Contractor Marketing

Contractor Marketing, Advertising, and SEO for 2023

Marketing is an essential part of any successful contracting business strategy. It is a tool used by contracting companies to reach out to potential customers, build relationships with existing customers, and increase sales.

For contractor marketing, it’s especially important as it helps them to reach out to their target audience, promote their services, and build a strong and successful business. Contractors provide a wide range of services, from roofing and electrical work to plumbing and HVAC services.

Each type of contractor requires a different marketing strategy to reach its target audience. This article will help you understand the various types of contractor marketing available, some good contractor marketing ideas, the benefits of incorporating marketing into their business strategy, and how these marketing tactics can help contractors to generate leads and increase sales.

Types of Contractors

Contractors provide a range of services that are essential for maintaining and improving homes and businesses. The most common types of contractors include roofing contractors, electrical contractors, plumbers, and HVAC contractors.

1. Roofing Contractors are responsible for repairing and replacing roofs as well as installing new roofs. They must be knowledgeable about the different types of roofing materials and the best practices for installation.
2. Electrical Contractors are responsible for installing and maintaining electrical systems in homes and businesses. They must have an understanding of wiring, circuitry, and safety protocols.
3. Plumbers are responsible for installing and repairing plumbing systems in homes and businesses. They must have knowledge of different types of piping and fixtures, as well as the necessary tools and equipment.
4. HVAC Contractors are responsible for installing and maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in homes and businesses. They must have knowledge of how these systems work and the best practices for installation and maintenance.
5. Solar Contractors are electricians who specialize in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems for homes and businesses. They are responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining the photovoltaic (PV) panels and other components of a solar energy system.They are also responsible for performing inspections, creating maintenance plans, and providing customer service to ensure the system is operating safely and efficiently.

Getting Contractor Leads and Creating Happy Customers

Now that you have your contractor’s license, how do you set up shop? The most common ways general contractors obtain new business is through word-of-mouth referrals, networking, and advertising, although not all of those come with overall positive feedback.

Word of Mouth Advertising

Word-of-mouth referrals are one of the most powerful tools for obtaining new business; they build trust and have a high success rate. The main advantage of word-of-mouth referrals is that it is cost-effective and can help to build a reputation for a business quickly. The downside is that it can be difficult to control the quality of referrals, and it can be limited in scope.

Business Networking

Networking is another excellent way for general contractors to obtain new business, as it allows them to actively engage with potential clients and build relationships.

The main advantage of networking is that it allows for more direct contact with customers, which increases the chances of winning them over. The downside is that it can be time-consuming, and there is no guarantee of success.

General Advertising and Marketing

Advertising is another popular way for general contractors to get their name out there and attract new customers. The main advantage of advertising is that it allows for a much wider reach and can lead to more leads and sales. The downside is that it can be expensive, and it can be difficult to measure the effectiveness of the campaign.

Contractor Advertising

For most new contractors getting started, third-party contractor websites may be first options when it comes to advertising and obtaining those all-important leads for your contractor business. The advantages are fast start-up, but often expensive. Here are a few of the major sites used in contractor marketing for seeking customers and new leads.

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  Thumbtack: Thumbtack is an online platform that connects customers with local professionals for projects and services. The company offers a wide range of services, from home improvement and repair to event planning and sports lessons. It allows customers to search for services in their local area and hire the best professional for the job. Customers can also communicate securely with professionals, read customer reviews, and make online payments. Thumbtack also offers its customers access to a wide network of professionals and resources in their local area. Pros: Easily connect with customers and manage bookings, great customer support, allows customers to find a service provider fast. Cons: High cost per lead, can be difficult to manage the high volume of leads.

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  HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor is an online marketplace that connects homeowners with prescreened local service professionals—including plumbers, electricians, roofers, carpenters, and more. Homeowners can search the directory to find professionals in their area and read verified customer reviews to help them make an informed decision. HomeAdvisor also offers helpful information and advice on home improvement projects, maintenance, and repairs. Pros: High visibility for your business, leads from customers, great customer service. Cons: Can be expensive and hard to keep up with all the leads, not available in all areas.

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  Angie: Angie, once known as Angie’s List, is an American home services marketplace that connects consumers to local service providers. Members can pay for a membership to access exclusive discounts, ratings, reviews, and other features. As of 2021, Angie has over 10 million members and serves over 700 different service categories. The company also offers exclusive discounts, warranties, and other services to its members. The services are available for both residential and commercial customers. In addition to providing ratings and reviews, Angie also allows consumers to book appointments with service providers online. Pros: Highly trusted by customers, great platform for engaging with customers, reliable customer reviews. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, fees for membership.

