Author Archives: Roofers Guild

Sep '21

Roofing Directories

Having your roofing business listed on industry-specific directories helps build your reputation, increase brand recognition, and improve SEO for roofers.

With one essential caveat: directories not indexed by Google have no impact on your visibility, so avoid building citations on spammy directories that search engines will ignore.

Below is a list of industry-specific roofing directories. Some of these require a paid membership to get a listing.

USA Roofing Directories

Directory	Link	Location
Ask a Roofer	Source	National
Coatings Coffee Shop	Source	National
Directorii	Source	National
Green Roofs	Source	National
Metal Coffee Shop	Source	National
National Roof Deck Contractors Association	Source	National
National Roofing Contractors Association	Source	National
National Roofing Directory	Source	National
National Roofing Directory	Source	National
National Slate Association	Source	National
Roofers Coffee Shop	Source	National
roofersDB	Source	National
Roofing & Solar Reform Alliance	Source	National
Roofing Alliance	Source	National
Roofing Contractor	Source	National
Roofing Directory	Source	National
Roofing Talk	Source	National
Slate Roofing Contractors Association	Source	International
The Roofer’s Helper	Source	National
USA Roofing Companies	Source	National

Regional Roofing Directories

Directory	Link	Location
Midwest Roofing Contractor’s Association	Source	Regional
North East Roofing Contractors	Source	Regional
Western States Roofing Contractors Associaton	Source	Regional

US-State-Based Roofing Directories

Directory	Link	Location
Arizona Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Arizona
Roofing Contractors Association of California	Source	California
Colorado Roofing Association	Source	Colorado
Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida	Source	Florida
Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association	Source	Florida
Georgia Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Georgia
Kansas Roofing Association	Source	Kansas
Kentucky Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Kentucky
Central Texas Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Texas
North Texas Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Texas
Roofing Contractors Association of Texas	Source	Texas
Roofing Contractors Association of Washington	Source	Washington

US-City-Based Roofing Directories

Directory	Link	Location
Chicago Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Chicago, IL
Houston Area Roofing Contractors Association	Source	Houston, TX
San Diego Roofing Contractors Assocation	Source	San Diego, CA

Aug '21

The 4 Best Roofing Books of 2024 (with Descriptions)

Are you looking for the best roofing books for 2024? At Roofer’s Guild, we don’t blame you for seeking knowledge. After all, you are dealing with the first line of defense for your customer’s homes.

So, while nothing can replace hands-on training, it never hurts to supplement your roofing knowledge with a bit of at-home reading.

Our team rounded up some of the best roofing books for contractors (and even some for non-roofing contractors) in 2024. The books in our list run the gamut from specific job guides to supplemental roofing education.

1) The Calm After the Storm by Daniel Koren

In 2020, 4,611 major hail storms were reported in the United States. Severe storms are one of the leading causes of damage to any roof type.

As a contractor, you should know all about roof storm damage. In The Calm After the Storm by Daniel Koren, you will learn about the damage various storms (particularly hail storms) can do to roofs.

Your customers may also look to you for help with the insurance claims process. The Calm After the Storm tops our list of the best roofing books because it details the insurance claims process – one of the most problematic and common concerns for homeowners.

2) Siding, Roofing, and Trim

If you are a roofing contractor, you probably don’t need a book to tell you how to replace or install a roof. However, you may want to branch out into other services to earn more money and expand your business. Siding, Roofing, and Trim by the editors of Fine Homebuilding is a book that can help.

In it, you will learn the basics of how the roofing system affects a home’s exterior. More importantly, you can learn the basics of replacing and installing, you guessed it, siding and trim. Even a section dedicated to painting tips would be an excellent book for anyone looking to expand their repertoire of services.

However, one of the best things about Siding, Roofing, and Trim is that it was written: “by pros for pros.” There is no baby talk in this book.

You will need to have some contractor experience already to get the most value from this book, but if you are looking to add more services to your menu, chances are you are a reasonably seasoned contractor.

3) Roofing with Asphalt Shingles

An estimated 75% of houses in the U.S. have asphalt shingle roofing installed. Of course, as a roofing contractor, you likely have a lot of experience with asphalt shingles. Still, everyone could use some help to produce the tightest, most amicable, and most secure asphalt shingle roofs.

That’s why we chose Roofing with Asphalt Shingles as #3 on our list of the best roofing books. It’s essentially a masterclass in asphalt shingle roofing. But, of course, you can skip all the basics of installation. Roofing with Asphalt Shingles offers advanced tips for installing asphalt shingles, though.

There are chapters dedicated to installing the longest-lasting asphalt shingle roofs and producing aesthetically pleasing ones. Plus, you get a primer on how to estimate asphalt shingle roof jobs and order materials accurately.

This book’s value is not that it will show you how to replace shingles but that it will teach you to become a master at one of the most common types of roofing work in the industry.

4) Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing

Another great read by the editors of Fine Homebuilding, Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing provides an in-depth guide on protecting roofs from one of Mother Nature’s most damaging elements: water.

