Written by Zach Hansen
6 out of every 10 small businesses don’t have a website for the business. Yet 47% of consumers will visit the company’s website before making a purchase. What does this tell us? Having an effective website for your contracting business is important. Now more than ever, most people are finding local businesses through search engines. So you need to make sure your website is easily found, mobile-friendly, and links directly to forms of social media. Here are a few ways you can improve your contracting website and generate more leads for your business.
Site Security and Speed
Your page loading speed is one of the first digital interactions someone will have with your company. If the process is arduous or frustrating that is the emotion they will connect with your company. If the website loads too slowly or if a customer feels like a link is insecure, they may leave your site before they can learn any information about your company. There are many factors that contribute to page loading time, including the design, types of images and media, as well as hosting. Make sure to check over these details with a web creator so the functionality can be optimized.
Mobile Friendly
51.6% of people view websites on a mobile device. Yet most websites are rarely designed with the intent of mobile users. When designing your site, there are certain elements to consider to optimize the experience on all devices. In website lingo, this is referred to as responsive design. This simply means that your design should include elements that translate well between different sizes, such as forms that have large boxes, simple navigation, a good ratio between the size of clickable buttons and finger size, and last but not least a mixture of text and imagery.
Portfolio with High-Quality Photos
With imagery in mind, make sure the photos you are using on your website are high-quality. The average person looks at something for 4 seconds before they move on. Images are a great way to convey ideas and give people an idea of your company. In addition, they are much more engaging than text. Especially as a contractor, your potential clients will want to see your work. This would be a great way to show your skills through a before and after gallery or the process of a project.
Licenses and Qualifications
Trust is an important part of obtaining new leads. Most people have experienced some mishaps with their construction companies. Whether it’s a delayed deadline or a structural problem, people are skeptical. Displaying your licenses and qualifications on your site is a great way to give potential clients peace of mind. Even better, sharing testimonials from past clients is an effective way to establish trust in new clients.
Links to Social Media
Social Media is the best medium to engage with customers in a personal way. Through your social accounts, you can share current happenings and keep people engaged in your company. Your contracting website should have links to all of your social media pages. These may include Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter.
Customer Testimonials
Especially with contracting work, customers want to know you have experience and a good track record to back up your work. Displaying customer testimonials on your website is a great way to establish trust and build credibility with potential customers. Don’t hesitate to ask previous customers for a testimonial.
Easy Way to Contact You
The most important part of your website is the contact link. If a potential customer likes your work and wants to hire you but can’t find a way to contact you, they will likely find another company. Whether you have a contact form, link to email or a contact page, making it easy for customers to find your contact information is the goal. It’s best to have multiple ways to contact you spread across your website.