How tech and technical Pros can get discovered by more local customers

Technical customers often arrive with two questions: Can you do the job, and what exactly am I paying for?

A useful profile should help answer both.

But “technical services” covers very different work. A freelance web developer, IT support provider, CCTV installer and registered electrical professional don't need the same credentials or provide the same service.

Build your profile around what you actually do rather than trying to look qualified for every technical job.

Be specific about your services

Don't stop at “IT” or “technical services.”

Depending on your business, clearly list services such as:

• website design or development;
• e-commerce development;
• website maintenance;
• computer and laptop repairs;
• IT support;
• network setup and support;
• email or cloud setup;
• CCTV installation;
• electrical installation work;
• electrical inspection and compliance work;
• inverter or backup-power installation;
• solar PV installation; or
• other technical services you genuinely provide.

If you don't provide something, don't list it simply because it's related to your industry.

Specific services help customers send you more relevant enquiries.

Show work that proves what you've actually done

A portfolio is particularly useful for websites, CCTV, installations and project-based technical work.

Depending on your service, show genuine examples such as:

• websites you've built;
• interfaces or systems you've worked on;
• appropriate before-and-after examples;
• completed installations;
• equipment setups; or
• other relevant project work.

Explain your role where necessary.

If you developed part of a website as one member of a larger team, don't imply that you designed and built the entire project yourself.

Likewise, don't use another company's installation photographs as your own work.

Obtain appropriate permission before publishing customer information, property photographs or screenshots containing private information.

Website Pros should explain what's included

“I build websites” leaves customers with a lot of unanswered questions.

Consider explaining:

• the platforms or technologies you work with;
• the kinds of websites you build;
• whether copy or content is included;
• whether hosting is included;
• whether domain setup is included;
• what integrations you offer;
• whether e-commerce is available;
• how revisions work;
• whether maintenance is available; and
• what happens after launch.

Be particularly clear about account and asset ownership.

Customers should understand who will control important domains, hosting accounts, website administration and other business assets after the project is complete.

IT support involves access and responsibility

IT support can give you access to devices, accounts and sensitive business information.

Explain how your service operates.

Depending on the work, that might include:

• remote versus on-site support;
• service areas;
• call-out charges;
• response arrangements;
• device types;
• operating systems;
• business versus residential support;
• ongoing support plans;
• backup responsibilities; and
• what access you may need.

Don't ask customers to put passwords, credentials, access codes or confidential system information into public enquiries or reviews.

Use appropriate access practices and remove access when it is no longer required.

CCTV installers should describe the whole system

Customers need more information than “4-camera package.”

Where relevant, explain:

• camera types;
• resolution;
• indoor or outdoor suitability;
• recording equipment;
• storage;
• remote viewing;
• cabling;
• installation;
• warranties;
• subscriptions; and
• ongoing support.

Avoid presenting surveillance equipment as though installation automatically gives the customer unrestricted rights to record anyone anywhere.

Privacy and lawful-use considerations can depend on where and how cameras are used.

Electrical work has its own regulatory requirements

Electrical installation work isn't interchangeable with general IT or technical work.

South Africa's Electrical Installation Regulations contain requirements relating to electrical installations, registered persons and Certificates of Compliance.

If you perform electrical installation or compliance work, describe your registration and scope accurately.

Don't simply call yourself “certified” without explaining what registration or credential you mean.

Where a Certificate of Compliance is required, it must be issued within the applicable registered-person framework following the required inspection and testing.

Don't imply that an unrelated technical certificate, short course or solar training automatically gives you authority to issue an electrical CoC.

Be clear about CoC work

If you offer electrical inspection or CoC-related services, explain how the process works.

A CoC isn't simply a certificate sold for a fixed amount.

Inspection and testing may identify defects that require remedial work before an appropriate certificate can be issued.

Your quote should make it reasonably clear what covers:

• inspection;
• testing;
• remedial work where needed;
• certification; and
• any other applicable charges.

Don't promise to issue a compliant certificate before you've established whether the installation meets the applicable requirements.