Again, we like this book because it was written by pros, so even if you’re a seasoned roofing contractor, you’ll be able to get a lot of value out of Roofing, Flashing, and Waterproofing.

For even more resources like digital marketing for roofing and roofing leads, get in touch with the pros here at Roofer’s Guild. We can help you expand your business, so contact us today.

Jul '21

How To Get (Exclusive) Roofing Leads on Facebook in 2024

I was just talking to Jimmy, a roofing friend of mine, when he asked about how to get roofing leads on Facebook.

I wasn’t surprised by the question because of Facebook’s popularity and the buzz surrounding its advertising campaigns.

While Facebook Ads are undoubtedly effective for some roofing companies, others fail to match the success of their competitors.

Most of the time, the difference in performance stems from a lack of clarity on how to target ideal customers for a local roofing company.

As a proud member of Roofer’s Guild, I help our roofing community reach more customers through marketing and advertising, including Facebook Ads.

You Can Get Roofing Leads on Facebook Through Paid Advertising That Properly Targets Ideal Roofing Customers Within Your Service Area.

Generating Roofing Leads With Facebook Lead Ads

The primary method to generate leads for your roofing company on Facebook is through paid advertising and, more specifically, “Lead Ads.”

Although you can post organic (free) content on your Facebook Business Page, it will not reach enough people to generate significant leads.

As a result, you must create a Lead ad through the Ads Manager in your Meta Business Suite.

Getting Started

Open Meta Business Suite and select Ads Manager.

Next, click on the +Create button and select “Leads” as the campaign objective.

Add campaign details and set a budget.

Conversion Location

Choose “Instant Forms” so users can auto-fill and submit their Facebook info through the platform’s native lead form.

Budget and Schedule

Set your recommended daily budget between $10 and $15 to start (you will monitor this going forward).

Your ad should run for at least seven days so that the Facebook algorithm can capture its data.

You don’t have to set an end date if you plan to closely monitor performance daily.

However, if you are unsure when you will log back into your account, make sure to set an end date.

Screenshot of Facebook Lead Ads Screen for Budget and Schedule

Audience

You must create a new audience if your account does not already have an existing audience.

Set your location to your service area(s).

Set the age range from 35-65.

Ad format

Choose between a carousel display or a single image (or video).

Insert your chosen media, headline, description, and CTA (call to action).

Select a destination (which, in this case, will be instant form).

Publish Your Ad

Finally, select “publish” so your roofing lead ad goes live.

Why Facebook Roofing Leads Are Popular

Facebook has been a staple in social media marketing for over two decades. However, the platform has recently become renowned for roofing lead generation, primarily through Facebook Lead Ads.

Many contractors view Facebook as a superior alternative to Google Ads because of its higher conversion rates.

Also, contact info captured through Facebook is in the category of exclusive roofing leads, as the customers are directly interacting with your company brand rather than a 3rd party (like a lead seller)

Below are some of the reasons why Facebook leads are becoming increasingly popular for roofers:

Sheer Volume: Facebook is still one of the most dominant social media platforms in existence, for starters. The website boasts over 2 billion monthly users.
The Right Audience: You don’t want to target too young people to own their own homes. The average U.S. Facebook user is 40 years old – the perfect age for homeowners. Conversely, fewer than 10% of people on Facebook are under the age of 18.
Constant Traffic: Of the 69% of American adults who use Facebook, 74% check the site daily. It’s like having an endless parade of cars drive by the company sign you planted in a customer’s yard.

Based on these numbers alone, Facebook cannot be overlooked for roofing leads.

Facebook Marketing To Get Roofing Leads

Paid advertising is the most effective way to generate roofing leads on Facebook.

However, organic Facebook Marketing can help maximize advertising conversions and strengthen your company brand.

For example, accumulating “likes” on your Facebook Business Page allows you to refine your source audience when targeting users through paid advertising.

As a result, it’s vital to optimize your business page to attract the right kinds of followers.

The right style will be the one that resonates with your target audience.

Check out some of the ways to achieve this below:

Share Informative Content on Facebook

Your organic content should not be as sales-oriented as your advertisements.

Instead, it would be best if you used your page to:

Educate people on roofing and roofing services.
Connect with your community.
Increase traffic to your website.
Highlight staff, employees, and events.

One of the most effective ways to generate leads with Facebook is to offer valuable posts that teach your followers something they didn’t know about roofing.

You can also connect with them by introducing yourself and your team to them through stories and videos.

Remember to include a link to your website in all of your Facebook posts.

Brand Your Roofing Company Through Facebook

Another great way to maximize your Facebook Business Page is with consistent branding.

Make sure you use your company’s logo as your Facebook avatar.

Your Facebook profile name should be your business name (or as close as possible if it’s already taken).

That way, when people see your logo on a service vehicle in real life, they connect the brand with the Facebook account they interacted with online.

Why is that important? Because people tend to trust brands that they recognize. The numbers don’t lie, either.

Studies have shown that consistent branding alone can increase revenue by 23%.

The uptick indicates that people buy more services because of brand recognition.

