5 Things Contractors Can Do Right Now To Improve Google Visibility

In today’s digital-first world, having a strong online presence is a necessity for contractors. Whether you're a plumber, electrician, general contractor, or HVAC technician, your potential customers are increasingly turning to Google to find services like yours. For contractors, being visible on Google can make or break your business. If you’re not showing up in search results when people in your area are looking for the services you offer, you're losing out on valuable opportunities.

Fortunately, improving your Google visibility doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive process. There are several actionable steps you can take right now to increase your chances of showing up in relevant search results and drive more traffic to your website. At Bananas Creative, a marketing company specializing in vehicle wraps, digital marketing, brand development, and logo creation, we understand how important it is for contractors to stand out in a crowded market. Below, we’ll outline five things contractors can do right now to improve their Google visibility.

1. Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Profile

If you haven’t already, claiming and optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile should be your first priority. Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. For contractors, this is a game-changer.

When someone searches for a contractor in your area, Google often displays a local "map pack" showing three businesses with their names, addresses, phone numbers, and links to their websites. If your business isn't listed here, you're missing out on valuable visibility.

How to Optimize Your Google My Business Profile:

• Claim your listing: If you haven’t done so already, create or claim your GMB listing. Go to Google My Business and follow the steps.
• Fill in complete details: Ensure your business name, address, phone number (NAP), hours of operation, and website URL are correct. Inaccurate details can hurt your rankings and confuse potential customers.
• Add photos: High-quality images of your team, office, equipment, or completed projects can make your listing stand out. Customers are more likely to engage with a listing that has photos.
• Request reviews: Positive reviews are essential for your GMB listing. Ask satisfied customers to leave a review, as these can boost your credibility and influence your rankings.
• Use posts: Google allows businesses to create posts similar to social media updates. Share news, promotions, or blog posts directly in your GMB profile to keep customers engaged.

By keeping your Google My Business profile up to date and complete, you’ll improve your chances of ranking higher in local search results.

2. Focus on Local SEO

Local search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most important aspects of improving your Google visibility as a contractor. When someone searches for a service in your area, Google prioritizes businesses that are geographically relevant. This means that if you want to show up in local search results, you need to optimize your website and online presence for your location.

Here’s how you can improve your local SEO:

• Include location-based keywords: On your website, make sure you’re using keywords that reflect your geographic area. For example, if you’re a plumber in Edmonton, include phrases like "plumber in Edmonton," "Edmonton plumbing services," or "24/7 plumbing in Edmonton" throughout your site’s content.
• Create location-specific landing pages: If you serve multiple areas or neighborhoods, create individual landing pages for each one. This helps Google understand which locations you service and improves your chances of ranking for those areas.
• Add your business to local directories: In addition to Google My Business, ensure your business is listed in other reputable local directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and other industry-specific directories. These citations can improve your visibility and help with local SEO.
• Use schema markup: Adding schema markup to your website's code allows search engines to better understand your business details and display rich snippets in search results (such as your address, phone number, and hours).

Focusing on local SEO ensures that when someone nearby searches for your services, you’re more likely to appear on the first page of Google search results.

3. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices

With more and more people using smartphones to search for services while on the go, having a mobile-optimized website is essential. Google ranks websites based on their mobile-friendliness, so if your website isn’t mobile-responsive, it could negatively impact your rankings.

How to Optimize Your Website for Mobile:

• Make sure it’s responsive: Your website should automatically adjust to fit any screen size, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
• Increase loading speed: Mobile users expect fast-loading pages. Slow websites can lead to a poor user experience, increasing bounce rates, and lowering your rankings. You can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to test your site’s speed and get recommendations for improvement.
• Simplify navigation: On mobile devices, space is limited, so ensure that your website’s navigation is straightforward. Keep the most important information (such as your phone number and services) easy to access.
• Optimize for touch: Buttons and links should be large enough to click easily on a mobile screen, and forms should be easy to fill out on a phone.

By optimizing your website for mobile devices, you’ll improve user experience and increase your chances of ranking higher in mobile search results, ultimately attracting more customers.

4. Create High-Quality, Helpful Content

Google prioritizes websites that provide valuable, high-quality content to users. When you create content that answers your customers’ questions, addresses their concerns, or solves their problems, Google is more likely to rank your website higher in search results.

For contractors, content marketing is an excellent way to showcase your expertise and build trust with potential customers. Content such as blog posts, how-to guides, FAQs, and customer case studies can help you stand out from competitors and boost your Google visibility.

Content Ideas for Contractors:

• Service pages: Create dedicated pages for each of the services you offer (e.g., plumbing, electrical, roofing). Each page should detail the specific service, its benefits, and why your business is the best choice for the job.
• Blog posts: Write blog posts about common issues your customers face, such as "How to Fix a Leaky Faucet" or "5 Tips for Maintaining Your HVAC System." Include keywords that potential customers are likely to search for.
• Customer success stories: Share testimonials, reviews, or detailed case studies from satisfied customers to demonstrate your value and build trust.

Not only will high-quality content help your site rank better on Google, but it will also position your business as a trusted expert in your field.

5. Leverage Vehicle Wraps for Additional Branding and Visibility

While this one is a bit more unconventional for Google visibility, it’s an important step in establishing a well-rounded marketing strategy. Vehicle wraps are a powerful form of outdoor advertising, and they help increase brand recognition wherever you go. For contractors, your work vehicles are already out in the community every day. Why not turn them into mobile billboards?

How Vehicle Wraps Can Boost Your Visibility:

• Increase local brand awareness: When your branded vehicles are driving around town, they’re constantly exposing your business to potential customers. A well-designed vehicle wrap can make your brand instantly recognizable and create word-of-mouth referrals.
• Improve trust and professionalism: A clean, professional-looking vehicle wrap makes your business appear established and trustworthy. It shows that you take your brand seriously and are committed to providing quality service.
• Include your Google My Business info: Adding your Google My Business phone number and website URL to your vehicle wrap encourages potential customers to look you up online, making it easier for them to find you.

By investing in vehicle wraps, you’re not only increasing brand awareness but also making it easier for people to discover your business online through Google.

Conclusion

Improving your Google visibility is one of the best ways to attract more customers and grow your contracting business. By following these five simple yet effective steps—claiming and optimizing your Google My Business profile, focusing on local SEO, optimizing your website for mobile, creating valuable content, and leveraging vehicle wraps—you can boost your rankings and make it easier for potential clients to find you.

If you need help implementing these strategies or want a comprehensive marketing plan that includes digital marketing, vehicle wraps, brand development, and logo creation, Bananas Creative is here to help. We specialize in helping contractors improve their online visibility and grow their businesses. To learn more about how we can assist you, visit Bananas Creative Contact Page or call us at 780-885-5285. Let’s work together to make your business stand out on Google and beyond!

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