Is It Time to Bring Ecommerce to Your Service Business?
By: Will Housh
As more consumers turn to online shopping for convenience, speed, and accessibility, service-based businesses are recognizing the value of ecommerce as a powerful tool to reach new customers and streamline operations. For HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors, ecommerce solutions provide a unique opportunity to grow digital sales and strengthen customer relationships. With the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades collectively valued at over $180 billion, now is the time to explore how adding an online store could transform your business and help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Why Ecommerce Makes Sense for the Trades
Today, people shop online for everything from groceries to automobiles, and the trades industry is no exception. By bringing ecommerce to your website, you not only meet the expectations of a modern customer base but also gain a way to engage customers on their terms. As Paul Redman from
Contractor Commerce puts it, “Contractors have to realize that consumers are in control of their own buying journey.” Ecommerce allows you to be part of that journey by offering accessible information, transparent pricing, and a streamlined shopping experience—all without losing the personal touch that defines your business [https://www.achrnews.com].
With a platform like Contractor Commerce, your business can easily sell essential products like air filters directly from your website. Contractor Commerce handles payment collection and shipping on your behalf, ensuring that filters reach your customers quickly without requiring additional resources from your team. This allows you to increase sales and reach more customers, all while maintaining efficiency.
Beyond filters, Contractor Commerce also enables you to sell maintenance agreements and provide fully-installed system quotes directly on your website. You can also offer additional services like duct cleaning, whole house generator installs, and much more using pre-built journeys, which guide customers through the buying process for these more complex services. By offering these options, you create opportunities for recurring revenue and foster stronger customer loyalty. This flexibility helps you cater to customers looking for both single-purchase items and ongoing service agreements, keeping them connected to your business and increasing their lifetime value.
The Benefits of Ecommerce for Your Business
Adding ecommerce to your service business brings several key advantages that go beyond simple transactions. Moving into ecommerce not only modernizes your offerings but also allows you to operate with more efficiency, reach a broader customer base, and create a seamless experience that today’s consumers have come to expect. By making the buying process straightforward and accessible, you build trust and encourage customers to return to your brand.
Enhanced Customer Convenience: Today’s consumers, especially millennials, expect the ease of online shopping, even for traditionally offline services. They want quick access to information, pricing, and options without the hassle of phone calls. Dayna Hottle of C&C Heating and Air Conditioning explains, “As a millennial, the majority of my shopping is done online. From clothing to groceries, nearly all my purchases are made through digital platforms, with deliveries arriving at my doorstep regularly, often from Amazon. To succeed in today’s market, businesses must meet consumers where they are—offering both convenience and accessibility.” An online store lets you meet customers where they already spend time—online—allowing them to explore services, compare options, and book on their schedule, not just during office hours.
Streamlined Operations & Reduced Overhead: Transitioning certain transactions online can significantly cut down on in-person service requirements, saving both time and costs. Tim O’Brien, General Manager at CM Heating, highlights the operational efficiency, noting that online selling “reduces the resources and costs associated with traveling to meet customers across a wide geographic area.” With online capabilities, your team can handle more inquiries and complete more jobs per day, maximizing productivity and profitability.
Control Over Customer Experience: Instead of losing customers to big retailers who dominate search results, your business can retain control over the customer experience by offering pricing transparency and online booking for services. This can help capture potential customers before they turn to generalist marketplaces like Amazon or Angie’s List. Lou Hobaica of Hobaica Services emphasizes, “The fact is, consumers would rather shop online than in person. If you don’t build an e-commerce presence, you won’t have the opportunity. Now is the time.”
Addressing Common Concerns About Ecommerce
For many contractors, the concept of ecommerce for service businesses raises understandable concerns about losing the personal connections that are central to their success. However, ecommerce doesn’t replace these connections—it complements them. Paul Redman describes online selling as an “and” rather than an “or” option. Ecommerce allows customers to begin their buying journey online by checking prices, exploring services, or booking a tune-up. Afterward, they can follow up with a personalized call or schedule an in-home consultation.
Another challenge is ensuring customers receive accurate information about technical products. Platforms like Contractor Commerce make this process simpler by guiding customers through their purchasing decisions, helping them select the right products or services, whether it’s a specific air filter, a maintenance agreement, or an installed HVAC system. This minimizes errors, saves time, and improves customer satisfaction, allowing your team to focus on delivering high-quality service.
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Steps to Start Your Ecommerce Journey
Ready to explore ecommerce for your service business? Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
- Start Small with High-Demand Items: Rather than offering every product or service, focus on popular items such as air filters, maintenance agreements, or tune-ups that are easy to fulfill and frequently requested. This gradual approach lets you build familiarity with online sales without overwhelming your operations.
