobs, and build long-term trust in your area. And you don’t need a marketing degree to make it work—just a clear plan, consistent effort, and the right tools to connect with customers where they’re searching.

In this guide, we’ll cover 10 practical plumbing marketing strategies to help your business grow.

How to market your plumbing business

1. Build a strong plumbing brand

Branding shapes how people perceive your business. When your name, logo, and messaging are consistent and professional, customers are more likely to trust you. 

Use these tips to help build a strong plumbing brand:

• Choose a memorable business name: 77% of customers say brand name alone directly influences their buying decisions. This means choosing a good business name is the first step in building credibility. For example, “FlowRight Plumbing & Drain Specialists” feels more professional and trustworthy than just “Nick’s Plumbing.”
• Write a clear slogan: Your slogan should highlight what sets you apart in your service area. Keep it short (around four words), simple, free of jargon, and timeless so you don’t need to rework it every few years. If you’re short on ideas, check out our plumbing slogan ideas for inspiration.
• Design a clean, recognizable logo: A professional logo builds trust even if your business is new. You can work with freelancers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr if you’re on a budget—costs generally range from $20–$2,500, depending on experience.
• Use consistent branding: Consistency across your van wraps, uniforms, business cards, and online platforms makes you memorable to potential customers. Stick to the same color palette, fonts, and tone of voice across all touchpoints.

2. Create a professional plumbing website

In the U.S., 76% of consumers check a company’s website before visiting in person. This means that even if most of your work comes from referrals, customers still expect you to have a professional plumbing website.

Your site doesn’t need to be complex. “Start with one landing page that highlights your services, service area, and contact info,” says Danny Wilcox, marketing manager at Carini Home Services.

Here are some other essentials to keep in mind:

• Homepage: A quick summary of who you are and why customers should choose you.
• Service page: Detail what types of plumbing you offer (repairs, installations, drain cleaning, new builds, etc.)
• Service area page: Create separate city or neighborhood pages so Google recognizes where you work and locals can find you.
• About page: Tell your company’s story and introduce your team to help customers connect with you on a personal level.
• Contact page: Make it easy to get in touch by including your phone number, business email, and social media contact info. Bonus if you include a short form for quick booking; Housecall Pro’s software can embed online booking directly into your website.
• Reviews page: Highlight past customer experiences as proof of your reliability and quality of work.

Follow these best practices:

• Use simple, easy-to-read fonts and simple navigation.
• Keep page load speeds under two seconds.
• Add photos and videos of completed projects (avoid stock images).
• Make your site mobile-friendly.

Pro tip: Keep your website info consistent with your Google Business Profile for trust and credibility.

3. Optimize for SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, helps your business show up in Google searches like “plumber near me.” Local and on-page SEO are two key areas to focus on.

Local SEO

Local SEO ensures your business appears in Google Maps and local search results where homeowners are most likely to look.

Wilcox recommends starting with the basics: optimize your Google Business Profile, consistently request reviews from happy customers, and build local partnerships with realtors or property managers. Even a small number of strong reviews can lead to a steady stream of qualified leads.

Make sure your Google Business Profile includes the following:

• Business name
• Address
• Phone number
• Work hours
• Website
• Photos of your team, trucks, and completed work

Keep this information consistent across other directories like Yelp and Angi to build trust with search engines and potential customers.

On-page SEO

On-page SEO focuses on fine-tuning your website’s structure and content to rank better. Start by:

• Creating individual service area pages with location-based keywords
• Adding a FAQ section that addresses common plumbing questions
• Writing blog posts on helpful topics like “12 signs your water heater needs replacing”

With those basics covered, try these other quick wins:

• Update your homepage title tag to include your location (“Emergency Plumber in Dallas | [Your Name]”)
• Add before-and-after shots of recent jobs
• Include a “Call Now” button. Brian Vastola, owner of MRB marketing, notes that the key is to remove any friction: “Make it so easy to contact you that customers don’t even have to think about it.”

Learn more in our comprehensive plumbing SEO guide.

4. Run PPC and Google Local Service Ads

SEO results take time. If you need jobs now, paid ads can help you get seen right away.

Google pay-per-click (PPC) ads

These appear at the start of search results for terms like “emergency plumber near me.” You only pay when someone clicks on your ad, so it’s an affordable way to reach high-intent customers who are actively looking for help.

Vastola recommends starting small. Rather than diving in with a large budget, begin with a few dollars a day for two weeks. This gives you time to gather performance data, identify which keywords and ad copy drive leads, and double down on what works.