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  Porch: Porch.com is an online home services platform that connects homeowners with local home improvement professionals. The company provides a range of services for homeowners, from home repairs and remodels to landscaping and handyman services.Porch.com also provides customers with estimates for the cost of projects, reviews for services, and helps homeowners find reliable home improvement professionals. Pros: Easy to use platform, great customer support, customers can easily compare services and prices. Cons: Limited to certain services and not available in all areas, less visibility for businesses than other sites.

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  TaskRabbit: TaskRabbit is an online and mobile platform that connects people who need help with everyday tasks to reliable and experienced workers in their area. Taskers can help with all kinds of tasks, from assembling furniture to cleaning to grocery shopping. Clients can select the Tasker they want to work with, review their profile and reviews from other clients, and book their services with the click of a button. TaskRabbit also offers a variety of services such as home repairs, pet sitting, appliance installation, and more. Pros: Ability to find customers interested in any type of service, great customer service, easy to use platform. Cons: Limited availability in certain areas, potential for inconsistent pricing.

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  Yelp: Yelp is an online review website that allows users to rate and review local businesses. Founded in 2004, Yelp currently operates in 32 countries and is the go-to source for many people looking for reliable reviews and recommendations when they’re trying to find a new restaurant, doctor, plumber, or other local business. Yelp also provides an online platform for business owners to manage their online presence, respond to reviews, and track their performance. Pros: Highly visible platform, great for customer reviews and networking, can reach customers in any location. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, less control over customer experience than other sites.

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  Houzz: Houzz is an online platform and mobile app for home renovation and design. Founded in 2009 by Adi Tatarko and Alon Cohen, Houzz is a home decoration, design, and remodeling platform that offers home professionals, homeowners, and design enthusiasts the ability to browse, discover, and purchase products for their home. The platform hosts more than 18 million products from thousands of brands. Houzz also provides design advice, home inspiration, and other resources to help users complete their projects. Additionally, Houzz provides a suite of marketing tools for home professionals to help them connect with homeowners and manage their business. Pros: Highly visible platform, great for customer reviews and networking, wide variety of services available. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, fees for membership.

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  ServiceMagic: ServiceMagic is an online platform that connects homeowners with prescreened contractors. It helps homeowners find the right contractor for any job and provides them with a range of services such as estimates, background checks, and customer reviews. ServiceMagic has a network of over 40,000 contractors in the US, Canada, and the UK. It offers a range of services, from small repairs to large home improvement projects. ServiceMagic also provides educational resources and helpful tips to help homeowners make informed decisions. Pros: Highly visible platform, great for customer reviews and networking, can reach customers in any location. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, fees for membership.

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  Handy: Handy is an online platform that connects people with professionals to deliver home services. The company offers professional services such as house cleaning, furniture assembly, moving help, and more. They provide customers with access to a network of experienced, background-checked professionals to take care of tasks such as deep cleaning, furniture assembly, and even moving. Handy also offers an app that allows customers to book appointments and manage their services. Handy focuses on providing a safe and secure experience for customers, and all of their service professionals are carefully screened and verified. Pros: Highly visible platform, great for customer reviews and networking, customers can easily compare services and prices. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, potential for inconsistent pricing.

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  Amazon Home Services: Amazon Home Services offers a range of professional services to customers, including installation, assembly, moving, home improvement, and repair services. Customers can select from pre-priced services or customize their own service package. With Amazon Home Services, customers can book services online, receive instant quotes, and pay for services with their Amazon account. Customers can also use Amazon Home Services to find qualified professionals in their area. All Amazon Home Services are backed by Amazon’s Happiness Guarantee, so customers can be sure that their service provider is qualified and reliable. Pros: Highly visible platform, great for customer reviews and networking, customers can easily find the services they need. Cons: Limited to certain types of services and not available in all areas, fees for membership.

For many startup contracting businesses, the list of websites above may seem like the obvious place to start acquiring quality leads and growing your contracting business; however, the cost of these services can add up… and most importantly, if/when you stop paying, the new leads stop.

An alternative to consider is Digital Marketing and SEO. Instead of paying to grow Angie’s List, why not pay yourself to grow your own website and online presence, let the leads choose you, always nurture leads as you build brand awareness, grow your social media channels, and put some energy into lead generation and your construction business contractor website.

