A homeowner researching solar visits an installer's website. The homepage promises to "slash your bills" with a large savings figure. There is no explanation of how it was calculated, no price range, no information about whether their roof would suit and nothing about what happens after installation. The homeowner, who is careful with money, closes the page and keeps researching.
Solar websites often oversell and underexplain. Here are the mistakes.
Mistake 1: savings claims without context
Big savings figures without explanation make careful homeowners suspicious. Explaining that savings depend on the home and offering a personal estimate after a survey builds trust. Homeowners' careful approach is described in solar enquiries from homeowners still doing the maths.
Mistake 2: no price ranges
Homeowners want a rough idea of cost before booking a survey. Typical ranges for common system sizes help.
Mistake 3: nothing about suitability
Orientation, shading and roof condition all matter. Explaining these helps homeowners judge whether solar might work for them.
Mistake 4: no clear process
What happens from enquiry to working panels? Survey, design, installation, connection. A simple timeline reassures.
Mistake 5: nothing about aftercare
Monitoring, maintenance and warranties matter to homeowners. Explaining them builds confidence.
Mistake 6: domestic and commercial mixed together
Business owners need different information from homeowners, as described in commercial solar enquiries from business owners.
Mistake 7: no way to ask a question
Homeowners researching solar have many questions. A way to ask them, at any hour, keeps them engaged. Qualifying solar leads is covered in how solar installers qualify leads with a chatbot.
Mistake 8: no information about installation day
Homeowners want to know what installation involves: how long it takes, whether scaffolding is needed, whether they need to be home and whether the electricity will be off. A short description of the day reduces anxiety and cancellations.
Mistake 9: vague warranties
Panel, inverter and workmanship warranties differ. Setting them out clearly on the website helps homeowners compare installers fairly.
Mistake 10: pushy follow-up
Some solar websites trigger aggressive sales calls the moment a form is submitted. Homeowners who are still researching find this off-putting. Offering a choice, such as a callback or an email with information, respects their pace and keeps them engaged.
Mistake 11: no local proof
Homeowners like to see installations near them. Case studies or photos from local projects, with permission, make the installer feel real and nearby.
Another trade's version
Landscapers make a similar mistake, relying on visuals without practical answers, as described in landscaper websites that show gardens but not answers.
Mistake 12: no mention of batteries
Battery questions follow panel questions almost every time. A short, honest section on batteries, including when they add value, answers the next question before it is asked.
Building trust instead
Replace savings claims with honest explanations, publish price ranges, explain suitability and the process, and describe aftercare. Captured survey requests can also be sent on to your other tools on the Pro plan, as described on the integrations page.
SpideyChat for solar installers answers from your own pages and captures survey requests. It does not estimate personal savings.
A sceptic's check
Ask a friend who is sceptical about solar to read your homepage and tell you what makes them doubtful. Fix those parts first. The guides to installing the widget and training your bot cover the setup.