Solar Pros should distinguish their credentials

Solar PV involves both system-specific knowledge and electrical compliance.

If you install solar or inverter systems, explain the services you actually provide and which appropriately registered person is responsible for electrical work and certification where required.

If you're part of the PV GreenCard programme, describe it accurately.

A PV GreenCard is an industry quality-assurance programme with an as-built report issued through certified PV GreenCard installation companies.

It is supplementary to the electrical Certificate of Compliance and doesn't replace the electrical CoC.

Don't present PV GreenCard participation as though it gives someone authority to issue an electrical CoC if they don't otherwise hold the appropriate registration.

Depending on the system and location, customers may also need to consider electricity-supplier, municipal, distributor or Small-Scale Embedded Generation requirements.

Explain certifications instead of collecting impressive labels

Technical industries contain hundreds of certifications.

If you list one, give customers enough information to understand it.

Explain:

• what the credential is;
• who issued it;
• what area it covers;
• whether it is current where relevant; and
• how it relates to the service you're offering.

A Microsoft, networking, cybersecurity or software certification can be useful for relevant IT work, but it doesn't make someone an electrician.

Similarly, electrical registration doesn't prove someone is a skilled web developer.

Credentials should support the service you're advertising rather than simply make the profile look impressive.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not prove technical competence, electrical registration, professional qualifications, cybersecurity expertise, workmanship, reliability or trustworthiness.

It also doesn't replace electrical registration, an electrical CoC, PV requirements or another credential relevant to your work.

Keep identity verification and professional or technical credentials as separate pieces of information.

Use reviews without overclaiming

Genuine customer reviews can help potential customers understand previous experiences.

Encourage customers to leave honest reviews after you've completed work.

Don't:

• write reviews for customers;
• ask for a specific star rating;
• create fake projects or testimonials;
• claim reviews prove your work is safe or compliant; or
• imply a positive review guarantees the next customer's outcome.

A customer saying they were happy with your website is useful feedback. It isn't an electrical qualification.

Make quotes easy to understand

Clear quotes can help customers compare your service properly.

Depending on your work, identify:

• labour;
• equipment;
• parts;
• software;
• licences;
• travel or call-out charges;
• VAT where applicable;
• installation;
• testing;
• compliance documentation;
• subscriptions;
• warranties;
• maintenance;
• support; and
• exclusions.

Also explain how work outside the agreed scope will be approved and charged.

For website projects, define what counts as a revision or additional feature.

For repair work, explain how additional parts or labour discovered after diagnosis will be authorised.

Don't promise security you can't guarantee

Technical customers often care about words such as “secure,” “safe” and “protected.”

Use them carefully.

Don't promise:

• an “unhackable” website;
• guaranteed cybersecurity;
• zero future failures;
• permanent protection from data loss;
• guaranteed electrical safety regardless of future changes; or
• outcomes outside your control.

Explain the work you're performing, the standards or practices relevant to it and any ongoing responsibilities the customer retains.

Keep your profile current

Technical services change quickly.

Update your profile when you change:

• services;
• technologies;
• service areas;
• pricing information;
• availability;
• portfolio examples;
• certifications;
• professional registration; or
• other information relevant to customers.

Remove expired or outdated credentials rather than leaving customers to assume they're current.

Share your Know a Pro profile

Your Know a Pro profile has its own page link, so you can share it through channels where customers already interact with your business.

Depending on your service, that might include:

• WhatsApp;
• your website;
• business social-media profiles;
• email signatures; or
• appropriate marketing materials.

This gives potential customers another place to review your services, portfolio, reviews and available trust information.

What it costs to list on Know a Pro

Know a Pro uses a monthly membership model.

Independent Pro — R300/month

For independent Pros and sole traders.

Registered Business — R500/month

For registered businesses.

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Prices shown are current at the time of publication and may change.

Help customers understand why you're right for the job

A strong technical profile doesn't need to say you're an expert at everything.

Show customers what you do, what you've actually worked on and which credentials genuinely apply to that work.

List my business