Short answer: a Minnesota contractor website should make it obvious what you do, where you work and how to get an estimate, and if you're a licensed residential building contractor or remodeler, state law requires your license number on your website. Add a page for each service, real project photos, a short estimate form, a tap-to-call number, genuine reviews, and a Google Business Profile that matches your site.

The Short Answer

  1. License number displayed (required for licensed residential contractors in Minnesota).
  2. One page per service: roofing, siding, kitchens, decks and so on.
  3. A clear service area: cities, suburbs and neighborhoods.
  4. Real before-and-after project photos.
  5. A short "Request an estimate" form and a tap-to-call phone number on every page.
  6. Reviews, insurance, warranties and certifications.
  7. A matching Google Business Profile.

Do I Have to Show My License Number?

If you hold a Minnesota residential contractor license, yes. Minnesota Statutes section 326B.87 says the license number of a licensee must appear in any advertising by that licensee, "including but not limited to signs, vehicles, business cards, published display ads, flyers, brochures, websites, and Internet ads." The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's residential contractor FAQ confirms that websites are included and that the law doesn't require a specific size or location.

Where to put it: in the site footer, so it appears on every page, and on your About page. "MN License #BC000000" with your real number is all it takes. Check with DLI if you're unsure which license types this applies to.

It's also a trust signal, since homeowners can look you up.

Which Pages Should a Contractor Site Have?

  1. Home: what you do, where, and a clear estimate button.
  2. A page per service, each with what's included, typical timelines, what affects cost, photos of that type of project, and a short FAQ.
  3. Our Work / Projects: photo galleries by project type.
  4. About: your story, crew, licenses, insurance and memberships.
  5. Reviews.
  6. Contact / Request an Estimate.

Separate service pages let you show up for specific searches like "deck builder Minneapolis" instead of hoping one general page ranks for everything.

How Do I Show My Service Area?

List the cities and neighborhoods you serve on your homepage and service pages, and set the same service area in your Google Business Profile. If you work from home or a shop customers don't visit, you're a service-area business. Google's guidelines explain how to set a service area and hide your address.

Be careful with "city pages". Twenty near-identical pages with only the suburb name swapped fall under what Google's spam policies call doorway abuse. A city page is only worth it if it has genuinely unique content, like projects you've completed there.

How Should I Show My Work?

Real photos of your own projects, never stock photos presented as your work. Shoot before, during and after, with good light, and organize them by project type. Add a one-line caption with the project, the neighborhood and what made it interesting. Compress images so galleries load quickly on a phone at a job site.

How Do I Get More Estimate Requests?

  1. Phone number in the header of every page.
  2. A short estimate form: name, phone or email, project type, zip code and a message. Add an optional photo upload if you can.
  3. Say what happens next: "We'll call you within one business day to schedule a free estimate", if that's true for you.
  4. Answer cost questions honestly. Price ranges or "what affects the price" sections build trust and pre-qualify leads.

Our guide to landing pages that convert goes deeper.

How Do Google and Reviews Fit In?

For local trades, the map results are prime real estate. Set up your profile with our Google Business Profile guide, and make asking for reviews part of every job closeout. Here's how to do it within the rules.

See a sample home services website design in our Design Showcase: Copperwing Heating & Plumbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where should my Minnesota contractor license number go on my website? A: Minnesota law requires it in advertising, including websites, but doesn't specify where. The footer is the simplest way to put it on every page.

Q: Should I list prices on my contractor website? A: Ranges or "projects typically start at" figures help pre-qualify leads, if you're comfortable sharing them.

Q: How much does a contractor website cost? A: SS Labs packages start at $1,000, with additional service pages at $300 each in most packages. See how much a website costs in Minneapolis.

Q: I'm busy all season. How much of my time will this take? A: Plan for a brainstorm session, sending your content and photos, and two review rounds. If you need it fast, Website in a Week compresses the timeline.

Get a Contractor Website

Want a site that brings in estimate requests, not just compliments? SS Labs is a web design studio based in Minneapolis, MN. Let's talk on a free 30-minute consultation, and we can schedule it around your job sites.

Call: 507-339-5547

Email: Benjamin@StrategicSolutionsLabs.com

Book online: request your free 30-minute consultation. We reply within 24 hours.

Sources

Minnesota Statutes 326B.87: License number; advertising

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: Residential contractor FAQs

Google Business Profile Help: Guidelines for representing your business

Google Search Central: Spam policies (doorway abuse)