7 Digital Marketing Tactics Your Pest Control Company Needs

When small pest control companies start out, they typically focus on landing their first customers. They often rely on traditional forms of advertising, such as coupon mailers, billboards, out-of-home, or print ads. Many pest control companies think prospective customers will find their way to them because they provide superior service.

While this strategy may bring in a small amount of revenue, there is a better and easier way. Pest control companies should think about leveraging the power of the Internet to reach prospects online and reap the benefits of combining traditional and digital marketing. No pest control business, no matter how new, should disregard digital channels as a source of leads and the conversion of interest into customers.

Still not convinced? Think about this - over 94% of business-to-business (B2B) buyers do research online. In contrast, your business-to-consumer (B2C) buyers research online 97% of the time before deciding on pest control services.

Unfortunately, if you rely only on traditional methods, you miss out on a significant portion of your potential clientele.

What Is Digital Marketing?

Before understanding the reasons and tips for using digital marketing for your pest control company, let's first define digital marketing.

Digital Marketing refers to a business's marketing activities through electronic devices or the Internet. This type of marketing uses various digital strategies by businesses to connect with their clients. Simply put, digital marketing refers to marketing carried out via the Internet.

There are various methods under the spectrum of digital marketing, each with specific benefits for pest control companies:

What Are the Benefits of Digital Marketing for Pest Control Companies?

Here are a few of the benefits of digital marketing for pest control businesses:

Lower Cost

Digital marketing typically requires a lower investment than traditional marketing. However, if done correctly, the ROI can be huge.

Larger Reach

Operating an online presence costs less and expands your reach beyond your immediate service area, allowing you to reach property owners who may be looking for pest control services before infestations get out of hand.

Measurable Results

Digital marketing efforts are far more trackable than traditional marketing. Using Google Analytics and tracking software, you can pinpoint a new customer’s first interaction with your digital marketing efforts.

Keep Up With the Competition

Consumers expect all pest control companies to have an online presence. Without one, you may not even be considered for their business.

Personalization

One of the reasons digital marketing works so effectively for pest control companies is that by showing content that is more personalized to what property owners are searching for regarding their pest issues, you have a better chance of converting that visitor into a prospect and, eventually, a customer.

Top 7 Reasons Your Pest Control Company Needs Digital Marketing

Digital marketing has become increasingly important for pest control businesses. It is a powerful tool for building lasting customer relationships and staying ahead of the competition. Here are the top seven reasons your NC pest control company needs to consider digital marketing.

1. Digital Marketing Helps Pest Control Companies Build Lasting Relationships

According to the Commerce Institute, nearly half a million new businesses are started monthly in the US; therefore, retaining and engaging customers has become a challenge for small business owners. Therefore, “losing” customers is much easier today than it might have been in the late 90s or early 00s. But, if you know your target clientele well and your services are even better, digital marketing is a fantastic tool to keep them coming back to you and driving your competition away.

Unlike many one-and-done transactions, digital marketing goes well beyond the initial pest treatment and aims to turn satisfied clients into loyal advocates for your brand. By creating valuable, informative content tailored to the needs and concerns of property owners dealing with pest issues, you can establish your company as a trusted resource and build long-lasting relationships with your clients.

Some ways digital marketing improves the “traditional” methods of keeping loyal customers are:

1. Instead of relying solely on the more traditional "word of mouth" referral method, digital marketing uses online testimonials and reviews from satisfied clients. Encouraging clients to leave reviews on platforms like Facebook and your Google Business Profile (GBP) can help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
   Pro Tip: These testimonials should be included on your website as well as in social media efforts.
2. Instead of physical letters or brochures, use automated, personalized thank you and follow-up email marketing. You may reach a broader audience for much less money and email the right people at the right time. Segment your email list based on factors like location, service type, or customer lifecycle stage to deliver targeted relevant content.
3. Engaging prospects and clients on social media will help to entice them to call you next time they have a pest problem. Share helpful tips, industry news, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your company to build a strong, relatable brand presence. Utilize mobile-friendly social media features like Instagram Stories or Facebook Live to reach clients where they spend their time.

2. You’ll Learn More About Your Customers’ Needs so You Can Profitably Fulfill Them

Another challenge for many pest control companies has been attracting, capturing, and converting leads into customers. To successfully do that, your pest control business needs to identify your target customers and create and utilize a buyer persona to focus your digital marketing efforts on showing them that you can solve their pest issues.

Savvy pest control companies don’t make assumptions. They use some of the top marketing tools to learn what their target customers search for and what they need regarding pest control services.

