What is SEO, and Why Should Contractors Care?
When I walked away from a five-year run as a software engineer at Microsoft to start a contracting business, I thought the big challenges would be equipment, materials, and getting jobs done right. What blindsided me was how much of the battle was just… getting the phone to ring.
That’s where SEO came in.
At our company, 1-800-STRIPER of Bellevue, we handle parking lot striping, sport courts, and pressure washing. Today, more than 90% of our leads come from people finding us online. That’s not luck, it’s the direct result of doing SEO right. And those online leads have fueled steady growth year after year.
So What is SEO, Really?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. I know, sounds like a tech buzzword. But here’s the simple version: it’s making sure that when someone in your town searches “parking lot striping near me” or “tennis court resurfacing everett,” your business shows up, not the other guy.
Google is basically today’s Yellow Pages. Except you don’t pay for a bigger ad, you earn visibility by showing you’re relevant, reliable, and worth hiring.
The Basics of SEO for Contractors
- Keywords – The exact words customers type into Google.
- Content – Service pages and blog posts that explain what you do and where you do it.
- Local SEO – This is huge for contractors. Your Google Business Profile, reviews, and town-specific content prove you’re the local expert.
- Authority & Trust – The more people link to your site, and the more positive reviews you’ve got, the more Google trusts you.
Proof It Works
Go ahead, search “parking lot striping” around Bellevue.
We’re not only at the top of the Google Maps results, but we’re also showing up in Google’s new AI-generated search summaries.
That didn’t happen overnight. It came from posting content consistently, optimizing our Google Business Profile, and making sure our online presence reflects what we actually do on the ground.
SEO vs Google Ads: Do You Really Need Both?
I’ll be straight with you, a lot of our online leads at 1-800-STRIPER of Bellevue have come through Google Ads. I took the time to learn how to run those campaigns myself, and they work. Ads are great for speed: you flip the switch, and the calls start.
But the second you stop paying, the leads stop too. That’s why SEO matters. SEO is the long game. When you invest in content, reviews, and your Google Business Profile, you’re building something that lasts.
The truth? Ads and SEO aren’t enemies, they’re teammates. Together, they’re more powerful than either one alone. Ads get you quick wins and keyword data. SEO turns that data into long-term visibility. And when people see your name in the ads and the organic results, it’s a credibility boost money alone can’t buy.
Why You Should Care (Even if You Hate Computers)
Most contractors I know lean on referrals, word of mouth, or the occasional yard sign. Those still work, but they only get you so far. SEO is like planting seeds online that keep growing into leads.
Dial it in, and you’ll:
- Get calls from property managers and business owners who never would’ve heard of you otherwise.
- Smooth out the seasonal ups and downs.
- Build credibility, because if Google shows your business first, people assume you’re the go-to.
From My Side of the Fence
I’ve worked both worlds: five years writing code at Microsoft, and now running 1-800-STRIPER of Bellevue. I can tell you, contractors who learn even the basics of SEO pull ahead fast.
You don’t have to geek out on the tech. You just have to show up where your customers are already looking, and that’s Google.
What’s Next
This blog is here to break SEO down in plain contractor talk. No smoke and mirrors, just what actually works. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share:
- How to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile.
- Why town-specific content is such a game-changer.
- Easy SEO wins that don’t eat up your whole week.
If you want to start building a pipeline that actually brings the calls in, stick around, I’ll keep showing you how we do it.
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