How Contractors Get More Calls in Nearby Towns

Are your trucks gassed up and ready to roll, but the only calls you’re getting are from your cousin Larry asking to borrow a drill? Seriously, Larry, buy your own tools!

Getting your phone to ring with jobs from nearby towns is way simpler than you think. It all starts by turning your website into a machine that tells Google exactly where you want to work. This is how you build a real lead machine.

This is your game plan. Let’s stop waiting and start making that phone ring. You can do this!

Stop Waiting for the Phone to Ring

You’re not alone. I see it all the time—great contractors who feel penned in, stuck working in just their home base when they know for a fact there’s good money to be made a town or two over.

So, how do you get calls from those places? You put up a digital “We Work Here!” sign.

This isn’t about tech-speak or dumping a fortune into marketing mysteries. It’s about taking simple steps that get real results. The single most powerful first step is adding a few simple pages to your website, one for each town you want to serve.

Think of it like putting up a small, super-effective billboard on the digital highway that runs right through that town. It works, and it’s easier than you think.

Your Quick-Start Plan for More Calls

Getting these pages built is the foundation for everything else—better local SEO, Google Ads that actually work, and a website design that finally starts pulling its weight.

Here are the first simple steps to get calls from other towns and a no-nonsense explanation of why they work. You can totally handle this.

This simple process is what turns your website into what I call a Lead Machine. It’s not just a brochure anymore; it’s a system actively pulling in jobs from all the areas you want to cover. It’s designed to make you visible, and that visibility turns into phone calls.

If you want a deeper dive into how this all connects, we have a complete guide on building powerful Lead Machines for contractors.

And to make it dead simple for potential customers to reach out, you should look into how to integrate click-to-call functionality directly onto your pages. It’s a small tweak, but it makes a huge difference in getting that phone to actually ring.

You can do this. Let’s get you started today. And if you need a hand, we’re here to help build these lead machines for you.

Become a Local Legend on Google Maps

Picture this: a homeowner in the next town over frantically searches “plumber near me.” What pops up first on their phone?

It’s not a website. It’s that little map with three businesses listed right at the top.

That’s the Google local map pack, and getting your business in one of those top three spots is like hitting a lead generation jackpot. Forget the lottery, this is where the real money is!

This isn’t some dark magic reserved for tech wizards. It’s all about taking control of your free Google Business Profile (GBP) and turning it into a call-generating machine. You can absolutely do this yourself.

Your Most Powerful Free Tool

Think of your Google Business Profile as your digital storefront. If the windows are dirty and the sign is crooked, people will walk right on by. But if it’s clean, bright, and full of proof that you do great work, customers will feel confident enough to call.

The goal is simple: give Google so much good information that it has no choice but to show you to people in those nearby towns you want to work in.

This is the core of local SEO and the fastest way to get your phone ringing with jobs from surrounding areas.

Filling Out Your Profile The Right Way

First things first, claim your profile and fill out every single section. Don’t get lazy and skip parts. Google rewards businesses that provide the most complete information.

Here’s what to nail down immediately:

• Business Category: Be specific. Don’t just put “Contractor.” Choose “Roofing Contractor” or “Septic System Service.” This helps Google match you with the right customers who are ready to buy.
• Service Areas: This is HUGE. Don’t just list your office address. Add every single town, city, and zip code you’re willing to travel to. This explicitly tells Google, “Hey, I work in these places, too!”
• Services: List every single thing you do. If you’re a plumber, don’t just list “plumbing.” Add “drain cleaning,” “water heater installation,” and “leak repair.” The more detail, the better.

Your Google Business Profile isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. It’s a living, breathing part of your business that needs regular attention. A little effort here goes a very long way in generating calls.

Think of it this way: a whopping 96% of people learn about local businesses online. And for contractors, it’s even more critical—86% of people look up a business on Google Maps before they even think about calling. If you want to dominate nearby towns, this is where you start.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Words are great, but pictures sell jobs. You need to be uploading photos of your work to your profile constantly. This is non-negotiable.

Before-and-after photos are pure gold. They show potential customers the exact transformation you can deliver.

Snap pictures of your crew on the job, your clean work trucks, and even happy customers (with their permission, of course). Pro tip: name the photo files with the service and town, like “new-roof-installation-springfield.jpg.” It’s a simple local SEO trick that works.

If you’re ready to really dig in and make your profile a powerhouse, check out our step-by-step guide on how to optimize your Google Business Profile for even more simple tips.

