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Author: Michael Pollaci

I know you are just looking for someone who you can trust. But, how do you know? Truth is you can never know. You have to trust your gut on this.

What makes me different and why should you trust me? Unlike most of the techies in this industry, I started swinging a hammer when I was very young. In the late 70’s I was installing aluminum storm windows with my grandfather in Brooklyn. I knew how to bend aluminum on a brake when I was twelve. I spent my teens and 20’s building decks. I spent my 30’s on a roof or on a pick and pump jacks and my 40’s in some kind of construction management capacity. I have held just about every position possible in construction from residential home improvements to large scale and phased commercial construction.

I left construction in 2007 during the market crash and had to reinvent myself. I have completed approximately 150 websites and or projects in varying industries (mostly contracting) and with varying results. To be perfectly frank, the first website I did for a plumber came out horrible. I did it for $500! The point is, I constantly improved my skill set just as I did in construction – from apprentice using a yankee screwdriver to install storm windows in Brooklyn to a project manager managing multimillion dollar projects in Manhattan.

Simply put. I know your business, your day to day struggles and more importantly, your customers. If you are looking for someone who can talk the talk and understand the lingo. Someone who understands your customers. Someone who has been through the trenches. Someone you can communicate with. I am your guy.

If you are looking for just another flash in the pan or someone who will kowtow to you, move on and save us all some time. I am here to work with serious people and produce real results.

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Marketing for Builders and Tradesmen Off The Ladder

Getting Your Brand and Website Ready for the Spring Busy Season

The image features a glowing red target symbol with a person’s finger pointing directly at its center. Arrows radiate outwards, connecting to silhouettes of people, emphasizing the concept of a "Target Audience," which is displayed as text on the left. This visual represents the idea of identifying and reaching a specific audience effectively, aligning with the theme of preparing brands and websites for increased customer engagement during the spring season.
Spring is right around the corner, and for contractors, that means the busy season is about to kick into high gear. Homeowners and businesses alike will be eager to start renovations, remodels, and new builds once the weather warms up. The question is—will your brand and website be ready to meet that demand and stand out from your competition?

A Winter Website Guide for Home Improvement Contractors

Spring is right around the corner, and for contractors, that means the busy season is about to kick into high gear. Homeowners and businesses alike will be eager to start renovations, remodels, and new builds once the weather warms up. The question is—will your brand and website be ready to meet that demand and stand out from your competition?

The truth is, many contractors miss out on the spring rush because their online presence isn’t sending the right message or attracting the right clients. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you this year.

Why Your Brand and Website Matter More Than Ever

In today’s market, your website and brand aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re your most important sales tools. Homeowners aren’t flipping through the yellow pages anymore; they’re searching online for the contractor that best fits their needs.

Here’s the challenge: It’s not just about having a website. It’s about having a website that reflects the professionalism, skill, and personality of your business. Your brand and website should:

  • Showcase your expertise in a way that makes clients feel confident you’re the right fit for their project.
  • Attract your ideal clients—the ones who value your work and are willing to pay for quality.
  • Set you apart from the sea of competitors in your market.

If your website is outdated, hard to navigate, or doesn’t represent the kind of work you want to do, you might be unintentionally driving away the clients you’d love to work with.

Quick Brand and Website Refresh Tips for Spring

Whether you’re a general contractor, home improvement specialist, or custom home builder, here are some simple ways to get your brand and website ready for spring:

  1. Update Your Portfolio – Spring is the perfect time to showcase recent projects. Add high-quality photos of your best work to your website. Highlight the types of jobs you want more of—whether it’s custom home builds, kitchen remodels, or outdoor living spaces.
  2. Tighten Up Your Messaging – Does your website clearly communicate what you do and who you do it for? Your ideal clients should be able to tell within seconds of landing on your site that you’re the contractor they’ve been looking for. Use language that speaks directly to their needs, like:
    • “We specialize in custom homes built to fit your lifestyle.”
    • “Transforming kitchens into functional, beautiful spaces for your family.”
  3. Optimize for Mobile – A growing number of homeowners are browsing contractor websites on their phones. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly, with fast loading speeds and easy navigation. A poorly functioning mobile site can cost you leads.
  4. Refresh Your Branding – Does your logo, color scheme, and overall branding reflect the kind of projects you want to attract? If not, it might be time for a brand update. Consistent, professional branding builds trust and helps you stand out.
  5. Make It Easy to Contact You – Clients should never have to hunt for your phone number, email, or contact form. Place clear calls-to-action throughout your site, encouraging visitors to reach out for a quote or consultation.

Don’t Just Prepare for Spring—Plan for the Long-Term

While it’s important to be ready for the immediate demand of the spring season, the most successful contractors use this time to set themselves up for long-term success. That’s where the Builders Brand Schematic comes in.

The Builders Brand Schematic is a proven process we’ve developed to help contractors like you create a clear plan for your brand and website. It’s not just about looking good online—it’s about creating a system that consistently attracts the right clients, so you can spend your time doing the work you love most.

When you have a strong plan in place, you’re not just surviving the busy season—you’re thriving in it. You’ll stand out from the competition, take on more profitable projects, and build relationships with clients you love working with.

Ready to make this spring your most successful season yet? Let’s start building your plan today.

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Off The Ladder

Winter Survival Guide for Contractors: Planning Like a Pro

A big house covered with white snow during winter
By embracing a proactive planning approach, you're not just surviving the winter; you're thriving in it. Don't let the cold catch you off guard – start planning like a pro today!

Hey there, fellow builders!

Winter is knocking at the door, and it’s time to gear up for the season ahead. In this installment of our Winter Survival Guide, we’re delving into a crucial strategy: planning like a pro.
As temperatures drop and snowflakes start to fall, the importance of meticulous planning becomes evident. You can’t control the weather, but you can control how you respond to it. And that’s where the magic happens.

The key to a successful winter construction season for contractors is preparation. It all starts during the summer months, this is the time to start planning your winter projects, allowing you to avoid weather-related delays.

One essential tip is to schedule exterior work earlier in the season, capitalizing on the milder weather. As winter sets in, transition to indoor projects, ensuring a smooth workflow throughout the season. Flexibility is your ally here, and offering incentives to customers who allow you to phase projects can make all the difference.

By embracing a proactive planning approach, you’re not just surviving the winter; you’re thriving in it. Don’t let the cold catch you off guard – start planning like a pro today!
For a comprehensive guide on how to master the art of winter planning and keep your business running smoothly, check out the full blog post here: Maximizing Winter Downtime: A Contractors Blueprint for a Flourishing Business.

 

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Maximizing Winter Downtime: How Prebuilding Components Can Keep Your Crew Employed

High angle view of two carpenters drawing on wooden planks
Purchase wood at this season's prices, and instead of battling the winter cold, mill standard-sized lengths, prebuild benches, landscape holders, rail components, and more in the comfort of your shop.

As the chill in the air begins to settle, we’re diving into a game-changing strategy for contractors to conquer the cold months: prebuilding components. If you’re a deck contractor, this one’s especially for you, but the principles can apply across the construction spectrum.

Winter can be harsh on materials, with freezing temperatures rendering wood brittle and unforgiving. Job sites become icy landscapes, and outdoor work can be impossible. But what if I told you there’s a way to save money and keep your crew employed during these challenging months?

Enter the art of prebuilding components. Picture this: you purchase wood at this season’s prices, and instead of battling the winter cold, you mill standard-sized lengths, prebuild benches, landscape holders, rail components, and more in the comfort of your shop.

It’s a game-changer on multiple fronts. First, you’re capitalizing on lower wood prices. Second, you keep your crew productive and employed, avoiding layoffs during the slow season. And third, when spring arrives, you’re armed with a stockpile of prebuilt components ready for installation.