Here are more tips for starting a successful plumbing PPC campaign:

• Focus on local, high-intent keywords like “water heater repair Dallas” or “affordable plumber near me”
• Add call and location extensions to make your ads more actionable
• Use geographic targeting to limit ads to your service area

Pro tip: The Google Ads platform isn’t always beginner-friendly. Take time to explore the dashboard and learn how campaigns, keywords, and targeting options work before launching your first campaign.

Google Local Service Ads (LSAs)

LSAs appear at the very top of Google search results—above even traditional PPC ads. They include a green “Google Guaranteed” badge signaling that Google vetted your business through background checks and insurance verification. This added trust can lead to more clicks and faster conversions.

Unlike PPC, you don’t pay for clicks. Instead, you pay for qualified leads, such as phone calls or messages from potential customers.

To get the most out of your LSAs:

• Complete the full Google verification process, including background checks and insurance uploads
• List every plumbing service you offer to match a wider range of search terms
• Respond to new leads within four hours to stay competitive
• Focus on local zip codes in your service area
• Set your availability to reflect your real business hours
• Monitor call performance to evaluate lead quality and refine your targeting

Many plumbers report a noticeable uptick in inquiries within the first 24 hours of launching an LSA.

Pro tip: You don’t need a big budget to start. Even $5–$10 per day can bring in plumbing leads if your targeting and message are on point.

5. Use direct mail marketing

Digital tools are useful, but traditional postcards and letters still work—especially in established neighborhoods.

“Direct mail and follow-up phone calls beat any digital combo for steady, high-quality leads,” says Vance Morris, founder of Deliver Service Now, a marketing company that specializes in service businesses. He recommends sending postcards and letters to neighborhoods with owner-occupied, older homes.

Here are some other tips for successful direct mail marketing:

• Keep designs simple with clean layouts and legible text
• Include a clear call to action (CTA), like “Book Now” or “Call Now”
• Use tracking phone numbers or QR codes to measure return on investment (ROI)

Direct mail also helps you re-engage past customers or introduce your plumbing services to new communities.

Free download: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Plumbing Business ebook

6. Generate plumbing leads with reviews and referrals

Reviews are the new word of mouth, driving nearly 13% of all consumer sales.  “Every happy customer is another review, another referral, and another person who knows your name,” says Danny Penn, president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC.

Request reviews right after completing a job, and use tools like Housecall Pro’s review management software to automate requests. Take the time to respond to all reviews (yes, even the negative ones).

Want to go further? Set up a referral program with a clear incentive to turn your happy customers into brand advocates. Offer a discount or bonus for each successful referral—something small but valuable to the customer, like a $50 price slash or a free add-on— to encourage repeat business while fueling steady word-of-mouth.

Learn more: How to get more plumbing leads

7. Use social media for plumbing marketing

Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and TikTok are the top platforms for connecting with local homeowners. Each gives you different ways to showcase your work and build trust. Instagram and TikTok are great for visuals and short clips, while Facebook and Nextdoor work well for reviews, local updates, and neighborhood conversations.

Here are some content ideas for your social media posts:

• Before-and-after images of completed jobs
• Video clips of projects in progress
• Customer testimonials
• Quick DIY maintenance tips (without revealing full fixes)
• Community involvement highlights

Pro tip: You don’t have to be a content creator to do social media marketing. Authenticity is your asset here; people trust seeing the real faces and results behind your name.

Paid social ads

Social ads help you reach homeowners before they even start searching on Google. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok offer high visibility at a low cost—and they work. Sprout Social reports that 39% of consumers turn to Facebook when they’re ready to buy. TikTok and Instagram follow closely, at 36% and 29%, respectively. That means your plumbing business has a strong opportunity to stand out early in a customer’s decision-making process. 

These tips can help you get the most out of your paid social media ads:

• Target local homeowners: Use city or ZIP code targeting to keep your ad spend efficient and focused.
• Use eye-catching visuals: Simple videos or photos of common issues, like a leaking faucet or clogged drain, grab attention fast. Pair with a clear, relatable caption.
• Run seasonal promotions: Offer limited-time discounts tied to cold weather, spring maintenance, or holiday prep to create urgency.
• Retarget site visitors: Remind people who visited your website but didn’t book by showing them follow-up ads.

