As a contractor, you know the power of a good remodel. Updating something old, tossing out stuff that doesn't work and making way for things that do; an overhaul and restore can have amazing results. So how long has it been since your contractor website has seen a renovation?
Here are the top seven signs your contractor website is begging for an upgrade:
1. It only has One Page
If you are using a single-page, brochure-style web page, it's time for a revamp. Trying to put all of the information about your business on one page leads to confusion for people, and for search engines.
If someone wants specific information, such as how to contact you or a list of services you provide, you want them to find it quickly and easily.
A successful website will be organized into different pages, each with a specific focus. Which pages does your site need? However many it takes to get your point across. Common pages include:
- Home page - who are you and what do you offer?
- About page - an opportunity to provide an overview of your business and what makes you stand apart from your competition
- Services page - a place to list and describe all the services that you offer
- Testimonials page - a place to put referrals and recommendations from previous customers
- Blog page - an opportunity to provide valuable information to your customers
- FAQ page - an opportunity to provide answers to the questions you are most frequently asked about your business or services
- Contact page - a place to list every available way customers can get in touch with you or find your business, including addresses, maps, email, and phone
Single-page websites may have been fine in the 1990s, but they won't cut it today. If you are still using the single-page site, it's definitely time to give your site a remodel.
2. It's Crowded and Complicated
Simple and clean is always the best way to go with your business website. Even if you are using a more modern, multi-page website template, you can still run the risk of having a crowded, unappealing site.
Don't scare off potential clients with an online presence that screams "Cluttered, disorganized chaos!"
Keep it simple by using plenty of whitespace on your web pages. Whitespace is the empty space on a page between graphics, images, columns, and paragraphs.
Whitespace makes your text more readable, your images more powerful, and makes your site look more professional.
3. It's Hard to Read
Do you know the ideal number of fonts to use on a webpage? It's two. Using too many fonts, fonts that are too stylized, or fonts that are too small make your website hard to read.
And no one is going to waste a second of their time squinting at their screen, trying to make sense of a hard-to-read website.
They are just going to leave and find a site that doesn't make them work so hard.
The colors you use on your website can also make it easier or harder to read. Black text on a white page is much easier to read than a light gray text on a white page.
Your website fonts and color choices have the power to chase visitors away from your site before they even have a chance to find out about your expertise, experience, and services -- so choose wisely.
4. It's Hard to Navigate
A visitor to your website should be able to quickly find the information they are looking for, whether that is the services you offer, testimonials from clients, or a phone number to reach you.
The navigation menus on your site will direct them to the right place, so they should be simple, well organized, and easy to read.
Your site layout and navigation should also be intuitive. People have come to expect certain website elements to be in certain places. You don't need to get tricky or try to reinvent the wheel with your website design. Your business website should be functional, with menus along the top where visitors expect to find them, and with commonly accepted titles such as 'Products & Services','Contact Us', and 'Blog'.
5. You're not using Quality Images
Pictures, images, and graphics provide an opportunity to tell a tale, and connect with your website visitors on an emotional level. It could take an entire page of text to convey the same point that a single image does.
Do use pictures and images on your webpages
Do use images thoughtfully -- they should support your topic and reinforce your text
Do use high quality images with a good resolution
Do use images that you have the legal right to use
Don't use screenshots or images that you've copied from Google images
Don't overwhelm the page with images
Don't use pictures that are boring just to include an image on the page
6. You are missing a Testimonials or a Blog Page
There are two crucial pages that every contractor website should have: the testimonials page, and a blog.
Testimonials/ Reviews
Consider your testimonials page your own personal "brag book." When you ask a client for a referral or recommendation, don't forget to ask for a review that you can use on your website.
Testimonials from satisfied clients on your website are the same thing as an enthusiastic, word of mouth recommendation from a trusted friend.
Blog
If your business isn't blogging, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to bring in more leads and get more visitors to your website. A blog provides many benefits for your business, including:
An opportunity to capture more qualified leads
- Better search engine rankings
- A way to stay connected with current clients
- More repeat business
- Building better relationships with current and potential clients
- Opportunity to display industry knowledge and expertise
To put it simply: your contractor website needs a blog if you want to get more website visitors, more qualified leads, and grow your business.
7. It looks bad on a smartphone
Does your website look equally good on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone? A responsive website does. Responsive website design means your site will automatically adjust, no matter what size screen someone is viewing it on. And for today's consumers, this is important.
People are shopping and looking for information on their smartphones and tablets more than ever before.
Americans spend more digital media time (51%) on mobile devices compared to desktop (42%)
And if you want your website to be seen by people who are searching for you, it must be responsive. Google knows that internet users want to have a positive experience on tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices, and rewards responsive sites with higher rankings on the Search Engine Results Page (SERP.)
If you aren't sure if your website is responsive, you can use a tool, such as Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to find out.
Put your expert remodel skills to the test, and give your website the overhaul and update that it needs. Your website is an important marketing tool that can help you grow your business, so give it the attention it deserves.
