Top 9 Contractor Marketing Tips for 2023
We’ve talked with, helped, and seen what types of marketing have and haven’t worked for contractors since 2006 and over the years we’ve seen a handful of things that a contractor can do both online and offline to grow their business in their local and surrounding areas.
This is an ever evolving list that will be updated yearly for whatever tends to be the top ways for a contractor to market themselves.
1. Build a Website That Converts
When you build a website for your contracting business it is like a digital business card that shows 24/7 for people that find you online or are looking for more information about your business.
Here are some resources to help you get a website setup fast:
- Done For You: Fiverr – https://fiverr.com
- Done For You: Upwork – https://upwork.com
- Do It Yourself: GoDaddy – https://godaddy.com
- Do It Yourself: Wix – https://wix.com
- Do It Yourself: SquareSpace – https://squarespace.com
Once you get your website setup you need to make sure:
- It loads fast
- It’s mobile friendly
- It shows social proof (reviews)
- It shows pictures & videos
- It has calls to action to make it easy for visitors to contact you.
Here are some resources to help with page load speed and if your website is mobile friendly or not:
- Website Speed Test – https://gtmetrix.com
- Mobile Friendly Test – https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
GOAL: Get your website up and live in 1-2 weeks. After your site is up you can go back and edit content, images, and usability.
2. Setup Profiles on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Nextdoor
They say, “go where your customers are.” Well, you’re in luck. Most people are on Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor and you can easily setup business profiles on these platforms to stay engaged with your customers.
To setup profiles on each of these platforms visit the links below:
- Google Profile Manager – https://www.google.com/business/
- Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/create/
- LinkedIn Page – https://www.linkedin.com/company/setup/new/
- Nextdoor – https://business.nextdoor.com/en-us/local
GOAL: Make the time to get your social media profiles setup this week.
3. Post On Social Media Profiles
Creating your social media profiles is the first step. Consistently posting on them is the next (and more difficult) step. Consistency is key. And, quality over quantity.
Here are some ideas to get the content creation juices flowing:
- Give Value
- Look up FAQs Online & Answer Them In a Post
- Post Stats That Relate To Your Niche / Customers
- Post Before & After Pictures/Videos About Recent Projects
- Post Reviews / Testimonials
- Post Case Studies
A social media profile is like gym equipment. It is just a vehicle to get you where you want to go. To get there you have to use it.
GOAL: Consistently post once a month. Once you’ve created your post on your business profile(s) be sure to share it on your personal profile(s), too.
4. Get Online Reviews
93% of consumers say that online reviews influenced their purchase decisions.
Setup a process to get online reviews to connect with your customers, improve your brand image, and encourage positive buying recommendations.
One of the most important things you can do for your business is have a process to get online reviews. The contractors with the most online reviews tend to be the ones getting most of the opportunities in their local area.
Here are some resources to help get more reviews:
- Google Review Link Generator – https://whitespark.ca/google-review-link-generator/
- Google Review Handout Generator – https://whitespark.ca/review-handout-generator/
- Facebook Review Link Generator – https://www.signpost.com/blog/facebook-review-link/
GOAL: Make the time to get reviews from your customers. Aim to get reviews in person. After this, try via text and/or email. Having strong social proof online is an essential part of being a top contractor in the 21st century.
5. Get Referrals
Asking customers for referrals is one of the easiest, cheapest, and lowest hanging fruit things you can do to grow your business.
Something else you can do is ask neighbors of your customer if they need any help with the services you’re currently helping their neighbor with.
GOAL: Make the time to ask customers for referrals and to ask neighbors of your current customers if they need any work done.
6. Join Group / Community Pages
Your ideal customers are on social media. A lot of people are in social media groups to share & get news, ideas, recommendations, common interests, and help.
Here are some groups you can join:
- Groups for Your Local City / Area
- Groups That Relate to Your Trade / Services
- Business Networking Groups In Your Area
- Local Chamber of Commerce Group
GOAL: Try to join and contribute to one new group per month.
7. Utilize Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) / Maps
Local SEO / Maps optimization allows you to show in the top of the map for your services in your local area. There are a number of different things you have to do to get visible in the map and the difficulty is based on the niche and location.
Here are a few things you can do to work on getting visible in the Map:
- Complete Your Google Business Profile
- Get Citations & Backlinks
- Get Reviews On Your Google Business Profile
GOAL: Local SEO / Maps optimization is a long-term strategy and will take some consistent effort, but it is one of the best forms of online marketing in terms of high quality, intent to buy leads.
8. Use Paid Ads (Search and/or Social Media)
Search and/or social media paid ads can get you right in front of your audience immediately. When setting up ads make sure you know your customer avatar so you can enter the conversation going on in their head. If your messaging doesn’t resonate with your audience then the ads may not produce any results for you.
Remember: Give customers what they want. Not what you think they need.
Here are some things to do to get better results with paid ads:
- Continuously test different forms of ad copy / text
- Continuously test different media (social ads)
- Show value, social proof, & case studies
- Be sure to only target your local areas
GOAL: Test search or social media ads this month and the other the following month. Test search or social media ads this month and the other the following month.
9. Use Traditional Marketing Tactics
Traditional marketing tactics tend to be super easy to implement, cost effective, and can help keep your brand in front of people.
Here are some traditional forms of marketing you can use to stay in front of your ideal customer:
- Hand Out Business Cards / Flyers / Brochures
- Go to Chamber / Networking Events
- Canvass Neighborhood(s)
- Call Other Companies That Serve The Same Customer
GOAL: Try to consistently get your brand in front of new people every week via the methods listed above.
Do you have other forms of marketing that are working for your contracting business right now? Let us know! Comment below.