One of the benefits of an architecture degree is that you can go into business for yourself. Most architects dream of their own office, surrounded by projects they designed and letters from overjoyed clients.
As in any other business, getting to this point takes hard work. Growing an architecture business from the ground up is hard, especially since the field is very competitive. If you’re a new firm, it’s going to take a while before clients trust you over more experienced competitors. If you’re an older architect, you may struggle to keep up with new tools and changes in the industry.
Growing an architecture business is challenging, but with the right tips and tools, it’s more than possible. Here are a few things that can help your firm achieve its goals in 2025.
Get Good Software to Take Care of the Administrative Work
Most people are shocked when they go into business for themselves and figure out just how much paperwork being an entrepreneur requires. Architecture is no different. When you start your own business, you’ll be spending just as much time invoicing and balancing the books as you do actually projecting buildings, if not more.
The best thing you can do for your business is find software that can take care of the administrative work for you. The specialized programs like the Factor project management for architects offer firm management capabilities specifically for architecture businesses, including hour tracking, invoicing, and project management spreadsheets. A specialized program for architecture businesses will have the capabilities your business needs to manage projects.
Having reliable software for project management is important because most architecture businesses work on multiple projects at once. You don’t want there to be any confusion regarding important client information. If you make a mistake with billable hours or confuse one project with another, it will hurt the reputation of your business.
Invest Enough Money in Marketing
Marketing is key to growing your business in 2025. Marketing channels are how people find out about your business and decide to hire your services.
A lot of architects find their first clients through personal contacts and word-of-mouth. Personal referrals are still an important way of growing your business because people are more likely to hire architecture firms that are somehow connected to someone they know.
Even if your network is well-rounded, you should still invest in marketing materials for your firm. If your goal is to grow your business in 2025, you need to grow your network, which means making sure that other people can discover your business.
Appearances matter in architecture, including for your digital marketing channels. Potential clients want to see quality design and attention to detail from your company before they hire you. Create a strong visual identity for your company and do strong quality checks on all of the visuals that you show to the world.
Host Workshops and Training Sessions
Digital marketing can do a lot for an architecture business, especially since many older firms neglect their digital presence. Physical marketing should also be part of your growth strategy, especially if your target client base is local to you.
Business leaders recommend hosting and attending events as an underrated marketing strategy. Leading a free workshop on the basics of architecture or locally-tailored architecture solutions shows potential customers that you are knowledgeable about the field. Half an hour of sharing your knowledge for free could yield several paying customers.
Participating in local events also helps get the name of your company out there. Set up a stall at a local street fair or sponsor a local 5K to show your ties to the community and build local connections.
Partner with Other Local Business Owners
Another way to grow your architecture business in 2025 is to grow your referrals. Rather than focusing on your personal network, look for other opportunities to get referrals.
Find other local businesses that work in your niche, such as real estate agents, builders, or contractors. Once you develop a relationship with them, ask them to refer people to you when they need architects. By working together with other businesses in similar niches that you trust, you can increase your referrals and deliver a complete package to your clients.
Growing an Architecture Business in 2025
Growing an architecture business in 2025 means seizing all the opportunities you can find to develop your clientele list further. Take advantage of all of the networking opportunities you can find, including local events and digital marketing channels.
Another important thing to do for your business in 2025 is to take advantage of the many digital tools that can help you organize your work. Project management software for architecture firms helps you keep up with the increased volume of work as your business grows and keep important information organized.