In 2020, the U.S. solar industry grew 43%. That’s awesome, but that also means more competition for you.
Are you looking for ways to stand out from your competitors? Do you have a strong digital strategy?
Here are ten statistics that can dramatically improve digital marketing for solar companies. Read on to learn how to blow your competitors right out of the water.
1. Online Sales Model Revives Solar Industry
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many industries, including solar, took a big hit. Without the in-person aspect of selling and installing solar, many solar companies suffered losses in sales.
However, the solar industry quickly learned to adapt to an online sales model and built an online presence. This allowed solar panel companies to stay connected with their customers and to continue business from afar.
In 2020, the U.S. solar industry installed a record of 19.2 gigawatts of capacity. This industry grew 43% from the previous year.
2. Video Backgrounds on Website Can Increase Conversion Rates by 138%
Having transitioned online, the solar industry knows that having a website is crucial to expanding business. But you can’t have just any old website. There’s an art to website design.
One of the key features of a website is the home page or landing page. Adding a video background to the hero section of the landing page can increase conversion rates by 138%.
For solar companies, this is gold. This is your chance to show off solar technology in video format. But be sure that the footage does not make a user feel dizzy from staring.
3. 74% Of Users Appreciate Mobile-Optimized Websites
The age of receiving information at your desk is fading into the background.
Nowadays, people want access to information anywhere and everywhere they go. In fact, 74% of users will return to a website if the site is mobile-optimized.
This means that you must optimize your solar company website with a responsive design. In simple terms, your website visitors should be able to access your site from any device.
Be careful though and choose your hosting wisely. Responsive design takes longer to load, but good hosting can solve that problem.
4. Poor Web Design Loses 38% of Site Traffic
Want to know the single thing that makes your visitors run and click out of your solar company’s site?
Having poor web design. This contributes to a loss of 38% of incoming traffic.
This is not discriminatory. Web design is just part of the overall user experience.
You don’t have to have the most beautiful website in the world. If your website is functional and follows these simple rules of web design, your visitors are more likely to stay.
5. Small Businesses That Blog Win
If you’re a renewable resource company with a blog, you’re already ahead of most of the local companies around you. Small businesses that blog see an increase in lead growth.
It’s not just that you’re on the internet. You have a steady supply of content coming from your site that provides value to your customers and keeps your site fresh. Search engines love that and will rank you first.
Blogging is especially important in the solar industry because your customers are doing in-depth research before they decide to purchase. You want to be the resource that provides them relevant answers to their questions.
6. Video Content Beats Written Content
Blogs are important, but the format of the content matters too. Research shows that 43% of people prefer video content over written content.
This should not be so surprising. The brain processes visual images at a speed 6,000x faster than text.
If you are looking to grow your green energy company, consider tapping into video marketing. Here are some tips we’ve collected to help your video marketing efforts soar through the roof.
7. Testimonials Increase Sales Page Conversion Rates by 34%
Social proof is essential to converting visitors to customers. Including testimonials can increase your sales conversion rates by 34%.
Wherever your happy customers have left a testimonial, collect them and publish them on your site. If you don’t have a record of testimonials, this is your sign to start building it.
Even if they’re not buying yet, this helps potential customers who visit your site to know that you are a trusted solar company. When they’re looking to buy, guess who they’ll think of for the job?
You, of course.
8. Spread the Word With Social Sharing Buttons
People share content all the time. In fact, it’s surprising how often some people share content without reading it first.
59% of people will share an article without having engaged with the content. Why do they do it then? Who knows.
Although this means some of your hard work may be overlooked, your blog content would benefit from you adding social sharing buttons. Take advantage of the information spreading pattern on social media.
This bolsters your online presence and drives traffic right back to your site.
9. Email Marketing Has a 4,400% ROI
Have you ever heard the phrase, “email is king”?
It is for one reason: it has the highest return on investments of any marketing campaign strategy. One dollar spent on email marketing results in at least $44 in sales. That’s a steal.
Use your new solar website to capture emails and bring customers into your orbit. Keep leads warm by consistently engaging with customers over email.
You can also use email to promote new blog content and drive customers back to your site.
10. Social Media Usage Averages 2.5 Hours Daily
If you’re not on social media, you’re missing out. A large majority of your customers are lurking on your website for your social media accounts. They spend 2.5 hours on social media daily.
They want to see more of your solar company before they decide who should install their solar panels. Make sure you’re there.
You can even use social media to promote your content and to drive traffic back to your site. However, your content should exist on your site first, social media second because you own your site. You don’t own your social media.
Use the Best Digital Marketing For Solar Companies
Digital marketing for solar companies can be tricky for an industry that has just transitioned online.
Whether you have an existing digital marketing strategy or you need to create a new one, we offer a digital strategy at no cost to you. We also offer a number of services including SEO, paid ad efforts, web development, and more, to help your solar company thrive.
Get in touch with us to get started today!