2026 Contractor Business Growth Checklist: 10 Things to Check In the New Year
Most contractors don't lose jobs because they're bad at their trade. They lose them because they didn't prepare in January.
Let's review a checklist of the things contractors should be doing before demand ramps up - starting with the biggest shift most contractors are still underestimating heading into 2026.
1. Make Your Business AI-Ready and Visible Beyond Traditional SEO
Homeowners aren't just Googling anymore. They're asking AI tools who to call.
And AI doesn't recommend businesses based on keyword rankings. It recommends businesses based on reputation signals.
Moving forward, your focus should be visibility in real places – not just your website.
- Get mentioned in public community content like local blogs, HOA newsletters, chamber pages, or sponsor listings
- Tie your business name to expertise through local news articles, trade blogs, or contractor podcasts (transcripts matter)
- Publish plain-language FAQ type content on your website, in blog posts, and inside your Google Business Profile posts
- Encourage reviews beyond Google on platforms like Yelp, Angi, BBB, and Nextdoor – and ask customers to mention the service, city, and outcome
- Lock down consistency so your business name, services, service area, and credentials match everywhere
AI visibility is built by being talked about clearly, repeatedly, and consistently. If your business isn't showing up in context, it won't get recommended.
2. Refresh Your Website With Conversion in Mind
We're not talking about a website redesign for the sake of redesign - Instead, refresh your website with conversion in mind.
- Update outdated copy, photos, and service descriptions
- Test every form and phone number
- Make sure tracking is working correctly
Your website should reflect how customers actually buy today, not how they bought five years ago.
A broken or outdated site doesn't fail loudly. It just quietly leaks leads.
3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Accuracy and Trust
Your Google Business Profile is one of your most important digital assets. That's why it's important, especially in the light of the recent increase in contractor GBP suspensions, to make changes cautiously. If you already work with a marketing agency, work together with them to make sure you're not making rapid fire or inapproprate changes that would increase your risk of suspensions or GBP loss.
- Review hours, categories, and service areas
- Remove outdated services
- Add fresh photos and real-world updates
- Make sure calls and messages route to a real human quickly
Visibility only works if follow-up works.
4. Lock in an Active Review Strategy
Reviews don't happen by accident.
Now is the time to make this intentional.
- Set a realistic monthly review target
- Decide who asks, when they ask, and how they ask
- Use automation where it helps – without losing accountability
- Monitor reviews consistently, not just when something goes wrong
The contractors with the best reviews usually aren't the best. They're the ones who ask the most.
5. Clean and Organize Your CRM
Bad data kills good marketing. Use slower times to make sure your data is ready to go to work for you.
- Remove duplicates and bad emails
- Segment customers by service, recency, or location
- Identify reactivation and referral opportunities
When your database is organized, everything else works better – email marketing, follow-up, and retention.
Prep it now, before marketing ramps up.
6. Review Last Year's Numbers and Tie Them to Operations
This isn't just about revenue.
- Review job count, average ticket, and profitability by service
- Identify which services made money and which ones drained time
- Look for seasonal patterns
Use those insights to guide hiring decisions, marketing spend, and service focus.
The goal is alignment. Your numbers should match your staffing and operational capacity.
Guessing here gets expensive.
7. Evaluate Google Ads and Local Services Ads Performance
Now let's talk ads – specifically Google Ads and Local Services Ads.
- Review Google Ads cost per lead, cost per booked job, and lead quality
- Check Local Services Ads budget utilization, disputes, and review impact
- Confirm ads align with real availability and real profitability
Now is the time to adjust budgets (or to consider running ads for the first time in your marketing budget) – not when phones are already ringing off the hook.
8. Prepare Your Team and Equipment for the Year Ahead
Growth breaks unprepared teams.
- Confirm staffing levels
- Identify training needs early
- Set expectations and goals clearly
- Inventory tools, vehicles, and equipment
Smooth seasons start with prep, not pressure.
9. Build a Marketing Calendar You Can Actually Maintain
Consistency beats intensity.
Decide which channels actually matter this year. Map out seasonal priorities. Plan themes instead of scrambling for ideas.
A simple, realistic plan you stick to will outperform a perfect plan you abandon by March.
10. Commit to One Intentional Improvement for 2026
Last one – and this is important. Don't try to fix everything at once.
Chances are good that your business may need adjustments and improvements in multiple part os your business. Choose one area at a time to improve meaningfully this year. Marketing. Operations. Customer experience. Technology.
Measure progress regularly. The important thing here is to make sure you are always actively working toward your goal. Momentum beats perfection.
The best contractors don't do more. They do better, on purpose.
Visibility Is the New Advantage
Planning beats panic. Reputation beats tricks. Consistency beats bursts of effort.
Contractors who prepare in earlier control their year. Everyone else reacts to it.
If you need help with your online presence, visibility, or lead generation, the contractor marketing pros at Footbridge Media are always ready to help!
About Chris Lonergan
Chris Lonergan has over 13 years of contractor marketing experience with Footbridge Media. With a background in web design, print design, content creation, and online marketing, Chris is focused on providing quality marketing and business solutions in the construction and service industries - helping small business owners to more efficiently manage their companies and grow their operations.
Chris Lonergan has previously contributed to and/or been featured in PM Magazine (Plumbing & Mechanical | Contractors x Engineers), theNEWS (ACHR - Air Conditioning | Heating | Refrigeration), Turf Magazine (For Landscaping and Green Industry Professionals) Service Roundtable's blog, inPAINT Magazine, the SMB Marketing Agency Show, and the Green Industry Podcast. Chris is also a past SGI/CertainPath breakout session presenter.
