Rheem announces a partnership with ServiceMagic^® that provides exclusively to Rheem Team Top Contractors the ability to receive real-time Internet leads from local consumers wanting to buy heating and cooling systems and services.

ServiceMagic offers homeowners a free online resource to connect with Top Contractors using Internet search engines, such as Yahoo, Google, MSN, etc. Consumers then enter one of thousands of keywords designated for residential heating and cooling contractors. One example would be “central A/C – install, XYZ City,” or similar combinations. Because of ServiceMagic’s contractual agreements with top search engines, their website and contractors’ listings are positioned as one of the first links seen by consumers looking for HVAC service information. ServiceMagic then screens visitors to their website and passes “ready-to-buy” leads to Top Contractors based on the customer’s geographic location and Top Contractor service area. The leads received by Top Contractors through ServiceMagic are from consumers who are seriously looking for home comfort equipment and installations. 

The ServiceMagic online marketing solution matches service requests from homeowners to the most appropriate residential contractors in its prescreened network. Homeowners are required to complete a three-page interview with project details to ensure the appropriate professionals are contacted.

Unlike other marketing initiatives, ServiceMagic provides past Customer Ratings & Reviews to help its members establish instant third-party creditably with prospective customers. In 2005, the company processed more than 35,500 service requests specifically from consumers seeking HVAC professionals. ServiceMagic currently operates nationally, attracting more than 2 million unique visitors to its website each month and facilitating more than 150,000 monthly service requests to its nearly 40,000 member businesses.

Upon acceptance into the ServiceMagic network, member businesses begin receiving targeted customer leads in their area. Unlike traditional marketing such as the yellow pages, ServiceMagic members can target the specific type of work they find most profitable in the locations they prefer to work. In fact, businesses that have used ServiceMagic for at least a year report growing their business by 28 percent on average.

“Lead generation is a vital component for growth in any HVAC business.  In the past, many new leads came from consumers using Yellow Page directories to find residential contractors. Consumers are increasingly turning to the Internet instead of print directories to find local contractors to bid on jobs because the information available is more current and consumers can drill into lower levels of detail unavailable in an advertisement.  On-line shoppers typically do most of their pre-screening prior to making first contact; therefore, it more likely that on-line shoppers will make an information-based buying decision sooner after first contact. And, on-line buyers are typically ready to trade up because of their understanding of value differences.  This trend is expected to continue, making it important that we assist Top Contractors in providing services that help them easily maintain a web directory presence resulting in high value customer leads, ” said Gary Wehunt, Marketing Programs Manager for Rheem Manufacturing Co., Air Conditioning Division.

The standard $99 enrollment fee for this advanced on-line lead generation system has been waived for Rheem Team Top Contractors. ServiceMagic charges a nominal fee for each lead generated. Flexible budgeting options are available, even using earned Top Contractor funding. No long-term commitments and Top Contractors can opt out of the ServiceMagic lead generation program at anytime.  For more information, contact Top Contractor Program Coordinator, Phyllis Abshere at 479-648-4893 or Pabshere@rheemac.com.