So, you must consistently utilize your logo, slogan, company name, fonts, and even company colors both online and in real life.

Publish Roofing Videos on Facebook

Facebook video is the most compelling way to receive organic engagement from followers.

People spend 100 million hours watching videos on Facebook every day.

Therefore, creating video posts for Facebook is a vast opportunity to generate leads for your roofing business.

The good news is that creating videos is easier than ever with online video editors like Veed and Canva.

Here are some value-oriented Facebook video ideas:

Roofing Maintenance How-To’s: Simple “how-to” videos can get many impressions and create traffic. Consider a video that shows people how to clean their gutters safely or something else along that line.
Winter Tips: Many people are concerned with how their roofs will hold up during the winter, so try creating a video outlining tips for roof winterization.
Before and After Videos: Nothing shows people what you can like a good before and after video. Document a damaged roof with a video and a story on how the roof got damaged. Then, connect that with video footage of the repaired roof with a brief explanation of the work that went into it.

Next Steps to Generate Roofing Leads on Facebook

Your next steps depend on the maturity of your roofing company in the digital marketplace.

For example, you can start running lead ads immediately if you already have a Facebook Business Page.

If your company does not yet have an account, you must create a business account in Meta Business Manager.

For assistance with creating effective Facebook Lead Ads, contact Roofer’s Guild today.

Jun '21

8 Most Common Silicone Roof Coating Problems

Although silicone roof coatings are a smart choice for many reasons, silicone roofing problems are quite common.

On the bright side, silicone coatings possess very high solids content, so they don’t necessarily have to be applied in multiple layers to provide adequate protection.

This saves time and money, and even more so when they do not require a primer (which is often true).

Many commercial buildings have silicone coatings protecting their roofs for these and other reasons. However, silicone roof coatings are not perfect—no type of roof coating is. They have inherent flaws.

As a contractor, property manager, or business owner, you should be aware of how silicone roof coatings can fail and thoroughly understand their most common problems.

Common Silicone Roofing Problems

Incompatibility With Other Materials
Adverse to Foot Traffic
Compromised Reflectivity
Limited to Flat Roofs
Shorter Warranties
Vulnerability to tearing
More Expensive
Difficult installation

Below, Roofer’s Guild outlines eight silicone roofing problems to consider:

1) Not All Roof Materials Adhere to Silicone

When it comes to selecting the best roof coating, you must consider your circumstances. Right off the bat, this could be a big problem. Not all existing roof materials will adhere to silicone.

A lack of adhesion means you must remove the entire surface or opt for materials that will stick to silicone. Investing in adhesive materials can drive up your installation costs.

2) Not The Best for Heavy Foot Traffic

An ideal candidate for silicone roof coating is a roof that will not see much foot traffic. There are a couple of problems that can arise if a silicone roof coating is applied to a roof that gets a lot of foot traffic:

Silicone becomes more slippery than other roof coatings when it gets wet, presenting a safety hazard for people on your roof.
Frequent foot traffic can damage silicone, reducing its projected lifespan.

Foot traffic may not be an issue if your building’s roof rarely receives visitors. However, if you frequently need roof-top HVAC maintenance, have people working on skylights, or your roof requires a lot of care, this may be a problem.

3) Compromised Reflectivity

One of the main advantages of installing a silicone roof coating is that it can reflect a lot of UV light, saving you money on cooling costs.

However, this is not an infallible advantage. Silicone roof coatings attract dirt and dust more than other materials. Dirt and other build-ups will compromise its reflectivity and negate energy savings.

While investing in regular roof cleanings can negate many of these concerns, doing so adds more maintenance to your property.

4) Limited to Flat Roofs

A silicone roof coating will not work very well on pitched roofs. Very few homeowners are clamoring to install a silicone roof coating on their houses, but not all commercial roofs are flat.

Silicone will not hold up or perform as well as other roof coating systems if you have a pitched commercial roof.

5) Shorter Warranties

While some other types of roof coatings typically come with warranties that last up to 25 years, the warranty you are likely to get from a silicone roof coating is significantly shorter.

You can usually expect a warranty period of only ten years. While some manufacturers/contractors may offer you 15-year warranties for silicone roof coatings, you can also expect to pay more for them.

6) Prone to Tearing

Silicone roof coatings are inherently prone to tearing. They are not as durable as some other roof coatings and should not be installed in areas where hail, foot traffic, and abrasion are common.

Hail and debris whipped up by the wind could tear the coating and expose the substrate. When a tear occurs, the entire coating can become compromised.

Tears can occur in many ways, including hailstones, heavy tools hitting the surface, pest infestations, falling debris from trees, and more.

7) More Expensive

One of the most unattractive silicone roof coating problems is that it is typically more expensive to install than other materials.

For example, installing a silicone roof coating costs around $2 to $3.50 per square foot. On the other hand, the average price to install an acrylic roof coating is only about fifty cents to a dollar per square foot.

Silicone roof coatings are also more expensive than other coating options because they require more cleaning and are more prone to tears.

When it comes time to replace your silicone roof coating, you are likely to pay more because, depending on the replacement materials, the entire surface may have to be removed.

