How Long Does It Take for My Contractor Website to Rank on Google?
As a home improvement contractor, one of the most common questions you might have when diving into digital marketing is: “How long will it take for my website to rank on Google?”. We’ll break down the factors involved in ranking your website, how long it typically takes, and what actions you can take to improve your rankings in both organic and paid search results.
What Does It Mean to Rank on Google?
Ranking on Google refers to the position your website appears in search results for a specific query. For example, if a potential customer searches for “roofing contractors near me,” where does your business show up? The results are ordered from top to bottom, with the first results getting the most visibility.
Organic vs. Paid Search Results
It’s important to understand the difference between organic and paid search results.
- Organic results: These are listings that appear because Google’s algorithm determines they are the most relevant and helpful for the search query. Improving your organic ranking is a long-term strategy that involves optimizing your site for SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
- Paid results: These are advertisements that businesses pay for, and they appear at the top of the page marked with an “Ad” label. You can reach these spots quickly by paying for Google Ads (also known as Pay-Per-Click or PPC).
How Long Does It Take to Rank Organically on Google?
The short answer? Generally, it takes three to six months to see significant improvements in your website’s organic ranking. But here’s the catch: It depends on a variety of factors, including the competitiveness of your industry, the keywords you’re targeting, and how well your website content is optimized.
- SEO Campaigns: If you’re running an SEO campaign targeting specific keywords like “roofing contractor in Raleigh” or “window replacement near me,” it could take months of consistent optimization and content updates to see your rankings improve.
- Competitor Analysis: How well your competitors are doing in digital marketing also impacts how long it will take for you to climb the rankings.
Paid Search (PPC) – The Fast Track to Ranking
If your goal is to rank quickly, paid search is the fastest option. You can create a Google Ads campaign to bid on keywords like “bathroom remodel contractor” or “roof repair near me.” However, there’s more to it than just throwing money at Google. Even for paid ads, your website content must be highly relevant to the search queries you’re targeting. Google rewards ads that lead users to pages that directly answer their questions
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Rank
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how long it will take for your contractor website to rank on Google. Here are some of the key factors that influence the timeline:
Keyword Competition
Highly competitive keywords, like “roofing contractor,” may take longer to rank for, especially if many companies in your area are targeting the same terms. Less competitive, more specific keywords (like “gutter repair in Raleigh”) may help you rank faster.
Website Content Quality
Content is key for ranking. If your website doesn’t provide clear, relevant answers to the questions homeowners are searching for, it’s unlikely you’ll rank well. For example, if a homeowner searches “how much does it cost to paint a house,” and your website doesn’t address pricing, you’ll miss out on that lead.
Local SEO and Google Business Profile
For contractors, ranking in local searches is critical. This is where your Google Business Profile (GBP) comes into play. The Google Map Pack shows local businesses at the top of search results, and having an optimized GBP with good customer reviews can significantly impact your local rankings. Ensure your profile is complete with accurate contact information, services offered, and customer reviews to boost your chances of ranking in local searches.
Content, PPC, and Local SEO: Your Ranking Strategy
To get your contractor business ranking on Google, you need a comprehensive strategy that includes content marketing, PPC, and local SEO. Here’s how to approach each one:
Content Marketing for SEO Success
- Create keyword-rich content that addresses the questions your potential customers are asking, such as “How much does it cost to replace a roof?” or “Best siding materials for homes.”
- Update your service pages to ensure they are optimized for the services you offer (e.g., “window installation,” “bathroom remodels”).
- Use blog posts to target long-tail keywords (more specific search phrases) that potential customers might use as they research your services.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising for Quick Results
- Set up targeted Google Ads for high-intent keywords like “roof repair contractor near me” or “gutter installation.”
- Ensure your landing pages match your ads, providing clear, relevant information that matches what the user searched for.
Google Business Profile Optimization for Local SEO
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile with up-to-date information about your services.
- Encourage customer reviews to boost your star rating, which plays a key role in your ranking in the Google Map Pack.
- Post regular updates to your GBP with new photos, offers, or completed projects to keep it active and relevant.
How to Track Your Website’s Progress
Once you’ve set your SEO, PPC, and local SEO strategies in motion, you’ll want to track your progress.
- Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor your website’s traffic, bounce rates, and conversions.
- Track keyword rankings using SEO tools like SEMrush or Moz to see where you stand for important search terms.
- Pay attention to the leads you’re generating—are you starting to see a shift in the sources of your leads?
Need Help? Fat Cat Strategies Can Get You There Faster
The process of ranking on Google can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially when you’re also trying to run a contracting business. That’s where we come in. At Fat Cat Strategies, we specialize in helping contractors like you improve their online presence and generate more leads through effective digital marketing strategies.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Want to learn more? Schedule a free consultation with us today, and we’ll provide a customized game plan to help your website rank, generate more leads, and grow your business. Visit fatcatstrategies.com/call to get started.
Conclusion
Improving your website’s ranking on Google takes time and effort, but the rewards are well worth it. By focusing on SEO, PPC, and local SEO, you can ensure that your business not only ranks but also generates qualified leads that turn into sales. Let Fat Cat Strategies help you build a powerful online presence and take your contractor business to the next level.
Audio only version of the podcast here.
Podcast Transcript
00:00:55 Don:
All right, Janet. Today, we have a really interesting topic—one that we hear from contractors a lot. We’re going to dive into it by throwing out this question: If a contractor comes to you and asks, “How long does it take for my website to rank on Google?”—what’s your reaction?
