If you want your architecture business to go from strength to strength, it pays to constantly stay on top of key tasks. Here, three professionals share the most important things they do frequently to keep their company growing.
Professional advice from: Lynn Pennec of IF Rénovation; James Newcombe of JLN Designs; Lydia Robinson of Design Storey
Connect with other professionals
It’s not just your workmanship that counts when it comes to growing your business. The work delivered by your contractors will have an effect on how clients value your firm, so it’s important to make the effort to connect with professionals frequently.
“Honing down our list of qualified partners is the key to satisfaction for all,” Paris-based Lynn Pennec says. “We design while contractors build – a well-executed renovation or construction is a team effort.”
It’s easy to find and connect with local professionals on Houzz, or you can use other avenues. “I network with peers, builders and suppliers within my industry by joining clubs, groups, networking events and industry conferences,” Australian architect James Newcombe says.
UK-based architect Lydia Robinson recommends regularly networking where there’s no other competition.“We try to attend networking events where we’re the only architects present, so if any opportunities arise, we can be first to snap them up,” she says.
Keep customers happy
An essential part of growing your architecture business is maintaining good customer relationships. “Make sure clients understand that their needs are at the centre of your work,” Lynn says. “From the first visit to delivery, we remain accessible and flexible and keep in mind that we’re designing someone else’s home, not ours.”
“I try to keep existing clients happy by managing their expectations and delivering on my promises,” James says. “I also try to keep a good relationship with the client after the project has finished.”
Communication is key for a good working relationship with clients, so ensure you keep them updated during every stage of the project. Houzz Pro's Client Dashboard can help with this, as it will allow you to communicate quickly and easily with clients in real time, even when you're on the go.
Stay current
Lynn recommends you constantly stay on top of new design trends in order to add value for clients. “This is a day-to-day, minute-by-minute philosophy we uphold,” she says. “Remaining up to date, or even foreseeing upcoming products or trends, helps you to design outside the box.”
It’s also important to share your knowledge online, Lydia says. “Show you’re current and fresh by doing frequent updates on social media sites such as Houzz, as well as on your website, and blog about current trends,” she says. “Keeping up to date with new developments in the industry demonstrates you’re continuously refreshing your knowledge and expertise.”
Search out new areas of work
Keep an eye out for new opportunities. “Look for work in emerging sectors and businesses,”Lydia suggests. “We’ve seen huge growth in personal fitness and gyms, for example, and this is an area we’ve been specialising in recently.”
Lydia also recommends you weigh up expansion into areas you’re enthusiastic about. “We’re starting to explore sectors we have a personal interest in, as we feel we’ll be more passionate about working in these areas,” she explains.
Request reviews
Our experts also advise you make an ongoing effort to encourage clients to leave testimonials. “It goes without saying that positive feedback is always a plus to encourage new clients to make that first call,” Lynne says.
Make a point of asking each client to write a review on your website and Houzz profile, as frequently updating your online presence will have a huge impact on the way potential customers see your business.
