5 Contractor Marketing Mistakes That Are Costing You Jobs

Running a contracting business is tough enough. You’re juggling jobs, crews, materials, and customer expectations. The last thing you need is marketing headaches. But here’s the truth: small mistakes in your marketing can cost you real money, sometimes without you even realizing it.

Here are five of the most common marketing mistakes contractors make, and how to fix them.

1. Ignoring Your Google Business Profile

If you don’t show up on Google Maps, you don’t exist. Homeowners aren’t flipping through phone books anymore (unless it’s to boost their toddler’s booster seat). A well-optimized Google Business Profile with photos, reviews, and updated info is one of the fastest ways to land more jobs.

Fix it: Claim your profile, add real photos from your work, and encourage happy customers to leave reviews.

2. Only Posting “After” Photos

Sure, the finished kitchen looks amazing. But people also want to see the messy middle... the demo, the framing, the progress shots. That’s where they build trust and believe you can actually do what you say.

Fix it: Share before, during, and after. Take quick videos on the job site. It’s less about perfection, more about showing the process.

3. Forgetting That Customers Aren’t Experts

Most contractors talk shop like they’re at a trade show. Problem is, your customers don’t know a joist hanger from a Jägerbomb.

Fix it: Explain things in plain language. Teach instead of talking down. A little education goes a long way toward building trust.

4. Treating Social Media Like a Digital Billboard

Posting once a month with “Call us today!” doesn’t cut it. Social media is about connection. If all you do is sell, people will scroll right past.

Fix it: Mix in tips, FAQs, quick demos, and even a little personality. People hire people, not logos.

5. Not Having Any Video Content

Your customers want to see you. They want to know who’s going to show up at their house. A quick 30-second video of you answering a common question can build more trust than 20 polished graphics ever will.

Fix it: Start small. Record yourself on your phone answering, “What’s the #1 thing people get wrong about your trade?” Keep it short and conversational.

Final Word: Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

You don’t need a Madison Avenue ad campaign or a viral TikTok dance (but maybe you could do just a little dance...). You just need to consistently show up where your customers are looking, and show them you’re trustworthy, skilled, and human.

Finding a Marketing Agency: 7 Key Steps to Discovering the Best Fit

Because not all agencies are created equal (and some are just really good at looking good on Instagram).

Finding the right marketing agency for your business is kind of like dating — a mix of strategy, gut instinct, and hoping they don’t ghost you after three months. Whether you're hiring to grow your brand, drive leads, or make TikToks that don’t make your CEO cringe, here are 7 key steps to help you find the one.

1. Define What You Actually Need (Not What Sounds Cool)

Before you even Google “best marketing agency near me,” take a breath. Do you need branding? Content creation? SEO? Ads that don’t make your budget cry? List your top 2-3 priorities — because "everything" is not a strategy, it's a panic attack.

👉 Pro tip: Agencies love clarity. If you say, “We want better leads through Google,” instead of “We want to go viral,” you’ll attract actual help instead of hype.

2. Set Your Budget — Then Be Honest About It

Marketing isn’t magic, and agencies aren’t clairvoyants. Whether you’re working with $1,000 a month or $100,000 a quarter, your budget will shape the scope. Good agencies won’t just ask for your money — they’ll show you what that money gets you.

👉 Be wary of anyone who dodges pricing. If they’re shady on numbers now, just wait ‘til invoice time.

3. Look for Niche Experience

You wouldn’t hire a wedding photographer for a NASCAR race (unless you like blurry photos and crushed dreams). Same goes for agencies. Look for teams that understand your industry, your customers, and what actually works — not just what looks trendy.

👉 Bonus points if they’ve helped similar businesses crush it — and can prove it.

4. Stalk Their Work Like It’s Your Ex’s New Girlfriend

This is your permission slip to go full detective. Check their portfolio. Scroll their socials. Watch their videos. Read their blog. Do you like what you see? Does it feel aligned with your brand vibe? Are they showing up as experts or just “vibing”?

👉 Red flag: They talk big but have no public work to back it up. You don’t need hype — you need proof.

5. Ask the Hard Questions

During your discovery call, skip the fluff. Ask:

• Who’s actually doing the work?

• What results have you gotten for businesses like mine?

• What’s your communication process?

• What happens if we’re not happy?

👉 If they squirm, pivot. If they answer like pros, you're on the right track.

6. Evaluate Chemistry, Not Just Capability

Yes, you want strategy and skills. But also? You’ll be working with these people regularly. If they make you feel stupid, overwhelmed, or like you’re not “cool enough,” walk away. You need a team that gets you — not one that talks over you.

👉 You’re building a relationship, not buying a vending machine.

7. Don’t Just Hire the Cheapest — Hire the Smartest

Cheap marketing costs more in the long run. Sloppy strategy, bad branding, and content no one engages with? That’s expensive. Look for an agency that shows you how they think, not just what they sell.

👉 A good agency makes you money. A great one makes you look damn good while doing it.

Final Thought:

The right agency should feel like a creative partner, not a vendor. Someone who’s in the trenches with you, helping your business grow, not just inflating vanity metrics. When you find that — hang on tight.

