Prefabricated homes are part of the wider prefabricated building industry, which also includes prefabricated garages, carports, trailers, and industrial buildings. While prefabricated homes are still a small and relatively insignificant part of the wider housing industry, they are popular in many countries and an inexpensive and versatile housing solution. There are a number of ways that prefabricated housing manufacturers promote their goods, including the Internet, home improvement publications, broadsheet media, television, and direct mailout brochures. While the prefab home industry has struggled to market their products in the past due to a lack of public awareness and a degree of social stigma, the increasing number of high quality prefab homes being built around the world and the maturing of the industry is making many consumers think again about the possibility of buying a prefabricated home. There are multiple channels used in the marketing of prefabricated housing, from highly targeted campaigns like direct mail and email promotion through to television and print broadcasting. Education plays an important role in the marketing of any prefab structure, as many consumers are at least partly ignorant as to the advantages and versatility of prefabricated design.
Online marketing campaigns have become more and more important to a number of businesses in the 21st century, as the Internet has grown from a niche form of publishing to a huge international network with growing commercial applications. Lots of people who are looking for information on new homes are using the Internet as a way to conduct their research, something that can be used to the advantage of prefab building companies who are looking for new customers. Along with online marketing, prefab manufacturers continue to use traditional marketing methods like direct mail, print advertising, and TV advertising to promote their products. No matter what channel is being used to promote prefabricated homes, images play an important role, so any potential customers can see what prefab homes look like and make their decision accordingly.