The construction sector has been hit especially hard with the current economic down. To add to this decline, with many major developers and residential construction sites postponing their schedules, there is an increase in available labour which is compounding the problem of a lack of available building projects.

Regardless of whether we have talked ourselves into a recession, or the banks are to blame for the lack of funding or even the media promoting the doom and gloom for us all, there have always been and will always continue to be fluctuations in the market with varying demands.

So yes times, are currently challenging so it is of utmost importance that business owners, especially the small business and sole traders do not just rely on their previous methods or gaining work.

No industry relies more than word of mouth recommendations than the construction industry. Gone are the times though, when you can rely on just this one method of obtaining work, and keeping your orderbook full for the next few weeks and months.

As a small company or sole trader do not underestimate the power of advertising online. More and more consumers are using the internet for local services. The number of supermarket delivery vans is evidence that consumers will use the internet for services that are on the doorstep and this is a growing trend.

Advertising online is just one additional way to ensure that potential customers in your local area are aware of your services and one that is currently overlooked my many in construction, being a very traditional and locally based industry.