From Feast-or-Famine to Steady Work - Why Contractors Need a Website
If you own a trade business — roofing, countertops, HVAC, garage doors, tree service, or anything in between — you know the work doesn’t always come in steady. Some months, you’re booked solid. Other months, the phone barely rings. That’s the reality of project-based work. One week you’re swamped with installs, the next you’re wondering where the next lead will come from and if you are going to have enough money in the bank.
Back in 2016, I was working as a handyman, and I lived this reality firsthand. At first, I relied completely on Facebook referrals. Friends would tag me when someone in the community posted, “Does anyone know a handyman?” It worked well for a while. But eventually, those referrals dried up. Going a month without new clients is stressful, to say the least. But it was through this experience that I realized I was relying on a stream of work I couldn’t control.
So, I built myself a website (I had some basic coding skills at the time and no jobs to take up my time) and created a Google Business listing. I didn’t know what to expect, but the results floored me. Not only did I start getting steady calls from people who found me online, but even after I closed my handyman business, to focus on my tech job, I still received inquiries for nearly two years. That’s the power of having an online presence that works for you 24/7.
The Reality for Many Contractors
If you’re in the trades, you’ve probably felt the stress of the ups and downs too. Here are a few reasons why your business might not be steady year round.
- Seasonal slowdowns. Your work can’t be done sustainably all year round so you need your busy seasons to be really busy to carry you through the off seasons.
- One-time jobs. Customers usually only hire you once so you need fresh leads constantly.
- Word of mouth only goes so far. Referrals can keep you busy for a while, but when they dry up, you’re stuck scrambling.
And here’s the truth: in today’s world, most people don’t flip through the phone book or wait to bump into the right person for a recommendation. They search online. They want to see photos of past jobs, certifications, licenses and proof of reliability and credibility before they spend their hard earned money -especially in this 2025 economy.
The Stats Don’t Lie
- 97% of people learn about local companies online first (HubSpot).
- 76% of consumers look at a business’s online presence before hiring (Zippia, 2023).
- Only about 64% of small construction companies even have a website (U.S. SBA, 2023). That means over one-third of your competitors are invisible online.
- Contractors with websites generate 2–3x more leads than those who rely only on social media or directories (HomeAdvisor/Angi).
- 68% of small businesses say a website is essential to attracting new customers (Bluehost, 2024).
In other words: if you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on the majority of customers who are searching for your exact services.
Why a Website Works for Contractors
A professional website + Google Business listing can:
- Put you at the top of local search results when customers need you most.
- Show off your past work, reviews, and services.
- Make you look more professional and trustworthy than competitors who only have a Facebook page.
- Keep generating leads while you’re busy working.
I saw it in my own business, and I see it time and time again with contractors I work with now: a well executed website can be the difference between feast-or-famine work and a steady flow of jobs.
If you’re tired of the ups and downs and ready to have customers finding you — instead of the other way around — it’s time to get a website working for you.
If you don’t have loads of time on your hands or the know-how to build your own website that generates leads and allows clients to book your services, contact me today and we can talk about how to level up your online presence. I’ll take care of creating an amazing website for you so that you can focus on the jobs that earn you income.