8) Difficult to Install

Many roofers dislike working with silicone because it is messy and difficult to apply correctly. As a result, most contractors offering silicone coating installation have undergone special training, which will again drive up the installation cost.

On the other hand, an inexperienced contractor installing a silicone roof coating could cause more problems. That’s because improperly installed silicone roof coatings can damage your roof.

Making Sense of Silicone Roofing Problems

Vetting the problems of any roofing material will yield concerns. The goal is not to dissuade you from choosing silicone as your next roofing material but to equip you with the knowledge to make a more informed decision.

While we’ve clearly outlined potential problems with this popular material, it’s worth noting that its popularity is based on many positive attributes.

Ultimately, your choice of silicone roofing will likely be positive for your property.

Nevertheless, gaining awareness of silicone roofing problems is essential before investing time and money.

Apr '21

Roofing Advertising: 7 Ideas To Boost Your Company in 2024

Roofing advertising is an ever-shifting beast you must adapt to or get left in the dust. If your roofing advertising strategy stagnates, it’s time for a change.

At Roofer’s Guild, we consult with roofers daily to help them reach more customers through advertisements and other promotional materials.

7 Quick Advertising Ideas for Roofers

Simplify CTAs (Calls-To-Action)
Run Social Media Ads
Target Customer Pain Points
Include Reviews or Testimonials
Target Specific Locations
Optimize Your Landing Page
Diversify Your Platforms

The fact is that the way people view your ads changes almost every year. With new technological advances and changes in how people search for information online, advertising also shifts.

Now is the perfect time to evaluate your roofing advertising strategy and see where to improve.

In the following post, Roofer’s Guild will discuss the latest roofing advertising trends to help you stay ahead of the curve.

Strategy #1 – Simplify Calls-To-Action

Did you know that people who click on your roofing ad from a search engine are typically ready to spend money on your services?

Pay-per-click ads are usually a smart strategy for young roofing companies to gain traction in their local markets. However, if you are not making it easy for people to take action, you will likely lose out on leads.

You have to make it easy for qualified leads to schedule an appointment, get more information about your business, or learn more about your services.

For instance, you should make sure that your landing pages include:

A button people can click that takes them directly to an appointment form
The phone number of your roofing business
Your hours of operation
A map that shows your business location
Links to the services you offer

That will cover everything a qualified lead needs to know to move further along the sales funnel. A well-crafted landing page will make your PPC advertising dollars more effective and help you close more leads.

Strategy #2 – Social Media Advertising

Social media advertising isn’t anything new, but it’s worth mentioning in 2024 because it’s still a powerful advertising medium.

There are nearly 3 billion active Facebook users, making it one of the hottest places to advertise your company.

In addition to the vast pool of potential leads, roofing companies can zone in on a target demographic.

The great thing about Facebook and Instagram ads is that you can set specific parameters to ensure the people most likely need roofing services to see your ad.

You can target geographically by age, interests, and interactions with other platforms.

Social media advertising is also a great way to connect with your audience. They can be crafted in such a way as to relate to people who would be interested in roofing services.

Strategy #3 – Target Customer Pain Pints

To increase engagement, you must ensure that your ads speak to the needs of those who see them.

No matter what advertising platform you are operating on (even in print), it’s essential to convey to the viewer that you can solve a problem.

Going beyond that, you must also convey that you can cordially solve the problem. For instance, when someone needs a roof repaired, there’s simply no getting around it; the hole needs to be patched.

Most roofers can patch a hole, so you must ensure you convey to the customer that you can do the work more agreeably than your competition.

In the hypothetical case of the hole in the roof, there are two main points of emphasis that your ad should be hitting:

The Pain Point: Someone has a hole in their roof that needs to be fixed. Your ad’s first point of emphasis should be to convey to the customer that you can fix the hole.
The Differentiating Qualities: Next, your ad should highlight how your roof hole repair service is better than the competition – free estimates, prompt completion, 24/7 service, etc.

Of course, this is a formula you will want to follow for roof hole repair and any service you provide.

Strategy #4 – Include Reviews

Wherever possible, on your digital ads, include glowing customer reviews.

Why? For one thing, 88% of consumers feel that ads with customer reviews are more trustworthy than ads with none.

That’s a huge consumer pool that will be likelier to click through your ad if they see a good customer review.

These days, people trust online reviews as much, if not more, than word-of-mouth referrals. So, seeing how much more effective digital ads can be when they include a customer review is not shocking.

For your 2024 roofing ads, make sure that you leave space to have at least one customer testimonial.

Be careful not to let the review dominate the ad, however. Remember that your ad must still convey all the vital, actionable information that customers seek.

Strategy #5 – Go Hyper-Local

Unlike some other industries, roofing is a hyper-local market. You earn more trustworthiness when you market directly to your local consumers.

Homeowners and even commercial property owners want to work with someone they consider a part of the local community.

Both Google and Facebook ads allow roofing companies to target their reach to local consumers. It makes sense to cover your primary service areas while avoiding the urge to cover too much ground.

