For small contractors
How to stop losing customers to missed calls
Every contractor misses calls. The question is what happens next. Here are practical steps, with or without us.
1. Answer faster, even if it's not a call
Speed matters. A Harvard Business Review study of online inquiries found businesses that responded within an hour were nearly seven times as likely to reach the decision-maker as those that waited longer.1 A quick text tells a caller you got their call.
2. Fix your voicemail greeting
Say your business name, that you're on a job, and when you'll call back. Ask them to leave the job type and address.
3. Block call-back time
Pick two times a day, like lunch and end of day, to return every missed call. Write them down so nothing slips.
4. Follow up on every estimate
Put a reminder on day 3, 7 and 14 after you send a quote. Most owners skip this when they're busy, which is exactly when it matters.
5. Ask for the review
When a job wraps up, send one short thank-you with your Google review link. Reviews help the next caller choose you.
6. Automate the parts you keep forgetting
Retain Bridge texts back missed callers, follows up on your estimates and asks for reviews automatically. You still pick times and talk price; we handle the reminders.
You keep your business number. Missed calls forward to us, and texts come from a separate local texting number we provide. Setup in a day; texting goes live after carrier approval, usually about 14 days; missed-call alerts start right away.
1. Oldroyd, McElheran & Elkington, “The Short Life of Online Sales Leads,” Harvard Business Review, March 2011.