The Magic of 5-Star Reviews

Finally, let’s talk about reviews. Getting a steady stream of 5-star reviews is like getting a gold star from Google. This is the goal of 5 star review generation.

It tells the search engine you’re a trustworthy, high-quality business, which bumps you up in the map rankings. More importantly, it tells that homeowner in the next town over that you’re the right person to call.

We’ll cover exactly how to get these reviews later on, but for now, just know they are absolutely essential.

Turn Your Website Into a 24/7 Salesperson

Your website should be your best employee. It never calls in sick, it works 24/7, and its only job is to bring you qualified leads. If your site is just sitting there like a lazy cousin on the couch, it’s time to put it to work.

We’re going to fix this with two simple ideas that anyone can handle. No coding, no confusing jargon—just practical steps to turn your website into a powerful lead machine.

First, we’ll talk about creating “Location Pages.” Then, we’ll cover a few can’t-miss website design tricks that get people to actually call you.

Plant Your Flag with Location Pages

Right now, your website probably talks a lot about your main town. That’s great, but it tells Google you only work there. To get calls from nearby towns, you need to create a separate page on your website for each and every town you want to target.

Think of it this way: if you want to catch fish in Springfield Lake, you don’t cast your line in Shelbyville Pond. You go right to Springfield Lake.

A Location Page is a simple page that screams, “Hey Google, we do septic installations in Springfield!” It’s a dedicated signal that helps you show up when a homeowner in that specific town is searching for exactly what you do.

You can do this. It’s not as complicated as it sounds.

What to Put on Your Location Pages

Don’t overthink it. You don’t need to write a novel. The goal is to prove to both Google and potential customers that you are a legitimate, active contractor in their area.

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank template for what to include:

• A Local Headline: Start with something obvious, like “Your Go-To Roofing Contractor in Springfield.”
• Mention a Local Landmark: Casually drop in a reference to a job you did near a well-known park, street, or school. Something like, “We just finished a big land clearing project over by the old Springfield Mill.” This shows you actually know the area.
• Add a Local Testimonial: If you have a happy customer from that town, put their 5-star review right on the page. It’s the best proof you can possibly offer.
• Show Photos of Local Work: Include pictures of a job you completed in that town. Before you upload it, name the image file something like “septic-system-install-springfield-ohio.jpg”.

Creating a unique page for each town you serve is one of the most effective local SEO tactics a contractor can use. Trying to rank everywhere with a single homepage is like trying to yell at ten different people across a crowded room—nobody hears you clearly.

This one strategy can make a huge difference in how contractors get more calls in nearby towns. It’s all about being specific and relevant.

Make Your Website Easy to Use

Now, let’s talk website design in plain English. Your website has one job: make it ridiculously easy for someone to contact you. If a potential customer has to hunt for your phone number, you’ve already lost them.

Your design needs to be a lead generation machine, not an art project. The principles behind effective lead generation website design for home services contractors are straightforward and all point to getting you more calls.

Here are the non-negotiables:

• Put Your Phone Number Everywhere: It needs to be HUGE and at the top of every single page. Make it a “click-to-call” button so people on their phones can just tap it to dial you.
• Keep Your Forms Simple: Your “Get a Free Quote” form should be dead simple. Ask only for what you absolutely need: name, phone number, and a short message. Every extra field you add will lower the number of people who fill it out.
• Make it Look Great on a Phone: Most people will find you on their smartphone, probably while standing in their yard looking at the problem. If they have to pinch and zoom to read your site, they’ll just leave.

It really is that simple. You don’t need a fancy, complicated website. You need a clean, simple, and effective tool for generating phone calls.

We can help you build a website that does exactly that. A true lead machine that works for you, so you can focus on doing the actual work.

Simple Ads That Make People Call You

Ready to pour a little gasoline on the fire? If you want your phone ringing now, paid ads on Google and Facebook are the fastest way to get in front of homeowners in nearby towns who need what you do. Google Ads and Facebook Ads are lead generation powerhouses!

Forget what you’ve heard. This doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can start small, see what works, and scale from there. This is how you skip the line and get jobs while your local SEO is still warming up.

Think of it like a megaphone. Your website and Google Profile are building your reputation for the long haul, but ads let you shout your message directly to the exact people you want to reach, in the exact towns you want to work in.

Google Ads: Catch Them When They’re Searching

When a homeowner’s septic system backs up, they don’t leisurely browse the internet. They grab their phone in a panic and search “septic repair near me.” Google Ads puts you right at the top of their screen at that exact moment of need.