And if you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I wish that agency existed…”👋 Hello. We might know one.

How to Rank #1 on Google for Your Business in 30 Days

If you’re looking to rank #1 on Google for your business in just 30 days, you need a focused SEO strategy that actually works. Many business owners waste time on outdated tactics, but this step-by-step 30-day SEO plan is designed to increase visibility, bring in more leads, and help you dominate local search results.

📅 Week 1: Keyword Research & Site Optimization

Day 1-3: Find High-Intent Keywords

Start by identifying the best keywords that potential customers are already searching for.

✅ Use these free tools:

• Google’s People Also Ask section

• Google Autocomplete (start typing your service, see what pops up)

• Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner for keyword volume

• AnswerThePublic for common questions

📌 Action Item: List 5-10 highly relevant keywords like “emergency plumber Kansas City” or “roof replacement cost” that match your service and location.

Day 4-5: Optimize Your Website for SEO

✅ Make These Quick Fixes:

• Title Tags & Meta Descriptions: Include your main keyword naturally (Example: Best HVAC Repair in Kansas City – Free Estimates!)

• Header Tags (H1, H2, H3): Structure your content properly, with main keywords in the headings.

• URL Optimization: Keep URLs short & keyword-rich (bad: yoursite.com/p=123 vs. good: yoursite.com/kansas-city-plumbing)

• Improve Site Speed: Use Google PageSpeed Insights and fix slow loading times.

• Mobile Optimization: Make sure your site looks great on mobile devices!

📌 Action Item: Check your site with Google Search Console and fix errors.

📅 Week 2: Content Creation & Blogging

Day 6-10: Write an SEO-Optimized Blog Post

Google rewards fresh, high-quality content. A blog post targeting your top keyword can bring traffic FAST.

✅ Here’s what works:

• Write a “How-To” or List Post: Example: “7 Signs You Need a New Roof (And How Much It Costs)”

• Use Your Main Keyword in the Title, URL, and First 100 Words

• Add FAQ Schema (use Rank Math or Yoast SEO plugins)

• Include Internal Links to other pages on your site

• Use Images & Videos to increase engagement

📌 Action Item: Publish at least one SEO-optimized blog post this week!

Day 11-12: Create a Google My Business (GMB) Post

If you’re a local business, your Google My Business profile is your secret weapon.

✅ Optimize Your GMB Profile:

• Upload High-Quality Photos (real business pics perform best)

• Post Weekly Updates (specials, events, promotions)

• Answer Google Q&A Section (add questions & answers yourself!)

• Encourage Reviews (More on this below 👇)

📌 Action Item: Post an update on your Google Business Profile with a call-to-action!

📅 Week 3: Backlinks & Citations

Day 13-17: Get Local Citations & Directories

Your business needs to be listed on top directories to improve trust and rankings.

✅ Submit to these sites:

• Google My Business (If not done already)

• Yelp, Angi, HomeAdvisor, BBB

• Local Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Specific Sites

📌 Action Item: Get your business listed on at least 10 directories this week!

Day 18-20: Build Backlinks from Other Websites

Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) boost rankings faster than almost anything else.

✅ Easy Ways to Get Backlinks:

• Guest Posts – Write for industry blogs & link back to your site.

• Partner Websites – Ask suppliers or partners to link to you.

• Local News & PR – Submit press releases about your business.

📌 Action Item: Get at least 3-5 backlinks this week.

📅 Week 4: Reviews, Engagement & Final Boosts

Day 21-23: Get More Google Reviews

✅ Ask past customers:

• Send a friendly email or text: “Hey [Name], thanks for choosing us! Would you mind leaving a quick Google review? It helps us a lot!”

• Offer a small incentive (discount, giveaway, etc.)

📌 Action Item: Aim for 5-10 new Google reviews this week!

Day 24-26: Engage on Social Media & Forums

✅ Boost Engagement for SEO:

• Answer questions in Facebook groups related to your industry

• Post your blog link in Reddit or Quora discussions

• Share your blog post & Google My Business update on social media

📌 Action Item: Post & engage in 3 online communities related to your business.

Day 27-30: Track & Adjust for Better Rankings

✅ Use These Free Tools to Check Your Progress:

• Google Search Console – See what keywords you’re ranking for.

• Google Analytics – Check site traffic & bounce rates.

• Ubersuggest or Ahrefs – Track your backlinks & rankings.

📌 Action Item: Identify which keywords & pages are ranking higher and double down on what’s working!

🚀 Bonus: Extra Tips for Faster Rankings

✅ Embed a Google Map on your site (boosts local rankings).

✅ Add video content to your website (Google prioritizes video pages).

✅ Update older content with new info to refresh rankings.

Final Thoughts: Ranking #1 on Google in 30 Days

Ranking #1 on Google takes effort, but with this structured 30-day SEO plan, you’ll see real results. Whether you’re a contractor, home service business, or local entrepreneur, these tactics will help boost your rankings and attract more customers fast.

📌 Need help ranking your business? Let’s talk! Drop a comment below or reach out for a free SEO audit. 🚀