00:01:15 Janet:
Do you want my honest answer?
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00:01:17 Don:
Yes, absolutely.
00:01:18 Janet:
Dear contractor, it takes longer than you want it to.
00:01:26 Don:
Exactly! The common challenge here is that contractors trying to enter the digital game look at Google search results and see that their business name either doesn’t appear or isn’t ranked as highly as they’d like. They’re wondering how long it will take to move their business up the rankings. So, that’s what we’ll explore today. We’ll take a deep dive into what factors are involved and even discuss whether that’s the right question to be asking in the first place.
Let’s start with the basics: When we talk about ranking, as the question asks, what exactly do we mean? What are we talking about?
00:02:28 Janet:
Let’s define the words in that sentence. What does it mean to rank? Take the term “painting contractors near me.” That’s called a keyword, which is confusing because it’s actually a phrase. It’s a search query someone types into Google on their phone or desktop, and it generates a list of results. If you point at each result starting at the top, you can count down: one, two, three, four, five, six, and so on. The simplest definition of ranking is your business’s position in that list for a particular search query.
But here’s where it gets complicated.
00:03:24 [SPEAKER_2]
Oh yes.
00:03:25 Janet:
Many contractors don’t understand the difference between paid search results and organic search results. If you search for “painting contractors near me” or “roofing contractors near me,” the first three to four results are almost always paid ads. So, when we’re talking about ranking, we’re assuming people are asking about organic search results.
00:04:12 Don:
And “organic” just means unpaid—these are the results based on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) rankings. They’re separate from paid ads and usually appear below them on the search results page.
00:04:32 Janet:
Right. If your goal is immediate visibility, you might consider launching a paid campaign because that’s the quickest way to get to the top. However, you need to know that paid ads require a budget, and your website must be ready to handle that traffic. Ranking in the paid section can give you quick results, but it’s not the same as organic rankings.
Now, when we talk about “how long it takes for my website to rank,” we’re assuming the question is about organic results. Let’s clarify further—when contractors ask this question, we need to know what specific phrases or search terms they’re targeting.
00:05:41 Don:
Right, because there’s no single “ranking.” You might rank number one for “bathroom remodeler near me,” but rank number 12 for “shower replacement.” Your ranking depends on the specific keywords and the content on your website.
00:06:53 Janet:
Exactly. Now, let’s get to the heart of the question: If someone asks me, “How long will it take for my website to rank?” my honest answer, if I’m pressed, is three to six months. A campaign that aims to improve your rankings for a variety of search terms takes time.
But, I would also encourage contractors to focus less on ranking for specific keywords and more on measurable business goals. Ranking alone doesn’t put money in your pocket—it’s the entire process of capturing leads, converting them into appointments, and closing sales.
00:08:03 Don:
Exactly. It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, but it’s more important to focus on the end goal: getting more leads and closing more deals.
00:09:04 Janet:
And that’s why we work with contractors to set real business goals tied to dollars and cents. Let’s say you’re buying leads from a source like Angie’s List because you’re not getting enough roofing leads through word of mouth. You could say your goal is to generate enough roofing leads through organic search so that you can stop paying for leads from Angie’s List. Now, we’re talking about a clear, measurable objective that can be tied directly to your revenue.
00:11:37 Don:
Right. And once we’ve established that goal, we can experiment with different keywords, like “roofing contractors,” “metal roofing,” or even specific products or services you offer.
00:13:05 Janet:
When you stop focusing on ranking for one specific keyword and instead focus on the bigger picture—how many leads are you generating, how many are qualified, and how many turn into sales—you’ll see that the question, “How long does it take to rank?” is just one small part of a much larger puzzle.
00:13:31 Don:
Exactly. Ranking is important, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Your real goal should be lead generation and sales.
00:15:10 Janet:
That’s right. And when it comes to content, it’s crucial that your website’s content matches the keywords you want to rank for. Google’s goal is to deliver the best answers to searchers’ questions as quickly as possible. So, your website needs to provide those answers in one click.
00:20:10 Don:
That’s why content is key for SEO. But when it comes to ranking in paid search results (PPC), you also need a budget. It’s not just about throwing money at Google—your content must still match the searcher’s intent.
00:21:27 Janet:
Exactly. If your content doesn’t match, Google won’t show your ad, no matter how much you spend. That’s why it’s important to have good content and a solid budget for paid search.
00:24:22 Janet:
Finally, let’s talk about the map pack. This is where local businesses show up on Google Maps, and it’s largely determined by your Google Business Profile, not just your website.
00:25:59 Don:
That’s right. Your Google Business Profile plays a big role in where you rank in local searches, especially in the map pack.
00:28:05 Janet:
And don’t forget to add the right details to your Google Business Profile, like the products you sell or services you offer. The more complete your profile, the more likely you’ll show up in local search results.
00:30:44 Don:
To sum up: Ranking in search results takes time, usually three to six months, and there’s a lot that goes into it. You need to focus on content for SEO, paid campaigns for PPC, and your Google Business Profile for local searches.
If this all sounds overwhelming, we’re here to help. At Fat Cat Strategies, we specialize in helping contractors grow their businesses through digital marketing. You can visit us at fatcatstrategies.com/call to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals.
That’s it for today’s episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors. We’ll see you next time!
Digital Marketing for Contractors is created by Fat Cat Strategies. For more information, visit fatcatstrategies.com.
