What a Customer Should Know Before They Call

Answer three practical questions on your Maine Thrive listing so neighbors can tell whether your business fits what they need.

Write for someone who has never hired you

A person looking for a repair is usually trying to answer three questions before calling: do you handle this job, do you work where I live and what do you need from me? Put those answers in the first few lines of your listing. Use the terms customers use when describing the problem.

A listing example for a Maine service business

An example might read: “We repair small sections of drywall and patch walls after plumbing work in Bangor, Brewer and nearby communities. When requesting an estimate, tell us the town and include a wide photo and a close-up if available.” The exact work and service area should come from the owner. A broad label such as “home services” can sit alongside that explanation.

Give customers a clear next step

Choose one contact method you check regularly. If a phone call is easiest, state when someone typically answers. If estimates begin with a form, link directly to that form and explain what to have ready. For a shop, use the public entrance address and clarify when appointments are required. For a mobile business, name the areas you routinely serve and explain how you handle inquiries outside them.

How often should I review a directory listing?

Review it when you change services, coverage, hours or contact details. A seasonal check is also useful if your business takes on different work in winter. Open the listing on your phone, follow its link and ask whether you could take the next step without knowing the owner.

Use the questions from last week’s calls

Ask whoever answers the phone to write down the first question from the next five inquiries. Look for a pattern. If three callers ask whether you cover their town, put the service area near the top of the listing. If they ask whether you take small jobs, explain the typical scope or how you decide. That is more useful than guessing which details customers need.

Add the details that belong on your website

Your listing can give the quick answer and then link to the page with more detail. A painter might explain which rooms or projects they take and link to their interior painting page. A retail shop might give the hours and entrance, then link to a page with pickup instructions. Point the link at the page that answers the next question.

Before you finish, compare the listing with your website and the information you use when answering calls. If one says that you cover a town and another says you don’t, decide which is current and fix the mismatch. Use the same business name and working contact details so a referral is easy to follow.

Maine Thrive Community Network

Show what a good first inquiry looks like

Think about the last call that gave you enough information to help right away. The customer may have told you the town, what they needed, and when they hoped to have it done. Put those prompts near the contact button. A contractor can ask for a wide photo and a close-up. A repair shop may ask for the model and a description of what happens when the device starts. A dog boarding business can ask for the dates and whether this will be the dog’s first stay.

Choose the smallest set of details you need to decide what happens next. If a customer needs to speak with someone to get a quote, explain how that conversation works. If a job needs an in-person assessment, tell them how to request one and what you’ll discuss before anyone makes a trip.

Try the listing with a real customer question

Imagine someone in Old Town needs a small job finished before guests arrive. Can they tell whether your company accepts smaller jobs and works in their town? If the only answer is “serving Maine,” they still have to call to find out. Name the communities you regularly serve and explain how to ask about an address near the edge of your area.

Ask someone outside the business to find the listing on their phone. Give them a task, such as checking whether a Saturday pickup is possible. Watch where they look before helping. If they miss a useful detail, move it closer to the service or contact information. Compare the phone number and contact link with your own website afterward.

Questions and answers about Maine Thrive listings

What should go first on a business listing?

Lead with your main service, the communities you serve and the clearest way to get started.

Should I list every town I might travel to?

List places you regularly serve. Invite readers near the edge of the area to confirm coverage before making plans.

Do I need to publish prices?

If the price depends on the job, explain what affects the estimate and what information you need to prepare it.

What should I ask for on an inquiry form?

Ask for enough information to respond usefully. For an on-site service, that often includes the town, job description and preferred contact method.

When should I review the listing again?

Check it when hours, contact information or service coverage changes. Reopen the public listing on a phone after each change.