Websites for groundworkers
Web design for groundworkers: £249.99 to build, then £49.99 a month, no minimum term. Prequalification happens before anybody rings. Put the documents where they can be found.
Groundworks is won through main contractors and developers, and the first stage is almost always a desk exercise. Somebody is building a tender list and checking whether you can be put on it before any conversation takes place.
That makes the website a prequalification document. If your accreditations, insurance levels, plant list and relevant experience cannot be found in a minute, you are not excluded for a reason — you are simply not added.
What your customers want answered
- What size of contract do you take on
- What plant do you own rather than hire in
- What accreditations and insurance levels do you hold
- Have you done work like mine, and for which contractors
- Can you handle drainage, foundations and external works, or only part of it
The plant list is the capability statementOwning the machines rather than hiring them tells a contractor you can start when you said and will not lose a week to a hire company. Listing what you own, with capacities, is more convincing to that reader than any description of your approach to quality.
No numbers anywhere
Contract value, site sizes, depths, volumes, insurance limits. Without them a buyer cannot tell whether you are the right size of firm, and the safe assumption is that you are too small.
Mostly business to business
Groundworks and civils are usually bought by builders, developers and contractors rather than homeowners. They want to know what you do, the size of jobs you take on, your plant and team, your availability, and your safety and insurance. Make those easy to find.
List the services precisely
Foundations, drainage, site clearance, excavation, sub-bases, retaining walls, utilities trenches, kerbs and paving. Contractors scan for the specific service they need, so list them clearly and show photos of each.
Say which plant you own and operate, and whether you supply operated or self-drive plant hire if you do.
Credentials that win tenders
Say which accreditations and safety schemes you hold, your insurance levels, and the cards your team carries. If you have worked on developments or for named contractors and are allowed to say so, list them.
A simple way to send drawings and tender documents for pricing is worth more than a generic contact form.
Common questions
- What should a groundworks company's website include?
- The services you offer, the size of jobs you take, your plant and team, accreditations, insurance, safety schemes, photos of each type of work and a way to send drawings for pricing.
- Should I list the contractors I work for?
- If they are happy for you to, yes. It is strong evidence for other contractors.
- Can contractors upload drawings through the site?
- Yes. A form that accepts drawings and documents makes pricing work easier.
Other sectors we build for
Tell me about your business.
One message is enough to start. I’ll read it and reply myself, usually with a couple of questions and a clear price.
Liam Tapp, Website Builds