The benefits are clear: cost savings, continuous work for your team, and a head start on your projects when the thaw comes. So, consider the pre-building strategy this winter to keep your business thriving.

For a deeper dive into how you can transform your winter downtime into productive uptime, check out our latest article ” Maximizing Winter Downtime: A Contractors Blueprint for a Flourishing Business“

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Maximizing Winter Downtime: A Contractors Blueprint for a Flourishing Business

Maximizing Winter Downtime: A Contractors Blueprint for a Flourishing Business
How contractors and custom home builders can beat winter slowdowns.

How contractors and custom home builders can beat winter slowdowns.

As the dog days of summer give way to the crisp air of autumn, many home builders and general contractors start bracing themselves for the challenges of winter construction. Contractors and home builders know that with the plummeting temperatures and potential snowfall, the industry faces many obstacles during the colder months. However, by planning ahead and embracing the opportunities that winter offers, contractors can keep their businesses bustling all year round.

Winter weather presents a myriad of challenges to construction projects especially in the mid-western and northern parts of America where it can get brutally cold and blustery. High winds turn your job site into a disaster area with materials and debris blowing all over the place. Cold rain and snow create ice skating rinks in the smallest of puddles and exposed surfaces. And frozen ground can be as tough as concrete, making digging impossible at best. Plus, your materials can become brittle, frozen, or simply unusable.

Winter’s challenges aren’t just physical. The slowdown means fewer clients and possibly a dip in revenue too. It could mean layoffs for your crew members, or struggles with your vendors, or weeks without pay for yourself. Winter can make or break a contractor.

But, for contractors and custom home builders who embrace the cold, it isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. Planning and a commitment to being agile can help you overcome most of the obstacles winter presents. In fact, it can transform your business into a year-round money maker. Here are just a few ways you can turn the cold and dreary winter forecast into a season to looking forward to.

  • Contractors Have to Plan Like a Pro

    The key to a successful winter construction season for contractors is preparation. Start planning for winter projects during the summer to avoid weather-related delays. Schedule exterior work earlier in the season, and transition to indoor projects as winter sets in. Keep a flexible approach and incentivize your customers to allow you to phase projects completing the exterior work weeks or even months in advance of the interior work.

  • Home Builder Diversification

    Custom home builders can consider offering additional services, such as basement finishing, garage finishing, kitchen and bath remodels, etc. Diversifying your offerings can help maintain a steady stream of clients and revenue during the winter. You could even throw a plow on some of your heavier duty trucks to add a revenue stream. Get creative.

  • Prebuild Components

    If you’re a deck contractor you can purchase wood at this season’s prices and mill standard sized lengths or prebuild benches, landscape holders, rail components and more. This is just one example of how a contractor can save money, stay productive, and keep your crew employed during the winter months.

  • Improving Your Skills and Knowledge

    Winter does not have to mean downtime. You can improve your own skill and knowledge by getting material, manufacturer, or tool certifications. You can take courses through your local builder’s association about codes, laws, or regulations affecting your industry. You can even plan company-wide training to improve the work and knowledge of your employees. All these activities can have a direct effect on the reputation of your company and the amount you can charge for your services in future seasons.

  • Building Relationships

    Maintaining strong relationships with existing clients and networking with other professionals can lead to valuable referrals. Join local networking groups and focus on marketing efforts to keep potential new business flowing in, even during slow periods. You can also create a referral incentive system to employ your past customers to help you find new ones to keep your backlog full.

  • Buy a Fixer Upper

    You have the skills. You have the tools. You have the crew. You’re a custom home builder or contractor… what’s stopping you? Buy a fixer upper you can work on all winter and sell in the spring. This is a great way to produce revenue and keep your crew employed all winter.

  • Take a Break

    Don’t overlook your own health. Sometimes a long and extended break during the hardest of the winter weeks is just what you need to recharge yourself for next spring. Avoid burning out and take some time to pamper yourself.

