In today’s digital world, having a strong online presence is essential for any business, and propane companies are no exception. One powerful tool that can significantly enhance visibility and customer engagement is Google My Business (GMB). This free platform allows businesses to easily manage their online information and engage with customers across Google’s many services.… Continue reading Maximizing Your Business Potential
When the cold season hits, propane businesses face one of their biggest yearly challenges – keeping up with demand while keeping customers happy. Everyone seems to need fuel at once, and even the most organized operation can find itself stretched thin. Long wait times, delivery delays, and stressed-out staff can quickly turn into frustration for… Continue reading How to Manage Wait Times Without Losing Customers
The propane market continues to evolve in ways that challenge traditional business models. Industry leaders are now referring to a noticeable “Lefty Shift” — a movement where weather patterns, customer consumption habits, and price dynamics are drifting away from the predictable norms many businesses once relied on. For propane marketers, understanding and adapting to this… Continue reading Shifting Patterns in Propane Demand
Every propane business serves many kinds of customers, from homeowners who rely on propane for heating to commercial accounts that use it to power their operations. However, not all customers have the same needs, habits, or expectations. Some are loyal and consistent, while others shop for the lowest price and switch suppliers frequently. Knowing the… Continue reading Who Is Your Ideal Propane Customer?
In the propane industry, trust is built through consistency, safety, and transparency. While many safety practices happen behind the scenes, one of the most visible and reassuring forms of communication is the annual Duty to Warn mailing from propane dealers — a clear reminder to customers that their safety truly matters. More Than Compliance Every… Continue reading Strengthening Customer Trust Through Duty to Warn
Every propane business depends on one simple truth: customers make choices every day that affect how much propane they use, when they refill, and whether they will remain loyal to their fuel supplier. These choices are shaped by habits, convenience, price sensitivity, and trust. When you understand what factors influence these decisions, you can better… Continue reading Customer Habits Shape Business Success
As the heating season begins, clear communication with customers becomes just as important as delivering fuel. When customers know what to expect, they feel more confident in their propane provider and are better prepared for cold weather. For propane businesses, proactive communication not only builds trust but also reduces last-minute calls and service disruptions. Setting… Continue reading Keeping Your Customers Informed and Prepared
Every propane delivery requires time, fuel, and careful attention to safety. When a driver needs to make a return trip because of an issue that could have been avoided, the costs add up quickly. Missed appointments, inaccessible tanks, or customer errors can delay schedules, waste resources, and frustrate both drivers and customers. One of the… Continue reading Training Customers Cuts Return Trips
Price changes are an unavoidable part of doing business, especially in industries that depend on global markets and seasonal demand. While customers may accept that prices can rise and fall, the way you manage these shifts can determine whether they remain loyal or start looking for other options. When handled poorly, even a small increase… Continue reading Keeping Customers When Prices Change
Few things create more stress for a propane business than a truck breaking down in the middle of a delivery route. Customers are expecting their fuel in a timely manner, the driver is stranded, and the rest of the day’s schedule begins to unravel. Breakdowns are not only costly in terms of repairs, but they… Continue reading How Propane Businesses Handle Mid-Route Breakdowns
Out-of-gas incidents require immediate, careful handling. While some interruptions of service stem from simple supply issues, others can indicate leaks, appliance malfunctions, or unsafe system conditions. Timely and methodical responses will do much to protect customers, technicians, and company liability. They will also preserve customer confidence in your service reliability, a foundational component in any… Continue reading Managing Out-of-Gas Calls: Safety and Operational Best Practices
Many propane companies started with a handshake and a promise – a promise to help a neighbor, get the job done, and keep folks warm. But over time, what began as small, friendly favors – like tank swaps, minor repairs, or after-hours calls – can turn into routine, unpaid work that costs your company real… Continue reading The Hidden Cost of Saying “No Charge” Too Often
No propane business wants to talk about delivery mistakes, but almost every company has had them. A tank gets skipped. A driver ends up at the wrong address. A customer runs out of gas because something was overlooked. It’s easy to feel frustrated or even embarrassed when unfortunate things happen, but these moments are more… Continue reading When Propane Deliveries Go Wrong – And What You Can Do About It
Customers expect fast answers, even outside normal business hours. In the propane industry, where safety, heat, and service are time-sensitive, being available day and night is a business essential that builds trust. But if you run a small or midsize propane company, hiring a Full-Time Staff to cover every single hour of the day isn’t… Continue reading The Secret to Offering 24/7 Help Without Full-Time Staff
When you run a propane company, how you present your prices can be just as important as the numbers themselves. It’s about what you charge and how people feel about what they’re paying. That’s where price presentation plays a significant role. How you display or explain your propane rates can shape whether customers see you… Continue reading The Psychology of Pricing: How to Present Propane Prices More Effectively
