The Most Common Marketing Mistakes Builders Make (And How to Fix Them)
Let’s be honest: most builders and contractors didn’t start their business because they love marketing. You’re great at what you do—building homes, remodeling spaces, managing crews—but when it comes to promoting your services online, it’s easy to overlook a few key pieces that could be costing you leads.
If you’re a builder in Eastern North Carolina trying to grow your business, avoid these common digital marketing mistakes. Fixing even one of them could be the turning point for getting more calls, more jobs, and more recognition in your local area.
Not Claiming or Optimizing Your Google Business Page
One of the biggest missed opportunities for local builders is not taking full advantage of a free and powerful tool: your Google Business Profile.
If you haven’t claimed your listing, or it’s incomplete, you’re missing out on local visibility when people search “contractors near me” or “builder in [your town].” Google prioritizes businesses with complete profiles, quality photos, good reviews, and consistent updates.
Fix it:
Claim your Google Business Profile (if you haven’t already)
Add detailed info about your services, service area, and business hours
Upload real project photos
Ask happy clients for reviews
Keep it active with weekly updates or posts
At The Social Handle, we help businesses fully optimize and manage their profiles so they can show up where it matters most.
Using an Outdated Website (Or None at All)
Your website is your digital storefront—and if it looks outdated or doesn’t function well on mobile, potential clients will move on to someone else.
Ask yourself:
Does your website load quickly and look good on a phone?
Is it secured with an SSL certificate (https://)?
Is your contact info easy to find?
Do you clearly show the services you offer and past work?
If the answer is no to any of these, it’s time for an upgrade.
Fix it:
Work with a web designer who understands the construction industry (like us!) to build a clean, professional site that works on all devices, ranks well in Google, and helps turn visitors into leads.
Not Tracking Leads or Ad Performance
Are your marketing dollars actually working? Many builders spend money on ads or lead generation platforms but don’t have a clear way to measure what’s working and what’s not.
Without tracking, you’re flying blind.
Fix it:
Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console
Track where your leads are coming from (ads, search, referrals, etc.)
Use call tracking or form submissions to see which pages convert best
At The Social Handle, we set up simple dashboards so you know exactly what’s working—and where to focus your efforts.
Not Showcasing Your Work Online
You do great work. Are you showing it off?
Homeowners want to see the quality of your craftsmanship before they pick up the phone. Yet too many builders finish a project and move on without capturing it for marketing.
Fix it:
Take before-and-after photos of every job
Upload them to your website, social media, and Google Business page
Create quick project highlight posts or reels
Add a “Recent Projects” section to your website
Visual proof builds trust—and it’s one of the easiest ways to stand out in a competitive market.
Final Thoughts
Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but ignoring it can cost you. These common mistakes are holding back a lot of talented builders in Eastern North Carolina from growing their business—and the good news is, every one of them is fixable.
At The Social Handle, we specialize in helping builders and contractors create a marketing system that actually works. From local SEO to custom websites and lead tracking, we take the guesswork out of digital marketing so you can focus on doing what you do best.
Ready to fix what’s holding your business back? Let’s chat.