  • Improve Your Online Game

    How’s your online presence looking? Bit rusty? Don’t sweat it. You have plenty of time to get your online game into shape before the busy season of spring. You may say, “But wait! I’m not a marketing guy nor do I know how to build a website.”

    Here’s our shameless plug…

    That’s where the Builders Brand Schematic comes in. Think of it as a tune-up for your business. We’ll sit with you, have a chat about what you want, and map out a game plan. We’ll fix up your website, make sure your brand looks sharp, and set you up for success online. Imagine this: by spring, not only are you taking on projects you love, but you’re also working with the kind of people you want to have a beer with after the job’s done.

You see winter doesn’t have to be a struggle for home builders or contractors. While it can be challenging, with proper planning and some minor mindset changes winter can be as profitable, busy, and productive as any other season.

So, as winter approaches, gear up, stay prepared, and make the most of the chilly season with these practical tips. Happy building!

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Einstein’s Parable

Planning Your Brand and Website Isn't Rocket Science
Planning for your brand and website doesn't have to be rocket science. As long as you are willing to make changes hen necessary, a simple plan is better than no plan at all.

Einstein’s Parable

A good leader has the humility to admit to themselves and others that what they thought would work, isn’t, then have the courage to change. As Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Let’s apply Einstein’s logic to your goals and the plan you created to reach them.

At the beginning of the year, we discussed the importance of creating a plan for your brand and website to help you achieve your business’s goals. Now that a new quarter has begun, it’s time to review your plan to see if it’s helping you reach the goals you set at the beginning of the year.

Have your goals changed? Is your plan moving you towards your goals? Is the plan working for you or are you finding yourself in a constant tug of war with it? Are some parts working and others not? Will you do the same thing this quarter and expect a different result?

Let’s remember that planning for your brand and website goals doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not rocket science or the kind of physics Einstein researched. A simple plan is better than no plan at all. But a plan that doesn’t adapt to changes in your business or a plan that isn’t working is just as bad as not having any plan at all.

Changing Your Plan

One of the mistakes business owners make is steadfastly sticking with a plan no matter the outcome. They’re too proud or short-sighted to see when they’re plan isn’t working. The hard truth is sometimes our plans just don’t work well. You know, the whole, “best laid plans of mice and men” thing.

It happens.

It happens all the time.

Remember, people depend on you to close on new projects to keep your business afloat and keep them fed. They depend on you for the plan to make that all happen.

Yeah. That sucks.

But, that’s what you signed up for when you decided to open a business.

You decided to be the leader.

And, as a leader, you have a responsibility to your team and customers to have a clear vision of what your company does, who you do it for, and how to reach them.

But sometimes, even with the best plan in place, things don’t go as expected. That’s where adaptability comes in – the willingness to pivot and try something new.

How do I change My Plan?

The key to success is having the humility to admit when something isn’t working, and the courage to make a change. It’s hard. Especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and resources into your original plan. But ultimately, if the plan isn’t achieving your goals, it’s better to accept the fact and change your tact.

With all that being said, you shouldn’t abandon a well thought out plan at the first sign of trouble. It’s important to give your plan time to work and measure its effectiveness. If some parts of the plan are working and others aren’t, focus on what’s working and adjust the rest.

As you study the metrics and gain some insight on how effective your plan is, you may discover new opportunities or challenges requiring a different approach. It’s an ongoing and iterative process and by continuously iterating and adjusting your plan, you have the opportunity to build a strong brand that resonates with your target audience, helps you close more deals, and keeps everyone fed and happy.

After all, isn’t that the point.

What are the Benefits to Changing Your Plan?

There are loads of benefits to adapting your plan as you go rather than being hard-headed and single-minded. It gives you the chance to stay competitive in a constantly changing business. Capabilities, manufacturer product improvements, customer behavior, and trends are constantly changing, and if you’re not willing to adapt, you will fail.

