10 Beginner Tips for Designing Your General Contractor Website 

What would you do if you needed a mechanic or computer repair technician? You would probably search online. It’s safe to assume your potential clients do the same. 

This is just one of many reasons why you need a strong digital presence. And at the heart of this is a great website, one that ranks highly in Google, has all the right information, and earns the trust of visitors. 

But here’s the thing—you’re a contractor. You’re not a web developer or a marketer. 

Don’t let this put you off! With this guide, you can build a winning website. 

We’ll explain why you need to establish an online presence. We’ll share our top 10 beginner-friendly tips for general contractor website design. 

Then, we’ll zero in on web content, SEO, and marketing. Finally, we’ll close things off with a few actions you can take today. 

Ready to try your hand at web design? You might just surprise yourself! 

Establishing Your Online Presence 

Consider this: Almost 94% of Americans have access to the internet. They use it to work, connect, socialize, and shop. They keep up with the latest news, chat with old friends, and order their weekly grocery haul. 

They also use it to research ways to solve their problems. 

Their oven stops working? They Google it. They need a haircut? They Google it. They want to get their winter boots re-soled? You guessed it. They Google it. 

So, logic follows that when someone has a problem that your services can solve, they’ll turn to the internet. 

If you’re not online, your business is next to invisible to them. And this is a huge setback for your growth ambitions. 

On the flip side, if you are online—and your digital footprint is as impressive as the quality of your work—you get the following benefits: 

You Convert More Clients 

A good website is like a digital business card. When people search for services, they find your site. 

A clean, easy-to-navigate site makes a good first impression. Add social proof and a few compelling calls to action (CTAs), and you’ve got yourself a new client. 

You Can Showcase Your Work 

You can rave about how talented your team are. You can expertly explain what you do in painstaking detail. But seeing is believing. 

Use your site to shine a spotlight on your very best work. Add photos of past projects to prove your skills and experience. 

Seeing this evidence, visitors might feel more confident contacting you for a quote. 

You Can Manage Your Reputation 

Online reviews matter—a whole lot. 

More than 99.9% of customers read reviews when they shop online. They trust them too, with 49% of shoppers saying they mean as much as a recommendation from friends or family. 

When you have a website and online presence, you can start collecting these reviews. You can use them to build trust with leads. 

In addition, you can reply to reviews to show you care about feedback. Positive interaction online can boost your reputation. 

You Can Share Information 

You know it all too well. Clients have questions. 

They want to know how your services work, how much they cost, and what the outcome will be. You can use your website to give them the answers. 

You can explain your offerings in detail and list the types of projects you handle. You can even publish an FAQ section to address common concerns. 

When clients can easily access the information they need, their experience becomes more positive. There’s less friction, which can push them to act and call you. 

Plus, publishing this information showcases your expertise. You become a credible go-to expert in your field. 

10 Beginner Tips for Designing Your General Contractor Website 

Gone are the days of writing lines of code. 

Today, almost anyone with basic computer literacy can create and publish a professional-looking website. They just need a few pointers. 

Here are our top beginner tips for general contractor website design: 

1. Choose the Right Domain Name 

First things first, your website needs an address. This is called a URL or domain name. 

Pick one that is easy to remember and includes your business name or a keyword related to your services. For example, if your business is called Smith Contracting, a good domain name could be smithcontracting.com. 

Keep it short, simple, and easy to spell. Avoid using numbers or hyphens, as they can be confusing. 

You can buy domain names through domain registrars. Examples include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains. 

A clear and straightforward domain name helps potential clients find you quickly and easily. It also makes your website and business look legitimate, which wins trust. 

2. Use a Reliable Website Builder 

Like we said, there’s no need to learn code to build a website. Instead, use one of the many website builders out there. 

These programs let you put together a website fast. You can use pre-made templates and drag-and-drop functionalities to design the perfect site. 

Popular options include: 

• Wix 
• Squarespace 
• WordPress 

With the right website builder, you can create a site that impresses your visitors. It’s easy to use, looks sleek and professional, and is secure. 

3. Select a Design Template 

Choose a design template that matches your business style and needs. 

Look for templates specifically designed for contractors. They often include sections for services, project portfolios, and contact information. 

The template should be responsive. This means it looks good on both desktop and mobile devices. Remember, many of your prospects will access your site on their phones. 

