The 9 Website Mistakes That Cost Contractors Jobs

I've looked at a few hundred contractor websites at this point. The same handful of problems show up over and over, and most of them have nothing to do with how the site looks.

1. The phone number isn't tappable

If your number is typed as plain text instead of a link, a phone user has to memorize it, leave your site, and dial manually. A meaningful percentage won't.

2. No services listed by name

'We do it all' ranks for nothing and tells a customer nothing. If you install standby generators, there should be a page that says standby generator installation.

3. Stock photos

A homeowner can spot a stock photo instantly, and the moment they do, everything else on the page becomes suspect. A slightly imperfect photo of your actual crew beats a perfect photo of somebody else's.

4. No service area

People will not call to ask if you come to their town. They'll assume you don't and move on. List the towns.

5. It takes more than three seconds to load

Most contractor sites are slow because of uncompressed photos straight off a phone. A 6MB image on a homepage is common and completely unnecessary.

6. No proof anywhere

Reviews, license number, insurance, years in business, manufacturer certifications, completed project count. Pick the ones that are true and put them where people see them.

7. A contact form that asks for too much

Name, phone, and what they need. That's it. Every extra required field drops your completion rate.

8. Nothing has been updated in three years

A copyright date reading 2021 tells a visitor the business might not exist anymore. So does a blog with one post from four years ago.

9. Built for you instead of for the customer

The site is not for you. It's for a stranger deciding whether to trust you with their house. Every page should be written from that side of the table.

Where to start

Pull your own site up on your phone right now and go down this list. Most contractors find four or five. Fixing even two of them changes your call volume.