Need help growing your construction business? We have marketing tips, strategies, and ideas for contractors like you. Use the list below to find the right marketing strategy for your contracting business.
1. Do quality work at a reasonable price
This one might seem obvious, but there is nothing more important that doing quality work. When you do great work, your customers will organically tell their friends and neighbors about your business. This type of word-of-mouth advertising is an incredibly valuable source of leads for contractors.
2. Build your brand
There are lots of contractors out there. What makes your company unique? Your brand is what’s going to separate your business from the competition. Do you specialize in concrete or do you remodel fixer uppers? Branding includes everything from giving your company a great name to designing a logo. To start, put your logo on everything. This includes employee uniforms, signs, business cards, price quotes, invoices, brochures, and other printed marketing materials.
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3. Upgrade your website
As a contractor, you need to have a website. If you don’t have one already, now is the time to build one. If you have an outdated website, think about upgrading. A modern, well-designed website can be very beneficial to your business. Your contact information should be easy to find on every page. It’s also important that your website is user-friendly and optimized for tablets and mobile devices.
4. Build your credibility online
Many people rely on online reviews when deciding which contractor to hire. Positive reviews on third-party review sites help to build your online reputation. You want to be one of the highly-rated contractors at the top of the page. Don’t be afraid to ask your satisfied customers to leave a review on your behalf. There are even online reputation management companies that work to help contractors get more reviews. They can also help companies recover from a string of negative reviews.
5. Distribute brochures and business cards
Old-school advertising techniques still work. A colorful and informational brochure can be a great marketing tool for contractors. Business cards are still important too! Your business card should include your company’s name, logo, website URL, and the easiest way to reach you.
6. Try PPC advertising
Pay-per-click advertising is great for contractors. You can choose exactly which keyword searches relate to your business. Google and Bing are the most popular PPC platforms. If you prefer to do-it-yourself, you can create an account on your own and begin setting up your first campaign. If you need some extra help, contacting a pay-per-click advertising agency is a great place to start.
7. Purchase leads from a contractor lead generation service
There are several ways for contractors to buy leads. If you are short on time, purchasing leads directly can be a great way to jumpstart your marketing efforts. There are a number of companies that sell leads to contractors. These leads may be for a variety of projects, ranging from flooring and concrete to bathroom remodeling. When a lead matches your preferences, you will receive an email notification or text message with the project details. It will then be up to you to contact the prospective customers and set up an appointment. You will be charged a set price for each lead that matches your preferences.
Interested in buying leads? Learn more about contractor lead pricing in this article.
8. Sign up for a pay-per-call advertising service
Call lead generation is another option for contractors. Buying calls has become popular because it’s so simple. People interested in getting a quote or learning more about your business will call you directly. You agree to pay a certain amount for each call that the lead generation company sends your way.
9. Network and build relationships with other contractors
It’s important to know other professionals in your industry. Other contractors can be a great source of referral business. Don’t just exchange business cards. If you meet someone, follow up with a phone call or an email. Try to focus on building real relationships.
10. Invest time in search engine optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization takes time and effort. The higher you rank, the more traffic you’ll have coming to your website. Unfortunately, you can’t expect results overnight. It’s not easy for contractors to earn first page rankings in the major search engines. If you want to go the DIY route, you can start by writing monthly blog posts about relevant topics. If you need more technical assistance, you may need to consider hiring an SEO company.
11. Put an ad in the Yellow Pages
The Yellow Pages are not dead yet. There are still some people who pick up the phonebook when they need to hire a contractor. This is particularly true for older people who are less comfortable using the Internet.
12. Keep in touch with an email newsletter
Email is an easy way to keep in touch with your existing customer base. An email newsletter (sent out a few times a year) can help keep your company in people’s minds as time passes. The next they need to hire a contractor, they will remember to call you. Be careful not to overwhelm people with too many emails. This can lead people to unsubscribe from your email list.
13. Join a professional association for contractors
There are many different organizations that contractors can join. Before paying your dues, make sure to do some research about the association’s reputation in the industry. Some of the membership benefits may include networking opportunities, marketing assistance, annual conferences, and continuing education programs.
14. Put up signs around town
Signs are so simple, but they can be very effective. They are also very budget-friendly. When working at someone’s home, ask if you can put up a sign in their yard. These job site signs are an easy way to generate referral business. People in the neighborhood – who might also need to hire a contractor – can easily contact you directly.
Last Updated: June 21, 2019