Digital Marketing Options for Contractors

Digital marketing is becoming increasingly important in today’s online world. It is probably the single-most effective way to reach customers, capture leads, and increase sales. It starts with a website.

Contractor Websites

A well-designed website is one of the most important online marketing tools for contractors. A website should be easy to navigate and provide information about the contractor’s services, contact information, and testimonials from satisfied customers.

Websites should be optimized for mobile and render correctly on a variety of mobile devices. Some features of an effective contractor website include:

1. An easy-to-navigate website design: A contractor’s website should be designed with an intuitive layout that allows users to find the information they need quickly and easily.
2. Detailed descriptions of services offered: A contractor’s website should include detailed descriptions of the services they offer, as well as pricing information, to ensure customers understand what they have to offer.
3. Contact information: A contractor’s website should include contact information in an easily accessible format, such as a contact form, so that potential customers can easily get in touch with them.
4. Testimonials and reviews: Including customer testimonials and reviews on a contractor’s website helps to build trust and credibility in customers.
5. Call-to-action: A contractor’s website should include a clear call-to-action (CTA) such as a “Contact Us” button or a “Request a Quote” form, to encourage customers to take the next step and get in touch.
6. Social media links: Social media links are a great way to generate leads and direct potential customers to a contractor’s website.
7. Live chat: Live chat is a great way for contractors to engage with potential customers and answer their questions in real-time
8. Blog: Blogging is a great way to boost website traffic and build relationships with customers. With a blog, companies can share helpful and interesting content that is related to their products and services.This content can be used to inform customers, drive sales, and provide value. Blogging can help to build trust with customers by providing an open dialogue and allowing customers to ask questions and provide feedback.Additionally, blogging can help to build relationships with customers by providing an avenue for customers to engage with the company and provide valuable insights.Finally, blogging can help to boost contractor SEO rankings by providing fresh, keyword-rich content for search engine spiders to index.

Social Media Marketing for Contractors

Social media is another important marketing tool for contractors. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great ways to reach prospective customers, build relationships with existing customers, and increase brand awareness.

Social Media posts can help you reach your customer base through the strategic use of relevant keywords. Beware of the pitfalls of only marketing yourself through social media. Yes, a lot of people do it, but it’s not the best guarantee of success.

The pros of social media marketing as your only lead and customer generation source are that it is cost-effective, allows you to reach a large number of customers quickly, allows you to easily track and measure results, and enables you to build relationships with your customers. Additionally, you can use the platform to create content that will help to educate and inform customers about your business and products.

The cons of using social media as your only lead and customer generation source are that it can be time-consuming and difficult to measure success. Additionally, it may be difficult to differentiate yourself from competitors, as everyone is using the same platform.

It can be difficult to reach out to customers who are not already on the platform. Finally, there is always the potential for negative feedback or comments that can damage your reputation.

Email Marketing for Contractors

Email marketing is also an effective marketing tool for contractors. Newsletter and promotional emails can be used to keep customers informed about the contractor’s services and specials. Marketing professionals make good use of email marketing campaigns.

Email marketing is an effective way for businesses to reach their customers. It is one of the most cost-effective marketing ideas for advertising, allowing businesses to target a large audience for a relatively low cost. Furthermore, email marketing is highly trackable and provides businesses with useful data on their customer base.

On the other hand, there are potential drawbacks to email marketing. Inaccurate email list management can lead to spam filters blocking emails or customers unsubscribing.

Additionally, customers may view emails as intrusive and may delete them without reading them. It is important for businesses to be aware of these potential issues and ensure that they are creating emails with content that is engaging and relevant to their customers.

Search Engine Optimization for Contractors

SEO – Search Engine Optimization

SEO is the most important digital marketing tool for contractors. Contractor SEO is used to increase the visibility of a website on search engine results pages and increase the website’s traffic.

Contractor SEO

If you’re looking for a marketing method that provides real ROI over the long haul, SEO is it. Contractor SEO is a powerful tool for construction companies and contractor businesses to grow their online presence, develop marketing ideas, and generate more traffic and sales. SEO should be considered over paid advertising for a few key reasons.

First, SEO is cost-effective. SEO does not require you to pay for advertising and can be done on a shoestring budget. SEO also allows you to target your desired audience so you can attract more qualified leads and customers.

Second, SEO is more likely to generate organic, long-term results. Paid advertising can provide a quick boost in traffic, but contractor SEO is more likely to bring in a steady stream of visitors. The organic traffic generated by SEO can be more reliable, as it is based on user intent rather than an advertisement.

