There was a time when shaking a few hands and dropping off a few business cards was enough to find clients and keep construction project orders rolling. But today, those client acquisition tactics are outdated and just won’t cut it.
Today’s buyers are smart, informed, and spoiled for choice. They scour the internet, read reviews, and compare options to find the best service. If your construction company isn’t showing up in those searches and making a solid first impression, you can’t be the first option.
You need to master finding and retaining clients for your construction business and create a solid strategy that converts them.
Why is this important? A lack of consistent business will lead to a waste of resources and funds. Your workers will sit idle, and your competition will only grow.
So grab your hard hat, roll up those blueprints, and get ready to construct a solid client acquisition strategy!
How to Find and Retain Clients for Construction Business
- The Significant Role of a Detailed Marketing Strategy
- The Power of Digital Marketing Platforms
- Building and Maintaining Online Reputation
- Networking and Relationship Building Strategies
- Utilizing Technology for Client Acquisition
- Payment Options and Financing Solutions
- Setting Yourself Apart from the Competition
- Maintaining Client Relationships
- Paving the Way Forward
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Significant Role of a Detailed Marketing Strategy
Look, we get it—you’re a construction expert, not a marketing maven. But here’s the harsh truth: even the most skilled contractors struggle to land clients without a solid marketing strategy.
To create an effective construction marketing strategy, you must go beyond building a website. You need to start by deeply understanding your target audience, their pain points, and what makes them tick.
Are you targeting residential clients looking for their dream homes or retail giants in need of office makeovers? Get specific about who you’re targeting, their budget, and how to speak their language.
Don’t forget to analyze your competition, too. See what they’re doing right (and wrong), and find ways to differentiate yourself.
Maybe it’s highlighting your eco-friendly building practices or your lightning-fast turnaround times. Maybe you specialize in areas like historic renovations, seismic retrofitting, or smart home integrations and can use this to differentiate your services. You could also use 3D rendering and virtual reality to showcase potential projects. This can help clients better understand the end result and increase buy-in.
Confused?
That’s okay. Study the businesses you find aspirational and understand how they work the system.
Global construction businesses like DPR Construction and Skanska have great websites that showcase their expertise through project portfolios, testimonials, and engaging visuals. They also use social media to their advantage by sharing job site updates and thought leadership content.
On the other hand, smaller local contractors often find success by doubling down on community involvement and word-of-mouth marketing. Sponsoring Little League teams, partnering with local nonprofits, and leveraging satisfied clients as referral sources can be beneficial. Joining local communities and forums on Facebook and other social media platforms works wonders.
💡Pro tip: Safety is paramount in construction. To build trust, include your company’s safety record and certifications in marketing materials.
The bottom line? There’s no one-size-fits-all construction marketing strategy. But with some research, creativity, and a willingness to experiment, you can craft an approach that generates a steady stream of projects for your business.
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe Power of Digital Marketing Platforms
The digital age has rendered traditional marketing tactics like billboards and flyers too old school for filling your construction project pipeline. Potential clients now rely more on online research to find and vet companies. If you’re not online, you’re probably invisible.
Here’s how to find clients for construction business by optimizing your digital presence:
SEO for increased discoverability
Want to show up first when people Google construction services? Say hello to search engine optimization, aka SEO. Whenever someone looks up keywords related to your services, good SEO practices will ensure you show up and rank high on the search results.
Think of the last time you wanted to find a dentist. You went on Google and probably typed in ‘Best dentist in Boston’ before you found a list of them in the search results.
By strategically sprinkling relevant keywords throughout your website, you can boost your discoverability as a construction company. Optimize for location-specific keywords and make sure prospective clients find you when they’re hunting for ‘Denver home renovations’ or ‘commercial construction NYC’.
💡Pro tip: SEO is an art that can get pretty technical. Instead of wasting time on trial and error, hire an SEO specialist to optimize your web presence.
Social media marketing for brand awareness
A solid social media game is as crucial to your business as having the right power tools on a job site. Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook allow you to showcase your work in various formats, build brand awareness, and engage with your audience upfront. It’s one of the quickest ways to reach your target audience and build credibility by highlighting your USP.
💡Pro tip: Share behind-the-scenes footage, job site updates, or smart hacks on your social media to give prospects or clients a peek into your construction expertise and know-how.
ClickUp, a powerful construction project management tool, offers one of the easiest and beginner-friendly social media content templates for planning a result-oriented social strategy.