- Leverage Specialized Platforms: Platforms like Contractor Commerce provide a plug-and-play solution for trades businesses, helping you set up an online store in hours. With features that streamline payment collection, fulfillment, and customer management, Contractor Commerce allows you to focus on what you do best.
- Promote Your Online Store: Launching an ecommerce platform is only the beginning. Promoting your new online store is essential for driving traffic. Use email marketing, social media, and your website to announce the new features and engage your audience. Customers are more likely to buy from your store when they know about the convenience it offers.
Is Ecommerce Right for You?
The answer to whether ecommerce is right for your service business may come down to your goals and customer needs. Today’s customers want the option to shop online, and the businesses that meet them there will capture a greater share of the market. The fact is, consumers prefer online shopping, and adding ecommerce to your service business allows you to capture that demand.
For trades professionals, ecommerce is a powerful tool to stay competitive, streamline operations, and build stronger customer relationships. Rather than replacing traditional services, ecommerce enhances them by offering an easy, transparent way for customers to engage with your business. As the industry continues to evolve, adding ecommerce to your service business can help you meet rising customer expectations and open new revenue streams. If you’ve been considering ecommerce, now might be the perfect time to bring it into your service business.
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Is It Time to Bring Ecommerce to Your Service Business?
By: Will Housh
As more consumers turn to online shopping for convenience, speed, and accessibility, service-based businesses are recognizing the value of ecommerce as a powerful tool to reach new customers and streamline operations. For HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors, ecommerce solutions provide a unique opportunity to grow digital sales and strengthen customer relationships. With the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades collectively valued at over $180 billion, now is the time to explore how adding an online store could transform your business and help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Why Ecommerce Makes Sense for the Trades
Today, people shop online for everything from groceries to automobiles, and the trades industry is no exception. By bringing ecommerce to your website, you not only meet the expectations of a modern customer base but also gain a way to engage customers on their terms. As Paul Redman from Contractor Commerce puts it, “Contractors have to realize that consumers are in control of their own buying journey.” Ecommerce allows you to be part of that journey by offering accessible information, transparent pricing, and a streamlined shopping experience—all without losing the personal touch that defines your business [https://www.achrnews.com].
With a platform like Contractor Commerce, your business can easily sell essential products like air filters directly from your website. Contractor Commerce handles payment collection and shipping on your behalf, ensuring that filters reach your customers quickly without requiring additional resources from your team. This allows you to increase sales and reach more customers, all while maintaining efficiency.
Beyond filters, Contractor Commerce also enables you to sell maintenance agreements and provide fully-installed system quotes directly on your website. You can also offer additional services like duct cleaning, whole house generator installs, and much more using pre-built journeys, which guide customers through the buying process for these more complex services. By offering these options, you create opportunities for recurring revenue and foster stronger customer loyalty. This flexibility helps you cater to customers looking for both single-purchase items and ongoing service agreements, keeping them connected to your business and increasing their lifetime value.
The Benefits of Ecommerce for Your Business
Adding ecommerce to your service business brings several key advantages that go beyond simple transactions. Moving into ecommerce not only modernizes your offerings but also allows you to operate with more efficiency, reach a broader customer base, and create a seamless experience that today’s consumers have come to expect. By making the buying process straightforward and accessible, you build trust and encourage customers to return to your brand.
Enhanced Customer Convenience: Today’s consumers, especially millennials, expect the ease of online shopping, even for traditionally offline services. They want quick access to information, pricing, and options without the hassle of phone calls. Dayna Hottle of C&C Heating and Air Conditioning explains, “As a millennial, the majority of my shopping is done online. From clothing to groceries, nearly all my purchases are made through digital platforms, with deliveries arriving at my doorstep regularly, often from Amazon. To succeed in today’s market, businesses must meet consumers where they are—offering both convenience and accessibility.” An online store lets you meet customers where they already spend time—online—allowing them to explore services, compare options, and book on their schedule, not just during office hours.
Streamlined Operations & Reduced Overhead: Transitioning certain transactions online can significantly cut down on in-person service requirements, saving both time and costs. Tim O’Brien, General Manager at CM Heating, highlights the operational efficiency, noting that online selling “reduces the resources and costs associated with traveling to meet customers across a wide geographic area.” With online capabilities, your team can handle more inquiries and complete more jobs per day, maximizing productivity and profitability.
Control Over Customer Experience: Instead of losing customers to big retailers who dominate search results, your business can retain control over the customer experience by offering pricing transparency and online booking for services. This can help capture potential customers before they turn to generalist marketplaces like Amazon or Angie’s List. Lou Hobaica of Hobaica Services emphasizes, “The fact is, consumers would rather shop online than in person. If you don’t build an e-commerce presence, you won’t have the opportunity. Now is the time.”
