If you're a plumber, electrician, roofer, or general contractor in San Luis Obispo County, here's the reality: 97% of your potential customers search online before they ever pick up the phone. If you're not there—or your site looks like it was built in 2010—you're invisible to nearly everyone who needs your services.
The good news? You don't need a complicated or expensive website. You need one that does a few things really well.
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2026
Let me give you some numbers that should get your attention:
- Over 80% of consumers research contractors online before hiring
- 78% of mobile local searches lead to a service purchase within 24 hours
- 82% of people who search for an electrician will call one after their search
- 88% of "near me" searches result in a call within 24 hours
When someone's water heater breaks at 6 AM or their electrical panel is acting up, they're grabbing their phone and searching. If your website doesn't show up—or doesn't look trustworthy—that job goes to someone else.
The 6 Things Every Contractor Website Needs
I've seen a lot of contractor websites—good ones and bad ones. The ones that actually generate leads all have these things in common:
1. Your Phone Number, Big and Obvious
This sounds basic, but you'd be surprised how many contractor sites bury their contact info. Your phone number should be:
- In the header on every page
- Clickable on mobile (so someone can tap and call)
- Above the fold—meaning visible without scrolling
When someone needs a plumber at 7 AM, they're not hunting through your site for a contact form. They want to call now.
2. Photos of Your Actual Work
Stock photos of smiling people in hard hats don't build trust. Photos of your real projects do.
According to Farmboy Inc's research on contractor websites, a professional portfolio with real project photos is one of the most effective trust-builders. Homeowners judge your craftsmanship by what they see online. Irrational? Maybe. But it's true.
Take photos of:
- Before and after shots
- Work in progress (shows you're active)
- Finished projects
- You and your crew on the job
They don't have to be professional. Just clear, well-lit, and real.
3. Google Reviews Front and Center
Here's a stat that matters: 67% of homeowners say online reviews are "very" or "extremely" important when choosing a contractor. Another 88% of homeowners measure trust through referrals and online reviews.
Your website should:
- Display your Google review rating prominently
- Feature 3-5 of your best written reviews
- Link to your full Google Business Profile so people can read more
Don't have reviews yet? Start asking. Every satisfied customer should get a simple text or email: "Hey, if you're happy with the work, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review?"
4. Clear List of Services and Service Area
Don't make people guess what you do or where you work. List your services clearly:
- What you do: "We install, repair, and maintain residential electrical systems"
- What you don't do: If you don't do commercial work, say so—it saves everyone time
- Where you work: "Serving Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo, and all of SLO County"
This also helps with local search. When someone Googles "electrician Atascadero," you want your site to show up because you've actually mentioned Atascadero on your page.
5. Mobile-Friendly Design (Non-Negotiable)
Over half of all web traffic comes from phones. For contractors, it's probably higher—people search for help when they're standing in front of the problem.
Google now uses mobile-first indexing, which means they rank your mobile site over your desktop version. If your site is hard to use on a phone—tiny text, buttons too small to tap, slow loading—Google pushes you down in results. (This is one of the biggest reasons DIY websites often backfire.)
A good mobile site:
- Loads fast (under 3 seconds)
- Has text large enough to read without zooming
- Has buttons big enough to tap with a thumb
- Puts your phone number right at the top
6. Pricing Transparency (At Least Ballpark)
Here's something that's changed: 78% of homeowners say they're more likely to call a contractor who shows pricing on their website. That's up from 66% just two years ago.
I know—every job is different. You can't quote a reroofing job without seeing the house. But you can give ranges:
- "Service calls start at $85"
- "Most water heater replacements run $800-$2,000 depending on the unit"
- "Free estimates on all projects over $500"
This filters out tire-kickers and builds trust with serious customers. If your prices are fair, don't hide them.
The Hidden Risk Most Contractors Don't Know About
Here's something that keeps me up at night for my clients: website accessibility lawsuits jumped 37% in the first half of 2025. California is one of the top three states for these lawsuits, and 85% of all web accessibility lawsuits happen in California, New York, or Florida.
Under California's Unruh Act, plaintiffs can seek at least $4,000 per violation plus attorney fees. And 77% of these lawsuits target small businesses with under $25 million in revenue.
What does "accessible" mean? Your website works for everyone—including people who use screen readers, can't use a mouse, or have vision issues. It's not just nice to have. In California, it's increasingly a legal requirement.
What About Google Business Profile?
Your website and Google Business Profile work together. Think of your Google profile as the quick reference card—hours, reviews, photos, directions. Your website is the full story.
An optimized Google Business Profile can generate up to 5x more calls than a basic listing. Make sure yours has:
- Accurate business hours
- A link to your website
- Photos (at least 10-15)
- All your services listed
- Responses to every review
But don't rely on it alone. Your Google profile links to your website. When someone clicks through, your site needs to seal the deal.
What YouGrow Does Differently
We build websites for SLO County contractors who don't have time to mess with this stuff. For $79/month, you get a professional, fast-loading website that:
- Shows up in local searches
- Works perfectly on phones
- Displays your reviews and work photos
- Is built accessible from day one (protecting you from those lawsuits)
- Gets updated whenever you need—just email or call us
Most sites go live in about a week. You never log into anything. We handle hosting, security, updates—everything. Plus, we refresh your design every 3 years with our Everfresh Guarantee—included in your subscription.
We're right here in Arroyo Grande. When you call 805-439-6288, you get a real person who knows the local market.
Month-to-month, cancel anytime. No setup fee for founding members.
Get your website—or just call. I'm happy to look at what you have now and give you honest feedback, even if you don't end up working with us.