Another benefit is change may lead to innovation in your business model and new ideas. Simply by trying new approaches and taking some calculated risks to reach your goals, you may discover new opportunities helping you stay ahead of the curve and position you and your brand as a leader in your industry.

So, how can you ensure that you’re adapting your plan effectively? Here are a few tips:

  • Set clear goals and metrics

    Before you start your plan, define your goals and how you’ll measure success. This will help you stay focused and make data-driven decisions about whether or not to adjust your plan.

  • Monitor your progress

    Regularly track your progress and be humble enough to adjust your plan if you’re not seeing the results you need.

  • Gather feedback

    Get feedback from your team. Remember they’re in this with you and may have some insights into what’s working and what’s not that you can’t see. Use their feedback to help you make the hard decisions.

  • Be open-minded

    Keep an open mind and be willing to try new approaches, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. You never know what might work until you try it.

  • Learn from your mistakes

    Accept that not every plan will work out perfectly and be willing to learn from them.

Where Can I Get Help Creating a Plan for My Business?

The good news is with a plan and the humility and vision to alter that plan as you go, you can build a strong brand with clear messaging. You don’t have to be the case study for Einstein’s parable. Plan, measure, and iterate. Don’t do the same thing over and over again.

Schedule a Builders Brand Schematic and we’ll help you create a plan to work with people you love to work for on projects you love to work on.

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The Power of Focus: How a Clear and Consistent Message Can Help You Attract the Right Clients for Your Contracting Business

Attract the Right Clients for Your Contracting Business
A focused brand, website, and marketing on one type of service or customer is essential for custom home builders and contractors who want to stand out. Call Contractor Websites Plus for the plan to fit your company's needs.

Why It’s Important to Attract the Right Clients

As a contractor your goal is to showcase your expertise and attract the right clients who are willing to pay for it. However, with more and more competition in the market, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out. Some contractors find themselves in a race to the bottom on price that costs more than just money. The race to the bottom can cost them their livelihood.

This is where having a clear and focused brand, website, and marketing strategy comes into play.

With a clear and focused strategy across all your brand assets you’ll gain clarity and consistency, you’ll be able to run highly targeted and cost-effective marketing campaigns, you’ll be able to show potential Clients you are the expert they are looking for, and finally, you’ll be able to convert more potential clients into paying clients.

A Contracting Allegory 😊

I will explain each one of those topics individually but first here’s a quick allegory…

Actually, it’s a true story.

It’s my story from many years ago when I was still swinging a hammer on Staten Island back in the 90’s. And, although this story takes place well before the age of Google, it still holds true today.

I’m still going to tell it as an allegory…

A home improvement contractor named Michael wanted to attract as many clients as possible, so he offered a wide range of services, from basement finishing to roofing. He advertised himself as a general contractor, hoping to appeal to everyone.

However, Michael soon realized that his approach wasn’t working. Clients were confused by his lack of specialization.  And, because Michael didn’t have the opportunity to build a deep understanding of any particular service and develop the skills and knowledge needed to deliver consistently high-quality work, the quality of his work was inconsistent, so Michael wasn’t attracting enough clients to keep his contracting business afloat.

Michael decided to focus on selling himself as a roofing and siding contractor because he loved being outdoors and loved working at heights most people would shy away from. He went to great lengths to educate himself about roofing and siding materials, products, and installation techniques, and started advertising himself as the roofing and siding specialist.

He became known for his expertise in roofing and siding, and soon was attracting the kinds of high-paying clients he loved working for on the kinds of projects he loved working on.

As Michael’s reputation grew, he became the go-to contractor for high-end homeowners looking for a roofing and siding contractor. He found his niche and was thriving, so he no longer had to work for anyone with a heartbeat and a wallet.

Just like Michael… or rather just like me back then when I had hair and could see my toes :-), a home improvement contractor who tries to offer a wide range of services will struggle to stand out in a competitive market. By focusing on one type of service or one type of avatar, they can demonstrate their expertise, reach the right people, and build a strong reputation in the industry.

