Trader of the month November 2014: Quality Drainage Company Ltd
Sarah Lawrence is co-owner and company secretary at family-run Quality Drainage Company Ltd in Bromley. The business has been inspecting, clearing and installing drains in and around Bromley for nearly nine years.
Part of the marketing mix
'One of my responsibilities is the marketing for the business. I designed the website and continue to maintain it. I also manage our various social media accounts.'
For web-savvy Sarah, adding a Which? Trusted Traders endorsement to the digital marketing mix was an easy decision. 'The Which? brand has been associated with thorough testing and quality products for decades. When we heard that Which? was starting to put tradespeople through the endorsement process, we didn’t hesitate to get involved.'
Targeting the right audience
Most customers contact a drainage contractor because they have a problem that needs to be solved promptly. As such, Sarah says that a key benefit of Which? Trusted Traders membership is having a presence on the consumer-facing website.
'It’s a better way of advertising your services,' says Sarah. 'You’re not wasting money on leaflet drops to lots of people who don’t need the service you offer. Instead, you’re targeting a smaller pool of people who, by looking for a specific type of tradesperson online, are very likely to require your service. The return on investment is clear.'
An online profile page
Sarah found the business profile page on the Which? Trusted Traders website easy to set up. She added contact details, opening hours and multiple business categories. In addition, a short biography and photo gallery reassure customers of the business’ qualifications and professionalism.
Giving customers confidence
'It’s the customer recommendations that give consumers the most confidence,' says Sarah, who regularly checks the page to view new reviews that have been received.
Many of Quality Drainage Company Ltd’s recommendations describe the exceptional level of customer service received. 'We’re a small firm and want to offer a very personal service,' says Sarah. 'We keep our vans and uniforms sparkling, take care not to damage a customer’s property and leave drains smelling fresh. That attention to detail is celebrated in the consumer reviews we’ve received through Which? Trusted Traders which are online for all prospective customers to see.'
A scheme exclusively for outstanding traders
The business has a number of trade industry accreditations but, says Sarah, the Which? Trusted Traders assessment process was the most rigorous. 'I was surprised but delighted when the assessor picked up our invoice folder and chose five customers at random to contact for a reference. It just shows that only the best traders are accepted onto the scheme and I’m proud that Quality Drainage Company Ltd is part of it.'
- Find out more about Quality Drainage Company Ltd
- Read our guide to the Which? Trusted trader of the month process
- Tips on hiring drain clearance contractors