A white-label app is a type of mobile application that allows businesses to leverage an existing technology platform but customize and brand the app experience with their own logo, colors, and other visual elements. This allows handyman business to take advantage of advanced mobile technologies without having to build an app from scratch.

In this article, we will outline 12 specific steps a handyman business can take to utilize a white-label app and boost their operations. Mobile technology is increasingly changing customer expectations and how jobs are booked. A branded app gives handyman businesses a way to meet these demands while making it easier for customers to request and pay for services.

The handyman industry performs a variety of small home maintenance, repair, and improvement jobs. While many established businesses still rely on phone calls and walk-in customers, an app can help handymen tap into the large portion of potential clients that now turn to their smartphones first for local services.

By following the steps below, a white-label app offers handymen a turnkey way to embrace new technologies, provide an enhanced customer experience, and potentially grow their business.

Step 1: Choose a White-Label Platform

The first decision is selecting which white-label platform will power your custom-branded app. Top options handymen should consider include:

• ServiceTurbo – A popular platform for service businesses with all core features included pricing starting at $99/month. Flexible customization options.
• Workiz – Full-featured option focused on field service workflows. Plans from $99-249/month. Integrated CRM and reporting tools.
• Mobity – All-in-one platform for scheduling, payments and more. Standard plans $99-249/month. User-friendly admin dashboard.

Key factors to compare include monthly/annual pricing, feature sets, ease of customization, integrated payments, support quality, and any additional fees. Request platform demos to assess differences.

Step 2: Design Your Branded App

Once a platform is chosen, work with their team to design the look and feel of your branded app experience. This includes:

• Logo, colors and other branding elements
• Home page layout and navigation
• Service category pages
• Job request and booking forms
• Customer profile and payment pages
• Technician/scheduling dashboards

Proper design makes the app immediately communicate your business identity to users in an attractive, easy to use way. Invest time here to match your brand aesthetic while optimizing functionality.

Step 3: Set Up User Accounts and Login

Before launching, the platform admin dashboard lets you configure user accounts for:

• Customers to request quotes, book jobs, pay invoices
• Technicians to view assigned jobs, update statuses, input hours
• Yourself and other staff for managing operations

Establish profile fields, privacy settings and authentication login options like email/password or mobile number. This prepares the platform for initial users upon release.

Step 4: Catalog Your Services

Next, populate the full list of services your business provides within the custom category and subcategory organization of your choice.

For each service, input:

• Name and description communicated in the app
• Standard pricing information, packages or tiers
• Relevant photos, videos or specifications
• Materials/parts sometimes required
• Average job duration estimates

This service catalog forms the core of your digital operations and is promoted as self-service options for customers to select from on demand. Checkout: https://zipprr.com/uber-for-handyman/

Step 5: Enable Job Requests and Bookings

Configure the job request and booking workflow within the app. Customers should easily be able to:

• Browse services and get service details
• Select a service and enter their location/property info
• Provide additional request details and upload photos
• View available technicians and schedules
• Select a technician and schedule date/time
• Add the job to their technician’s calendar
• Receive confirmation notifications

Ensure appropriate notifications also go out to you and assigned technicians on new bookings to dispatch jobs.

Step 6: Manage Technician Scheduling

Your main operations dashboard lets you fully manage your team’s calendars and job assignments. Key features include:

• Visual calendar views by day, week or month
• Drag-and-drop job assignments onto technician calendars
• View overlapping jobs and manage any scheduling conflicts
• Communicate assignment changes if needed
• Ensure full coverage for booked time slots
• Track technician hours, expenses and vehicle usage

Proactive calendar management streamlines field operations and makes you available to take on more jobs.

Step 7: Accept Payments Through the App

Integrate a merchant account like Square, PayPal, Stripe or other provider to accept client payments directly within your app. This enables customers to:

• Input billing/payment info during booking
• See payment amounts auto-calculated
• Pay invoices online immediately or on completion
• Receive digital payment receipts
• View payment histories on their profile

Accepting in-app payments creates a seamless experience that may increase booking conversions and reduce payment delays.

Step 8: Send Confirmations and Receipts

Set up standard email/SMS templates for automated notifications. Customers should get:

• Job request submission confirmations
• Booking and technician assignment confirmations
• Pre-arrival reminder messages
• Completion confirmation messages
• Digital payment receipts for records

Messages can include job details, technician info, payment amounts and the customer support number. This professional handling builds trust during each step of the job process.

Step 9: Gather Customer Reviews and Ratings

Encourage customers to rate their experience and technicians after each completed job within the app. They can submit:

• Star ratings for service quality, communication, and value
• Optional written reviews praising great service or noting any issues

All reviews automatically display on relevant profiles increasing transparency. High ratings foster positive word-of-mouth advertising and show new customers your quality track record.

Customer reviews and ratings strengthen your online reputation on major pages like Google My Business, Facebook and directories too by populating profiles with authentic social proof.

Step 10: Analyze Business Metrics and Reports

Take advantage of comprehensive analytics dashboards in your app admin area. Gain insights into key performance indicators (KPIs) like:

• Job booking and revenue trends over time
• Top performing service categories
• Most requested technicians
• Customer acquisition sources
• Service request response and fulfillment rates
• Time to completion by job type
• Customer satisfaction and retention rates

With data-backed views, optimize services, pricing, staffing and marketing based on what’s truly driving your sales and customer loyalty.

Step 11: Promote Your App

Develop complementary marketing strategies to promote your custom app alongside general services advertising. Consider tactics like:

• Listing your app on Google Play and Apple’s app stores with screenshots and descriptions.
• Social media ads highlighting new app features and benefits for followers.
• Direct mailers or flyers with app QR codes for existing customers.
• Local search engine listings and citations emphasizing mobile booking.
• Outbound calls to recent customers sharing the app convenience.
• Offering discounts or credits to first-time app users.

Promoting both offline and digitally gets more customers using your new streamlined service solution.

Step 12: Provide Ongoing Customer Support

As the app launches, ensure quick resolutions to keep users satisfied. Utilize built-in messaging and call features plus other channels like:

• Phone support during business hours
• Email support address listed publicly
• Prompt response times to messages and reviews
• In-app contacts for urgent technical assistance
• FAQ knowledgebase for common queries
• Ongoing bug fixes and feature enhancements

Outstanding customer service, both online and offline, elevates the brand and drives positive retention.

Conclusion

By following these 12 steps, handyman businesses can create an end-to-end mobile solution leveraging a feature-rich white-label app builder. With little technical expertise needed, apps boost productivity, maximize revenue potential, and meet rising consumer demand for quick, seamless service experiences.

A high-quality custom app elevates perceptions of your business as modern, professional and easy to work with. Like in other industries, this model will continue gaining popularity amongst skilled tradesmen seeking to streamline operations and expand their potential customer pool.

Taking the time now to properly implement a custom-branded app as outlined positions your handyman business for ongoing growth and market competitiveness in the years ahead. Your efforts here will pay dividends as smartphone usage continues accelerating and daily activities increasingly center around our mobile devices.