SEO for Contractors: A Simple and Effective Guide

Whether you’re looking for a new tool or a subcontractor, Google is likely the first place you search. And the same applies when potential customers look for a contractor like you. But will your business show up on the first page of Google? Or will it be buried under your competitors? 

An effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategy is the best way to make your business stand out in a sea of other businesses. Here’s how to harness the power of SEO for contractors to boost your business website’s ranking. Attract more traffic and turn searches into sales.

What Is Contractor SEO?

The key word in SEO is “optimization.” SEO refers to the process of making your website as searchable as possible, so it shows up in results from Google and other search engines. When someone looks up contracting services, you want to be at the top of the page. 

Contractor SEO focuses on improving your business website by using keywords people search for most, like “contractor in [area].” The goal is to make it easier for people to find your business online. 

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How Can SEO Help Your Contractor Business?

In the past, you might have been able to run a contracting business without worrying much about SEO. But now, much of marketing is digital. If you aren’t using a solid strategy, it could be hard for people to find you. 

Here are some ways SEO can help your contracting business: 

• Improve Brand Visibility. When you update your contractor website with the right keywords, search engines start linking these keywords to your business. This leads to more traffic. And the more people visit your website, the more they’re aware of your business. Even if they don’t hire you now, they might remember you later.  
• Boost ROI. SEO is one of the best long-term returns on investment (ROI) among all contractor marketing strategies. That’s because the more you focus on SEO, the better it gets. For example, if you publish lots of blog posts about a certain topic, Google will start to see you as an industry leader and rank you higher.
• Generate More Leads. With SEO, your website attracts more visitors who are looking for the services you offer. This means more potential clients for you, which can help grow your business. 

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SEO for Contractors: First Steps

To elevate your business’s online presence, SEO is the first rung on the ladder to success. Here are the first steps to raise your online presence to new heights: 

1. Begin Local SEO

To kick off your local SEO efforts, create your Google Business Profile, previously known as Google My Business. This is a vital first step in local SEO for contractors, as it will help your business appear in local search results. Make sure your profile includes your name, address, and phone number so people can contact you easily. 

Also, encourage customers to leave reviews of your business online. Then, respond to them to engage with your audience. This builds a positive reputation and tells Google you’re an active business.

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2. Build a User-Friendly Website

Google rewards websites that provide a great user experience. The best way to do this is to make sure your website is easy to navigate. It should load quickly and be optimized for both mobile and desktop.

Investing in your website’s user experience targets your client’s needs and enhances SEO for general contractors. Clear navigation and easy, accessible contact information can reduce bounce rates (when people leave your website quickly after visiting). 

Enrich your website with helpful content that addresses your audience’s needs and questions. Doing this makes your business a valuable resource for your potential customers. 

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3. Do Keyword Research

Identify the right keywords and phrases that clients might use to find services like yours. Start by brainstorming topics that are directly related to your business. For example, if you’re a roofer, you may list topics like “home remodeling,” “roof repairs,” or “emergency roof leaks.” 

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Semrush, or Ahrefs to find related keywords. Then, assess their popularity and competitiveness to target the best SEO for contractors. Include these keywords in your website’s content to help your pages rank higher in organic search results. Keyword trends change, so monitor and adjust often. 

4. Focus on On-Page SEO

Work on individual web pages to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. You can use your researched keywords in title tags, headers, and within the content. Optimize your images using alt text that describes the image with relevant keywords. 

5. Start Link Building

When another website links to yours, Google sees it as a vote of confidence. These votes help increase your website’s authority, which search engines use to determine if your site is reliable and helpful to users. 

You can build links by collaborating with suppliers, contractor business partners, or industry-related blogs. Ask them to include a link to your website on their site, known as a backlink.

6. Measure Your Performance

To make sure your SEO efforts are paying off, you need to track and analyze your performance on a regular basis. Use analytics tools like Google Analytics and Semrush. They show you how much traffic your site gets, where it’s coming from, and how users engage with your content. These insights help you change your SEO strategy and improve your performance.

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3 Tips To Take Your Contractor SEO Strategy to the Next Level

Starting an SEO strategy can seem complex when you’re new to it. But with patience and consistent effort, you’ll improve your skills and see results. 

Here are three practical ways to make the most of your digital marketing efforts:

1. Watch Your Performance. Track how well your website performs in search rankings and how visitors interact with your content. This tells you what changes to make to improve your SEO. For example, Google Analytics can show you which pages are popular and which aren’t. Then, you can decide where to focus your efforts.
2. Improve Titles and Meta Descriptions. Your web page titles and meta descriptions, which show up on the search results page, should be exciting and attention-grabbing. They should tell the user exactly what the page is about. This way, people are more likely to click.
3. Stay Updated With Search Trends. Research and understand what topics and questions your potential customers are interested in. Look at search trends in your industry. Update your content to address these trends and questions to drive more traffic to your site.

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Send Customers Professional Invoices With Joist

Managing your online presence is essential. But so is streamlining your contractor business operations. Joist’s invoicing tool is here to help.

Joist has tools designed specifically for contractors. Create and share professional invoices in minutes. Track payments, send payment reminders, and even track your monthly sales—all from your mobile device.