Before and After: What a Professional Website Does for a Contracting Business

Nothing tells the story better than real results. When contractors come to us, their websites usually fall into one of three categories: outdated, non-existent, or built by a cousin who “knows computers.”

In each case, the transformation is dramatic — not just in how the site looks, but in how the business performs. Here’s what actually changes when a contractor invests in a professional website.

The Typical “Before” Scenario

Let’s paint a picture that most contractors will recognize:

The business: A roofing company that’s been operating in the Atlanta metro for 8 years. Great reputation among past customers. Gets most work from referrals and a handful of Angi leads.

The website: A single-page Wix site built 5 years ago. Small logo at the top, a paragraph about the company, a phone number in tiny text at the bottom. No photos of actual work. Not mobile-friendly. Doesn’t show up on Google for any meaningful search terms.

The results: Maybe one lead every couple of months from the website. The owner doesn’t even mention the site to potential customers because it’s embarrassing compared to the quality of work they actually do.

Sound familiar? This is the story we hear from about 80% of the contractors who reach out to us.

What Changes (and Why It Matters)

When we rebuild a contractor’s website, we’re not just making it “look nicer.” Every change is strategic and tied to a business outcome.

First Impression: Trust in 5 Seconds

Before: A homeowner lands on a dated single-page site with a stock photo and a wall of text. They hit the back button in 3 seconds and call the next company in the search results.

After: A homeowner lands on a clean, professional site with a bold headline, real photos of completed projects, and a prominent “Get a Free Quote” button. They see star ratings from past customers. They see the service areas listed. They feel confident this is a real, established company.

Why it matters: Research shows that 75% of consumers judge a company’s credibility based on their website design. For contractors, where trust is everything (you’re inviting someone into your home), this first impression can make or break the lead.

Google Visibility: From Page 10 to Page 1

Before: Searching “roofing company Marietta GA” returns 10 competitors before the first mention of our contractor. Their Wix site has no local SEO, no service area pages, and no blog content.

After: Dedicated pages for each service area (“Roofing Services in Marietta,” “Roof Repair in Roswell,” etc.), optimized meta titles and descriptions, proper heading structure, fast load times, and a connected Google Business Profile.

Why it matters: The contractor now has multiple entry points for Google searches. Instead of competing for one generic keyword, they’re ranking for dozens of local search terms. Each ranking is a new stream of leads they weren’t getting before.

Mobile Experience: Thumb-Friendly Design

Before: The site requires pinching and zooming on a phone. The phone number is plain text at the bottom (not clickable). The contact form is nearly impossible to fill out on mobile.

After: The site loads in under 2 seconds on mobile. The phone number is clickable from every page. Contact forms are simple and easy to complete with a thumb. Every element is sized and spaced for touch interaction.

Why it matters: Over 70% of local searches happen on mobile devices. If a homeowner can’t easily call you or request a quote from their phone, you’re invisible to the majority of your potential customers.

Lead Generation: From Passive to Active

Before: One “Contact Us” page with an email address. No quote request forms. No calls to action. No urgency.

After: Strategic CTAs throughout every page. A hero section with “Get a Free Quote” above the fold. A sticky phone number that follows visitors as they scroll. Quote request forms on service pages. A dedicated landing page for free audits. Exit-intent prompts.

Why it matters: A website without clear calls to action is like a salesperson who never asks for the sale. Every visitor represents potential revenue — your site should make it effortless for them to take the next step.

Social Proof: Let Your Work Speak

Before: No testimonials. No project photos. No way for a visitor to gauge the quality of work.

After: A dedicated portfolio page with before-and-after project photos. Testimonials from real customers placed strategically throughout the site. Star ratings visible on the homepage. Industry badges and credentials displayed.

Why it matters: Homeowners are spending thousands of dollars on contractors they’ve never met. Reviews and visual proof of quality work reduce anxiety and build the confidence needed to pick up the phone.

The Numbers Behind the Transformation

While every business is different, here’s what we typically see in the first 90 days after launching a new contractor website:

  • Website traffic: 3-5x increase in monthly visitors from organic search
  • Phone calls: Most contractors report a noticeable increase in calls within the first month
  • Quote requests: New sites with proper forms and CTAs generate significantly more quote requests than their predecessors
  • Google rankings: Average improvement of 15-30 positions for target keywords within the first 3 months
  • Bounce rate: Drops from 70-80% (common on old sites) to 30-40% (meaning visitors are actually exploring your site instead of leaving immediately)

These aren’t theoretical numbers. They’re based on real results from contractors we’ve worked with in the Atlanta metro area.

What Doesn’t Change

A new website won’t fix everything. Here’s what stays the same:

  • You still need to do great work (no website can fix bad craftsmanship)
  • You still need to answer the phone when it rings
  • You still need to follow up on leads promptly
  • You still need to ask satisfied customers for reviews

A professional website is a lead generation engine, but it needs a responsive business behind it to convert those leads into jobs.

See What’s Possible for Your Business

Curious about what your website could look like with a professional redesign? Want to see exactly where your current site is falling short?

Get a free site audit from MG Group Solutions. We’ll analyze your current online presence and show you specific opportunities you’re missing. It’s free, takes 24 hours, and comes with zero strings attached.

Your website should work as hard as you do. Let’s make that happen.

Need Help Implementing This?

We build websites specifically for Atlanta contractors. Get a free audit and see exactly what we can do for your business.

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