Nearly a quarter still hand-write quotes
22nd November 2016

Nearly a quarter of all installers still use pen and paper to produce quotations for their customers, according to a survey conducted for software provider Windowlink.

The study, compiled by Insight Data, also found that more than three quarters of installers cited competitors selling too cheaply as the main obstacle to winning orders and nearly a quarter said the biggest boost to the sales process would be the ability to show end-users how the installed product would look.

When asked how they produced quotes for homeowners, 38% of installers said they used independent specialist software, 38% said they used software provided by their fabricator, and 24% said they still relied on pen and paper.

In citing the main issues they faced during sales pitches, 77% of installers named competitors selling products too cheaply as the key obstacle. When asked what would make the sales process easier, 23% said the ability to show end-users how products will look once installed in their home, and 15% singled out the ability to be able to produce quick, accurate quotes on the spot as a key factor that could help them win more business.

Mark Dudley, Windowlink MD said: “Our survey produced some really interesting results. A huge number of installers are clearly feeling the pressure in the current market, citing tough competition as one of the main challenges they have to overcome when trying to make sales.”

“We designed Vector and Focus to make selling as easy as possible, enabling you to produce instant quotes and create an extremely professional first impression. During a sales pitch, you can use the software to calculate a price right in front of your customer’s eyes, making them far more inclined to trust and accept the cost.”

“One of the most popular features is the ability to superimpose product images onto a photograph of the prospective customer’s property. This enables the customer to visualise what the finished installation will look like, making them more likely to go ahead with the sale.”

www.windowlink.com