UK Architectural Industry
The architectural industry in the UK is very much affected by the UK construction and property industry, which is at an all time low due to the global recession. Due to banks not lending money, large contractors cannot get capital projects underway and as such, architects are not needed for as many projects as they once were 5 years ago. Smaller projects are still going through (despite funding causing delay problems) but many large architectural projects are on hold.
Many architects are either looking to downsize, or are looking to try and diversify their project portfolio in order to adapt to the current climate the UK is in.
As such, there is the need for smart marketing in order for architects to be able to ensure that new projects and tenders are coming through that they can bid on. The days of architects being able to pick and choose projects based on specification and projected value are gone and it is very much a case of the strongest survive.
Smart Marketing For Architects
Like much of the construction industry, many architects are quite behind the times as far as marketing goes, most do have websites set up, but not a great deal more in terms of utlising different forms of marketing and ensuring that a message is being sent out loud and clear to the building industry. Marketing for architects needs a lease of life, for many architects to take hold of the various tools of marketing and getting the wheels of advertising turning.
Websites For Architects
Most established architects do have websites set up and in place, however many are static websites that are not regularly updated or developed. A stagnant website does have the tendency to look disused, especially if there are updates from months ago, or 'latest news' from the previous year. Websites for architects do need to be attractive and dynamic, a tool that is used to help bring new business and new sales leads into the architectural practice.
PR For Architects
Public relations is used by many of the larger and more established architects, but many have not really looked into how PR for architects can help in raising the profile of the practice. PR is one of the more subtle and powerful tools of marketing, one that is underused and overlooked.
PR for architects can be both online and offline, getting the best of two forms of exposure to both the older users (that do not use the internet so much) and modern users (that will see the press releases online. PR also helps with an architects SEO, which is a spin off benefit.
SEO For Architects Websites
Many architects do have websites, however the websites are not getting many visitors as no-one really knows they are there. SEO is all about increasing the number of visitors a website receives by gaining links to a website; the more links a website has to it, the higher up on search engines it will appear (a popularity contest). SEO for architects is a very important area of marketing, if the website does not get any visitors to it, then it is pointless.
PPC For Architects
Paid advertising is a quick way for architects to get onto page 1 for any search term they want to be found for ('architects in London', 'architects in the Midlands' etc.), SEO is necessary, but as there are so many thousands of architects around the UK, the competition is so high, that shortcutting is necessary in order to get visibility. There are numerous agencies in the UK that can offer PPC for archtects, just a case of selecting an experienced agency that has a good track record of producing results.
Telemarketing For Architects
Many architects are turning to telemarketing as being a proactive form of generating new enquiries. In doing telemarketing for architects new leads can swiftly be generated meaning a busy quotes department and hopefully an increase in new projects.
From all the different forms of marketing there are, telemarketing is one that is dynamic and can produce quantifiable results quickly.
Advertising For Architects
Many architects have used advertising to generate exposure and to try to increase new enquiries to come through, however advertising for architects can be hit and miss. Marketing for architects is different to a lot of other market sectors, on the grounds that it is B2B. Advertising on TV cannot really be done, as the audience would not be the target audience that architects would wish to reach, neither would advertising on the radio. Magazine advertising has been done by many architects, however the returns on this are difficult to justify based on magazine advertising being more for brand exposure rather than lead generation.
Choosing A Marketing Company For Architects
There are tens of thousands of marketing companies around the UK, ranging from small ones in the sticks, up to large international marketing companies in London that work with top brands around the globe; for architects the problem is too much choice.
It is advised that architects do select a marketing company that has experience in working in the architectural sector, that has done marketing for architects in the past (successfully) and generated good exposure as a result.
The main factor when choosing a marketing company is can they produce results, have they worked for architects in the past and been successful.
Meeting the marketing company is wise, in order to ensure that what they claim is true (websites can say anything these days and many marketing companies have the tendency to embellish. When the meeting has finished, it would be wise to ask for a few referrals of current clients, and chat to them about how the marketing company are, do they produce results, are they getting ROI?
Compare Quotes On Marketing For Architects
All marketing companies have their own fees, marketing for architects can be expensive depending on which marketing company is selected. As all marketing companies set their own fees (based on their overheads, staff numbers, profit margins,
Shopping around for anything these days is important in order to ensure that overpaying is not done and value for money is achieved.
By comparing quotes from 3-4 marketing companies that have experience in working for architects, the best agency should be found for the best price (not cheapest, but best).
For free advice and quotes from marketing companies that have a background in working for architects, just fill in the form above.