Digital Marketing for Plumbers: How to Get More Customers Using Digital

If you're a plumber who’s tired of relying on slow seasons, word-of-mouth, and referral dry spells to grow your business... digital marketing might be the lever you need to pull. But not all digital marketing for plumbing businesses is created equal. Some agencies overcharge for results that never show. Others promise rankings and ads that never convert. And maybe you’ve even run a few Facebook or Google campaigns yourself — only to be disappointed by the response. So what actually works? In this guide, we’ll break down four digital marketing strategies for plumbers that are proven to bring in local customers. And then we’ll share a powerful method to supercharge everything you do online — by pairing it with direct mail. Let’s dive in...

Increase Digital Ads by 450% using this hack

A study cited in this article by Darwill revealed that combining direct mail with digital advertising boosts response rates by up to 450%.

That’s because repetition wins. People don’t convert the first time they see you — but when your postcard shows up and your Facebook ad follows? You stick.

At Ballpoint Marketing, we help plumbers blanket the right neighborhoods with real-pen handwritten mail that feels personal and drives attention — especially when paired with digital.

So if you’re running ads, we can help boost your ROI with a direct mail layer that gets noticed (and Googled).

Want help building a local campaign that combines both? We’ve got you, get on a strategy call here

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1. Paid Advertising (The Fastest Way to Get Plumbing Calls Today)

Want leads today, not 3 months from now? Paid advertising is the fastest way to get phones ringing — especially if you target the right neighborhoods. Plumbing services like clogged drains, emergency leaks, or water heater failures are high-urgency issues. And customers often head straight to Google when the problem arises. That’s why paid ads can be a game-changer for plumbing businesses. Here's where to start:

Top Paid Ad Channels for Plumbers

• Google Search Ads: Bid on keywords like "plumber near me" or "emergency drain repair [your city]." These show up above organic search results — where clicks happen most.
• Google Local Services Ads (LSAs): These pay-per-lead ads include your photo, star rating, and a "Google Guaranteed" badge. A must-have for trust and visibility.
• Facebook Ads: Perfect for brand awareness, seasonal offers (e.g., “$89 Drain Clean Special”), and staying top of mind in your service area.
• Instagram & YouTube: Use before/after plumbing videos, explainers, or testimonials to build credibility.

Quick Tips for Ad Success

• Use location-based keywords (“leak detection in Tampa”)
• Run call-only ads for emergency services
• Track every call and booking with tools like CallRail
• Don’t forget retargeting — many people search, leave, and come back later

2. Website & Landing Page Optimization (Turn Clicks Into Calls)

Clicking your ad is only half the battle. If your website doesn’t convert — you’re losing business. Your site should:

• Load fast (under 3 seconds)
• Be mobile-friendly
• Make it stupid-simple to call or book
• Reinforce your service area (e.g., "Proudly Serving Houston & Surrounding Suburbs")
• Show trust: reviews, photos, logos of manufacturers

Pages You Need:

• One page per service (e.g., Drain Cleaning, Pipe Repair, Water Heaters)
• One page per city or neighborhood (for SEO — we’ll cover that below)

Pro Tip: Use a sticky call button on mobile and always place a call-to-action at the top and bottom of each page.

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3. Content Marketing (Simple Social Media for Plumbers)

Don’t overthink content. You don’t need to go viral — you need to build trust.

What to Post:

• Quick tips homeowners love: “How to fix a slow drain (without calling me — yet)”
• Before-and-after photos of nasty clogs or clean installations
• Day-in-the-life shots: your team, trucks, tools, and happy customers
• FAQ-style videos answering real client questions

Best Platforms:

• Facebook & Instagram: For homeowners, branding, and offers
• YouTube Shorts: For “how-to” videos that also help with SEO
• TikTok (if you’re bold): Trades are exploding on this platform!

Frequency: Even 2–3 posts a week builds visibility over time. And once you start — repurpose everything across platforms.

4. SEO for Plumbers (Rank on Google, Get Free Calls Every Month)

If paid ads are the sprint… SEO is the marathon. But once you rank, those calls come in without paying for every click. Here’s what matters most for plumbing SEO:

Local SEO Checklist:

• Claim and fully optimize your Google Business Profile
• Get and reply to Google reviews weekly (mention services & cities in responses)
• Add one page per service, per city on your site (e.g., “Water Heater Repair in Boise”)
• Embed Google Maps and use schema markup (use tools like Yoast or RankMath)
• Build local backlinks: chambers, charities, blogs, directories

Bonus: Blog Topics That Work

• "5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater"
• "Should I Repair or Replace My Pipes?"
• "How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Slab Leak in [City]?"

Write once, rank for months.

5. Combine Direct Mail with Digital for Maximum Leads

Most plumbing businesses miss this simple yet powerful strategy: When someone sees your ad — they Google you. That’s where branded direct mail steps in to boost trust, memorability, and conversions. Direct mail campaigns targeting your ideal zip codes (especially with a special offer) build familiarity so when that person does see your Facebook ad or Google result — they’re far more likely to call you over a random competitor.

Why it Works:

• Multi-touch = Higher trust
• People recognize your name when they Google you
• They’re more likely to click, call, and book

Use Real Handwritten Letters for High Response

No other company produces more real penned mail than Ballpoint Marketing.

We don’t fake handwriting. We use robotic arms to write actual ink letters with messy, human-looking strokes that get opened, read, and acted on.

Here’s why handwritten mail works so well:

• Hand-addressed envelopes get opened 90%+ of the time
• Real ink letters feel personal and trustworthy
• We customize every campaign to fit your plumbing business’s goals

And the best part?

We handle everything — from design to printing to mailing — so you get more leads without lifting a finger.

👉 Want to see samples or get a quote for your market? Visit Ballpoint Marketing and let’s start boosting your business.

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Final Thoughts: Digital Marketing for Plumbing Works Best with Layers

When done right, digital marketing for plumbing doesn’t just bring in more calls — it builds a system that works even while you’re on a job. Start with fast-response methods like Google Ads or LSAs. Build trust with simple social content and a clean, fast website. Then set your SEO in motion with strong pages and helpful content. But if you want to really win? Combine your online presence with high-impact direct mail. That’s what creates familiarity, authority, and consistent lead flow. If you’re ready to build a campaign tailored to your service area, we’d love to help:  

Get quality DONE-WITH-YOU Handwritten Campaigns Today!