Marketing for Contractors: Strategies to Grow Your Business

Author

Bjorn Orvar
December 11, 2024

Effective marketing has never been more vital for contractors. Whether you're a home service contractor, construction company owner, or handyman, standing out in a competitive industry is essential. With digital marketing reshaping how customers find and choose service providers, it’s time to ensure your business leverages the right strategies for growth.

This blog will equip you with practical tools and actionable advice to level up your marketing game. From understanding your audience to digital strategies and time-tested traditional tactics, we'll explore how contractors can build a powerful marketing arsenal to boost visibility, increase leads, and grow their businesses.

Understanding Your Target Audience: Homeowners and Local Businesses

Before you can craft an effective marketing plan, it's crucial to understand who you're marketing to. Contractors typically serve two main types of clients:

1. Homeowners

These are individual clients looking for home-related services such as renovations, roofing, plumbing, or landscaping. What matters to them:

  • Trust and reliability.

  • High-quality craftsmanship.

  • Online reviews and recommendations.

2. Local Businesses

Your secondary audience might include real estate companies, property managers, or other organizations needing ongoing contractor services. What matters to them:

  • Clear timelines and accountability.

  • Competitive pricing.

  • Professional expertise.

Once you’ve identified these audiences, the next step is tailoring your marketing messages to resonate with their specific needs and pain points.

Digital Marketing Strategies for Contractors

Gone are the days when merely listing your business in a directory brought in customers. Digital marketing now plays a vital role in reaching potential clients and establishing your expertise.

Let’s look at an overview of the more common marketing strategies.

Website Optimization for Local Search

Your website is your digital storefront. To attract traffic, follow these steps to optimize it for local search:

  • Use location-specific keywords like "roofing contractor in Austin" or "plumbing services near me."

  • Claim and optimize your Google My Business profile to improve visibility in local search results.

  • Ensure your website is mobile-friendly—more than 60% of searches now happen on mobile devices.

  • Add online reviews and testimonials to build social proof.

Content Marketing for Establishing Expertise

A blog, project gallery, or FAQ section on your site can showcase your expertise. Consider:

  • Writing "how-to" guides (e.g., "How to Choose the Best Windows for Your Home").

  • Sharing case studies of successful projects.

  • Posting videos of your work, such as time-lapse footage of a renovation.

Social Media Engagement and Advertising

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn are excellent for contractors. They allow you to demonstrate your skills and connect with local communities.

  • Share high-quality photos or videos of recent projects.

  • Run paid ads targeting local homeowners with discounts or promotions.

  • Engage by asking questions like, "What’s the one home improvement you’ve been putting off?"

Email Marketing for Nurturing Leads

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for contractors:

  • Capture emails via your website by offering something valuable, like a free quote or guide.

  • Send regular newsletters with tips, updates, or promotions.

  • Use automated follow-ups to keep leads engaged.

Traditional Marketing Tactics That Still Work

While the digital realm is crucial, traditional marketing methods haven’t lost their charm—especially in local markets.

Local Networking and Partnerships

Build relationships within your community:

  • Join local business groups or chambers of commerce.

  • Network with real estate agents, property managers, or other contractors to secure referrals.

Direct Mail and Local Advertising

Though digital marketing dominates, direct mail campaigns and local ads still deliver results for contractors. Consider:

  • Sending out beautifully designed postcards offering discounts on first-time services.

  • Advertising in local newspapers or community newsletters.

  • And turn potential customers into leads by getting them to visit your website and give their email address or phone number in exchange for something valuable… so you can continue marketing to them for free with email/sms.

Community Involvement

Be visible in your community:

  • Sponsor local events, sports teams, or charity events.

  • Host workshops on “basic home repairs” at local community centers or hardware stores.

Measuring and Improving Marketing ROI

Marketing without measuring results is like building a house without a blueprint. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your efforts, focus on tracking key metrics.

Tracking Leads and Conversions

Use tools like Google Analytics, email tracking software, or a CRM system to:

  • Monitor website traffic.

  • Track leads from digital campaigns or direct mail.

  • Identify which channels are driving the most conversions.

  • Track how many leads turn into appointments… and how many appointments turn into projects.

Analyzing Marketing Campaigns

Review the results of each campaign:

  • Did your social media ad bring in measurable leads?

  • Are your emails leading to inquiries or bookings? 