Remember that your conversion rate increases with hyper-local targeting, and your spending lowers.

However, it’s not enough to merely reside in your target market. You must prove your company’s local stature with hyper-local content and indicators.

For example, your Google Ad landing page should showcase recent jobs you’ve performed in the area and include customer reviews from other residents.

Strategy #6 – Optimize Your Landing Page

You can have the most creative ads with the most refined targeting and still fail to convert users because of a subpar landing page.

That’s why landing page optimization is one of the best advertising strategies for roofing companies in 2024.

The landing page is an extension of the ad and should match its tone, topic, and narrative.

Perhaps most importantly, the landing page should offer an exceptional user experience that encourages the user to complete the ad’s intended goal (i.e., quickly a form submission).

Other considerations for landing page optimization include mobile optimization (the ease with which mobile users can navigate the page), a prominent CTA (call-to-acton), and a demonstration of social proof (awards, badges, certifications, etc.)

Strategy #7 – Diversify Your Platforms

Facebook Ads became the most popular platform for roofing company ads in 2024.

However, beyond Facebook and Google Ads is an entire world of advertising opportunities for local roofers.

Learn How to Run Facebook Lead Ads

Consider emerging platforms like LinkedIn, which can be particularly useful for companies focusing on commercial roofing.

You might even consider hyper-visual ad platforms like Pinterest, which can pull users through compelling job site images and graphics.

Don’t forget about local advertising opportunities on Nextdoor, which can help you appeal to entire neighborhoods of potential customers.

Diversifying your ad impressions across multiple platforms insulates your company from shifts in any one algorithm or policy.

Work With Advertising Professionals

So, what’s the hottest roofing advertising tip for 2024? It’s the same as in previous years. If you are new to marketing your roofing company, it’s best to enlist the aid of professionals.

As your company enters the advertising world, our Roofer’s Guild stays rooted in optimization and reach principles. Be sure to consult with the leading experts in emerging ad trends and technologies (like AI) on various platforms.

A small investment in professional roofing advertising and marketing services can significantly increase your lead conversion rates.

At Roofer’s Guild, we specialize in helping roofers market their businesses. We only focus on roofing, so we are exceptionally qualified to help you win more customers. Contact us today to learn more.

Mar '21

10 (Fresh + Unique) SEO Tips for Roofers in 2024

If you found this article by searching for “SEO for roofers,” you already understand the fundamentals of Google search.

You searched Google for a topic and were delivered a relevant result that matches the intent of your query.

That, in essence, is the purpose of SEO. Now, you want to know how to apply it to your roofing business.

You may already know that SEO helps generate qualified roofing leads at a lower cost per acquisition than paid advertising.

But you want to learn more about how to actually “do SEO for roofers.”

And hopefully, you want to learn it from a collective of roofing industry experts rather than a self-proclaimed “SEO Guru” who has never walked a roof.

Check out Our Guide to Roofing Marketing

Does DIY SEO Actually Work?

Before we dive into our roofing-specific expertise on SEO, it’s vital to assess whether or not DIY or do-it-yourself SEO is worth your effort.

Let’s be clear: DIY SEO can work for roofers – if done correctly.

The best of the best are able to do multiple things. Take Michael Jordan, who won 6 championships in the NBA and was the best post-up guard, ball-handler, defender, and big-shot maker in the league.

He also stole 30 bases for a minor-league baseball team. Talk about multi-talented.

But not everyone is Michael Jordan, and most players (and business owners) make their money by being great at one thing.

Perhaps, most importantly, time is required to be great at something. Since you are already a great roofing professional, leaving the SEO to one of the top-rated companies might make sense.

That said, we are a community of roofing experts here to support you if you want to undertake DIY SEO.

Types of SEO for Roofing Companies

You can break SEO into two primary categories: organic SEO and Local SEO. Organic SEO refers to the traditional ten blue links on most search engines. In contrast, Local SEO deals with Local Map-Pack listings and Google Maps results.

Organic SEO: Traditional ten blue links on Google search results

Local SEO: Map-Pack listings and Google Maps results

Organic SEO and Local SEO influence one another, so roofers should invest in both variations. For example, a robust roofing company website makes your Google My Business listing more likely to rank higher. Similarly, a popular GMB listing can drive traffic to your primary website.

Organic SEO

Organic SEO was once the only way to rank on Google search results. Although many new SERP features have appeared on Google over the years, organic SEO remains integral to your overall optimization strategy.

Your goal is to rank on organic search results with your primary website. You want to rank for industry keywords, local keywords, and your brand.

Local SEO

Local SEO has grown steadily over the years and is perhaps the essential part of an SEO strategy for roofing companies. Map-Pack results appear on top of traditional organic results for most local queries, making your local optimization efforts crucial to online success.

Aside from proximity, relevance, and prominence, brand reputation is an essential Local SEO factor for roofing contractors.

Critical SEO Tips for Roofers in 2024

1) Choose an SEO-Friendly Domain Name

One of the most overlooked components of a successful SEO strategy is the roofer’s domain or web address. Many roofers operate under the false narrative that any domain can rank on Google.

