Contractor Website Design Guide | Portsmouth NH & Southern Maine | Dog Byte Web Design
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Portsmouth, NH • 20 mile radius Contractor website design guide

Contractor Website Design Guide

A practical framework for local trades: how to build a website that loads instantly, ranks locally, and turns visits into calls - without plugin bloat or ongoing drama.

Serving Portsmouth NH • Seacoast • Southern Maine

Why Most Contractor Websites Don't Get Calls

Contractors don't lose jobs because their site is “ugly.” They lose jobs because it's slow, confusing on mobile, and doesn't clearly tell Google (or homeowners) what they do and where they work.

Speed

Slow pages

Heavy themes + plugins make the site sluggish on phones - where most calls start.

Clarity

No structure

Services and service areas aren't obvious, so Google and homeowners can't confirm fit fast.

Conversion

Friction

Phone number buried, forms annoying, no “next step” - so people bounce and call the next guy.

The Framework: A Website That Ranks + Converts

  1. 1

    Above-the-fold contact (mobile-first)

    Tap-to-call + quick request flow visible immediately. No hunting.

  2. 2

    Service clarity (what you do)

    Clear services list + “specialties” pages for how homeowners actually search.

  3. 3

    Service area clarity (where you work)

    Towns/region signals in headings and content, so Google connects you to local intent.

  4. 4

    Proof (why trust you)

    Reviews, licenses, insurance, photos, and a clean presentation that feels legitimate.

  5. 5

    Performance + stability (no plugin drama)

    Fast static pages, secure hosting, and simple updates - built for low maintenance.

Guide FAQ

Do I need WordPress?

Not necessarily. For many trade sites, a fast static build is more stable, more secure, and easier to maintain.

How long does a typical build take?

Typical timeline is 5-7 days once we have a logo/photos and confirm services + service area.

Will this help me show up on Google?

We build the on-page structure that supports local SEO: fast pages, clean headings, service clarity, and service area signals. Ranking still takes time and consistency - but structure matters.

Want a website built like this?

Fast, clean, and structured for local search - built for Portsmouth, the Seacoast, and Southern Maine.