Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home remodeling and design, launched the Houzz Pro Online Impact Score, to give industry professionals insight into their level of business credibility online. Based on an analysis of nearly one million pros worldwide, including designers, builders and remodelers, and specialty contractors, the score reflects the strength of a pro’s website and Houzz profile. Houzz provides the total score and a breakdown of its components, as well as a benchmark against the top 10 percent of pros in each category.
The Houzz Pro Online Impact Score was born from the results of a February 2021 survey of more than 900 homeowners on Houzz who are planning, in the middle of or who completed a renovation within the past two years.* The survey found that online credibility is a significant factor in homeowners’ hiring decisions, with more than seven in ten homeowners reporting that a pro’s online presence, along with the ability to offer remote collaboration tools, are major determinants (70 percent). Even among homeowners who rely on word-of-mouth referrals to find pros, three in five report that they conduct additional research, including reviewing their business website and profile, reviews and project portfolio, before deciding to make contact (62 percent).
“The home renovation industry is booming, but our research shows that a majority of pros could attract and close more of the work they really want. Even pros who rely on word-of-mouth referrals may miss out on significant new business opportunities, since those prospects conduct additional research to confirm the recommendation before reaching out. With a more credible online presence, they’ll build a stronger pipeline for the long-term,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing at Houzz. “Houzz is the industry leader when it comes to helping pros build their brands online and making quality connections with homeowners. The Online Impact Score, together with Houzz Pro marketing and business management tools, are a simple and powerful way to help our pro community build stronger businesses now and for the future.”
For pros looking to improve their online presence, Houzz Pro Website Services provide a full-service solution for contractors, designers and other pros who want a professional, credible and beautiful custom website built and managed for them. Websites created and hosted by Houzz are optimized for mobile devices, include a custom domain, and support unlimited content, such as video.
The Houzz survey also uncovered the key factors impacting homeowners’ decisions to hire a pro for their project. Top priorities included communication and organization skills, pricing that was easy to understand and the time it took to receive a proposal or quote (55, 41 and 36 percent, respectively). Houzz Pro offers tools for pros to facilitate communication and streamline and simplify the estimation process.
Pros can learn how to find out their Houzz Pro Online Impact Score here.
*Data was sourced from an online survey fielded to U.S. Houzz users between January 31 and February 14, 2021. N=909.