ClickUp’s Social Media Content Plan Template is highly customizable and makes social media planning easy for everyone, regardless of your experience or industry!
Once you download the template, you can access a list of ready ideas to start building your social media posts around. For someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to plan and regularly post on social media, a social media template such as this one is super time-effective.
You can plan all your posts for the month at once and record them in the template for easy access. You can even use ClickUp Brain (ClickUp’s multi-faceted AI-powered assistant) directly from the template to help you quickly craft engaging social media posts.
With custom fields, you can assign the copywriter, designer, and publisher and specify the social media platform on which you want to post.
Email marketing for lead generation
While social media is super useful for brand-building and engagement, don’t underestimate old-school email for generating leads.
About 60% of marketers who took a survey by Mailmunch said that they prefer email marketing over social media for better reach. That’s because email marketing promises a 40–45% open rate.
Email marketing is still popular for marketers and salespeople to nurture, convert, and engage with old and potential clients. Strategic email campaigns allow you to nurture potential clients through the sales funnel and establish yourself as the go-to construction authority.
PPC campaigns and Google Ads for targeted advertising
Remember when you Googled ‘Best dentist in Boston’ and saw a list of suggestions? The first few results labeled as Sponsored or Ads are paid ads. The company bids to be on top of your search results.
With pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, you can choose keywords and pay search engines to show your ad to people looking for your service. This is a great way to get your business in front of a targeted audience actively searching for your services.
For example, with Google Ads, you can bid on keywords to prominently display your ads when someone searches for specific terms related to your business.
Click-through rates for analysis
Online marketing is all about getting those clicks! Your click-through rate (CTR) measures how many people click on your website, ads, or emails after seeing them. The higher your CTR, the more effective your digital efforts. It’s like a popularity contest but for your construction company’s online presence.
Content marketing and link-building for thought leadership
Want to solidify your reputation as a construction mogul? Content marketing is your way to go.
Invest in content marketing by publishing informative blogs, detailed guides, and how-to videos that share your industry expertise. A comprehensive set of content around your work and your USP will help establish you as a thought leader and authority in your domain.
As you build high-quality content, other sites will also start linking back to you, signaling to Google that you’re a trustworthy, authoritative source in the construction realm.
Some other tips for creating high-quality content and generating links to your business:
- List your business on industry-specific directories like The Blue Book Building and Construction Network
- Showcase your projects from start to finish with time-lapse videos on YouTube or Instagram to demonstrate your efficiency and expertise.
- Use augmented reality (AR) apps to show potential clients how their project might look in real-time, overlaid on their existing space
Need help with your content plan? Construction workflow management software like ClickUp has got you covered!
ClickUp’s Content Plan Template is a free, intuitive tool for building a content plan quickly.
The template offers ten content ideas that you can instantly start working on. You can flag them as Urgent, High, Normal, or Low to prioritize your work accordingly.
Mention the purpose of the content, assignee, content format, and other relevant details to create a targeted content plan that will yield results quickly.
With 15+ types of views, see at a glance which posts are In Progress, On Hold, Not Started, Need Review, or Approved.
Along with that, you can also try ClickUp’s Marketing Plan Template to achieve your overall marketing goals.
Use it to:
- Set achievable benchmarks for marketing
- Organize those objectives into tasks and subtasks to reach your goals
- Monitor progress via metrics and analytics, and adjust your strategy as needed
Summarize this article for me pleaseBuilding and Maintaining Online Reputation
In construction, your reputation is everything. After all, the client’s investment is substantial, and they expect quality, durability, and, of course, aesthetics. It’s not every day that one renovates or builds a new property. Building your online reputation leads to more inquiries, higher-quality leads, and, ultimately, more lucrative projects.
Follow these steps to manage and improve your online reputation:
- Create content that proactively addresses frequent client worries in construction, such as cost overruns, project delays, or noise pollution 📈
- Showcase your best work through high-quality photos and videos on your website and social media. Share case studies of how you overcame unique construction challenges, like difficult terrain or tight urban spaces
- Prominently display industry-specific certifications like LEED, OSHA 30-Hour, or state contractor licenses in your online profile
- Engage with your audience on social media. If you work with high-quality subcontractors, mention them in your online presence to show the strength of your professional network
- Aim for exceptional customer service
- Respond promptly and professionally to all feedback
- Regularly monitor your online presence and address negative feedback constructively
Online reviews and testimonials
Do not ignore the comments on review sites online! Client reviews provide support and visibility to your construction business. Positive reviews on Yelp, HomeAdvisor, or Google build trust toward your brand, while thoughtful responses to negative ones demonstrate your professionalism.
