The invention of the internet has been a wonderful thing. Thanks to this handy advancement in technology we can watch the latest and greatest fantasy series with flying dragons and sword wielding barbarians while researching the latest findings on the human genome, all while wearing our pj’s from the comforts of our sofa.
The internet is also great when it comes to locating quality professionals for your various home, office and property security needs. Via your computer or smart phone, a few taps of the keyboard or screen will have all the information you need to pick an experienced and reliable locksmith or security consultant, right at the tip of your fingertips. Want to know more about using the world wide web to evaluate your locksmith partner and weed out fly-by-night or disreputable companies from your short list, then read on!
1. Certifications, Accreditations, Licensing and More
One of the first, easiest and best ways to ensure you’re dealing with a professional locksmith is to check out their various accreditations. Many organizations will list this information on their website. The state of Texas, as well as other jurisdictions, also maintains lists of licensed locksmith companies. Always be sure to verify with the certifying authority any information provided.
2. Industry Participation Adds Cred
In addition to certification by government and third parties, you should use google or other search engines to determine if your individual or locksmith company is active in various trade industries involving security. Professional outfits like to keep up on the latest-and-greatest happenings in the world of locks and security. Bonus points for education articles or contributions to blogs that provide vital info to the public.
3. Check out those Reviews
While it may seem second nature to many, checking out online reviews is one of the most essential and often overlooked aspects of gauging reliability of your potential locksmith. Yelp, Google Reviews and paid sites such as Angie’s List, all offer platforms for prior customers to rate their service. Try to peruse a variety of sources to be sure you have the most accurate information.
4. And by Reviews We Mean the Legitimate Ones
While we’re on the topic of reviews, it’s important to remember that not all reviews are created equal. Some disreputable companies will ask friends and family to provide five-star ratings, with little to no detail regarding service. Others will pay third-party services to flood their profiles with positive feedback. Carefully read the reviews to determine whether they were made by users with active profiles and whether the review itself has quality and applicable information.
5. Peruse That Website
Since you’re online anyways, another great way to ensure you’re not getting on board with a less-than-awesome locksmith partner is to give their website a thorough once over. A website should look professional and customized with more than just minimal contact information. If a website looks canned or has too many stock pictures that don’t match up with the services offered, this may be a red flag that you should look elsewhere for your locksmith needs.
6. Verifiable Customer testimonials
Whether on their website, through reviews or by email request, the internet is a great place to get ahold of customer testimonials for your locksmith partners. Testimonials amount to resume references for those in the locksmith or other trades professions. Be sure the testimonials are from real people and ask if it’s okay to contact the prior clients for confirmation or a more in-depth assessment.
7. With Age Comes Wisdom and Experience
Whether your grandmother or your locksmith partner, the old saying about listening to your elders certainly applies for general knowledge, experience and know-how. When choosing a security professional, use available online resources to confirm length of time in business as well as total number of years of locksmith experience. Fly-by-night operations will often operate under a variety of business names in a short period of time in an attempt to avoid poor reviews or customer service issues. In addition, when dealing with a locksmith that’s been around the block a time or two you can rest easy knowing your security is in the hands of someone with the right set of knowledge and skills.
The Internet Bottom Line
Using the internet as a valuable resource for weeding out potential bad apples for your locksmith needs is never a bad idea. If you’re in need of a professional locksmith in the Texas area, call A-1 for a free consultation. In the meantime, feel free to check out our credentials, industry awards, independent customer tutorials, reviews and more at https://www.a-1locksmith.com/.