3. Digital Marketing Offers a Multichannel Approach to Boost Conversions

Your potential customers could be anywhere online. Think about this:

• Nearly 4 out of every 10 people in the world use social media today. (Source: Emersys) 
• On average, the typical working-age internet user spends more than two and a half hours per day using social platforms. This would also be like watching The Godfather every day. (Source: DataReportal)
• 7 out of 10 marketers believe their social media marketing efforts work somewhat for their business. (Source: Buffer )
• 9 out of 10 video marketers reported that video gives them a positive ROI. (Source: Wyzowl)
• The market leaders are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn. (Source: Statista) 

(Chart Source: Statista) 

Google and Facebook Ads, email marketing, social media marketing, PPC, and SEO are just a few digital marketing channels you can utilize to reach your target audience and drive conversions. Each channel may require a unique approach, but with a well-defined strategy, it’s simple to tailor messages and effectively reach different segments of your target audience.

4. With Digital Marketing, Small Pest Control Companies Can Compete With Larger Businesses and Actually Win

Ann Smarty, one of the biggest names in digital marketing, said this in her article for Digital Marketer:

“The great thing about digital marketing is that ingenuity and creativity can always win over big marketing budgets.”

In other words, small pest control companies don’t need a large budget or expensive tools to succeed with digital marketing. The most crucial factor is the knowledge and experience of the business owners or the agency they use. Understanding your target audience and the services offered are vital to successful digital marketing.

Consider these fictional examples of pest control companies effectively leveraging digital marketing to compete with larger businesses:

5. Digital Marketing Is More Affordable Than Traditional Marketing

Many small pest control companies can’t afford a radio, TV, or billboard ad campaign in larger urban markets. However, many can afford digital marketing techniques to reach and engage with their ideal clientele.

According to a Sparktoro survey, monthly prices can range from less than $500 to $10,000. However, as a general rule, most pest control businesses should expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for the basics and $2,000 or more for more advanced and in-depth marketing.

6. Digital Marketing Offers Measurable ROI

For pest control companies, digital marketing offers a more targeted approach than traditional marketing techniques, with the added benefit of accurately measuring the success and impact of campaigns. This allows you to start with a smaller investment in digital marketing and see results before committing more resources.

7. Your Competition Is Already Using Digital Marketing to Spur Ahead

In a 2019 survey by Keap of nearly 2,000 small businesses in the US, half stated they intended to use digital marketing strategies to gain more customers and increase their business. What does this mean for you? Simply put, most of your competitors are doing so or have already done so.

Also, if you want to better understand what digital marketing tactics your competition uses, start by reviewing their website and social media presence, checking if they have a regularly updated blog, publish updates on Facebook, or share images on Instagram, and see if they are running any ads on Facebook.

You can also perform a Google search for their brand name and see if they are mentioned on other sites or if they have any links. Utilize tools like Ahrefs site explorer to see which sites are linking to your competitors, SimilarWeb to see their traffic sources, and SpyFu for paid search ads.

Be sure to document all your findings, including the number of social media followers and keywords they target. It will be helpful for any future digital marketing campaigns you undertake, including SEO, paid search, social media ads, content creation, and email outreach.

The Importance of Mobile Optimization in Digital Marketing for Pest Control Companies

Mobile optimization is crucial for pest control companies in today's crowded market. More and more people are using mobile devices to research and contact service providers, making it essential for your website and digital marketing efforts to be mobile-friendly.

A mobile-optimized website ensures that potential clients can easily navigate your site, find the information they need, and contact you for services, regardless of their device. Google also favors mobile-friendly websites in its search results, meaning that a mobile-optimized site can help improve your search engine rankings and visibility.

Furthermore, mobile-specific digital marketing strategies, such as mobile-only social media ads or SMS marketing campaigns, can be used to target potential clients on their preferred devices and drive more conversions for your pest control company.

Final Thoughts: Open Your Pest Control Company's Door to the Digital World

As a pest control company, keeping up with the constantly evolving digital landscape is crucial for growth and success. By embracing digital marketing, you can stay ahead of the curve and effectively reach and engage with your target audience.

1. A mobile-optimized website that showcases your services, expertise, and customer reviews
2. Local SEO efforts to improve visibility in search engine results for potential clients in your service area
3. Valuable, informative content that addresses the needs and concerns of property owners dealing with pest issues.
4. A strong presence on relevant social media platforms to engage with potential and current clients
5. Targeted PPC advertising to reach potential clients actively searching for pest control services
6. Email marketing campaigns that deliver relevant content to current and potential clients
7. A focus on building and managing your online reputation through customer reviews and testimonials

By staying informed about the latest industry updates and utilizing the latest tools and strategies, investing in digital marketing will allow you to maximize your potential and reach new heights. Don't let your competition get ahead.

Take action today by:

1. Conducting a thorough audit of your current digital marketing efforts and identifying areas for improvement.
2. Setting clear, measurable goals for your digital marketing strategy, such as increasing website traffic, generating more leads, or improving customer retention.
3. Develop a content calendar that includes a mix of blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media content that aligns with your target audience's needs and interests.
4. Partnering with a reputable digital marketing agency, like Cube Creative Design,  that specializes in working with pest control companies to help guide your strategy and implementation.

Stay focused on your goals and make the most of digital marketing to grow your pest control company and better serve your customers in your area and beyond.