Reasons to Focus Your Contracting Brand, Website, and Marketing

Enough allegories, hidden meanings, and interpretations. Let’s get into the five reasons I gave before about why it’s essential to focus your branding, website, and marketing on one type of service or one type of client:

Clarity and Consistency:

Focusing on one type of service or and client helps you communicate a clear message to your target audience. When your branding, website, and marketing efforts are all aligned and consistent, your potential clients will know exactly what you offer and what sets you apart from your competitors.

Targeted Marketing:

By focusing on one type of service for one kind of client, you can tailor your marketing efforts to reach the right people. For example, if you specialize in building luxury homes, your marketing efforts should be geared towards high-end prospects. If you specialize in decks for average neighborhood homes, your marketing efforts can be focused on middle income clientele.

Expertise:

When you focus on one type of service, you demonstrate your expertise in that area. This will increase the credibility of your brand, help build trust with potential clients, and help you stand out above the crowded field of generalists.

Cost-effective:

Focusing on one type of service can help you save money on marketing and advertising expenses too. When you know who your target audience is and what you specialize in, you can tailor your marketing efforts to reach them more effectively and efficiently.

Increased conversions:

When your branding, website, and marketing efforts are all focused on one type of service for one type of client, you increase the chances of converting visitors into clients. A clear and consistent message will help potential clients understand what you offer and how you can meet their needs.

Stop Racing to the Bottom

I get it. I’ve been there…

I’ve struggled to keep my business afloat. I’ve begged and borrowed to make payroll week to week. I know as a home improvement contractor, a custom home builder, or a tradesman it can be tempting to try to sign everyone by offering the basement, the roof, the deck, and even the kitchen sink. But this approach leads to poor work and a lack of specialization that makes it difficult to stand out in a highly competitive market.

Focusing your branding, website, and marketing on one type of service or customer is essential for custom home builders and contractors who want to stand out. By creating a clear and consistent message, you’ll be able to reach the right people, demonstrate your expertise, save money on marketing expenses, and increase conversions.

Stop racing to the bottom with the others.

You’ll be able to work for the kinds of people you love working for on the kinds of projects you love working on.

After all, isn’t that what it’s all about?

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FABA Framework Marketing for Builders and Tradesmen Off The Ladder

Optimizing Your Home Building Website

Optimize your website for success.
To ensure that your website is meeting its full potential and driving your business forward, there are a few key steps you can take to optimize it. Call Contractor Websites Plus for help with your contractor website. (540) 318-1800.

Optimizing Your Home Building Website

Now that you have a plan for your website, it’s time to start taking action. To ensure that your website is meeting its full potential and driving your business forward, there are a few key steps you can take.

Optimization Keys

First, make sure your website is optimized for search engine results. This means doing some basic keyword research, including the most relevant keywords in your content, and optimizing your website for mobile. This will help your website show up higher in search engine results and ensure potential customers can find it easily.

Second, consider creating a blog. Blogging is a great way to keep your website content fresh and engaging. Share industry insights, stories, or tips to keep your website visitors informed and interested.

Third, invest in good hosting to improve page speeds, caching, security and more. With increased competition on the web you want to find advantages wherever you can. Stay away from bargain basement hosting platforms; yes, they’re cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Finally, stay up to date with industry trends. Consider incorporating virtual or augmented reality to showcase your designs or adding some interactive elements to keep visitors engaged.

What’s next?

By taking these steps, you can make sure your website is living up to its full potential. A website plan is only the first step – make sure to take action and invest in your website to ensure it is driving your business forward.

Need some help optimizing your website? Schedule a fit call to see if a Builders Brand Schematic is the right fit for you and we’ll help you create a plan to optimize your website and brand.

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10 Essential Website Goals and Objectives for Contractors

Goal Setting image
Learn the 10 Essential Website Goals and Objectives for Contractors in 2023. This guide will help you plan for your website goals in 2023 and beyond.

