Updated June 2026 · Home Services
How to set up a website for a general contractor
Short answer
To set up a website for a general contractor, use Squarespace (image-heavy templates make project galleries shine) — or WordPress with a portfolio theme if you need more control. Build 8 core pages: Home, Services (remodel, addition, new build), Portfolio, Process, About, Contact. Lead with the hero pattern ‘[City] general contractor — remodels, additions, and new builds’, prove credibility with License #, and pair the site with a Google Business Profile focused on City + project-type pages (kitchen remodel [city], home addition [city]). Budget $2,000–$4,500 for a flat-rate build that ranks for general contractor [city].
Key facts
- Primary platform: Squarespace — image-heavy templates make project galleries shine
- Core pages to launch: Home, Services (remodel, addition, new build), Portfolio, Process, About, Contact
- Trust signals that matter most: License #, bonded/insured, before/after project galleries, named client testimonials
- Local SEO angle: City + project-type pages (kitchen remodel [city], home addition [city])
- Realistic build budget: $2,000–$4,500
- Primary keyword to target: general contractor [city]
Step-by-step
- 1
Pick the right platform
Use Squarespace — image-heavy templates make project galleries shine. Only choose WordPress with a portfolio theme if you’ve outgrown the primary or need custom design.
- 2
Buy a clean domain
Yourname.com or yourbusiness.com. Avoid hyphens and your-city-general-contractor.com — they hurt trust and rarely help SEO once you’re ranking.
- 3
Write the core pages
Ship these in order: Home, Services (remodel, addition, new build), Portfolio, Process, About, Contact. Don’t add Blog/Resources until the core pages convert.
- 4
Lead with a city + service hero
Your H1 should say what you do and where, e.g. ‘[City] general contractor — remodels, additions, and new builds’. Add a tappable phone number and a primary CTA above the fold.
- 5
Stack credibility
Add: License #, bonded/insured, before/after project galleries, named client testimonials. Real photos beat stock 100% of the time.
- 6
Wire up Google Business Profile
Claim and verify at business.google.com. Focus the profile on City + project-type pages (kitchen remodel [city], home addition [city]). Post photos weekly for the first 30 days — this alone outranks most paid SEO efforts in year one.
- 7
Add the right schema + analytics
Add LocalBusiness JSON-LD, install Google Analytics 4, and submit the sitemap in Google Search Console. Target general contractor [city] in your homepage title.
- 8
Get the first 10 reviews
Text or email your last 20 customers a direct Google review link. 10+ recent reviews unlocks Map Pack visibility for most home services businesses.
Want us to build a general contractor site for you?
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Get a free audit →Frequently asked
How much should a general contractor spend on a website?
Realistic range: $2,000–$4,500. DIY on Squarespace works if your time is cheaper than $50/hour; otherwise a flat-rate build pays back in the first 2–3 booked jobs.
Which platform is best for a general contractor?
Squarespace for most owners — image-heavy templates make project galleries shine. Switch to WordPress with a portfolio theme only if you need design or feature depth the primary can’t cover.
How long until a general contractor site shows up on Google?
Branded searches (your business name) within 1–2 weeks. ‘general contractor [city]’ takes 60–120 days with a verified Google Business Profile, 10+ reviews, and on-page basics done right.
Do I need a blog?
No — not until the core pages convert. Most home services businesses get further with a verified Google Business Profile, real photos, and 10 reviews than with 20 blog posts.
What’s the single biggest mistake?
Hiding the phone number or burying the CTA. A general contractor site lives or dies by how fast a mobile visitor can call, book, or quote.