While you can build a domain from scratch, it will take at least 12 months to start ranking for significant keywords (in most cases.)

Some companies have old domains that haven’t been worked on for years. Others have a live website but have failed to invest resources in an effective SEO strategy.

You can check your domain age by looking up the WHOIS information or checking with your registrar. Existing domains have a far better chance of ranking quickly, particularly if they possess the following qualities:

Age: Domains registered over a year or more ago rank better
Backlinks: Domains with an existing backlink profile rank better
Keywords: Domains with keywords in the web address rank better

How To Choose a Domain Name
Instant Domain Search

You can check domain age at whois.com

2) Create Helpful Content for Users

Another misnomer in the SEO industry is that content is king. There’s an idea that writing a bunch of content (or having ChatGPT do it) guarantees a high ranking for your website. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, thin content can have the opposite effect on your rankings.

300-word blog posts, for example, hurt roofing websites in most cases, especially when they cover topics already detailed throughout your website.

Another example of thin content is city pages or doorway pages that use the same headers and similar content to rank for multiple cities. When contractors mass-produce these types of landing pages, they dilute their site’s overall content quality and may restrict their crawl budget.

Producing higher-quality content less frequently is a better optimization strategy in 2024.

Well-written content helps rankings, but thin, low-quality content hurts them

3) Build Local Links

Roofing companies get caught up in follow vs. nofollow links when the more critical distinction concerns location. A nofollow link from a local directory is more valuable than a follow link from a furniture website in Boise, Idaho. Industry-related links for roofers are also beneficial.

Google doesn’t expect local roofing websites to have national links from Forbes and USA Today, but they value links from local chambers of commerce and other reputable institutions. For example, a link from a regional roofing directory is far more relevant than a random citation on an unrelated national platform.

Local and industry links instill trust in your website

4) Invest in Google Map 3-Pack Rankings

Ranking for organic terms is excellent, but the local map pack gets the most clicks. Local roofers should focus on ranking within the Map 3-Pack and present the best possible Google My Business listing with reviews.

Since prospects can compare your company against others in the area, most of the conversion process happens directly on the SERP.

Google’s Local Map algorithm considers proximity, relevance, and prominence. You can’t influence proximity unless you move your address.

Relevance considers your company name and category with the searcher’s intent. On the other hand, prominence looks at your reviews and reputation, along with your attached website URL.

Google Map 3-Pack rankings generate the most local traffic

5) Ensure an Optimal User Experience

Since SEO is a form of marketing, some roofers get caught up with the result and lose sight of the process. The ultimate goal is to facilitate a great user experience for website visitors, which is SEO.

Consider things like site speed, navigation, internal linking, and the most obvious need for quality content.

Although Google says bounce rate does not impact SEO, you can be sure that user experience (however defined) influences rankings.

Search engines aim to provide the best results to their users, and your website must hold up its end of the bargain by providing a satisfactory experience.

Websites with strong performance enhance user experience

6) Create Pages for Each Roofing Service

Some roofers try to rank for all their services on a single page. Here’s some advice: bullet points won’t do the trick. You can’t include TPO roofing as a bullet point on your homepage and expect to rank for the keyword.

Instead, you should create the bullet point and a separate TPO roofing service page. It would be best if you linked to the service page from the homepage so that Google crawls the URL more easily.

It’s vital to publish unique content on each service page, as using duplicate content can lower your overall quality and appear as spam.

Search engines prioritize pages with the most narrow intent, meaning a page about TPO roofing will outrank a general page that merely mentions the term.

Breaking your services into individual pages helps them rank higher

7) Understand The Limitations of Keyword Research

SEO professionals used to rely primarily on tools like SEMRush for keyword volume, but we learn each year that many keywords fall through the cracks, especially in terms of volume.

Local keywords may have a much more extensive search volume than such tools indicate. It’s best to use your Google Search Console data to monitor queries, impressions, and clicks and cater your content to those keywords.

Another factor to consider is user intent. For example, a search query like epdm roofing may imply multiple intents, including information and commercial (transactional).

Long-tail queries like epdm roofing services clarify that the intent is commercial. You can also use lesser-known keyword tools like Answer The Public to gain new insights.

Queries with location modifiers may have a higher volume than keyword tools indicate

8) Incorporate YouTube Videos on Your Website

Text-based content remains essential for rankings, but multimedia is vital for engagement. Pages with video, audio, and images foster higher engagement than those without such elements.

Video, in particular, can keep visitors on your website longer, create familiarity with your company, and increase conversion rates.

You don’t have to host videos directly on your website, as they will take up a lot of space and may slow down your site speed.

Instead, upload a video to YouTube and embed it onto your homepage, service pages, and blog posts for the ultimate effect.

On-page multimedia can increase user engagement

9) Establish a Roofing Brand on Google

One of Google’s primary jobs is to weed out spam websites from their search results. When Google showcases brands to its users, it wants to ensure, at the very least, that the user is dealing with a legitimate roofing company.

So, how does Google determine what a brand is?