As a contractor, your website is a key marketing tool for your business. Yes, word of mouth is critical and still a huge part of your business but there are more and more people looking to validate someone’s suggestion rather than take it on merit. That’s why it’s essential to start the year with a plan for your contractor website. Here are 10 essential website goals and objectives for contractors to consider in 2023:

  1. Increase website traffic: One way to boost the success of your contracting business is to increase the number of visitors to your website. You can do this through tactics like creating valuable and shareable content, improving your search engine rankings, and running online advertising campaigns.
  2. Generate leads: Your website can also be a powerful tool for generating leads for your contracting business. Consider adding forms or calls to action that encourage visitors to provide their contact information or offer valuable resources in exchange for an email address.
  3. Improve user experience: Making your website easier to navigate, faster to load, and more mobile-friendly can all help improve the user experience for your contractor website visitors.
  4. Increase conversions: If you sell contracting services through your website, your goal might be to increase the number of conversions – that is, the number of visitors who take a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.
  5. Enhance brand awareness: Building brand awareness is an important goal for any contracting business, and your website can play a key role. This might involve creating a cohesive brand identity on your site to be in line with your social media promotions or online advertising campaigns.
  6. Boost customer engagement: Engaging with customers is an important part of building and maintaining relationships. You might aim to increase customer engagement by adding a blog or forum to your website.
  7. Increase revenue: Ultimately, your website can be a powerful tool for increasing revenue for your contracting business. This might involve optimizing your checkout process for contracting services and or maintenance services or running promotions and sales.
  8. Improve search engine rankings: Another goal might be to improve the ranking of your website on search engines like Google. This can be achieved through search engine optimization (SEO) strategies like keyword research and optimization, link building, and creating high-quality content.
  9. Expand into new markets: If you’re looking to expand your contracting business into new markets, your website can be a valuable tool. This might involve creating multilingual versions of your site or targeting specific regions or demographics with your marketing efforts.
  10. Enhance customer service: Finally, you may want to focus on using your website to improve customer service for your contracting business. This might involve adding a live chat function, creating a FAQ page, or offering online customer support.

These are just a few of the many goals and objectives that contractors can set for their websites in 2023 to ensure that your website is a valuable asset for your business.

If you need help deciding on what goals are right for your contracting business or just need help implementing them, give us a call. We’ll talk and see if you are a good fit for the Builders Brand Schematic.

The Builders Brand Schematic starts with a deep-dive interview where we get to know everything about your business – where you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go – and then deliver a detailed schematic to help you build the brand and website to reach your goals.

The Builders Brand Schematic includes everything you need to sharpen your messaging and the plan to start dominating your market so you can move your brand forward immediately.

It’s like hiring an architect to draw up the plans for your brand and website for only $695.

Click here to get started today…

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What’s Your Website Plan?

How to set website goals.
Need some help setting goals for your website? Contact Contractor Websites Plus for a Builders Brand Schematic and we’ll help you create a plan for your website and brand.

As a home builder, it’s crucial to start the year with a game plan for your website. Think of your website as the MVP of your marketing strategy – without it, you’ll find growing and scaling your business difficult.

But what’s the point of having a website if it’s not living up to its full potential? That’s where a solid plan comes in. Set some goals for the year, like increasing website traffic, generating more leads, or improving the user experience. Then create a game plan to achieve those goals. Maybe that means creating fresh content, implementing some SEO tactics, or giving your website a makeover.

Staying up to date with industry trends is also crucial. Just because you’re building homes doesn’t mean you can’t have a cutting-edge website. Consider incorporating virtual or augmented reality to showcase your designs or adding some interactive elements to keep visitors engaged.

Need some help setting goals for your website? Contact Contractor Websites Plus for a Builders Brand Schematic and we’ll help you create a plan for your website and brand.

And let’s not forget about budgeting. By identifying your website goals, you’ll know exactly how much time and money to invest in your online presence. Don’t skimp on your website – it’s the face of your business.

