A laptop on a contractors desk displaying a cracked house blueprint with a red X, symbolizing website mistakes contractors should avoid.

5 Common Website Mistakes That Make Contractors Lose Jobs (And Easy Fixes)

Viktor Gazsi

|

November 19, 2025

Avoid these five costly website mistakes that quietly scare away good clients from your contracting business, and learn simple fixes you can apply quickly.

5 Common Website Mistakes That Make Contractors Lose Jobs (And Easy Fixes)

Many contractors think their website is “fine” (even if they know why they need one) just because it exists and has their phone number on it. But small, hidden problems can quietly push good clients away – often before they ever call you.

This guide explains five common website mistakes that cost contractors real money, plus simple, practical fixes you can make without needing to be technical.

Mistake 1: Not Saying Clearly What You Do and Where You Work

If a homeowner lands on your website and cannot quickly tell:

  • What type of contractor you are
  • Which areas you cover
  • What kind of projects you take on

they often click away within seconds.

Why This Loses You Jobs

People are busy and easily distracted. If they have to dig to figure out whether you can help them, they will usually move on to another contractor whose website is clearer.

Search engines (and your Google Business Profile) also struggle when your homepage does not clearly mention your:

  • Trade (plumber, electrician, roofer, builder, landscaper, etc.)
  • Location (town, city, region)

Easy Fix

On your homepage, right at the top, add a simple sentence that answers three questions:

  • Who you are
  • What you do
  • Where you work

For example:

“Gas-safe heating engineer providing boiler installs, repairs, and servicing across Leeds and surrounding areas.”

Repeat your main service and area naturally in a few other places on the page so it is obvious to visitors – and to Google.

Mistake 2: Making It Hard To Contact You

Some contractor websites hide the phone number, bury the contact form, or make people scroll a long way to find how to get in touch.

Why This Loses You Jobs

When someone is ready to contact a contractor, they are often:

  • Comparing a few options at once
  • On their phone
  • Short on time

If your phone number is hard to find, or if your contact form is long and complicated, they will simply choose the contractor whose site makes it easier.

Easy Fix

  • Put your phone number clearly at the top of every page
  • Add a “Request a Quote” or “Book a Call” button that leads to a short form
  • Keep the form to only essential fields: name, contact info, location, brief description

Also add a short line that sets expectations, such as:

“We usually reply within one business day.”

This alone can increase the number of people who actually contact you.

Mistake 3: No Real Proof of Your Work

Too many contractor websites use:

  • Stock photos
  • Generic text
  • No real reviews or testimonials

This makes it hard for homeowners to trust you, especially if you are not the cheapest quote.

Why This Loses You Jobs

Hiring a contractor is a big decision. People want to see real evidence that you:

  • Show up when you say you will
  • Finish the job
  • Leave their home tidy
  • Do quality work that lasts

If your competitors are showing photos, reviews, and case studies and you are not, you are giving them the advantage.

Easy Fix

You do not need studio-quality photos. You need:

  • Real project photos taken on your phone
  • Short, honest testimonials from happy clients
  • Screenshots or embeds of your best online reviews

Create a “Projects” or “Our Work” section on your site, and add:

  • Before-and-after shots when possible
  • The type of job
  • The area or neighbourhood (not full addresses)

On your homepage, feature 2–3 of your best testimonials where people will see them quickly.

Mistake 4: A Website That Is Hard To Use on a Phone

Most people now look up contractors on their phones, often:

  • While on the sofa in the evening
  • On a quick break at work
  • Standing in the room they want to remodel

If your site is hard to read, requires pinching and zooming, or loads slowly, those visitors may simply leave.

Why This Loses You Jobs

Frustrated users rarely become clients. If it takes effort just to view your site, people wonder:

“If they do not care about their own website, will they care about my project?”

Google also down-ranks websites that do not work well on mobile devices, making it harder for you to show up in searches.

Easy Fix

Ask whoever built or maintains your site to:

  • Check it on different phones and screen sizes
  • Make text large enough to read without zooming
  • Ensure buttons and links are easy to tap
  • Compress large images so pages load faster

If your website is very old and not mobile-friendly at all, it may be worth rebuilding it with a modern, responsive design that adapts to any screen.

Mistake 5: Outdated or Incomplete Information

Some contractor websites have:

  • Old phone numbers
  • Services they no longer offer
  • No mention of new services
  • Years-old project photos

Why This Loses You Jobs

Outdated information makes you look:

  • Less active
  • Less professional
  • Possibly out of business

People worry: “Will they still be around if something goes wrong?”

Search engines also like fresh, accurate content. If your site has not been updated in years, it is less likely to perform well.

Easy Fix

Set aside 30 minutes once a month to:

  • Check that your phone number, email, and address are correct
  • Add one or two recent project photos
  • Remove services you no longer offer
  • Add any new services you want to promote

You can also add a simple blog or “Advice” section with short articles that answer common client questions. This helps with both SEO and AI-powered searches looking for helpful, trustworthy information.

Turning Your Website Into a Quiet, Reliable Sales Tool

When you avoid these five mistakes and apply the simple fixes, your website stops being “just a digital business card” and starts becoming:

  • A way to pre-sell your services before you visit the site
  • A filter that brings you better-fit projects
  • A trust-building tool that supports your quotes

You do not need something flashy or complicated. You need a site that:

  • Explains clearly what you do and where
  • Makes it easy to contact you
  • Proves you do good work
  • Works smoothly on phones
  • Stays reasonably up to date

That is enough to put you ahead of many competitors.

FAQs About Contractor Website Mistakes

How do I know if my current website is losing me work?

Look at it with fresh eyes on your phone. Ask yourself: Would I trust this business with a large project? Is it obvious what they do and where they work? Is it easy to contact them? If the answer to any of these is "no" or "not really", your site is probably costing you enquiries.

Do I need a complete redesign, or can I just fix a few things?

In many cases, you can get much better results with a few focused improvements: clearer headings, better contact options, updated photos, and real testimonials. If your site is very old, broken on mobile, or hard to update, then a clean, modern rebuild may be the more sensible long-term option.

How often should I update my contractor website?

Aim to review it at least every couple of months, and do a more thorough update a few times per year. Add new photos, recent projects, and any new services. Regular small updates are better than big, rare overhauls.

What is the most important thing to fix first?

If visitors cannot easily see what you do, where you work, and how to contact you, fix that first. After that, focus on proof (photos and reviews) and making sure the site works well on phones.

I am not comfortable writing. How can I still improve my content?

Speak the way you talk to clients in person. Keep sentences short and clear. If writing is difficult, record yourself explaining what you do and have someone turn that into website text, or work with a writer who understands contracting businesses and can keep things in plain English.

Will fixing these mistakes help with both Google and AI searches?

Yes. Both Google and AI-powered search tools look for content that is clear, helpful, and trustworthy. When your website explains what you do, where you work, how you work, and backs it up with real proof, you give both humans and search engines strong reasons to choose you over other contractors.

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