A well-chosen template helps create a visually appealing and organized website. This makes a great first impression. It also ensures visitors can find the information they need. 

4. Focus on User Experience 

When running your business, you know just how important customer experience is. Think of user experience as an extension of this. 

Elements to focus on include: 

• Navigation: Use clear menus and headings.
• Loading speed: Optimize images and reduce unnecessary plugins to make your site load quickly. Slow-loading sites can frustrate visitors and drive them to leave.  
• Mobile-friendliness: Make sure your site is mobile-responsive.

A user-friendly site improves visitor experience. 

It can also influence your ranking in search engine results. The higher you rank, the more visitors you will attract. This means more opportunity to convert visitors into loyal customers. 

5. Manage Your Budget 

Building and maintaining a website involves costs. Keep this in mind before you start. 

Here’s a breakdown of common expenses: 

• Domain name: $10-$20 per year 
• Hosting: $3 to $10 per month for basic shared hosting
• Website builder or template: Some templates are free. Premium templates or advanced features may cost between $10 and $100-plus.   

Plan your budget carefully and look for deals or discounts. Always put the user experience first when deciding how to allocate your money. 

Focus on security, ease of use, and other trust-building features. That way, you can increase your return on investment (ROI). 

6. Add Your Contact Information 

You want visitors to contact you. The best way to do this? Make it as easy as possible. 

Display your contact information prominently. You might add it to the top menu bar, for example. 

Include your phone number and email address. You can also add your physical or postal address and a contact form to your contact page. 

Having accessible contact information makes it easy for potential clients to reach you. This can lead to more inquiries and business. 

7. Use Authentic Photos 

Stock images can come across as generic and impersonal.  

Instead, use real photos of yourself, your team, and your work. Here are some tips: 

• Create a portfolio section with before-and-after shots of your projects. 
• Use a good camera or hire a professional photographer to take clear, well-lit photos.
• Include brief descriptions of each project. Add details and explain any challenges you overcame.   

Authentic photos help potential clients visualize the quality of your work. They make your site more engaging. 

They also put a face to the business name, humanizing your brand. 

8. Write Compelling Copy 

Your website copy—another word for the text on your site—should be clear, engaging, and focused on your clients’ needs. They are the main characters. You are the hero. 

Use simple language and address common questions or concerns. 

Make sure to: 

• Clearly explain what services you offer and what sets you apart from competitors. 
• Highlight how your services solve problems or improve your clients’ lives.
• Use phrases like “Contact us today for a free quote” to encourage visitors to take the next step. 

Good copy can help convert visitors into clients. It communicates the value of your services. 

9. Ensure Consistent Branding 

Have an eye for design? Great! This will come in handy now. 

Choose colors, fonts, and a logo to use across your site. Keep them consistent to create a professional look and feel. This helps clients recognize your business. 

Here are a couple of design rules of thumb: 

• Choose two to three colors—no more. They should reflect your brand and values. 
• Select one to two fonts that are easy to read and match your brand’s style. Use one for the body copy and one for headings. 
• Place your logo in easy-to-see areas like the header and footer. This adds legitimacy to your site. 

Consistent branding makes your website look polished and reinforces your business identity. 

10. Secure Your Site 

A great website isn’t all about how it looks. It needs to be secure too. 

Here are some steps to take: 

• Check to see if your site has a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. The URL will start with “https://”. If it doesn’t, ask your hosting company to add one. This encrypts data and builds trust with visitors. 
• Speaking of hosting, opt for a reputable hosting provider with good security measures. 
• Keep your website platform, plugins, and themes updated to prevent vulnerabilities. 

A secure website protects your business and your clients. It’s best practice and can even give you a bump in search engine results. 

General Contractor Web Content and Visuals 

We are bombarded with content and visuals online every day. To capture your audience’s attention and convert them, yours needs to stand out for the right reasons. 

Excellent content conveys a sense of professionalism. People feel comfortable with your business. Error-ridden content and poor-quality images, on the other hand, drive clients away. 

Here are five tips to follow: 

Use High-Quality Images 

Everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, so why not put it to good use? 

Showcase your projects with high-quality images. Clear and sharp photos show potential clients what you can do. 