In short, a plan for your website is non-negotiable for the success of your home building business. Set some goals, stay current, and allocate your resources wisely and your website will be the all-star of your marketing strategy.

Need some help setting goals for your website? Schedule a fit call to see if a Builders Brand Schematic is the right fit for you and we’ll help you create a plan for your website and brand.

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Look Backwards to See the Path Forward

This time of year can be difficult as a small business owner. It’s so easy to ruminate about the past year and what hasn’t gone right, what hasn’t worked well, and what you would do differently.

It’s just as easy to look back and give yourself a pat on the back for what went right, what worked, and what you did well.

But, maybe instead of the pats on the back or the ruminations, we should look back at how we handled each failure and each success?

Life and business begin again with the start of every new year. There will be new hurdles to overcome, new failures to endure, and hopefully even greater successes to celebrate.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

That’s what keeps life interesting.

It’s how you allow yourself to react to new obstacles that makes for a good or bad year.

So, let’s look forward, not to wins and losses but instead to growth. Growth through the lessons learned by looking back at the obstacles we faced and how we faced them.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Michael and Patty Pollaci of Contractor Websites Plus and 610 Merchant Services.

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FABA Framework Off The Ladder

A thought on pricing…

A thought on pricing - Featured Image from Contractor Websites P

A thought on pricing…

If you want to sell 50-year architectural shingles with copper valleys, trim and gutters you wouldn’t want to market in your typical 40 x 100 lot neighborhood where they’re programmed to pay $150 to $250 per square.

It would be a waste of your time.

Your market lives in neighborhoods with million-dollar plus homes where home values are much more dependent on aesthetics and curb appeal.

You provide value by solving one or more of these pain points:

  • I want my house to look beautiful (aesthetics)
  • I am selling and need to add some value to my house (equity)
  • Carol just had hers done now mine looks like crap! (jealousy)
  • There is an HOA and standards to meet (requirements)
  • I want the best of the best no matter the cost! (vanity)

A well appointed home with large complicated roof The customer is focused more on the outcome than the cost. A $65,000 or $75,000 roof makes much more sense for these customers. Plus, because you’re not competing on price, the opportunity to price on the value you provide becomes much easier.

In the buying cycle pain motivates action and a solution that removes the pain provides immeasurable value for your client – a value they are willing to pay for.

Knowing your ideal client and your market are incredibly powerful tools.

Need some help figuring out your market? Contact us for a Builders Brand Schematic and we’ll help you create a plan to dominate your market.

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FABA Framework Off The Ladder

Need is the mother of (re)invention

Reinventing Yourself in Today's Housing Economy Doesn't have To Be Scary
Reinventing yourself doesn't have to be frightening. You can easily go back to the things you did before you were a custom home builder. Build decks, garages, basements. Contractor Websites Plus can help you go back to swinging the hammer by taking your brand and reinventing it. (540) 318-1800.

We all know the old adage ‘need is the mother of invention’. When it comes to today’s economy and the coming recession, need is going to be the mother of reinvention for some of us.

Reinventing yourself is simply the act of identifying things in your life that no longer serve you and changing them for better options. How you approach reinventing yourself will make all the difference. If you look at reinvention as an opportunity you won’t fear it.

New home builds may slow but past downturns have shown people will be looking to invest in the home they already have. So maybe you’re a custom home builder who misses the simplicity of building a deck and the satisfaction of swinging a hammer then looking back at what you created with pride. If that sounds like you, why not go back to building custom decks, basement buildouts, or even custom garages?

To some, the idea of reinventing yourself may seem frightening but, as someone who reinvented themselves 15 years ago, I can tell you it doesn’t have to be. It can be fun, challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling. In fact, I’m in the midst of reinventing myself again with our newest venture Flusso Software (building productivity and workflow software – shameless plug!).

The coming economic turmoil doesn’t have to be catastrophic and reinventing your self doesn’t have to be frightening. If you need anything to help you reposition yourself and your brand please let me know. I’d love to help.