Use ClickUp’s Feedback Form Template to collect and manage client testimonials easily. It’s a great way to gather those reputation-boosting reviews for your website 9and land more clients!).
With ClickUp’s Feedback Forms Template, you can also build review or feedback surveys for all customers. That way, you can gather more data on what your target audience wants, what services they particularly like or dislike, and how you can make them happier next time!
You can also learn about your popular services and build promotional campaigns around them. Using ClickUp’s Custom Fields, you can add seven different custom attributes to your dashboard, such as Client Name, Permit Pending, Date of Purchase, Customer Tier, Overall Rating, and Suggestions for Improvement, to save customer feedback and easily visualize customer data.
Speaking of feedback, ClickUp’s Forms feature offers a simple and convenient method for collecting client requirements and feedback. It’s a great way to manage your clients and their expectations. Use it to:
- Gather initial project requirements
- Turn responses automatically into tasks
- Collect post-project feedback
- Run client satisfaction surveys
Summarize this article for me pleaseNetworking and Relationship Building Strategies
In the construction industry, your network can be as valuable as your toolbox. While digital marketing is crucial, there’s still immense power in face-to-face conversations. Building fruitful relationships with your customers, local suppliers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders goes a long way toward helping your business.
💡 In case you need it, here’s a handy glossary with 50 construction management terms.
Industry conferences, trade shows, and local business meetups remain important for making valuable connections.
Become active in organizations like Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) or the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Attend and exhibit at events like the International Builders’ Show or World of Concrete to connect with potential clients and stay updated on industry trends.
These traditional methods work because construction is fundamentally a people business—clients want to work with professionals they know and trust.
But networking is about more than finding new construction clients. Cultivating strong relationships with local suppliers and fellow construction professionals can lead to:
- Project referrals
- Partnerships on larger jobs
- Insider knowledge about upcoming opportunities
- Deeper understanding of repeated customers’ needs
Think of it as building a support beam for your business—the stronger your network, the more weight your company can handle.
Don’t overlook the value of community events, either. Local charity functions, Chamber of Commerce meetings, and community improvement projects are perfect for showcasing your commitment to the area while expanding your network and maintaining good relationships with city planners to gain insights into upcoming projects and zoning changes.
Perhaps the most powerful tool in your networking arsenal is the satisfied client. Don’t be shy about asking satisfied clients for referrals.
Summarize this article for me pleaseUtilizing Technology for Client Acquisition
A global survey by PlanRadar revealed that over 70% of construction businesses face challenges implementing new technologies. The adoption rates of technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence seem to be rather low at 20%, 18%, and 26%, respectively.
Let’s explore how technology can revolutionize your construction business.
CRMs for the construction industry
According to a study by McKinsey, 77% of construction projects are at least 40% late. The reasons for that can either be unforeseen factors, such as the weather, equipment failure, or labor shortage, or avoidable, such as poor pre-planning, scheduling issues, project conflicts, miscommunication among stakeholders, and incorrect data.
That’s why there’s a big need for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to manage construction projects. CRMs are no longer just for sales teams. In construction, a good CRM can help you manage leads, track client interactions, and streamline your sales process.
Bid websites and lead generation services for construction
You can access construction bidding websites and lead generation services to find new business opportunities.
Construction bidding sites such as BidClerk, iSqFt, and Construction.com list thousands of active construction opportunities that you can bid on.
Here’s what they do:
- List active construction projects seeking bids
- Allow contractors to search and filter projects by location, type, and budget
- Provide access to detailed project specifications and requirements
- Enable direct bid submissions through the platform
- Notify contractors of new relevant projects
These websites streamline the bidding process, connecting contractors with various potential projects and allowing them to compete for larger, more lucrative contracts.
On the other hand, lead generation services help construction companies fill their sales pipeline with pre-qualified leads, allowing them to focus on relationship-building and closing deals. They connect you directly with clients seeking construction services, increasing your chances of landing new projects.
