In my nearly two decades in the contracting business, I've come to appreciate the critical role of marketing in establishing and growing my firm. While general contracting requires robust leadership and managerial skills, it's crucial not to overlook marketing. Often, in the hustle of meeting job demands, marketing can take a backseat, potentially hindering the growth of your firm. Yet, growth is an essential aspect of leadership. Embedding marketing at the core of your contracting firm isn't just beneficial—it's necessary.
In this article, I will share five strategies that have proven to be the most effective in generating job leads for my firm.
1. UX Web Design
Start with the basics: your company's website serves as your digital storefront and is often the first point of contact with potential clients. The ease with which your targeted audience can find what they are looking for largely depends on your website's design. Effective UX design ensures that your site is user-friendly, features intuitive navigation, and is fully responsive across mobile devices, desktops, and tablets, all while presenting a clear call to action. Key elements of a contractor's website include a comprehensive company profile page and a detailed project portfolio. These components are vital for showcasing your expertise and past successes, instilling confidence in potential clients about choosing your firm.
2. SEO & Local SEO
SEO and Local SEO can be game-changers for your contracting business, potentially skyrocketing leads if your website ranks on the first page for popular keywords on search engines like Google. For instance, if you're a general contractor in NJ and a user searches for the exact or similar keywords, and your website appears at the top of the search results, there is a 90% likelihood they will click on it.
SEO and Local SEO are closely correlated. SEO optimizes your website for search engines, while Local SEO specifically targets location-based keywords and Google Maps. Google Maps is particularly important, making it essential to maintain a Google Business Profile. According to recent data, 86% of users look up local businesses on Google. Regularly updating your Google Business Profile is crucial for maintaining visibility.
It is important to note that both SEO and Local SEO are long-term strategies that require considerable effort and time. You can learn SEO and optimize it yourself, hire an SEO marketing specialist, or engage a specialized SEO company, which is often the best option. Hiring an SEO company/digital marketing agency offers numerous benefits, including access to an experienced team focused on improving your website rankings and other digital marketing needs. For instance, my firm partners with Search Schematic, an award-winning New York SEO company known for specifically helping contractors. Hiring the right agency means delegating the task of finding new business for your firm to professionals.
3. Reputation Management
Any construction project, large or small, is a significant undertaking for people because it involves their dwellings, living spaces, and work spaces, as well as significant investments. With such high stakes involved, most of your potential clients would thoroughly check your company, which involves searching for your company online, checking your social media accounts, and using traditional means by demanding references from past clients. Therefore, a strong reputation with a proactive approach is imperative for getting leads and winning projects.
4. Google & Bing Ad Campaigns
SEO is a long-term investment that may not produce immediate results. While you work on optimizing your website for SEO, you also need immediate leads and calls for jobs; to achieve this, running Pay Per Click (PPC) ad campaigns on platforms like Google and Bing is essential. PPC ads allow you to be at the forefront when potential clients search for relevant keywords. This strategy ensures that your business captures attention while organic SEO efforts gain momentum.
Crafting effective PPC campaigns involves:
- Selecting the right keywords.
- Creating compelling ad copy.
- Setting a budget that matches your business goals.
Additionally, it's crucial to continuously monitor and adjust your ads based on performance data to maximize return on investment. With the right approach, PPC can deliver quick wins in terms of traffic and lead conversion, complementing your long-term SEO strategy.
5. Build Construction Expos
While digital marketing is essential, traditional marketing methods remain highly effective. Participating in construction expos can significantly boost your network and brand visibility. These events are perfect venues for introducing your firm to local co-ops, real estate agencies, architects, engineers, and other potential clients who require general contracting services year-round. Furthermore, networking at these expos not only enhances your immediate connections but also supports your digital marketing efforts. The contacts made can later be reached via email, where you can introduce your firm more formally and request inclusion on their bidder lists.
Conclusion
Marketing is an indispensable tool for any contractor aiming to expand their business. By embracing a mix of both digital and traditional marketing strategies—from enhancing your website's UX and leveraging the power of SEO to managing your online reputation, running effective PPC campaigns, and participating in construction expos—you can significantly increase your visibility and attract more clients.
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