The best part? You’re not just throwing money at a billboard and hoping for the best. You can get incredibly specific.

• Target by Zip Code: You can tell Google to only show your ads to people in the specific zip codes you want to expand into. No more wasted money on calls from 50 miles away.
• Target by Keyword: Your ad only shows up when someone searches for exactly what you do, like “land clearing services” or “new concrete driveway.” The leads are hot.

You can run an ad that says, “Plumber in Springfield – Free Estimates This Week!” When someone in Springfield searches for a plumber, there you are. It’s that direct.

The beauty of Google Ads is its immediacy. While building a strong local SEO presence is the long-term goal, a well-targeted ad campaign can generate qualified calls from a new service area in a matter of days, not months.

Facebook Ads: Stop the Scroll

Facebook is different. Nobody goes on Facebook looking for a contractor. They’re scrolling through photos of their grandkids or watching funny videos. So how do you get their attention?

You stop them dead in their tracks with pictures and videos of your best work.

Facebook Ads are visual. They’re perfect for showing off that beautiful new patio you just built or a stunning before-and-after of a messy land-clearing job. It’s your chance to show, not just tell.

Just like Google, the targeting is incredibly powerful. You can show your ads to:

• Homeowners…
• Of a certain age…
• Who live in a specific town.

Imagine running a video of a recent kitchen remodel and showing it only to homeowners between 35 and 65 who live in Centerville. That’s how you get on their radar before they even know they need you. It’s one of the best ways contractors can get more calls in nearby towns when the competition is fierce.

Using social media with this kind of tight geographic targeting is incredibly effective, especially in growing areas. For instance, in Florida’s booming construction market, ads geo-fenced to a fast-growing city can pull in viewers with video tours of past jobs. This taps into the 78% of users who make purchases from mobile ads. You can find out more about how contractors can succeed with these hyper-local campaigns and market trends.

Keep It Simple and Get It Done

The key is not to get overwhelmed. You don’t need a complex strategy to get started. Just pick one service and one nearby town you want more jobs from. Create a simple ad and point it directly to the “Location Page” on your website for that town.

This creates a clean path for the customer. They see an ad about roofing in their town, they click it, and they land on a page that confirms you are the expert roofer for their specific area. It builds instant trust and makes them far more likely to pick up the phone.

We’ve actually developed a way to make this whole process even easier. You can learn more about how we create super simple ads that are built to make the phone ring without all the confusing dashboards or technical jargon.

You can do this. A small, focused ad campaign is a fantastic way to test the waters in a new town and start generating calls right away.

Get 5-Star Reviews That Do the Selling for You

What convinces a homeowner in the next town over to trust you—a stranger—over a local guy they’ve seen around?

A whole boatload of glowing 5-star reviews.

Think about it. When you’re looking for a good place to eat in a new town, you don’t just pick a random spot. You pull out your phone and see who has the best reviews. Homeowners do the exact same thing when they need a septic system installed or a driveway poured. This is why 5 star review generation is so important.

Positive reviews are your digital word-of-mouth, and they’re priceless. Each one is a tiny salesperson working for you 24/7, telling people in those nearby towns that you’re the real deal. They build trust before you even answer the phone.

Making It Easy to Get Great Reviews

Most happy customers are willing to leave a review. The problem is, they’re busy and they forget. You just have to make it ridiculously simple for them, and you have to ask at the perfect moment.

The best time to ask is right after the job is done and they’re smiling at your amazing work. Don’t wait a week. Send a simple text message or email with a direct link to your Google Business Profile review page.

That’s it. No long, sappy emails. Just a quick, friendly nudge while they’re still feeling good about the project.

Here’s an easy, non-pushy script you can copy and paste into a text message:

“Hey [Customer Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Your Company]. We really enjoyed working on your project today! If you have a quick second, we’d be grateful if you could leave us a review on Google. Here’s the link: [Your Google Review Link]. Thanks so much!”

It’s that simple. You’ll be shocked at how many people are happy to help when you make it this easy. This simple habit is one of the secrets to how contractors get more calls in nearby towns—they build an army of happy customers who do the selling for them.

Respond to Every Single Review

This next part is critical, and almost nobody does it right. You need to reply to every single review you get, good or bad.

Why? Because potential customers read your replies!

When you respond to a positive review, it shows you appreciate your customers. When you respond professionally to a negative one, it shows you stand behind your work and are willing to make things right. It tells new customers in other towns, “This contractor is a pro who cares about their reputation.”

