The last five months or thereabouts have seen the world get outrageously upended by the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. The global health crisis has triggered many unprecedented changes prompting individuals and businesses to adjust to the new reality. Just when we thought the numbers of cases were declining, the Coronavirus statistics in the last couple weeks have been particularly disturbing as more states in the U.S. reported record high cases.
The United States Coronavirus cases are dangerously nearing 3 million with over 130,000 deaths. Although over 1 million victims are reported to have recovered, the sad reality remains that our country is still caught in this web of uncertainty as cases continue to rise.
We understand how important it is for you to continue to serve your customers even amidst Covid-19, we only want you to work safely. If you’re a local contractor providing services such as drain cleaning, plumbing, electrical installation, and air conditioner repair around your neighborhood, then you may want to make some changes in how you relate with your customers. In the face of the mounting cases of Covid-19, it’s important to religiously obey basic rules such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, and frequent washing of hands as set by the government and medical experts to flatten the curve.
Implementing a new strategy to provide estimates to your customers can limit the physical person-to-person contact, thereby reducing the risk of contracting the virus. Thanks to technology. Businesses like you can now conveniently interact with customers virtually to discuss their projects.
There are many applications out there that allow you to take a virtual tour around the project you’re to work on, and provide estimates as required. With this development, you may decide not to visit the site until when the arrangements are made for payment and commencement of the work.
Top Online Communication Tools For Contractors: Consider Virtual Estimates
FaceTime
If you’re an iPhone or MacBook user, then it’s likely you’ve used FaceTime at some point. But if you haven’t, now is the time you may want to consider using the app for easy communication with your customers and prospects.
FaceTime is an Apple’s built-in video and voice-calling app. While this app was originally created for the purpose of keeping in touch with social contacts, it has now become extremely popular among businesses who leverage the app to stay connected with their customers. You can discuss the project and even show what needs to be worked on using the video option.
The app only works on Apple phones or computers. You need to be running iOS 12.14 or later on an iPhone 6S or a more recent model or an iPod touch (generation) to use FaceTime. If you’re using an iPad, the app is only supported by iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad (fifth generation), iPad Mini 4 or a more recent model of any of devices running iPad OS.
Zoom
Recently, Zoom has gained wide popularity among consumers and service providers of different stripes. Zoom is a video conferencing app that companies and academic institutions use for remote communication. The app works like competitor services such as Google Hangout, and Skype. Unlike FaceTime, Zoom works just fine on Android and Apple. It’s an amazing resource for you to communicate with your customers and prospects.
Zoom has many basic features including the ability to chat, call individual contact and schedule meetings for upcoming events. The functions on the platform are quite easy to use, decently organized for anyone to operate without hassle.
You can initiate a meeting on the app and invite your prospects to join. For easy navigation and good experience, it’s good for both of you to have the app installed on your devices.
Skype
While newer video-chatting apps seem to become commonplaces among companies and businesses, Skype still remains one of the awesome remote communication resources you can use to engage your customers online. The app makes “face to face” or a regular voice call easy.
Getting started with this app may require you to master the features on the app if you’ve never used it before. But it’s generally an app you should find easy to navigate. To communicate on Skype, you simply have to share your Skype ID with your customers then initiate a call and discuss business. It’s really that simple!
Google Hangout
Google Hangouts is an online communication platform where you can facilitate a meeting with your prospects. It’s quite easy to initiate a session for a one-on-one chat, or conversation which may be between two or more people.
There two options to get started with Google Hangouts. One way is to visit https://hangouts.google.com/. Make sure your Google account is signed in while doing so. The alternative way to use Hangouts is to use its extension for your Chrome browser. Either option works great and you would have a great interactive session with your customers.
Should I postpone a job?
We want you to stay as safe as possible. Please continue to follow the guidelines found on the World Health Organization‘s website. If local or state officials are restricting activities in your area, please adhere to the rules. Some activities are deemed essential, and there are those that are not.
What can I do if my business is struggling?
The SBA (Small Business Administration) is a great place to start. They’re a great resource to find federal programs to help small businesses. If you’re unable to accept work at this time, please contact us or simply turn off your lead delivery option within your dashboard.
Conclusion
On a final note, pending the arrival of a safe and effective vaccine or cure is discovered, it’s important for everyone to adhere to private and public health guidelines to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus. We encourage Same Day Pros Contractors to leverage the tools discussed above for virtual tours and meetings and only be physically present when it is work time on site.Stop the spread, adhere to all medical guidelines to reduce the risks of contraction. Stay safe!