Consider things like your staff and equipment’s unique photos, a robust about us page explaining your company vision, and clear and accurate contact information throughout your website.

Each of these things helps establish your roofing company as a brand, which helps with SEO in 2024.

Unique staff images help establish your brand

10) Request Customer Reviews

As a roofing company, your SEO efforts work faster when you can earn customer reviews on Google and other credible platforms. Receiving regular reviews on your Google Business Profile, in particular, can have an immediate impact on your Local 3-Pack rankings.

You should consider automating review requests through a software application to increase engagement with recent customers. However, this tactic should not replace the act of asking for reviews in person.

Combining automated requests (through text and email) and a friendly in-person request will move the needle in favor of your Google reviews.

Google My Business Reviews For Houston-TX Roofer

Check out The Best Roofing CRMs for a Software-Driven Solution

(Bonus Tip) Boost Conversions With Strategic CTAs

SEO services aim to bring in more sales for your roofing company. The best way to convert your traffic is to implement engaging calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout your website.

Your site’s header is a great place to showcase your company’s phone number, while the middle part of the homepage is ideal for a contact form.

Be sure to create urgency around your CTAs with phrases like Free Estimate or First Time Discount. Remember, search engine optimization generates high-quality leads for your roofing business.

Showcase CTAs with urgency

What’s The Next Step?

If you need help implementing strategies shown on this list, reach out to Roofer’s Guild today. Our team of marketing experts can optimize your business on search engines like Google and help you convert traffic into sales.

If you want to continue reading more about SEO for roofers, marketing, and other business strategies, feel free to browse our helpful marketing resources. We continually publish new content to help roofing companies thrive in the digital age.

Nov '19

Common Causes of a Loud Banging Noise on The Roof

Loud banging noises from the roof are unsettling, especially at night. It’s easy for your mind to wander to the worst-case scenarios, such as severe structural issues. However, in most cases, the source of the noise is actually less severe.

Either way, it’s worth diagnosing the culprit for your peace of mind and to ensure your roof’s functionality today and into the future. In the following post, Roofer’s Guild will outline some of the common causes of a loud banging noise on the roof.

Key Takeaways

The loud banging noise on the roof is typically caused by thermal shock, which is most common during winter when rapid temperature fluctuations cause a sudden release of tension in the roofing materials.

The noise is not always a cause for alarm. However, a professional roof inspection can diagnose a potentially dangerous cause, such as snow buildup or ice dams.

1) Thermal Shock

The winter months cause tension between your warm attic and the cold air. Meanwhile, various roofing materials (wood, metal, plywood, etc.) expand and contract at different rates, leading to thermal shock.

The popping sound itself normally comes from nails slipping under shifting wood members when they can no longer hold the tension. The attic amplifies this slip into a loud bang.

2) Loose Gutters

If the loud noise occurs during windstorms, the culprit is most likely to be a mechanical issue, likely with your gutters. This is especially true if the noise is louder near the corners of your property.

For example, a loose gutter bracket empowers the wind to lift the gutter and slam it back against the fascia board, generating a hollow thud that can echo through the rafters.

3) Tree Branches

Extended tree branches can reach the roof deck during windstorms, even if they don’t appear close enough during calm weather days.

The sound of an oak tree or a pine branch hitting your roof deck is extremely loud, like a sledgehammer. When trees are the cause, it’s best to contact a professional tree trimmer or arborist.

4) Animals

If the banging sound is rhythmic or is followed by a scratching noise, the culprit is most likely an animal, such as a squirrel, opossum, or raccoon.

Squirrels can also generate this sound by dropping walnuts or pine cones onto your roof from overhanging branches.

5) Ductwork

Properties with an attic furnace or rooftop AC unit have another possible suspect for the loud banging noise, as duct walls can expand and contract, generating a metallic pop or bang loud enough to wake a deep sleeper.

This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as oil canning and is normally resolved by a professional adding V-crimps to the flat side of the duct or attaching angled metal across the flat span.

Investigating The Cause of a Roof Banging Noise

While you should never go onto your roof because of the grave danger it presents, there are ways you can investigate the noise without putting yourself at risk.

Weather Monitoring

Identify the weather conditions that overlap with the noise, if one exists. It’s often windstorms that foster these sounds, but there are also cases where they occur only with sunlight or at night.

Attic Test

If you are comfortable going up to your attic, bring a flashlight. You are looking for any rays of sunlight peeking into your attic, which indicates the presence of holes.

The attic is also a place where you will notice evidence of animal activity, such as finding nests.

Shiner Check

Observe your roof from the ground and look for any exposed silver nails, called shiners. You can also keep an eye out for loose shingles.

Depiction of Roof Expansion and Contraction During Winter

Next Steps if You Can’t Diagnose Loud Banging Noises from Roof

While the banging noise might be alarming or frustrating, it is fairly common in colder regions of the country, especially with asphalt shingle or metal roofs.

If you cannot identify the culprit of the loud banging noise, it’s best to contact a professional roofing company for an inspection.

