As contractors, we’ve all had that one guy who shows up, does the bare minimum, and clocks out at exactly 4pm every day. He’s there to collect a paycheck, has no motivation, and produces the bare minimum. Hell, he probably doesn’t even show up every day!
You would recognize this right away and (hopefully) make some changes, whether that means replacing the worker, providing training to optimize his output, or modifying the type of work he does.
As contractors, we don’t have the same skill set when it comes to evaluating our online presence or our marketing team. We pay for a website to be designed, developed, maintained, and maybe we add on some SEO services as well, but how do we know if the site is actually being productive for our business? How do we know if our investment into the website is delivering what we expect of it?
Unfortunately for many of us, our websites serve as a source of online information only, and we don’t utilize our online presence to its full potential. We’ve listed some of the benefits of developing an effective website below.
1 – Establish Credibility and Trust
In today's fast-paced world, customers often form their first impressions based on online presence. Having a professional, user-friendly website will present our construction company as a legit and reliable organization. By showcasing past projects, certifications, and testimonials, your website becomes a digital portfolio demonstrating your capabilities and proficiency, which can significantly improve customer relations.
Construction companies rely heavily on credibility and trust. Unlike most other industries, construction projects often involve significant investments in time and money, and can have a substantial effect on the daily lives of clients. Having a robust website can significantly enhance your construction firm's reputation and highlight your capabilities, certifications, and past projects.
2 – Increase Incoming Leads
A well-designed website can act as a 24 hour lead generation machine. By incorporating unique call-to-actions (CTAs) like phone links, email links, and pop-ups, potential clients can conveniently reach out for more information, estimates, or to discuss upcoming projects. Offering an option for uploading drawings or plans can also significantly enhance the customer experience.
These tailored contact options can make your construction company more accessible, promoting open and efficient communication. It lets your clients know that you are always available, and that they are being welcomed and appreciated. This, in turn, can translate into more leads, more projects, and ultimately, a boost to your bottom line.
3 – Promote Your Projects & Experience
Your past work speaks volumes about your skill and expertise. If you are trying to get more commercial work, then showcase your best commercial projects on your website. If it’s residential, then show photos of how safe and clean the site is, before and after photos, and pictures with satisfied clients. Ensure all of the images are high quality, bright, and optimized for online viewing.
Featuring photos and videos of completed projects on your website is crucial. This visual showcase provides an easy-to-understand representation of your capabilities, demonstrating your expertise to prospective clients. Providing case studies for your projects allows you to tell the story behind each build. You can describe the challenges you faced, how you found solutions to those challenges, and the successful results achieved. This not only promotes your technical capabilities but also underlines your problem-solving skills and commitment to delivering quality construction solutions.
4 - Get Found on Google
Being visible online is critical for construction companies. With more clients searching for construction services online, having an optimized website can improve your ranking on search engine results. SEO, or search engine optimization, ensures your site shows up when clients in your area search for construction services.
For construction companies, local SEO is crucial. It ensures that when potential clients in your service area search for construction services, your company appears at the top of the search results. Additionally, industry-specific keywords can help draw in users who are looking for the specific services you offer. This increased online visibility can result in more leads and conversions, ultimately boosting your business's revenue.
5 – Make a Great First Impression
When a prospective client hears about your company from a colleague, finds you on Google, or clicks through your social media post, the first thing they’re going to look at is your website. It takes .50 milliseconds (that’s half a second) for the prospective client to form an opinion of yuo based on your website, and from that they will make a decision on whether they like and trust you, or if they’re going to find another company.
Your website says a lot about you and how you run your company. If your website has errors, is unorganized, and uses sloppy language then the expectation may be that your work will be sloppy as well. Just as you want to properly communicate verbally with your clients, you need your written communication to be clear, concise, and persuasive so that the customer takes the next step in your sales process and contacts you about their project.
Next Steps
To wrap things up, having a great website can bring a ton of benefits for your construction company. It can help build trust, make it easy for customers to contact you, let you show off your past work, and help people find you online.
Having a website isn't just about being modern, it's about being smart. If you don't make the most of the online world, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities. Investing in your online presence is one of the best choices you can make in today’s high-tech world. A good website can bring you more customers, more projects, and in the end, more success for your construction business.