Designing homes can make for a highly satisfying career. Interior designers get the chance to express their ideas and leave their mark on their clients.
Running a successful interior design operation is about more than just doing design, however. You have to spend time marketing, gaining and retaining clients, and keeping your finances in order.
That side of the business can be a lot easier if you have technology on your side. You might not have thought a lot about digital marketing when you’re an interior designer because you’re more focused on your art than the business side of things.
But online tools can save you a lot of time and bring in more clients so you can enjoy the part of the business you love best. Here are some of the tools every interior designer should be using.
Communication
Communication is critical for interior design work. If you don’t check in regularly with clients, they could become frustrated and dissatisfied with the final product.
Granted, it’s hard to keep in regular touch with team members and clients when you’re constantly on the move. Obviously, you have email and your phone, but your firm would run much more smoothly with a tool that does voice and video, messaging, and online meetings.
DialPad is an excellent cloud-based tool that can keep you on the same page with everyone you’re working with. It’s accessible through desktop and mobile devices, and everything is backed up on the cloud so you can retrieve the data easily.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Local SEO is vital for attracting new clients and building a solid following in the local industry. It’s is a big, hairy beast that can be difficult to harness, especially when you’re busy with other tasks.
A variety of SEO tools can help with online marketing, though, and one of the best is Moz Open Site Explorer. This is a free, all-in-one tool that tracks your metrics and helps you build links, place keywords, and learn the ins and outs of local SEO.
Blog
For interior designers, a blog is among your best options for marketing tools. You can share designer tips and tricks, showcase gallery pages of your expertise, generate clientele among visitors who show interest in your company and boost your SEO.
For blogging, WordPress is the most highly recommended site. It’s better supported and has more themes you can use to build your blog. The best part? It’s free, and there are tons of free tutorials to help you get started.
Social Media
If you’re not on social media already, sign up today! Social is where most consumers like to connect with businesses nowadays, and if they like your stuff, they’ll share it with others. There’s no better way to spread the word about your services and gather more clients.
There are many different social channels, but the best for interior designers include:
- Flickr
- YouTube
Share photos and blog posts on these social sites frequently. People will follow you to get the latest on design inspiration, DIY home décor ideas, and trending home designs.
Houzz
Houzz is one of the most popular design inspiration and marketing sites. Many consumers spend hours searching its pages for inspiration and useful tips.
By marketing your content and portfolio on this platform, you can corral plenty of client leads and make your designs more popular. It also helps with SEO: Houzz will draw more local clients to your articles and images.
There are ways for clients to connect with you easily through this portal by choice, and it also brings your company to the attention of potential customers so you can develop clients through “cold calls.”
Marketing your services might not be your first priority, but if you’re interested in building a business and gaining a following, it should be. These tips will get you started, and your inherent creativity will take care of the rest.
