FMB’s new Find a Builder directory delivers soaring results

The Federation of Master Builders has seen a major increase in the use of their website’s Find a Builder directory in the first five weeks after launching a new version of the online service in December 2023.

There has been a 50% increase in visitors to Find a Builder and a 25% increase in homeowners using the directory’s messaging tool to contact builders. Direct enquiries to builders also increased by 12% in the first five weeks of the new service going live.

 

The FMB wanted their Find a Builder tool to attract more consumers and deliver more leads to builders while maintaining and enhancing the quality of the referrals. Increased organic traffic, website searches and member satisfaction were key goals of the project.

The FMB team worked closely with Pixl8 to redesign the directory with enhanced search functionality, messaging, profile management and user experience.

Building online connections

The FMB’s Find a Builder directory allows customers to search for building professionals by trade and location or post code. They can create a shortlist for quotes or message builders directly via the directory.

The new version showcases a fresh look, improved user journeys and new features that make it easier for builders to showcase their work and connect with homeowners.

Pixl8 consultants Neil Rosewarn and Lucy Conlan held workshops with the FMB and they worked together to better understand member and homeowner requirements. New user journeys were developed to provide more guidance for consumers.

This work resulted in exciting new designs and UI that were created by the Pixl8 team. The new directory was fully-integrated with the FMB’s CRM and Dynamics, working closely with partners Bluelight CRM.

Superior search, better results

The new directory includes a “Post a Job” feature which allows people to send a project enquiry to specialist builders who are immediately available in their area.

Directory users also receive a message if a builder hasn’t responded to them, asking whether they want to send their request to other builders in the area. This keeps customers informed and engaged in the directory. 

 

Improved search design and pagination means more results are served to users and it is easier to navigate through results lists. 

Builders can also now add multiple areas where they operate - previously they could only add one. Now they can add their profile to multiple postcodes, with a 5 or 10 mile radius setting for each one - all vetted by the FMB. This means that builders are appearing more frequently in search results thanks to their wider reach. 

Improving all-round user experience

It is now much easier for builder’s to add photo galleries of projects to their directory profiles alongside client reviews, links to social media and company websites. Builders can also easily display that they have good availability by toggling a switch which updates the status on their company profile.

A new members hub lets builders easily manage everything to do with their online directory profile. This includes managing enquiries and client reviews, adding projects, areas they work in and trade listings.

 

These new tools have proved popular with members. In the first five weeks after launch:

• 300% more members updating their profiles than before
• 500 have updated as making themselves available
• 175 have set more than one job location (previously they only had the option of one)

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Gallery: FMB Find a Builder