As a contractor or small business owner in the home services industry, standing out locally is more crucial than ever. While platforms like Facebook and Instagram may cast a wide net, Nextdoor offers a unique opportunity to connect with new customers and grow your business within your community.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to advertise on Nextdoor effectively, ensuring your business gets the local attention it deserves.
What is Nextdoor?
Nextdoor is a unique social networking service designed to connect neighbors and local businesses. With over 275,000 neighborhoods registered across 11 countries, it serves as a digital word-of-mouth platform where residents seek recommendations for local services, including contracting work. For contractors, this means access to a highly targeted audience actively seeking home improvement services.
Benefits of Advertising on Nextdoor:
- Hyperlocal Targeting: Reach potential clients within specific neighborhoods or zip codes.
- Trusted Recommendations: Leverage the platform’s emphasis on community-endorsed services to build credibility.
- Direct Engagement: Interact with homeowners through comments, messages, and posts, fostering relationships and trust.
Why is Nextdoor Ideal for Contractors?
In today’s digital marketing world, finding the right platform to connect with new customers can be challenging. Nextdoor offers a powerful, hyper-local network that lets you directly engage with homeowners and businesses in your neighborhood. Whether through desktop or the Nextdoor app, you can easily connect with Nextdoor neighbors on the go.
Unlike broad social media platforms like Facebook ads or Google ads, Nextdoor focuses on a hyper-local community where people actively seek trusted services. Ads on Nextdoor help contractors target specific local audiences, making building a loyal customer base easier. Many users turn to Nextdoor specifically to find reliable contractors, which means higher conversion potential for your business.
Setting Up Your Business Profile on Nextdoor
Creating your business profile on Nextdoor is a simple process, and it’s free! Whether you’re a small local contractor or a large service provider, Nextdoor allows any business to claim a profile and start engaging with neighbors. Here’s how to set up your business account and claim your Nextdoor business page:
Step 1: Visit the Nextdoor Business Page
Go to business.nextdoor.com/local and click on “Create Your Free Business Page”.
Step 2: Log In or Sign Up
You can choose to use your personal Nextdoor account or create a new account for your business. If you’re already registered, simply sign in. Otherwise, click “Use a different account” and follow the instructions to create a new one.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Information
- Business Name: Enter the exact name of your business.
- Business Address: Provide your business address to help customers find you locally.
- Contact Info: Add your phone number, email, and website so customers can easily reach you.
Step 4: Select Your Business Category
Choose up to 10 categories that best describe your business. The more categories you select, the better your chances of attracting the right local customers. For contractors, categories could include General Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians, etc.
Step 5: Customize Your Profile
- Upload Your Logo and Cover Image: These images should reflect your business’s identity.
- Write Your Business Story: Share who you are, what services you offer, and why you’re the best choice for your community. A compelling story helps you connect with neighbors.
Step 6: Verification
Once you’ve entered all your business details, Nextdoor will require verification. You can complete this step by entering a verification code sent via text or phone or submitting a business document (e.g., a bank statement or registration certificate).
Step 7: Complete Your Profile
Make sure all the details are up-to-date, including your business hours, service areas, and any other relevant information. You’ll also want to upload a photo that represents your business.
Free Ways to Advertise on Nextdoor
While paid advertising on Nextdoor can be effective, you can use several free methods to get noticed in your local area. Let’s look at how you can leverage Nextdoor’s organic features to boost your visibility.
1. Get Recommendations
Recommendations are the foundation of Nextdoor’s platform. A strong recommendation system builds trust and credibility in the community. To get started:
- Share the link to your Nextdoor business page via email or on social media.
- Ask your regular customers to leave recommendations and reviews.
- Respond to reviews to show that you value customer feedback and are invested in your community.
Pro Tip: The more positive reviews you accumulate, the more likely your business will appear in local searches. In fact, 79% of customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This is one of the most valuable free advertising tools on Nextdoor.
2. Post Regular Updates
Nextdoor allows businesses to post updates to the newsfeed. These posts are an excellent opportunity to showcase what your business is up to. Use this space to:
- Share news about upcoming promotions or new services.
- Offer advice and tips related to your industry.
- Announce local events like free workshops, customer appreciation days, or charity events.
Notifications about these posts can help keep your business top-of-mind, and you are allowed two business posts per month. Make sure to use these wisely and focus on updates that provide value to the community.
3. Host Local Events
Nextdoor’s neighborhood calendar is a great way to engage with your local community. If you’re hosting an event like a workshop or an open house, add it to the calendar. However, be mindful that business-centric events must be marked correctly to ensure they align with Nextdoor’s event policies.
Pro Tip: To build goodwill and increase your local presence, organize events that benefit the community, like a DIY home improvement workshop or a neighborhood cleanup day.
Paid Advertising on Nextdoor
While free strategies are effective, paid Nextdoor ads allow you to reach a larger audience and further target potential customers in your area. Here are the two main paid advertising options:
1. Neighborhood Sponsorships
Neighborhood Sponsorships allow you to target specific zip codes or neighborhoods. This is ideal for contractors who want to become the go-to service provider in a specific area. Sponsored ads appear in local recommendations and news feeds, increasing your visibility.
- Target specific neighborhoods where you want to expand your business.
- Budget flexibility: You can cancel or adjust your sponsorship if you don’t see results.
2. Local Deals
Local Deals are pay-per-ad promotions that allow you to offer discounts or special deals to local residents. These ads appear in the Local Deals section of Nextdoor and in email newsletters sent to members.
- Target specific local areas and offer promotions, discounts, or limited-time deals.
- Ideal for smaller businesses that want to attract attention and increase conversions with affordable ad rates.
Whether you’re an established or new business, running ads through Nextdoor is a great way to increase visibility and reach local clients. You can target specific demographics, like homeowners in certain age groups or income brackets, ensuring your ads reach the right audience. Using Nextdoor’s tools strategically, you can stand out from the local competition and attract loyal customers.
Tip: Offer exclusive deals for Nextdoor members to encourage participation and drive sales.
Best Practices for Nextdoor Advertising
To make the most of Nextdoor advertising, here are some best practices that can help you succeed:
- Engage Actively: Respond promptly to comments, reviews, and messages. This builds customer loyalty and strengthens your reputation.
- Leverage Your Personal Account: Even though you can’t post business ads directly from your personal account, you can still engage with the community and network with other local businesses.
- Track Your Performance: Nextdoor provides valuable metrics for your ads and posts, such as views, clicks, and saves. Use these insights to fine tune your advertising strategy.
Ready to Grow Your Business on Nextdoor?
At Build Media Group, we specialize in helping local contractors like you stand out and attract more clients in your neighborhood. With our data-driven marketing strategies, we’ll ensure your business gets the visibility it deserves.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s start putting your business in front of more local homeowners—so you can grow your customer base and boost your bottom line.
