If you own a fence company, you’ve probably heard people talk about SEO. Maybe you’ve even had a few sales reps try to sell you on it. But what is it, really? And does it actually help you get more fence jobs?
Let’s break it down in plain words. No fluff.
What Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. That just means making changes to your website and online stuff so people can find you when they search on Google.
If someone types in “fence company near me” or “best fence builder in [your city],” SEO helps your name show up near the top of that list.
The higher you rank, the more clicks you get. And more clicks usually means more calls and more jobs.
Why Should Fence Contractors Care?
Because most people don’t flip through the phone book anymore. They Google. They search fast, check a few top results, and make a call.
If you’re not showing up on the first page, you’re losing jobs to someone else who is.
Even if you do great work, it doesn’t matter much online unless people can find you.
How SEO Works in Simple Terms
SEO is like a mix of three things:
- Your Website – Is it fast, easy to read, and made the right way?
- Your Content – Do you have good info on your site, like service pages, FAQs, and blogs?
- Your Reputation Online – Are people talking about you on other sites? Are your Google reviews good?
Google looks at all of that. Then it decides who should show up first.
Local SEO: Why It Matters More for You
As a fence company, you don’t care about people in another state. You want calls from your city or nearby areas.
That’s where Local SEO comes in.
It focuses on helping you rank for searches in your area. That means someone five miles from your shop searching “fence repair” sees your name.
Local SEO includes:
- Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
- Local keywords (like “fence repair in Austin”)
- Local backlinks (mentions from other nearby businesses or sites)
What’s a Google Business Profile, and Why It Matters
This is the little box that shows up with your name, map, phone number, hours, and reviews when people Google you.
It’s free to claim, but you need to keep it updated.
If set up right, your profile can show up even before websites. People can call you straight from it.
That’s why we always tell fence companies to keep it clean, full, and active.
SEO vs. Paid Ads (Like Google Ads or Facebook Ads)
You might be wondering: If I can just pay for ads, why care about SEO?
Here’s the deal:
| SEO | Paid Ads (Google/Facebook) |
|---|---|
| Long term results | Short term boost |
| Free clicks | You pay for every click |
| Builds trust over time | Less trust (people know it’s an ad) |
| Takes time to work | Works fast |
| Needs regular updates | Needs constant money |
We’re not saying one is better. But if you stop paying for ads, the leads stop. SEO keeps working.
Best plan? Use both when you can.
How SEO Helps Fence Companies Stand Out
Let’s say there are 10 fence companies in your town.
All of them have trucks, tools, and decent websites.
But only a few are doing SEO right. That gives you a chance to win more clicks, more calls, and more work, even if your prices are the same.
Think of SEO like signage on a busy road. If your sign is big, clear, and near the front, people call you first.
What a Good SEO Plan Looks Like for Fence Companies
You don’t need anything fancy. But you do need a plan.
Here’s what we usually recommend:
1. Clean Website
- Loads fast
- Works on phones
- Easy to use
- Has clear info about your services, prices, and areas you serve
2. Good Content
- A page for each service (wood fence, vinyl, chain link, repairs, etc.)
- FAQs for common questions
- Blog posts about fence care, seasonal tips, or local laws
3. Local SEO
- Claim and update your Google Business Profile
- Add photos of your work
- Ask for reviews from happy customers
- Get listed in local directories
4. Ongoing SEO Work
- Add new content often
- Check for broken links or errors
- Track rankings and make changes when needed
Things That Hurt Your SEO
Just as there are good things to do, there are things that mess up your rankings.
Avoid these:
- A slow or broken website
- Copying content from other sites
- Fake reviews
- Wrong business info (like an old phone number)
- Ignoring your Google profile
Google doesn’t like spammy stuff. Keep it honest and clean.
Do You Need to Hire an SEO Company?
Not always. If you’re a hands on owner with time, you can do some of this yourself.
But if you’re busy building fences, it might make sense to let someone else handle it.
Look for someone who:
- Knows the fence business
- Speaks in plain words
- Shows real results
- Doesn’t lock you into long contracts
(Yes, this is where we could tell you about FenceWebs. But we’re not here to pitch. We’re here to help you learn.)
Final Thoughts
SEO is not magic. It’s not overnight. But it works.
If you’re serious about growing your fence company, it should be part of your plan.
Start simple. Make your site better. Keep your Google profile active. Write a few good pages.
Little by little, you’ll move up.
When people find you first, they call you first. That’s the goal.
If you’ve got questions or want help, we’re easy to talk to.
But even if you never hire us, we still hope this helped you get a better handle on what SEO is and why it matters.
Now go build fences. Let the internet work for you while you’re out in the field.
