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The Handyman Network - helping plumbers, decorators, electricians, gardeners and handymen start their business online and create a website.

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Sometimes it's difficult to know where to begin when starting your own business.

So on this page we hope to give you a few tips which should guide you in the right direction. You may also find useful information in the resources section about training you may want to do, as well as DIY books, budget business cards as well as much more.

Drumming up customers

A website is a good start, and if you're part of The Azure Handyman Network, you've made a really positive step to build up your customer base already. A website won't bring in customers overnight though, and it can take up to 3 months for your website to become listed on search engines, so you need to start being pro-active to get your name known.

Have a look at what comes through your letter box. If there's a local classified magazine, give the editor a call and find out how much it will cost to run a small advert.

Talk to your friends and family and offer them special rates for jobs they may need doing. This will boost your confidence and if they're pleased with the work you've done, they are likely to tell all their friends too.

Once you are started and the "word" gets around that you do good work and are honest, you will have no problem getting all the work you want.

Marketing your website

Having a website will help you establish credibility as a business entity and is likely to give you an edge over other individuals offering the same service. It's therefore important to publicise the fact that you have a website, otherwise it's a resource which you're not using to it's full potential. Here are a few ways you can do this:

If you use business cards, flyers or any other kind of literature, make sure you include your web address on them next time you do a reprint. If you're not sure where to go for good value business cards, try out Vista Print. You can order online and they often have special offers for free business cards etc.

If you advertise in a local circular/bulletin/magazine, include your web address.

When using email, even to family and friends, include your web address at the bottom (find out about Outlook signatures here) and ensure that if you have 2 email addresses, you are using the one which relates to your website eg. john@jgchandyman.co.uk rather than john@hotmail.com.

If you need help setting up your email account so it is delivered into Outlook, click here for details.

You can check traffic to your website through your control panel. Details of this were sent to you when your site was first established. Go to www.yourwebaddress.co.uk/cpanel and enter your username and password and click on Statistics. You can also add new email addresses through this panel.

What to charge

At first you may want to charge by the hour, but it will be better for both you and your customers to charge by the job. You should make a little more, and the customer won't have to worry about going over budget.

When you are working, always look around for other things that you could take care of. You can do them more inexpensively if you are already there, leave a customer very happy and make a bit of extra profit.

If you need special tools, buy them as needed for specific jobs - and let the job help pay for them. If they are really unique tools, sometimes you can include the total cost in your bill.

Building your network

Find a building supplier that will give you a business discount to increase your profit margin. You can hire helpers, but be sure they measure up to your standards of honesty and good work before letting them go on a job by themselves.

If you can find reliable helpers with additional skills, you will be able to expand your services. Work with your helper first, until you are sure he/she can handle jobs -- then send them out on jobs where they get paid by the hour and you by the job.

Another possibility is to contact out-of-town home owners and arrange to take care of their places (including calling a professional when necessary). Have agreements with other services to refer each other (you recommend a specific plumber on a tough job, he recommends you for light ones).

Rental agencies

Perhaps the most lucrative and desperately needed handyman type service is for rental agencies and real estate companies.

These businesses spend thousands on upkeep and repairs and seldom have time to find out whether the problems are serious or simple.

A typical rental agent gets 10% of rents collected -- and never even visits the unit being rented. When the tenant complains about something not working, the agent calls a service company and gets it fixed -- now.

Often, the price is less important than worrying about the tenant moving out. If you make up a little brochure of what you do, how to get in touch with you, and an idea of what you charge, and take it to 4 or 5 rental or real estate agents, you will probably at least be called to see at what level you perform. In fact, it would not be surprising if one or more of them wanted a guarantee that they would be priority one -- which is something you might consider if the price or retainer is right. A website in this case could help build your credibility.

Insurance

Public liability insurance is certainly something you need to consider and most rental agencies will require you to have this before you will be entitled to work with them. It will also help give your customers piece of mind if you are able to tell them that you have insurance. Give this some serious consideration and get some quotes. Our resources section offers some links to possible insurance companies.

Common sense

Naturally, you should always look presentable, act professionally and avoid long (especially controversial) discussions with your customers. Punctuality and reliability is something people really value, and if you are able to maintain both these virtues, you are likely to go a long way.

Just don't make the fatal mistake of taking people for granted: always keep your word. If you say you will be there this afternoon BE THERE or at least call. Many businesses have failed because the owner neglected his customers!

It takes time and money to build a reputation in a business, but a good reputation can be ruined in short order if the word gets around that you don't show up when you promise or your work is not as represented. Pay your bills, keep your word and do a good job and your business will thrive!