Finally, SEO for small business contractors coupled with a strategic marketing campaign has the potential to increase brand awareness and trust. When customers are searching for a particular product or service, they are more likely to trust a mobile friendly website that appears at the top of the search engine result page for their service area.

SEO can help you establish your business as an authority in your industry, further increasing trust and credibility. Overall, a good contractor SEO strategy should be considered over paid advertising for its cost-effectiveness, long-term results, and potential to increase brand awareness.

Local SEO

Local SEO is another important “hot topic” marketing tool for contractors and an often overlooked source of quality lead generation. It is used to increase the visibility of a website on local search engine results pages. This is especially important for contractors as it can help them to reach customers in their local area.

It is a type of search engine optimization that helps businesses increase their visibility in local search results, such as those found on Google Maps and in the local 3-pack. By optimizing a business’ online presence with local SEO, businesses can appear higher in local search results, making it easier for customers to find the business.

Local SEO also helps businesses appear in related searches, such as those related to their product or service. Additionally, businesses can use local SEO techniques such as optimizing their website content, creating local business listings, and building citations to improve their visibility in local search results.

Local SEO is better for a construction company than traditional SEO because it focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence to be more visible in local search results.

This allows construction companies to attract more customers and leads who are searching for the services they provide in their area. Traditional SEO can help to attract visitors from all over the world, but local SEO is more specific and can help to target customers who are more likely to be interested in a particular business’s services.

Local SEO involves optimizing a website for a specific geographic region, and includes activities such as claiming and verifying local listings, creating location-specific content using organic posts and the right keywords, and building local citations.

Traditional SEO involves optimizing content, link building, and keyword research to help a website rank higher in organic search engine results, and often both pricey and long-term.

The advantage of both types of SEO, however, is that you are building up your own website and online presence instead of putting more money into contractor websites like Yelp and Thumbtack.

Getting Started with Local SEO

Local SEO is not as complicated as traditional, or “national” SEO, but it still takes time, energy, and an overall effective strategy. If you want to do it yourself, just follow the simple and easy steps below.

1. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing. Include accurate NAP (name, address, phone) information, business hours, photos, and relevant categories.
2. Create a website with relevant content and optimized pages. Include keywords in the titles, headings, meta descriptions, and content. Make sure to include your NAP information and link to your Google My Business listing.
3. Generate customer reviews and monitor customer feedback on popular review sites such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
4. Create local content for your website, such as blog posts about local plumbing tips, local plumbing events, and community involvement.
5. Submit your website to local business directories and online listings like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Foursquare.
6. Reach out to local publications, newspapers, and radio stations for potential link-building opportunities.
7. Take advantage of local social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to engage with customers.
8. Create link-building campaigns with other local businesses and influencers to increase your local SEO visibility.
9. Stimulate early traffic through PPC ads (Pay Per Click) that show off your current and past work.

Outsource Your Marketing So You Can Work

If a new construction business doesn’t have the time to dedicate to their own Local SEO campaign, they should consider hiring an SEO specialist or agency to help them.

An SEO specialist or agency will be able to help the business optimize their website and content, build local citations, create local listings, and use other SEO tactics to help the business gain authority with the search engines.

An SEO specialist or agency can also help your contractor business with key word research, content creation, link building, and other SEO strategies to help them attract more customers.

They can also help the business optimize their website for local searches, build local citations, and create local listings to increase their visibility in local search results.

Additionally, they can help the business track their success with analytics and report their progress on a regular basis. Finally, they can provide guidance and advice to ensure that the business’s SEO efforts are successful.

Local SEO and Return on Investment (ROI)

One of the main reasons to advocate for Local SEO is that it provides a great Return On Investment (ROI). It is an effective way to increase visibility and generate more website traffic.

Local SEO also helps gain visibility in local directories and search engines, helping to attract local customers.

It also helps to build trust in the local community, increasing brand recognition and overall customer loyalty.

Additionally, local SEO helps to optimize online content to be more relevant to local customers and can help to drive more business. Therefore, local SEO can be a very effective way to drive ROI for businesses, especially those targeting a local customer base.

How to Choose a Contractor Marketing Agency

When looking for a company that specializes in Contractor SEO, it is important to do your research. Start by looking for companies that have a proven track record in providing successful SEO services specifically tailored to contractors.

Ask for references and read customer reviews to make sure they have a good reputation. You should also consider the company’s experience and certifications.