Most propane business owners take pride in the service they provide. You work hard, you care about your customers, and you build your reputation on being dependable. But how often do you stop to ask what your customers really think about you? Not what you hope they think, but what they’re actually saying, feeling, and… Continue reading Behind the Tank – What Customers Really Experience
As the conflict between Iran and Israel escalates, industries across the globe are bracing for the ripple effects – energy markets most of all. While the United States does not import propane from either country, the war has already begun influencing the broader energy landscape. For propane businesses, retailers, and consumers, these geopolitical developments are… Continue reading Tensions Abroad, Ripples at Home: How the Iran-Israel War Could Impact the Propane Industry
Even minor workflow improvements can make a big difference when propane businesses are short on time and stretched thin on staff. One of the most practical changes you can make is to offer a customer self-service portal. This doesn’t mean giving up personal service; rather, it involves giving your customers an easier way to do… Continue reading Let Customers Help Themselves: Why Self-Service Is the Next Smart Move
When a customer meets your propane company for the first time, whether through a phone call, website, technician, or delivery driver, they decide, often without saying a word, if they’ll stay with you. That first impression sets the tone for everything that follows. And in this industry, where word of mouth referrals, trust, and reliability… Continue reading More Than Just a Delivery: What Customers Notice First
No propane company wants to pull a tank and lose a client, but sometimes, leaving equipment on an inactive property costs more than it’s worth. Tanks take up space, tie up capital, and can become a liability. Pulling a tank too soon – or doing it without care – can damage the client-company relationship and… Continue reading Innovative Ways to Free Up Tanks Without Losing Customers
When your propane business starts seeing a dip in commercial sales, the reaction can range from mild concern to full-on panic. But before you change pricing or chase new markets, it’s worth stepping back to ask one key question: Where exactly is the breakdown happening? Diagnosing a decline in commercial sales takes more than looking… Continue reading Losing Commercial Clients? Here’s What to Check First
Propane businesses operate in a market where price fluctuations create uncertainty for both companies and customers. Offering programs that lock in rates is one way to provide stability, but many retailers limit these options to a short seasonal period. Extending pricing stability throughout the year can offer significant benefits, helping businesses improve customer retention, manage… Continue reading Expanding Pricing Stability to Strengthen Your Business
Every mile your truck drives costs money. Fuel, labor, vehicle wear, and employee time all add up, especially if you’re serving rural or hard-to-reach areas. For propane companies, determining how to price deliveries fairly and profitably is one of your most significant decisions. One way to manage that cost is by adjusting your pricing based… Continue reading Propane on the Move: Should Distance Shape Your Delivery Pricing?
Even if your propane company prides itself on top-quality service and strong customer loyalty, that doesn’t mean you can ignore what other businesses are charging. Keeping an eye on competitor pricing isn’t just for companies trying to be the cheapest in town. In fact, watching price trends can help you protect your position, build smarter… Continue reading Staying Competitive Through Informed Pricing Decisions
In propane operations, verbal agreements often happen during quick phone calls or on-site visits. Long-time clients may confirm delivery schedules, pricing, tank swaps, or service expectations in passing. While these relationships are based on trust, they also introduce risks when the terms aren’t properly documented. In a regulated industry where compliance, liability, and customer satisfaction… Continue reading Propane – From Words to Proof: Why Documentation Matters
Providing propane involves more than just making deliveries; building strong customer relationships is an essential component of running a successful business. Many propane companies have served the same families and businesses for years, and personalizing that service helps build trust and loyalty. Customers still value personal connections even as technology improves and operations become more… Continue reading Personalizing Customer Service in a Digital Age
In the propane industry, ensuring uninterrupted service is a top priority. However, severe weather events, equipment malfunctions, or supply chain disruptions can sometimes lead to service interruptions. When these situations arise, having a clear and effective plan in place is essential to maintaining safety, customer trust, and operational efficiency. Understanding the Risks of Service Interruptions… Continue reading A Proactive Approach for Customer Safety and Satisfaction
Propane logistics is one of the most important aspects of running a successful propane business. From managing delivery schedules to tracking inventory, every part of the process must be carefully planned to keep operations running smoothly. Mistakes in logistics can lead to delays, lost revenue, and unhappy customers. Here are some of the most common… Continue reading Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Propane Logistics
When a customer decides to switch to a competitor, it can be frustrating. However, you can often win them back by focusing on their needs, understanding what went wrong, and showing them how you have improved. This guide details some practical strategies for regaining those lost Customers and Strengthening your business. Find Out Why They… Continue reading Winning Back Customers and Strengthening Loyalty
Feedback is like gold for any business. It’s the valuable yet somewhat hidden key to making your services not just good, but great. Read on to discover this gold for yourself and how you can use it to keep improving your company. Listen to Your Customers The first step is to really listen to what… Continue reading Fueling Success: How Feedback Can Transform Your Business
