Lowes Incorporating Porch.com In All Stores
By Megan Zielinski, contributing writer
Home improvement retailer Lowes is now offering more than just hammer and nails in their 1,700 stores across the U.S. Lowes and Porch.com are helping customers find local home improvement solutions beyond the hardware store doors.
Equipped with mobile devices, Lowes’ employees are capable of assisting customers through Porch.com, guiding them to contact information of home improvement professionals in the area, such as landscaping, architects, interior designers, and more. Lowes can help customers leaf through over 1.5 million professionals offered on the site, picking the right match according to price history of services, reviews and ratings, and personal preferences.
Serving as a “home improvement Pinterest,” Porch.com allows for customers to browse more than 100 million projects and seek inspiration for home remodeling ideas. The site features pictures of kitchen designs, living room setups, outdoor living developments, along with a description and total price of the project and names of professional services involved. Customers can even “scrapbook” and save favorites. Helpful articles and trending topics are also provided, including “Expert Tips From A Plumber” to “How To Set Up The Best Compost Pile (and it won’t cost a cent).” The site offers everything from thrifty DYI instructions to recommendations of the top tech gadgets a kitchen should have.
Not only will Porch.com potentially increase in-store traffic, but increase the growth in sales of merchandise at Lowes. Through searching for ideas and professionals, customers are already right on location at to pick up essential items necessary to carry out their dream project.
Home improvement customers not only benefit from Porch.com. Contractors and other home repair and remodeling specialists that frequent Lowes for supplies are capable of extending their services by setting up a business profile on Porch.com, allowing for customers of Lowes and outside homeowners to easily find them. Starting at $50 a month, business professionals can endorse their services on the site to homeowners within the area and anticipate a growth in business. Porch.com states that more than 2.5 million homeowners search the Web each day for home improvement professionals.
“Porch is becoming a true center of gravity for home improvement professionals and homeowners, enabling them to connect and work together like never before. Our team is excited to continue our collaboration with Lowe’s to improve every facet of the home improvement experience,” states Matt Ehrlichman, CEO at Porch.