If you're a contractor, most of your clients probably start their search for services like roofing, plumbing, or remodeling online. People tend to turn to search engines like Google or Bing when they’re looking for contractors. So, if your business isn’t showing up on the first page, you’re likely missing out on a lot of potential clients.

That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. It’s a way to make sure your business gets noticed by search engines and, more importantly, by the people searching for your services. In this blog, we’ll break down some simple steps to help you improve your website, so more people can find you online.

What is SEO and Why Does It Matter?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the process of improving your website so it appears higher on search engine results pages (SERPs) for keywords related to your business. For example, if you’re a roofing contractor in Denver, you want your business to show up when someone searches for “best roofing contractor in Denver.”

The higher your site ranks, the more visible you are, and the more likely customers will click on your site. SEO is not only about bringing in more traffic but ensuring that the right people — those who are looking for your services — are finding your business.

For contractors, investing in SEO is crucial because it:

• Boosts Visibility: SEO helps your business appear at the top of search results, making you easier to find.
• Increases Website Traffic: Higher visibility means more clicks, leading to more traffic to your website.
• Generates Quality Leads: By targeting relevant keywords, SEO ensures the visitors to your site are already looking for the services you offer.
• Provides Long-Term Results: Unlike paid ads, which stop once your budget runs out, SEO can provide a steady stream of traffic over time.

A great example of SEO success is Cesar's Concrete. After optimizing their Google Business Profile, they quickly became one of the top-recommended contractors in Loveland, Colorado. A simple update to their profile — adding accurate business details and encouraging client reviews — brought remarkable results. This shows just how effective SEO can be, especially when it comes to local searches.

Now that we understand why SEO is important, let’s explore the steps you can take to improve your rankings.

Critical Keywords to Help Customers Find You

Keywords are the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. These are the words and phrases potential clients type into Google when they’re looking for services. By targeting the right keywords, you can make sure your SEO efforts match what your customers are searching for.

Here’s a list of example keywords contractors should consider using:

Pro Tip: The more specific your keywords are, the better. For example, instead of using just “contractors,” try “licensed general contractors in [city].” This helps capture more local leads who are actively searching for the services you offer in your area.

10 Proven SEO Tips to Get More Leads

Now that we’ve covered the basics of SEO and the importance of keywords, here are 10 essential SEO tips to help contractors improve their online visibility and attract more clients.

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile

First things first: claim your Google Business Profile. This is one of the easiest ways to show up in local searches. You know that map with businesses that pops up when you search for services? That’s where your profile would show up.

To do this:

1. Visit Google Business Profile Manager.
2. Claim your business.
3. Fill in your business name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
4. Upload photos of your best projects.

Pro Tip: Encourage your happy clients to leave reviews. The more positive reviews you get, the higher you’ll rank in local searches.

2. Use Local Keywords

When people search for contractors, they often add their city or look for services “near me.” That’s why local keywords are crucial. These are phrases like “plumber in Austin” or “roofing services in Denver.”

Here’s how to use local keywords:

• Include them naturally in your page titles, headers, and content.
• Don’t overuse them — Google might notice and penalize you.
• Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find popular local search terms.

3. Create Pages for Each Service You Offer

If you offer multiple services (e.g., plumbing, electrical work, and roofing), it’s a good idea to have separate pages for each service. This helps both Google and your clients understand exactly what you offer.

Each service page should include:

• A detailed description of the service.
• Local keywords (e.g., “kitchen remodeling in Chicago”).
• Images of completed projects.
• Testimonials from happy customers.

4. Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly

Most people search for services on their phones these days. If your website doesn’t work well on mobile, you could be losing out on a lot of traffic. Google also ranks mobile-friendly sites higher, so this is an important factor for SEO.

To check if your website is mobile-friendly:

• Use a Mobile-Friendly Test.
• Make sure your text is readable on smaller screens.
• Ensure buttons and links are easy to click.

5. Speed Up Your Website

No one likes a slow website. If your site takes too long to load, visitors will leave before they even see your services. Not only does this hurt your chances of getting a lead, but it also hurts your SEO ranking because Google prioritizes faster websites.

To improve your site’s speed:

• Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
• Minimize the number of plugins you use.
• Use a reliable web host that offers fast speeds.

6. Use Internal Links

Internal links are links that connect one page of your website to another. For example, if you write a blog post about “Roof Replacement Tips,” you can link it to your “Roofing Services” page.

This helps with SEO because:

• It keeps visitors on your site longer.
• It helps Google understand the structure of your website.

7. Get Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites that point to yours. They act like “votes of confidence” for your website. The more trusted websites that link to you, the better your SEO will be.

Here’s how to get backlinks:

• List your business on local directories like Yelp or HomeAdvisor.
• Partner with local businesses for shared links.
• Guest blog on home improvement websites and include a link to your site.

Quality matters more than quantity here. A few good backlinks from trusted websites are much better than dozens from low-quality sources.

8. Optimize Meta Titles and Descriptions

Your meta title and meta description are the first things people see in search results. They need to be clear and to the point.

Tips for optimizing:

• Meta Title: Keep it short and include a local keyword. Example: “Reliable Roof Repair in Houston.”
• Meta Description: Give a brief overview of what the page is about. Example: “Looking for fast, affordable roof repair in Houston? Contact us today for a free quote!”

Keep your titles under 60 characters and your descriptions under 160 characters so they display correctly in search results.

9. Add Alt Text to Images

Alt text is a short description of the images on your website. It’s important because it helps search engines understand what the image is about and improves your SEO.

To add alt text:

• Describe the image in a short sentence. Example: “Custom kitchen remodel in Los Angeles.”
• Use relevant local keywords when appropriate.

This also makes your site more accessible for people using screen readers.

10. Track Your SEO Progress

Finally, you want to track your SEO progress to see what’s working and what needs improvement. SEO is an ongoing process, so keeping an eye on your results is key.

Use these tools to monitor your progress:

• Google Analytics: Shows how much traffic your site is getting and where visitors are coming from.
• Google Search Console: Tells you which keywords people are using to find your site and how your pages are ranking.

Tracking your results will help you adjust your strategy as needed and improve over time.

Your Next Step

And that’s it! 10 proven SEO tips to help contractors get more leads online. It might seem like a lot, but take it step by step. Start by claiming your Google Business Profile and optimizing your site with local keywords. Then, work on improving your website’s speed, adding internal links, and building backlinks.

Remember, SEO is all about being seen by the right people. The more visible your business is online, the more leads you’ll attract, and the more jobs you’ll book. So, put in the effort, and you’ll see results over time.

And if all this feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. ContractorCEO can help. We specialize in helping contractors improve their SEO and grow their business. Reach out to us, and let’s take your SEO to the next level!