Addressing Common Concerns About Ecommerce
For many contractors, the concept of ecommerce for service businesses raises understandable concerns about losing the personal connections that are central to their success. However, ecommerce doesn’t replace these connections—it complements them. Paul Redman describes online selling as an “and” rather than an “or” option. Ecommerce allows customers to begin their buying journey online by checking prices, exploring services, or booking a tune-up. Afterward, they can follow up with a personalized call or schedule an in-home consultation.
Another challenge is ensuring customers receive accurate information about technical products. Platforms like Contractor Commerce make this process simpler by guiding customers through their purchasing decisions, helping them select the right products or services, whether it’s a specific air filter, a maintenance agreement, or an installed HVAC system. This minimizes errors, saves time, and improves customer satisfaction, allowing your team to focus on delivering high-quality service.
Steps to Start Your Ecommerce Journey
Ready to explore ecommerce for your service business? Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
- Start Small with High-Demand Items: Rather than offering every product or service, focus on popular items such as air filters, maintenance agreements, or tune-ups that are easy to fulfill and frequently requested. This gradual approach lets you build familiarity with online sales without overwhelming your operations.
- Leverage Specialized Platforms: Platforms like Contractor Commerce provide a plug-and-play solution for trades businesses, helping you set up an online store in hours. With features that streamline payment collection, fulfillment, and customer management, Contractor Commerce allows you to focus on what you do best.
- Promote Your Online Store: Launching an ecommerce platform is only the beginning. Promoting your new online store is essential for driving traffic. Use email marketing, social media, and your website to announce the new features and engage your audience. Customers are more likely to buy from your store when they know about the convenience it offers.
Is Ecommerce Right for You?
The answer to whether ecommerce is right for your service business may come down to your goals and customer needs. Today’s customers want the option to shop online, and the businesses that meet them there will capture a greater share of the market. The fact is, consumers prefer online shopping, and adding ecommerce to your service business allows you to capture that demand.
For trades professionals, ecommerce is a powerful tool to stay competitive, streamline operations, and build stronger customer relationships. Rather than replacing traditional services, ecommerce enhances them by offering an easy, transparent way for customers to engage with your business. As the industry continues to evolve, adding ecommerce to your service business can help you meet rising customer expectations and open new revenue streams. If you’ve been considering ecommerce, now might be the perfect time to bring it into your service business.
TRUSTED BY HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTORS
“It’s really easy to set up. I had an online store and was selling products within 48 hours of talking to these guys.”
Jeff K, Ductworks Heating & Air Conditioning“The Contractor Commerce team has been easy to work with and has even customized a few things to fit the needs of my business!”
Chris H, Dick Hill and Sons Heating and Cooling“We have several subscription customers already. This just means recurring revenue for us with no additional overhead or managing.”
Jason C, Advent Air ConditioningIndustry-Leading Contractors Use Contractor Commerce
“The fact is, consumers would rather shop online than in person. If you don’t build an e-commerce presence, you won’t have the opportunity. Now is the time.”
Lou Hobaica, Hobaica Services“It was scary-easy to get set up. It’s plug and play. I drive people to the site, and I collect on the backend. Contractor Commerce takes the order, processes the order, and ships it…any HVAC company would be crazy not to start an online store with Contractor Commerce.”
Bob Reilly, Courtney's Heating & Cooling“Working with the Contractor Commerce team is simple. It’s great. They’re understanding, and they will do anything possible in their power to accommodate your needs. It’s an added service for us…it’s good for our customers”
Jeremy Shellabarger, Airtron Heating & Air Conditioning“Having our website store powered by Contractor Commerce gives us a unique competitive advantage in our market. Our friends in the industry look at our website and say, ‘Wow! That’s super cool. I don’t know why my company isn’t doing this.”
Lizeth Melisa, Comfort Pro“Having an online store from Contractor Commerce is great for our customers! It is convenient and easy for customers to order filters. It saves time when they can go right to the website, place their order and have the filter delivered within a couple of days. Plus, the Contractor Commerce team is great to work with. They are very responsive and helpful and I know they really care about my success!”
Karen B, Liberty Comfort Systems“It’s really easy to set up. I had an online store and was selling products within 48 hours of talking to these guys.”
Jeff K, Ductworks Heating & Air Conditioning“The Contractor Commerce team has been easy to work with and has even customized a few things to fit the needs of my business!”
Chris H, Dick Hill and Sons Heating and Cooling“We have several subscription customers already. This just means recurring revenue for us with no additional overhead or managing.”
Jason C, Advent Air Conditioning