Construction is a business where trust and credibility matter the most because clients expect the best when it comes to building their homes or commercial spaces. After all, quality translates into the safety and integrity of buildings. Reputation can be a game-changer, not only for multi-billion dollar construction companies, but also for small contractors offering services like roofing, remodeling, and landscaping.
With the construction market size reaching $1.8 trillion in 2022, the opportunities in the industry are huge. At the same time, the competition in the small contractor market is more than stiff. Statistics revealed 473,108 small and mid-sized specialty trade contractor businesses in the country in 2020. As a contractor, you need a robust marketing plan to capture a fair share of the market.
Building a robust online reputation should be on top of the checklist because 97% of people search for local businesses on the internet. If they can see your firm there and read good things about it, you definitely have a chance of landing clients and boosting revenues and profits for your business, even in a hypercompetitive market.
We have a list of tips for construction contractors looking to build their online reputation:
Build a Foundation With a Website
Your website is the foundation of your online reputation because it creates a first impression on potential clients. The average cost of a small business is $2000 to $10,000, but this is one area you shouldn’t skimp on. A website is the mainstay of contractor marketing because it showcases what your business does, how it works, and why clients should hire your services.
Bartholomew Media Group notes that contractors should think beyond cookie-cutter web designs and invest in a specialized interface that highlights their value proposition.
Valuable content, clear images, seamless navigation, and functional elements work as key drivers for online reputation. Additionally, ensure your website is fast to load and responsive across all devices as these factors also translate into trust.
Invest in an SEO Plan
Getting a website up and running is a great start, but making it rank on top of web searches gives your business a reputational advantage. Did you know that only 5% of searchers look past the first page of Google while searching for businesses? That’s mainly because they consider the top-ranking providers trustworthy and credible.
A consistent and effective SEO plan can help you gain a ranking advantage and sustain your position up there. While authoritative content and high-quality links are critical, you cannot overlook the significance of local SEO. Other essential elements of a successful online marketing plan include blogging and paid advertising.
Leverage Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing can fuel your reputation and credibility in several ways. Social platforms decide how people perceive your brand, no matter how small your business is. Just one look at your page and fan following is often enough for potential clients to decide whether they want to engage you for construction services.
Surveys suggest that 3 out of 4 people trust a business more if it has positive reviews. Encouraging happy clients to spread the word on social media can boost your online reputation.
Creating compelling posts showcasing your work, team, and client testimonials are other ways to win social media marketing games. You should also have a plan to deal with negative feedback and criticism because they are a part of the package.
Go Big on User-Generated Content
User-generated content (reviews, testimonials, and client stories) can be a catalyst when it comes to online reputation management. Statistics show that 79% of consumers believe that UGC affects their purchase decisions. Think beyond convincing clients to post their experiences on social media and Google reviews. You must do your bit to maximize the reach of these posts.
Going big with UGC can take your online reputation to the next level. Add them to your website’s home page as social proof. Consider adding a separate testimonials page as your customer base grows. You may run a video story on the website to hook the visitors. Track your brand mentions and make the most of them.
Building Up
Online reputation for construction contractors takes building up from scratch and consolidating brick by brick over time. You may encounter challenges along the way with negative comments and reviews from unhappy customers. Create an actionable online reputation management plan to deal with them.
Most importantly, invest in the building blocks like a business website, an informative blog, social media pages, and local listings. Keep them fresh and engaging to hook the audience and foster connections. Remember to claim your share of praise from happy clients through reviews and testimonials.