Some key benefits of using bidding websites and lead-generation services are:
- Expanded project opportunities beyond local networks
- Time savings on lead generation and project research
- Access to pre-qualified leads and active projects
- Increased competitiveness in the market
- Ability to filter and target specific project types or clients
- Insights into market trends and demand
- Reduced costs associated with traditional marketing methods
- Enhanced ability to scale business operations
Your website is your 24/7 digital representative. To make it effective, ensure it:
- Loads quickly
- Is mobile-responsive
- Has high-quality images of your completed projects to showcase your best work visually
- Clearly state your services and areas of expertise
- Includes client testimonials and case studies
- Has easy-to-use contact forms to encourage potential clients to reach out
- Is optimized for local SEO to appear in relevant searches
A powerful website establishes credibility, showcases your professionalism, and can generate leads even outside of business hours. It provides potential clients with the information they need to choose you over competitors.
How to use ClickUp for your construction business
Let’s see how ClickUp’s construction project management software can help your construction business thrive.
ClickUp for project management
ClickUp’s Project Management for Construction Software offers numerous ways to plan your projects and run them according to your plan.
- Organize each project into manageable chunks by automatically breaking them down into ClickUp Tasks and Subtasks. It’s like creating a detailed digital blueprint for your work
- From the Calendar View to the Board View, visualize your projects in ways that make sense for your team. Tailor your task dashboard for each team member as you like in 15+ ClickUp Views
- Record time spent on each project and task accurately to bill clients correctly with the help of ClickUp’s Time Tracking feature. No more guesstimating hours or being underpaid for your services
- Keep all project-related files, contracts, leases, agreements, photos, bills, and more in one place on ClickUp Docs. You can even add attachments to your project dashboard
- Track long-term achievements, from project completions to income targets, by setting Goals on ClickUp. Never run over budget or overtime again
- Reflect on your unique workflow stages by creating Custom Statuses. From ‘Permit Pending’ to ‘Final Inspection’, create statuses specific to each project
- Set up workflows to automatically tackle repetitive tasks with ClickUp Automation
- Leverage AI to quickly write contracts, bids, blueprints, and agreements with the help of ClickUp Brain. It’s like having a team of virtual construction assistants at your fingertips
ClickUp for collaboration
- Keep internal and client conversations organized with ClickUp’s Chat view. The Chat view is embedded within the app, so you don’t need to use multiple apps to stay updated
- If your team is confused about a section in the contract or the design blueprint, create quick explainer videos by recording your screen and accompanying voiceover with ClickUp Clips and add them to the relevant ClickUp Task!
- Streamline document/design reviews with the Proofing feature. Pinpoint exactly what you want to change in the document/design and avoid confusing and lengthy back and forths with your team. You can add, assign, and resolve comments on any file type—PNG, GIF, JPEG, or PDF
- Leave comments on tasks, goals, or projects and mention assignees with ClickUp Forms so nothing falls through the cracks. This feature helps integrate responses into your workflow by converting them into trackable tasks and much more
- Brainstorm blueprints for new projects or revisions of a current project with your team and clients in real-time on ClickUp Whiteboards. If you like the idea, automatically turn it into a task and assign your team to start working on it
Whether you’re a big or a small business looking for construction project management software, ClickUp is your all-in-one solution. From initial client consultation to final walkthrough, the project management tool keeps your team aligned, your clients informed, and your projects on track!
ClickUp’s Construction Management Template helps construction businesses like yours streamline processes, from pre-sales and concept development to execution and delivery.
Here’s how:
- Mark and track each project clearly in the Preparing, Construction, or Finalize stages. Break them further into To Do, In Progress, or Complete tasks
- Align team and contractors on the dashboard for smooth collaboration
- https://app.clickup.com/signup?template=t-102451714&department=otherStay on top of your projects even if you don’t have an internet connection in the field with the offline mode
- Collaborate with team members while on the job site using the iOS and Android apps
Here’s a list of more free construction management templates that you can start using today.
Summarize this article for me pleasePayment Options and Financing Solutions
32% of construction businesses reported in a recent survey by Levelset that slow payments impact their ability to complete projects on time.
This highlights a critical issue in the industry where cash flow can make or break a project.
To avoid this setback in your business, you must:
- Offer flexible payment options to clients, including staged payments tied to project milestones
- Explore diverse payment methods, including credit/debit cards, wire transfers, and transaction accounts
- Consider partnering with financial institutions for support, transparency, and ease:
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for secure banking solutions
- Small Business Administration (SBA) for loan programs tailored to construction businesses
By diversifying payment options and leveraging financial institution support, you can improve cash flow, reduce payment delays, and ensure smoother project completion.