Look for companies that are well-versed in the latest SEO trends and can provide you with the best strategies and tactics that will help you achieve your goals. Make sure to ask about their pricing structure and evaluate their services to see if they fit your budget.

Additionally, talk to them about the timeline they can commit to, as well as the deliverables they can provide. Doing your due diligence and researching each company thoroughly will help you make sure you are making the best decision for your business.

Contractor Marketing to Drive Local Traffic

Marketing is an essential part of any successful business strategy. For contractors, marketing can be a powerful tool to reach out to customers, promote their services, and build a successful business.

How you go about that marketing, and subsequently seek local traffic for generating leads, build relationships, provide valuable information, and handling both positive reviews and negative reviews, is paramount to any local business success or failure.

With a good strategy, key word research (a technical process that determines what words or phrases prospective customers might type into a search engine to find your business) can help create contractor marketing ideas, tell you the keywords you need to be targeting for lead generation and an effective digital marketing plan.

Online Customer Reviews

Consumers prefer businesses who manage reviews in a timely manner. Social platforms like Facebook and Yelp can be a source of delivering valuable content to your current clients and future ideal customers to build relationships, gain trust and authority, expand your client base, and produce an overall successful marketing campaign. Poor reputation management can lead to negative reviews and can severely undermine or destroy your online marketing efforts.

Responding To Positive Reviews and Negative Reviews

When it comes to dealing with positive and negative online reviews, small businesses should take a proactive approach to ensure they are maximizing positive reviews while effectively responding to and diffusing negative reviews.

For positive reviews, small businesses should show appreciation for the customer feedback and thank them for taking the time to review their business. In addition, small businesses should consider incentivizing customers to leave reviews by offering discounts, giveaways, and special offers.

For negative reviews, small businesses should reach out to the customer and try to resolve their issue. It is important to respond to the customer in a timely manner and be professional and courteous throughout the conversation.

Small businesses should also consider offering a resolution, such as a discount or free product, to try and turn the customer experience around. Finally, small businesses should monitor their online presence on a regular basis and respond to all reviews, positive and negative, to ensure customers are feeling heard and respected. This will help small businesses build trust and credibility with their customers and create a positive reputation.

Hiring your Contractor Marketing/SEO Agency

Hiring a professional advertising agency to manage your advertising campaigns will save you time, money, and potentially increase your return on investment. A professional agency will have the resources and expertise to create a comprehensive and effective advertising strategy that is tailored to your company’s needs and goals.

Additionally, a professional agency will be able to provide objective advice and insights that can help you maximize your budget and reach a wider audience. They can also manage your campaigns from start to finish, including tracking and reporting on their success.

One Click SEO is your Best Solution for Marketing and Local SEO

Online marketing and SEO for contractor websites is an essential component for success in today’s competitive online landscape. Contractors need to invest in their online presence to stay relevant and attract new customers. Professional marketing agencies can create effective strategies to help contractors expand their reach, increase visibility, and drive more qualified leads to their websites.

A well-designed internet marketing and SEO strategy can help contractors maximize their return on investment. It is a cost-effective way to reach more leads and convert more of them into paying customers. Professional digital marketing agencies can analyze data and create campaigns that target the right audience and increase brand awareness.

For contractors looking to maximize their online presence, One Click SEO offers comprehensive digital marketing and SEO services. They have a team of experienced professionals who will create a custom strategy to increase website traffic and generate more leads. Their team can also provide regular updates and reports to measure the success of the campaign.

Don’t wait any longer.

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for any small business, including contractors. However, many contractors overlook the importance of local SEO in their digital marketing strategy. That’s where One Click SEO comes in – with experience in a wide range of contractor trades, we can help your business reach the greatest levels of success.

Imagine potential customers in your local area searching for services that you offer, such as HVAC contractor, solar contractor, plumbing, or electrical work. With the right local SEO strategy, your business can appear at the top of their search results, increasing the likelihood of them clicking through to your website and ultimately becoming a customer.

But what exactly is local SEO, and how can it benefit your business? Local SEO is the process of optimizing your website and online presence to rank higher in local search results, such as on Google Maps or in local business directories. By doing so, you can increase your visibility to potential customers who are searching for services in your area.

At One Click SEO, we understand the unique needs of contractors in various trades and can tailor our services to fit your specific needs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, we can help you create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that includes local SEO, social media marketing, and online advertising.

Don’t let your business get left behind in the digital age. Contact One Click SEO today to learn more about how our services can benefit your contractor trade and help you reach the greatest levels of success.