Websites for contractors

When someone needs a roofer or a plumber, they usually look at two or three websites and call whoever seems trustworthy and easy to reach. Your site doesn't have to be fancy. It has to make that call easy.

Say what you do and where

Put your trade and your area right at the top. "Roofing in Montgomery and Prince George's County" tells people they're in the right place. List the towns or counties you cover. People in Gaithersburg want to know you'll come to Gaithersburg.

If you do a few different kinds of work, give each one a short page. Kitchen remodels and deck building are different searches, and a page for each helps you show up for both.

Show your license and insurance

People want to know you're legit. Put your license number on the site. In Maryland, home improvement contractors are required to show their MHIC number in their ads, and that includes your website. Virginia and DC have their own licensing, so list whatever applies to you. Mention that you're insured, too.

Use real photos of real jobs

Before and after photos are the best thing a contractor site can have. They prove you do the work and show the quality. Take them on your phone at every job. Add the town and a line about what you did, like "Basement finish in Rockville".

Make it easy to get a quote

Your phone number should be at the top of every page and tap to call on a phone. Add a short form for people who'd rather type. Ask for name, phone, address and what they need. Let them add a photo if they want. Then answer fast. A lot of jobs go to whoever calls back first.

Add reviews

Copy a few good reviews onto your site with the customer's first name and town. Link to your Google reviews so people can see the rest.

Skip what doesn't help

You don't need a long history of the company or a page of stock photos of smiling workers. Clear services, real photos, your license and a phone number will do more.