Here are a few tips for your replies:

• Thank them by name: Make it personal and friendly.
• Mention the service and town: This is a sneaky local SEO trick! For example, “Thanks, Bob! We loved installing that new septic system for you in Springfield.”
• Keep it short and sweet: A couple of sentences is all you need.

This whole process is a key part of building a strong online presence. For a deeper look at this, our guide on online reputation management tips offers more simple, actionable advice.

Turn Bad Reviews into a Win

Sooner or later, it happens to everyone. You get a bad review. Don’t panic! A negative review is not the end of the world. In fact, it’s an opportunity.

A profile with nothing but perfect 5-star reviews can actually look a little suspicious. A couple of less-than-perfect reviews (with your professional responses) makes you look real.

Here’s the game plan:

1. Don’t get angry: Take a deep breath. Never, ever get into an argument online.
2. Respond publicly and professionally: Acknowledge their issue and offer to resolve it offline. Something like, “We’re sorry you had this experience. We stand by our work and want to make it right. Please call me directly at…”
3. Take the conversation offline: Call them and solve the problem. Sometimes, they’ll even update their review afterward.

Building a 5-star reputation is a simple system. Ask every happy customer, make it easy for them, and respond to everything. You can do this. Let’s get you those reviews that do the selling for you.

Your Simple Action Plan for Getting More Calls

We’ve covered a lot of ground. It can feel like you need to become a tech wizard overnight, but you don’t. This is about taking small, simple steps—one at a time—to build a real lead machine that makes your phone ring.

Let’s cut through the confusion and lay out a simple plan you can start this week. This isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about building momentum, one call at a time.

First Things First: Your Foundation

Before you even think about ads or anything fancy, you need a solid base. This is where you’ll get the most bang for your buck without spending a dime.

• Nail Your Google Business Profile: This is your digital storefront. Fill out every single section, add tons of photos of your work, and list every town you want to work in. For real local SEO, this is job number one.
• Build One Location Page: Pick one nearby town you want more jobs from and create a simple “city page” on your website for it. Mention a job you did there and drop in a local customer review. This tells Google exactly where you want to rank. A good website design makes this easy.

Once you have these two things in place, you have a foundation you can build on. You’re signaling to both Google and potential customers that you are the go-to contractor for that area.

This isn’t a race. It’s a roadmap. Master one step, then move to the next. Consistent, simple actions will always beat complicated, inconsistent efforts.

Next: Add Fuel to the Fire

With your foundation set, it’s time to get proactive. This is how you start actively driving people to your new lead machine.

Start asking every happy customer for a 5-star review. Seriously. 5 star review generation is a simple system. Send them a simple text with a direct link right after the job is done. Great reviews are what convince a homeowner in the next town over to trust you.

Once the reviews are rolling in, maybe you try a small, targeted Facebook ad. Show off a recent project with a great before-and-after photo, and aim it only at homeowners in that new town you’re targeting.

See? It’s not rocket science. It’s a simple, repeatable process for lead generation. You can absolutely do this. And if you need a hand turning these ideas into a flood of new calls, we’re here to help.

Answering Your Top Questions

Let’s clear the air on a couple of questions I hear all the time from contractors who are ready to expand but aren’t sure where to start. The answers are simpler than you think and all point back to one thing: making the phone ring.

Do I Need a Physical Address in Each Town?

Absolutely not. This is a huge myth that holds a lot of guys back.

You don’t need to rent an office or get a P.O. box just to show up on Google in the next town over. Your local SEO success comes from proving you serve that area, not from having a building there. Things like town-specific website pages, getting 5-star review generation from customers in that town, and running targeted Google Ads are what tell Google you belong there.

How Much Should I Spend on Ads?

You don’t need a massive budget. Not even close.

The best part about Facebook Ads and Google Ads is you can start small and stay in control. Even $10-$20 a day, aimed at a single nearby town, can start bringing in calls.

Think of ads as a faucet. When you land a good job from an ad, you can reinvest a little more to keep the lead machines running. It’s not about spending a fortune; it’s about spending smart.

The whole process to get calls breaks down into three simple parts: your profile, your website, and your ads. This is the lead generation formula!

Each one builds on the last to create a steady stream of calls. A solid profile makes your ads work better, and a great website design turns that ad click into a paying customer.

You can absolutely do this. These straightforward, powerful steps are the key to expanding your territory and getting more calls.

If you want a partner to help you build a true lead machine that brings in jobs from all the towns you serve, the team at The Cherubini Company is ready to help. You can learn more at https://cherubinicompany.com.