Electric.ie March April 2024

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 47 The role of electricians and the nature of their work is evolving rapidly. Smart home technology, sustainable retrofits, and the rise of ‘energy prosumers’ (who both produce and consume energy) alongside shifting regulations and standards have made working in the industry more complex. Opportunities for Growth Opportunities for electricians continue to grow at an unprecedented pace, not least due to the greater focus on sustainability. The digitisation of energy will continue to be a focus as consumers and businesses demand more visibility of their energy consumption to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The electrical industry underpins a move to a greener future, less reliant on fossil fuels as a source of energy. From the installation of smart home technology, EV charging and electric heat pumps to the rise of energy prosumers and renewable energy at home, electricians are a key part of creating more energy-efficient homes. Upselling Simple enquiries can often turn into great opportunities. For instance, installing a circuit to supply an external socket may require upgrading of earthing and bonding, perhaps even a new consumer unit. However, it is possible to go even further and upsell new products or services to customers that could be of benefit. Educating customers on new technology available to them, including energy efficiency solutions, is a great way to upsell. For instance, a customer ordering an EV charger may not have considered the benefits of onsite battery storage to make use of cheap rate electricity through the night. Also, they may not be aware that the addition of a solar PV system could provide them with further long-term economic benefits. Expanding Business Profile The cornerstone of marketing success is a business’ website. Adapting landing pages to optimise search engine results should take priority. Approximately 90% of people only look at the first page of online search results, so it is vital to rank highly in local searches. Google Ads offers an easy way to target advertising, using chosen keywords and location information to appear at the top of local Google search pages, yet improving your website’s ‘organic’ search results is invaluable. Tips for Boosting Online Visibility Keywords can be used to boost search rankings. If the website has multiple pages, use different keywords so that the pages are not competing against one another in rankings. Professional site optimisation can be a good investment to ensure this: • Great user experience and easy website navigation are vital. A business’ website should be mobile-friendly, informative, and useful • Encouraging customers to leave Google reviews helps to show credibility • Linking the website with social media accounts helps to increase traffic to the site Social Media Social media is a great tool to connect with customers. By sharing experiences and showing the work of the business, electricians can highlight successful projects, answer questions publicly, and showcase customer reviews. For instance, Facebook allows businesses to target audiences, with posts helping them to appear higher in Google search results. Conclusion The boom in work for electricians has only just begun. Business opportunities for electricians are set to grow even further alongside initiatives for a smarter and more sustainable future. The time is now to capitalise on these opportunities, but businesses must ensure that they are ready and able to go above and beyond the competition to win new projects. To find out more about exclusive content and benefits, information on products, useful tools, and practical resources for electricians why not register on the Schneider Electric Electricians Programme? Scan the QR code to join our FREE Electricians Programme Read our tips and ideas to help you grow and build a business fit for the future. Becoming the Electrician of Tomorrow Stay ahead of the curve and unearth opportunities for growth with Schneider Electric to future-proofing the electrical industry.

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