Hammers, nails, sub-flooring, insulation, shutters and shingles—these are all elements of a well-built home. And, while they may not seem all that spectacular taken individually, they can all be used together to build an impressive, usable structure. A website is the same way. It has pages, titles, links, graphics, search engine optimized content and other components that when used together will result in a usable, productive space on the Web. And just as a builder should not use an inferior product or skip steps in building a home or office,  a website for a construction company (or any other type of business)  must contain the right elements and features in addition to not leaving anything out.

Considerations for Your Construction Company Website

If you are considering having a website designed for your construction company, it is vital that you carefully consider what you want tit to say about you and your company. This may seem obvious, but at the same time can be a bit daunting—especially if you are more comfortable pouring footings than you are surfing the Web. Fortunately, you don’t have to go solo as there are many web design companies who can help. However if you are considering trying your hand at web design, here are four things to keep in mind.

  1. Determine the purpose of your website. Do you merely want a page that tells who you are or do you want to show work samples, company history and references? Perhaps, what you want ahead of time, so the process is easier.
  2. What do your customers want to know? While your website does need to have a page that tells people who you are, people are more interested in what you can do for them. Be sure your site is simple to use, informative without being too “teach-y” and focuses on your guest’s needs and benefits.
  3. Be sure your website and your reputation match. If your construction company has a reputation for doing top-notch work, but your website is slipshod in appearance, people are likely to bypass you, due to the disconnect between the website and your work.
  4. Recognize that the Web is a community. Your website should contain a variety of elements like backlinks, keywords, a blog, pictures, a place for inquiries and referrals, a call to action and other elements that will make your website and business appealing online.

If things like backlinks, keywords, blogs and the other items mentioned thus far, seem like a foreign language, don’t worry! That’s where hiring a professional web design company comes in. If you are not sure how to select a web designer, check with the BBB, your local chamber of commerce, or check with other area builders to find out who did their websites.

Understanding the Lingo

If you are interested in designing your own construction company website, then being able to understand the basics of web design is a must. After all, just as construction has its own language, so does the world of the Web. To help you understand the lingo of web design, some of the more common terms are defined here.

  • SEO -Search engine optimization; this is the process of increasing the amount of visitors to a website by obtaining a high-ranking placement in the search engine results page (SERP).
  • Call to Action – These are words that urge the reader, listener, or viewer of a sales promotion message to take an immediate action, such as “Write Now,” “Call Now,” or “Click Here”. A retail advertisement or commercial without a call-to-action is considered incomplete and ineffective. Your website should have several opportunities for customers to take action.
  • Blog – This is similar to an online journal that includes chronological entries made by individuals. These entries may be about your latest jobs, accomplishments or even “how-to” posts. In addition, pictures, humorous cartoons and videos are great content for a blog. Keep in mind that a blog needs to have new content added at least once a month. You can opt to write the blog entries yourself or hire someone to do this for you. If you have a web design company develop your website for you, ask if they have a copywriter who can handle this aspect for you. Hiring a copywriter may seem an unnecessary expense, but unless you enjoy writing as much as you enjoy building, you will find that having some to do the writing for you is worth it.
  • Keywords – Much like one would think, keywords are the words or phrases associated with your website/business. They are words or phrases used to narrow down a database or Web search. Talk to friends, family and others if you are not sure what words or phrases they would use to search online for your site. Keep in mind, phrases (home construction Raleigh, NC) are typically more effective than single words (Builders).
  • Backlinks – A link back to the page or one of the pages that currently link to the page you’re using. You will also want to have deep links, which is when you link to other pages within your site.
  • Domain name – Recognized by most as the name of the website, e.g. www.pgprobuilders.com.

More Web Design Components

Other elements to keep in mind, especially if you plan to design your own construction company’s website, are as follows:

  1. Choose a domain name that is simple to remember. If possible, it should be your company’s name with the .com extension.
  2. View and grade your website as your customer would. Don’t be pretentious, but do let people know what they can expect from you.
  3. Have an easily scanned website. Use pictures, bullet points, simple charts, etc. so people can get info about your company without feeling like they are reading a glorified brochure.
  4. Don’t overwhelm guests with colors that are too bright, by playing music or using animation. Remember, simplicity works and does not distract the user. You want them to hire you, not leave before you get to meet them.
  5. Keep your website up to date. Have frequent posts, pictures and, whenever possible, recommendations. Not only does this add to your website, but it also lets Google, Bing and other search engines know your website is there.
  6. Have something that encourages interaction– A free consultation, a contest or perhaps a place to leave questions or comments. Design these sections so that guests can leave contact info, making follow up easy.

These are all things that can be done to ensure your construction business website is all you need/want it to be. However, if designing a website for your construction company leaves you looking for a blueprint, don’t get distressed. Here at Page Progressive in Raleigh, NC, we are happy to help. Just give us a call and we will get started on your website “blueprint” and design of your construction company website.

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