Summarize this article for me pleaseSetting Yourself Apart from the Competition
To differentiate from competitors, you must have a unique POV, an innovative offering, or a quirky brand voice. Here’s how some global construction businesses did that:
- Embrace sustainable construction: AECOM, a global infrastructure firm, set itself apart by committing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040
- Apply cutting-edge technology: Bechtel, one of the largest construction companies in the US, uses AI and machine learning for predictive maintenance and risk assessment
- Specialize in niche markets: Kiewit Corporation gained a competitive edge by specializing in complex projects such as renewable energy, nuclear power plants, and offshore platforms
Developing a clear, unique selling proposition (USP) is important in setting your construction company apart. Whether you’re ‘The Green Builders – Sustainable Homes for a Sustainable Future’ or emphasizing ‘50 Years of Excellence in High-Rise Construction’, your USP should reflect your company’s strengths and values.
Craft a brand story highlighting your company’s history, values, and mission. It should showcase the founders’ expertise, passion, or unique industry insights, giving potential clients a reason to choose you over competitors.
To create a strong brand presence, combine this with a consistent visual identity, including a memorable logo and cohesive color scheme across all materials.
Emphasize your expertise by publishing case studies of successful projects and sharing thought leadership content on industry trends, the latest news, and other topics. This will establish your company as an authority in the field.
You can even apply unique ways of managing and executing your construction projects to set yourself apart in the industry.
- Implement Lean construction principles: This approach minimizes waste in materials, time, and effort while continuously improving processes for maximum operational construction efficiency
- Adopt integrated project delivery (IPD): It shares risks and rewards among team members, often using multi-party contracts to align interests. The result is a more efficient, cohesive project delivery process that can lead to better outcomes and satisfied clients
- Use Build Information Modeling (BIM): By creating detailed 3D models, BIM improves project visualization, enhances coordination among different trades, and allows for clash detection to identify and resolve issues before construction begins
- Embrace sustainable construction practices: Use eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient designs, implement water conservation and waste reduction strategies, and pursue green building certifications like LEED or BREEAM
Summarize this article for me pleaseMaintaining Client Relationships
You can’t always rely on getting new projects. That’s why having a client retention strategy is crucial to building lasting partnerships that lead to repeat business and referrals.
Acquiring a new client can cost five times more than retaining an existing one.
So, what are some strategies to maintain and retain your clients?
- Schedule periodic meetings or calls with them to discuss ongoing projects or any potential future needs
- Keep clients informed about industry trends or new services you can offer that might benefit them
- Implement a system for gathering and acting on client feedback to improve your services continuously
Effective communication builds trust and demonstrates your commitment to client success. Use a mix of channels—email, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings—to stay connected and responsive to client needs.
Maintaining client relationships requires consistently delivering high-quality work. Experienced employees who understand your company’s standards, ethics, and processes are more likely to deliver excellent results.
- Invest in employee training and development
- Create a positive work culture that values and rewards quality craftspersonship
- Encourage long-term employee commitment through competitive benefits and growth opportunities
When clients work with familiar faces project after project, it builds confidence and comfort. This continuity in your workforce translates to consistency in your service quality, further solidifying client relationships.
ClickUp has a template for that, too!
ClickUp’s Client Success Template helps you streamline client communication and foster collaboration and trust. Record all your customer interactions, progress, and feedback, identify areas for improvement, and follow up on them.
- Document all your successes that can be shared with the client whenever needed. You don’t have to waste time trying to find old documents and reports to prove your work
- Measure and report on the success of your clients and your team’s work consistently
- View all your client information at a glance on the visual dashboard
Summarize this article for me pleasePaving the Way Forward
Your online presence is your digital storefront.
A well-crafted SEO-friendly website, strategic use of bid platforms and lead generation services, and networking can significantly boost your client acquisition efforts. The goal is to nurture your prospects into clients, which can be simplified using templates and tools to make the process seamless.
By leveraging these technological tools and techniques, particularly ClickUp, you’re not just staying ahead—you’re positioning your construction business at the forefront of innovation, ready to build a future of success, one satisfied client at a time.
Sign up for a free ClickUp trial today!
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