Websites for Fairfax contractors: what a landscaper’s site taught us

Allen Porter has been landscaping in Northern Virginia since 1994. His crew handles drainage, waterproofing and erosion control, planting, mulching, power washing and snow removal, from Falls Church to Lake Ridge. For three decades the business ran on word of mouth, with loyal customers — but no website to send a new customer to.

We built his website in one to two weeks. Here is what went into it, and why the same things matter for any contractor working in Fairfax County.

Lead with what customers call about

Most of Allen’s customers call about drainage, waterproofing and erosion control, so that is what the site leads with — in the words customers use, rather than a long list of everything the crew can do.

Show real jobs

Homeowners want to see work like theirs, done by the people who will turn up. The site shows real jobs from Allen’s crew, each with what was done and how long it took. No stock photos.

Answer the questions people ask on the phone

A questions section covers which towns he serves, whether quotes are free, licensing and insurance, how long a drainage job takes, and the three-year warranty on his work. Every question answered on the page is one less call spent on the basics.

Make calling easy

Most visitors arrive on a phone. The phone number should be one tap away on every page, with a short form for anyone who would rather type than talk.

What it changed

In his Google review, Allen wrote: “I can now get back out in the field in front of my customers because he has cut my office time down with his knowledge.”

The site has since grown into a full website, with a page for each service and each project, and an about page with his crew.

Working with us in Fairfax

We work with businesses across Fairfax County from our office in Manassas. If your business gets its work from calls and quote requests, tell us about it — or read more about website design, local search and your Google profile, and keeping a website up to date.