The conversation at the cookout was useful. You mentioned you wanted to start marketing your contracting services and your cousin gave you the name of a guy who builds websites as a side job. When you called him, he said he’d be able to get a basic contact page online for you before the end of the year. Wait a minute. By year end? The peak season will be over. You need to get more customers – soon.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Benefits of a Professional Contractor Website

A complete website (not just a contact page) is a business-building tool. The primary benefit of your website is simple: It draws attention to your company

It’s a digital world, with 97% of consumers looking online for local businesses. Your potential customers are reading reviews, emailing friends, and researching options. A professional website lets you be part of the conversation.

But if you’ve looked at contractor websites, you’ll see some are top-notch while others look more generic. An effective website does more than build awareness, it encourages visitors to become customers

The quality of your website gives visitors a sense of the quality of your work. To attract leads, your website must be crafted with the same thoughtful precision you’ll bring to their home or business. And just as you talk with customers face-to-face about your services, a well-designed website allows you to engage with potential customers and share your story.

In addition to showcasing photos and descriptions of your work, your website lists your scope of services, your credentials, customer testimonials, your contact information – and importantly, why doing business with you is a good decision.

Why Choose a Professional Web Designer?

Just as you recognize DIY efforts when you see them, your potential customers will know if you put together your own website (or hired that guy your cousin knows).

Work with a professional designer to give potential customers a better impression of your business. Designers know the tools of their trade and will create a site for your business that showcases your projects and your personality. They’ll also have expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), techniques that rely on keywords to help customers find your site.

The designer will ensure potential customers’ have a frictionless experience when reviewing your site by using appropriate programming code and site architecture. The digital world is also mobile, and designers can structure your site to look good on any device – laptop, table, or smartphone.

You won’t have to worry about maintenance

Yep, even websites need routine maintenance to keep up with changes in programming code standards. A professional website designer can make updates to keep your site functional and safe from hackers. And the designer can post the latest news and project photos to keep your site current.

Elements of a Professional Contractor Website

If you’re just starting out or trying to increase your customer base, a useful website will include the following:

• a home page that contains your business name and logo
• an ‘about us’ page explaining who you are, your credentials and your experience
• a list of services you provide including clear, high-quality photos of past projects
• customer reviews, from personal comments to video testimonials
• a blog where you give customers useful information about various topics related to your industry
• a contact page with your address, phone number, a request for quote form and links to social media accounts you may have for your business

A website designer can help you with the technical details such as:

• your domain name – basically your business ‘calling card’
• your website hosting service – the company that manages your site and email
• the content management system tool used to build and upload information to your site

Getting Started

The investment you’ll make with a website designer will pay out.

You’ll have access to a broader market of potential customers.

You’ll save time reaching prospects since information will be available after hours for customers who are ‘shopping’ for services 24/7.

You may be able to spend less on traditional advertising like newspaper ads, flyers, or trade shows.

Don’t settle for your cousin who is good with computers or the kid down the street with an IT degree. Hire a professional web designer for your business.

Source by Jesse Kemmerer