Let’s talk about something most contractors don’t think about u, SEO.  I know, I know… Most business owners don’t understand it and a lot of business owners feel like it’s nothing more than a scam, but trust me, if you’re a local contractor, SEO is your best friend.

Think about it. If someone is in need of say a plumber or maybe an electrician or an air conditioning or an air conditioning tech where are they going to search? Google.

They’re not flipping through phone books. They’re typing “best electrician near me” or “AC repair in Henderson” on their phones. And guess what? If your business isn’t showing up, you’re handing customers over to your competitors.

So, let’s break this down without the tech jargon. Here’s what you can do to start getting found on Google.

Step 1: Claim Your Google Business Profile (It’s Free, So Do It Now)

If you don’t already have a Google Business Profile (formerly called Google My Business), stop what you’re doing and get one.  This is the easiest way to show up when people search for services in your area.

📌 How to set it up:

• Go to Google Business Profile and sign in.
• Fill out EVERYTHING.  Business name, phone number, website, hours, and services.
• Upload genuine photos of your work, team, or truck.  (Stock photos don’t build trust.)

📌 How to rank higher:

• Get reviews. Happy customers? Ask them to leave a review.  More positive reviews = higher rankings.
• Keep your info updated.  If your hours change, update them.  If you move locations, fix it.

Example:

Let’s say you’re a roofing contractor in Denver.  When someone searches “roof repair near me,” Google shows the company with the best reviews, recent updates, and real pictures first.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Website Doesn’t Suck

Let’s be honest—many contractor websites look like they haven’t been touched since 2005.

If your site looks outdated, loads slowly, or worse, you don’t have one, guess what?  Customers are bouncing.

📌 Your website should have:

✅ A clean homepage that tells visitors who you are and what you do.

✅ A contact page with a precise phone number and a simple contact form.

✅ A services page that lists EXACTLY what you offer (Google loves this).

✅ A few blog posts answer common customer questions (more on later).

🔹 Pro Tip: Make sure your phone number is clickable.  Someone on their phone should be able to tap it and call you immediately.

Step 3: Use the Right Words (Keywords Matter!)

Alright, let’s talk keywords.  These are just the words people use when looking for services on Google. If you’re an HVAC company in Phoenix, you want to be showing up for things like:

🔹 “AC repair Las Vegas”

🔹 “Best HVAC company near me”

🔹 “Air conditioning installation Henderson”

📌 How to find the right keywords:

1️⃣ Go to Google and start typing in your service.  Google will auto-suggest what people commonly search for.

2️⃣ Use a free tool like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find more search terms.

3️⃣ Add these naturally to your website content—DON’T just dump them everywhere.

Example:

Instead of: “We are the best AC company. We do AC repair in Phoenix, AC installation in Phoenix, and Phoenix AC maintenance.”

Write: “Need fast and reliable AC repair in Phoenix? Our expert team provides top-rated air conditioning services, including installation and maintenance.  Call us today for a free estimate!”

See the difference?  One sounds natural, and the other sounds spammy.

Step 4: Write Blog Posts That Answer Customer Questions

This is huge, and so many contractors ignore it.  People Google their problems first before they call someone.

📌 Example blog topics:

✔ “Why is My Water Heater Making Weird Noises?” (Plumbers)

✔ “How Often Should I Replace My Roof Shingles?” (Roofers)

✔ “The Best Energy-Efficient Windows for Cold Climates” (Window Installers)

If a homeowner finds your blog post, learns from it, and sees that YOU are the expert, guess what?  They’re going to call YOU.

🚀 Action Tip:

Post one helpful article per month.  Doesn’t have to be fancy—answer common questions you get from customers.

Step 5: Get Backlinks (Think of It as Street Cred for Google)

Google trusts websites that other websites link to.  These are called backlinks, and they’re a significant ranking factor.

📌 Easy ways to get backlinks:

✔ Submit your site to local directories (Yelp, HomeAdvisor, Angi, BBB).

✔ Write guest posts for industry blogs (like this one!).

✔ Partner with local businesses and trade links (Example: A roofer linking to a gutter company and vice versa).

🔹 The More Links You Get, The More Google Trusts You.

Step 6: Don’t Forget Social Media (Yes, Even for Contractors)

I know—you’re not a “social media” kind of business. But guess what? People check Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok before hiring a company.

📌 How to Use Social Media for Your Business:

✔ Post-before-and-after photos of your work.

✔ Share customer testimonials.

✔ Post short DIY tips (people love quick fixes).

✔ Promote seasonal offers (like HVAC tune-ups before summer).

🚀 Action Tip:

Pick ONE social platform (Facebook is great for contractors) and post once a week.

The Bottom Line: SEO = More Calls, More Customers, More Money

SEO isn’t some magical hack—it’s just about making it easy for people to find you online. If you:

• Set up Google My Business
• Have a decent website
• Use the right keywords
• Post useful content
• Get a few backlinks
• Stay somewhat active on social media

…you WILL start getting more calls and more customers.

Best of all, this is free marketing. There are no paid ads, no cold calling, just being visible where customers are already looking.

So, what’s the move?

🚀 Are you going to let your competition take all the online traffic?

Or 🚀 Are you going to get serious about SEO and start showing up on Google?

It’s your call.