In many cases, it will not require a roof replacement or an expensive repair. However, there are less common cases in which snow or an ice dam is causing consistent creaking noises on your roof.

Snow or ice dams can put your roof, your property, and its occupants in danger and would qualify as an emergency roof repair situation.

Nov '19

Hail Size Roof Damage Chart

When a storm rolls through your town, there are a lot of things that can do damage. Heavy winds are the usual culprit, but hail is another type of storm that can do significant damage. The most recent annual data estimates over 3,700 hail storms in the United States.

After these storms, it’s handy to have a hail size roof damage chart at your disposal, like the one below:

Key Takeaway

Any hail larger than a ½ inch can damage a roof, meaning ¾-inch to 1-inch hail (quarter size) and 1 ¾-inch to 4 ½-inch hail (golf ball size) should prompt a call to your insurance company.

Assessing Roof Hail Damage by Size

When hail grows in size, you can be concerned about things like your car or, even worse, your roof. The costs can be heavy when there is damage to your roof. Even minor damage can cost thousands of dollars, and most of us do not have that kind of money lying around.

They say they are there for us when disaster strikes, but most insurance companies will find any reason not to pay out a claim. After all, it is how they strengthen their bottom line.

When hail becomes a concern, it can help to know what size hail can damage your roof. Again, not all hail is worth worrying about, but when those bigger chunks begin to hit, you can wonder what to do. Inspecting your own roof is dangerous, and you may not know what to look for.

Most people won’t be able to manually measure hail during a storm, so you can estimate using common identifiers like “golf ball size” and “marble size.”

Understanding which hail sizes can damage your roof gives you a good idea of when to call in an inspector to check for damage on your roof. Here are a few of the most common hail sizes that damage roofs nationwide.

¼-inch Hail (Pea-sized Hail)

Milder hailstorms generally produce this size of hail, but only for a few minutes at a time before it shifts over to steadier rainfall. When dealing with this size of hail, a roof can often fair pretty well.

Use some common sense and judgment before jumping to any conclusions.If you have an older roof with existing damage, pea-sized hail could exacerbate the present damage. Be aware of the condition of your roof before judging whether it needs an inspection after a hailstorm.

½-inch Hail (Marble-sized Hail)

Marble-sized hail can also fall into the safe zone when it comes to hail, meaning it generally doesn’t cause damage to roofs that don’t already have substantial damage.

Remember that hail is produced by updrafts of wind that shoot raindrops higher into the atmosphere. It freezes when it gets higher into the atmosphere and then falls back to Earth.

When you have more extreme winds, the hailstones will generally be larger. While the quarter-inch-sized hailstones might not be of much concern, exercise caution and common sense again.

If you have any thoughts that there might be damage to your roof, call in an inspector immediately.

¾-inch to 1-inch Hail (Dime to Quarter-sized Hail)

You should call an inspector immediately when you see hailstones larger than the ½-inch described above. Finding a reputable local roofer is a great place to start, and you also need to make sure that you place a call to your insurance agent.

Hail this size generally damages roofs in the form of dents and cracks, though in some cases, it can definitely cause greater damage.

Do not leave this unaddressed. As expensive as it can be, if you leave the damage unaddressed, it could become a more expensive, extensive, and potentially dangerous condition to live in.

In any event, you must talk to your insurance agent immediately. Knowing what your policy covers and what might be paid for can help you determine your budget and which contractor to use.

Part of the headache of dealing with damage to your roof is dealing with the insurance company; try to get that duck in a row as soon as possible.

Once hail size approaches 1 inch, you will most certainly have roofing damage of some form. It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

1 ¾-inch to 4 ½-inch Hail (Golf Ball-sized Hail)

While not an uncommon hail-size range, golf ball-sized hail can still substantially damage your roof, car, and home. Like with dime-size hail, you should contact your insurance agent by phone to discuss your options.

Agents might send a roofer to determine the overall damage before proceeding. Your policy may cover a portion of the damage your roof sustained.

Hail can be a nasty beast, even if it only occasionally rears its ugly head. Whenever there is hail in your area, you must assess the size of the hailstones first and foremost. Under ¾-inch, you are probably fine unless your roof already has substantial damage and age.

Anything larger than 1/2 inch should prompt you to discuss the next step with your insurance agent and find a roofing contractor to inspect your roof.

The Bottom Line for Roofs With Hail Damage

Being calm and knowing the steps to take when a hailstorm hits your area can make all the difference in the world when trying to get the necessary repairs done.

The key is not to panic and not jump to conclusions. Make sure that you take all of the proper steps so that you can not only get your roof repaired but get it done in a cost-effective way.

Because hail damage leads are often hot items for roofers, cities recently hit by storms will be ripe with them. Be aware of whom you’re dealing with.

If you are unsure whether or not your roof was damaged by a hail storm, getting an inspection is the best option. Even if the hail is around 1/2 inch in size, it can exacerbate existing problems with the roofing system.

When hail is larger than 1/2 inch, including quarter and golf ball size, your roof is almost certainly in danger. The more quickly you address damage from hail storms, the less future complications arise.