Use before-and-after pictures to highlight your work and avoid using blurry or dark photos.  

Add Social Proof 

Include testimonials and reviews from happy clients. Positive feedback gives visitors cold, hard evidence that you do good work. 

Ask your clients for reviews and display them on your site. Include their name and, if possible, a photo. This makes the testimonials more believable. 

Good reviews can convince potential clients to choose you over others. 

Write Clear Service Descriptions 

Describe your services in detail. Explain what you do and how you do it. 

Include information about the kind of work you specialize in. This helps potential clients know if you are the right fit for their needs. 

Clear service descriptions make your business look professional and knowledgeable. They eliminate guesswork for prospects, so they feel ready to decide. 

Use CTA Buttons 

Buttons demand attention. They also make the copy on them more obvious. 

That’s why they make excellent CTAs. CTAs help generate leads by encouraging visitors to act. 

Use text like “Get a Quote” or “Contact Us” on colored buttons. Make sure the colors align with your brand identity. Then, add them strategically throughout your site. 

A few quick tips to keep in mind: 

• Make sure there’s enough contrast between the button and text color. You should be able to read the text easily. 
• Check that the buttons function on mobile before you hit publish. Buttons can be a bit finicky across different devices. 
• Test the button’s URLs. They should send those who click to a relevant page. 

Keep Content Updated 

Regularly update your website content. Add new projects to your portfolio, and post updates about your services or any special offers. 

Fresh content keeps your site interesting and relevant. It also helps with search engine rankings. 

An updated website shows that your business is active and growing. 

General Contractor SEO and Marketing 

What’s the first thing a good portion of your prospect pool does when they need a contractor? They search online. 

If your website is easy to find, you attract more visitors. If your website looks credible, these visitors become clients. 

So how do you make sure your website comes up when people search? The answer is a mix of search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing. 

Here are our tips: 

Use Local SEO Strategies 

It’s one thing to come up with search terms like “best contractor.” Not everyone searching that phrase can hire you. They might not live in your area, for example. 

This is where local SEO comes in. It’s about using the right tools and keywords to get in front of local searchers. 

Back to our example above. Instead of “best contractor,” you might focus on ranking for “best contractor in Lewiston.” That way, your business is easy to find for people in your city. 

How can you do this? Here’s how to start: 

• Claim your Google Business listing. Add your business name, address, and phone number. Include photos. 
• Add keywords with your city or region to your website. 
• List your business in online directories like Yelp or Angi. 

Try Email Marketing 

Email marketing has one of the highest ROIs. You can earn $36 for every $1 you spend. 

How? You stay top-of-mind with prospects and existing clients. You can share helpful information to show your expertise. You can send them special offers that get them over the line. 

Here are some initial steps to take: 

• Add a sign-up form on your website. Offer something in return, like a free estimate or a discount. 
• Send updates. Include news about your services, special offers, and project highlights. 
• Send follow-up emails after completing a job. Ask for feedback and encourage reviews. 

Email marketing helps maintain relationships and brings repeat business. 

Integrate Social Media 

How people look for information is changing. 

Today, 31% of consumers use social media to answer their questions. Also, 29% of Gen Z and Millennials prefer using social media to find information over traditional search engines. 

Your business needs social media. Get the most out of it by integrating it with your website—here’s how: 

• Share photos of your work, post updates, and respond to comments. You can reuse images from your site in your posts. 
• Add social media buttons on your website. Make it easy for visitors to follow you. 
• Share links to your website content on social media. These drive traffic back to your site. 

Social media integration increases your online presence and engagement. 

Invest in Content Marketing 

Content marketing is all about value. 

You publish content that gives your audience something. It might answer their question or solve their problem. It might just entertain them. 

Either way, it helps you build rapport and authority. It shows that you are knowledgeable and generous enough to share your expertise. 

It can also help you rank for longer search phrases. 

Here’s what to do: 

• First, start a blog on your website. Write about common questions, tips, and project stories. Use relevant keywords to boost your visibility. 
• Create videos showing your work. Post them on your site. Add them to social media too. Short-form content like TikTok videos and Instagram Reels can be extremely popular. 
• Write how-to guides related to your services. Offer them as free downloads. Use these to build your email list. 

Content marketing establishes you as an expert and attracts more visitors. It’s a win-win.