8. Build an email and SMS marketing strategy

Staying connected with past customers is one of the best ways to generate more bookings. People who already trust your work are more likely to hire you again. Segment your list by customer type (for example, homeowners vs. property managers). Then, send relevant updates and reminders.

The best campaigns to run include:

• Appointment reminders so customers never miss scheduled work
• Seasonal maintenance tips that position you as a trusted expert (“Don’t skip pre-winter pipe checks!”)
• Promotions and special offers to get repeat bookings
• Thank you messages that keep your service top of mind

Pro tip: Housecall Pro integrates with Mailchimp and automates campaigns so you can send messages without extra effort.

9. Advertise with vehicle wraps and signage

Digital marketing matters, but you still need to be able to reach customers who aren’t online. Use these simple tactics to stay visible in your community:

• Wrap your work van with your logo, slogan, phone number, and website.
• Place yard signs after major projects (with the customer’s permission) to build recognition on the block.
• Hand out magnets or stickers with your business name and contact info. Homeowners can stick them on their fridge or fuse box.
• Use scannable QR codes on all printed materials to make it easy for people to schedule service.

Stick to bold, high-contrast colors that catch the eye but stay consistent with your brand. Make sure your contact info is clear and easy to read from a distance.

10. Network and partner locally

Building strong local partnerships can lead to more steady jobs. Here are some ideas to try:

• Join your local Chamber of Commerce
• Sponsor local events or youth sports
• Partner with realtors, property managers, or contractors

Morris recommends giving these partners useful tools, like a plumbing emergency cheat sheet, water heater age chart, or maintenance checklist branded with your logo and number. This gives them something tangible to hold onto and keeps your info in front of clients who might need you next.

How to make a plumbing marketing plan (step-by-step)

A plumbing marketing plan gives structure to your efforts and ties your activities to results. Follow these five steps to build a plan that helps you reach new customers and grow your revenue.

Step 1: Define your goals

Start with one or two measurable goals that align with your business priorities. Write them down so you can track progress and adjust strategy when needed.

These are examples of strong, measurable goals:

• Increase monthly service calls by 30%
• Land 12 new property manager contracts this year
• Boost repeat bookings by 15% in six months
• Earn $10,000 in revenue per month in the first quarter

Use SMART goals: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Step 2: Know your audience

Identify your ideal customers. Are they homeowners, property managers, or commercial clients? Each group has different priorities:

• Homeowners may want fast, affordable emergency repairs.
• Property managers may prioritize reliability and clear communication.
• Commercial clients may need routine inspections and preventive maintenance.

Knowing who you’re speaking to helps you shape your messaging, services, and offers.

Step 3: Pick 2–3 marketing channels to start with

It’s tempting to try a bunch of different channels at once, but this can strain your budget—and time. Start with two or three channels where your target customers are most active.

Based on your goals, you could test a few combinations, like:

• Local SEO and a Google Business Profile to show up in search results
• Google and Yelp reviews to build trust and credibility
• Google Ads and Facebook retargeting to generate plumbing leads
• Vehicle wraps and flyers for neighborhood visibility

Track where your leads come from and how much each one costs to see which channels deliver the best return.

Step 4: Set a realistic budget and timeline

Decide upfront how much you’ll spend based on your goals and business size.Most plumbing companies spend 10%–15% of total revenue on marketing. Once you’ve picked your channels, give each one at least 90 days to show results before scaling or switching.

Step 5: Measure results and adjust monthly

Review your marketing performance on a set day each month. Use call-tracking numbers, website analytics, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools to gather personalized data in real time and spot trends.

Your monthly tracking might include these metrics:

• Number of calls and leads from each channel
• Lead-to-job conversion rate
• Average job size and revenue per lead source
• Repeat booking rate

If a channel isn’t working after three months, shift the budget elsewhere. As a best practice, run small, measurable tests, keep what works, and scale slowly.

How Housecall Pro helps plumbers market their business

Even if you’re a one-person operation, strong systems will save you time and reduce stress. Integrating tools like online scheduling, invoicing, payments, and time tracking helps keep things running smoothly.

Housecall Pro brings everything together in one unified platform, simplifying marketing for plumbers without bouncing between multiple apps. With our plumbing software, you can:

• Request reviews automatically after each job to build your reputation
• Let customers book and pay online to reduce friction
• Stay in touch with targeted email and SMS follow-up campaigns
• Track ROI and adjust your marketing strategy using reporting and analytics

Ready to simplify marketing and grow your business? Sign up for our free 14-day trial and start today.

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