How Construction Companies Can Get Started With Digital Marketing

Why Should Construction Companies Spend Time on Digital Marketing?

Having managed all of the marketing for a mid-sized construction company in Hampton Roads, I can say without a doubt the easiest way to grow as a contractor is through social media and google display network advertising. Nothing else- not radio, not television, not newspaper- comes close to the ROI of digital advertising for the construction industry, especially in the first few years of the business. Despite this, there are very few construction companies investing in optimized website design or digital advertising. For companies willing to explore new opportunities online, the growth potential is practically endless and the competition is very limited.

Why Don’t Construction Companies Advertise Online?

Lack of Trained Personnel

Most small or mid-sized contractors don’t have a designated marketing department and many don’t have a single marketing professional. For companies working without a dedicated marketing person, their options are limited. Smaller construction companies may have shared roles- such as an office manager that also does social media posting- but often they don’t have the resources for a dedicated marketer.

Lack of Awareness

It’s easy to miss opportunities that you aren’t aware of. Many construction business owners aren’t aware of the opportunities available from digital advertising, or how different the targeting is from newspaper or magazine advertising. This is fortunately starting to change as self-service ad systems get more accessible, but many construction companies are far from embracing this.

Getting Started With Digital Marketing

Professionally managed digital campaigns have a significantly higher ROI than internally managed campaigns, but it is still a good idea to run a few campaigns of your own to better understand what the agency or consultant will be doing for you. The two easiest mediums to get started in are Google Ads and Facebook Ads. Setting up a simple Google Ads campaign is incredibly simple, and countless walkthroughs can be found online to make the process even easier. Facebook Ads are also relatively simple to start, especially for the toe-in-the-water approach of boosting a post. Experiment with different audiences, placements, and delivery options to gain a base-level understanding of these two platforms.

The scope of digital advertising goes far, far beyond Facebook and Google Ads. Once you have some familiarity with the online marketplace, talk with a qualified individual about options for your business online. The opportunities are practically endless and the costs are, compared to traditional media, minimal. Audience expansion and remarketing, cross-device delivery, geo-fenced microtargeting, and advanced analytics showing the actions and revenue being driven by your various campaigns will become mainstays of your new marketing system.