Evaluate what’s working and adjust your efforts accordingly.

Adapting Strategies for Better Results

Stay flexible. If certain strategies aren’t yielding results (e.g., a social platform isn’t performing), focus more on what’s succeeding. The key is continuous measurement and refinement.

Examples of Successful Contractor Marketing

Example 1: A Roofing Contractor Drives Local Awareness

Challenge: A small roofing contractor struggled to compete with larger companies.

Solution: They focused on hyper-local SEO by optimizing “near-me” keywords and actively pursuing reviews.

Potential Results: Traffic to their site increases and they see a rise in local inquiries within three months.

Example 2: Landscaping Company Wins on Instagram

Challenge: A landscaping company wanted to attract high-end clients.

Solution: They shared before-and-after project images on Instagram and ran geo-targeted ads.

Potential Results: Their posts landed a high-profile local project and boosted inquiries.

Adapt and Thrive in the Changing Landscape of Marketing

Marketing for contractors has shifted dramatically, and staying competitive requires both creativity and persistence. By combining digital strategies with tested traditional methods—and closely tracking your results—you’ll connect more effectively with potential clients.

Key Takeaway: Digital transformation is unavoidable, but traditional methods still matter. The secret is finding the right balance between the two and continuously adapting based on your results.

Are you ready to take your contractor business to the next level? 

Build and Own Your Marketing and Sales System for Free

Are you a home services contractor looking to take control of your business's growth? Imagine having a fully customized marketing and sales system that saves you time, simplifies your processes, and boosts your bottom line—without the steep costs of hiring an agency. Sounds like a dream, right? It's not. I'm here to help you turn this into a reality—for free. 

Why Build Your Own Marketing and Sales System? 

A robust marketing and sales system is the backbone of any successful business. It helps you connect with leads faster, build stronger client relationships, and stay organized and efficient every step of the way. And now, you can have a system that works for you, without the hassle of doing it on your own. The best part? I'll personally help you set it up. 

What's the Catch? 

Glad you asked! The only requirement is that you’ll use the best tools platform for home services contractors (via my affiliate link). This won’t cost you anything extra, and you’ll get a system valued at $1,000—for free. 

What Does Your System Include? 

Here’s everything I’ll set up for you and the value it brings to your business:

  • Appointment Reminder System 

 Never lose touch with your clients and keep your schedule running smoothly. 

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  • New Lead Follow-Up System 

 Engage potential clients instantly with follow-up messages, so they never feel ignored. 

  • Completed Project Follow-Up System 

 Continue delighting your customers even after the job is done. 

  • Requesting Reviews and Referrals 

 Build your reputation and grow your business network. 

  • Customer Satisfaction Checks 

 Make sure your clients are happy with your services and address any concerns. 

  • Online Appointment Scheduling for Leads 

 Offer professional and seamless booking options for clients. 

  • Two-Way Communication via App 

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With this system, managing your business is easier than ever. 

Why You Should Act Now 

My mission is to help 10,000 home service contractors own their marketing and sales systems. I provide step-by-step templates so you can fully customize the system to your unique needs. 

Here’s the exciting part—advanced AI takes care of 95% of the work for you! But before contractors can handle this setup themselves, I’m personally assisting the first 300 contractors with implementing their systems. 

When you act now, I’ll do the heavy lifting. You’ll benefit from a proven system to keep for as long as you need—no more reliance on expensive agencies that charge $1,500+ per month. 

What Does It Cost? 

While my setup service is completely free, the platform itself offers a 14-day free trial. After that, it’s just $97/month. For all the tools and benefits you get, it’s a small price to pay for owning your marketing system. 

The platform also includes added perks like website hosting and AI-powered sales agent assistance to further improve your business operations. 

Take the First Step 

If you're ready to supercharge your business with a customized marketing and sales system, I’d love to help you get started. 

Email me directly at [email protected], and we’ll get your system up and running in no time. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to own your marketing and sales future. Take control today and build a business that thrives! 

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* Please note, I’m an affiliate of HighLevel, meaning I earn a commission when someone signs up through my link. This allows me to provide free resources, advice, and pre-made HighLevel systems to my readers because I truly believe HighLevel is the right option for most home services contractors. HighLevel has all of the tools and systems local businesses need to thrive, and my mission is to provide you with the systems and guidance to set up and operate your own marketing and sales system.