As today's pop stars rise to number one and sell thousands of albums simply on the basis of a download, every business is now recognising the value of the Internet. For a quick source of reliable information, it's definitely taken over from directories, newspapers and even competes with the builders' favourite - word of mouth. These days, it's as easy to search the net, as it is to phone a friend for a recommendation.
With over 50 million users, the Internet is growing faster than all other technologies that have preceded it.
A few years back the Federation of Master Builders launched a website to help homeowners find a local builder they could trust. Today more than 1,500 people click through to www.findabuilder.co.uk every day to find a list of recommended builders in their area - that's over 44,000 people every month.
And in 2006, visitors to the www.findabuilder.co.uk website generated over £600 million worth of potential job leads for the FMB's 13,000 members, that's £150 million more than the previous year.
Internet addresses are so much easier to remember than phone numbers and the response can be instant, with no need to rely on leaving a message, waiting for a returned call or letter in the post. With interactive technology, a customer can quickly get access to the builder's own website, where he or she can not only ask questions but may also see images of the builder at work along with their current and previous projects.
FMB member, Nigel Pound of FDP Building, receives between 10 and 20 enquiries a month through the site, with around four a month becoming firm business. "www.findabuilder.co.uk is most definitely worth using. People who find us through the website are more committed to going ahead with a building project than those who search in the telephone directory or Yellow Pages," said Nigel. "They recognise that we're part of a trade association, they pick up on our MasterBond status which gives them extra protection, they know what they want and recognise that our work will be of high quality."
Annette Spence of Whitechapel-based Architecture Design and Construction Ltd said: "We're really pleased with the response to our listing on findabuilder.co.uk - the FMB is definitely the best value for money membership. We've had at least 3 enquiries a week, ranging from building new homes to converting older properties."
The Internet is not only instant, but also crosses borders. One member took a call from a potential client living in the USA who found his details listed on the FMB site. The American client needed some work done on a house he'd bought to use when he spent time working in the UK. The builders won the business and have since built a new kitchen in the client's home.
The launch of TrustMark last year significantly increased the average number of daily hits to the site. The FMB's MasterBond members are the largest group of tradespeople recognised by the government-backed scheme and consumers can click through from the TrustMark site to www.findabuilder.co.uk
www.findabuilder.co.uk continues to work well for everyone. Customers looking for a builder can search for reliable, quality builders in their area for free, and members benefit from a valuable source of job leads.
To find out more information about FMB membership and its exciting benefits click here or call free on 08000 965 765.
First posted: 17 January 2007. Last modified: 17 January 2007.
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