Marketing for Contractors: 3 Tips to Always Stay Ahead of the Competition

Being a contractor requires a person to wear several hats, and it’s easy for marketing to take a back burner in response to this.

However, advertising is essential for contractors to be successful. Word-of-mouth only works so far and for so long—eventually, a marketing plan will have to take shape and guide your business to more new clients. Because contracting isn’t necessarily a “glamorous” topic, marketing might seem a strange thing to implement.

But it’s not.

Marketing for contractors is all part of the job. Below are some of the top ways to stay relevant in the world of contracting. 

1. Even Contractors Should Consider Their Web Presence

If you think your job transcends the need for social media, you’re mistaken.

Contracting is an inherently visual job, meaning it translates beautifully to a social media app. Consider posting things like tutorials and FAQs on YouTube, before-and-after photos on Instagram, and local specials or discounts on Facebook. 

Additionally, a fully formed website is the perfect way to make a connection with future clients (and even provide answers or insight for current ones). Keep your hours and location updated and accurate, optimize the page for SEO, and don’t forget that informative content lends itself to credibility and trustworthiness. If you’re struggling with the internet side of things, consider outsourcing for help. 

2. Get Your Business on Local Social Network, Nextdoor

Contracting is all about the locals—and where do locals go when they need advice on businesses in their area?

Nextdoor.

The platform highlights services in various neighborhoods, filtered by zip codes. Users get to leave honest commentary on the site, allowing others to vet providers in the area. When someone needs a contractor near them, you can guarantee Nextdoor is a source of information.

You can put your business on the network for free and even include posts at no charge to you. For a budget-friendly upgrade, consider placing ads (and don’t forget to finish them off with a strong CTA, or call-to-action). The network even offers small-business advertising for as little as $1, making it an incredibly inexpensive and potentially effective investment of time, rather than dollars.

3. Advertise on Home Improvement Channels

One of the main things to consider when marketing is your target audience. What types of clients do you want to attract?

For contractors, the answer tends to land on homeowners. When a project comes to mind—renovating a bathroom, painting the kitchen, installing new windows—they’ll go anywhere for information. From asking friends to scouring the internet and even perusing home improvement channels, no avenue is off-limits.

Use Google Analytics to determine which channel receives the most traffic—and then do whatever it takes to land your business a spot on it.

Don’t Disregard Marketing for Contractors

In short, your business can’t afford to skip out on advertising (and if it can, you’re in the minority!).

If you’re not sure where to begin, the above information should provide you with an ample starting ground. Consider implementing one, or even all, of the above techniques, and watch inquiries into your business soar.

Now that you’ve learned about marketing for contractors, you’ve got a leg up on the competition. Keep the learning going by scrolling our page, where we discuss topics like apps, software, mobile, and more!