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Jun 11, 2025
Smarter Growth Starts Here: How Contractors Are Reducing Marketing Costs and Winning Better Business
by Alexa Taylor
Design and construction professionals don’t just need more leads. They need better ones.
Ones that convert faster, cost less to acquire, and drive consistent business growth. At Watermark, we with businesses in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry to build strategic marketing systems that deliver smarter marketing, sharper results, and more profitable projects.
With over 35 years of experience, we don’t just deliver creative work. We deliver outcomes. From branding to CRM implementation, inbound strategy to bold tradeshow experiences, here’s how Watermark is helping AEC businesses cut waste and grow better.
Branding: Build Trust from the First Impression
In construction, your brand is more than your logo. It's your reputation on the jobsite, the strength of your proposals, and the first impression in every client conversation.
At Watermark, we start with in-depth : understanding your clients, your values, and what differentiates you in a competitive market. Then we create visual identities, messaging frameworks, and rollout strategies designed to reflect your integrity and scale with your business.
A confident, consistent brand builds trust fast, especially in high-stakes projects and competitive bidding environments.
Website & Digital Presence: Your Online Foundation
In today’s market, your website is your best sales rep. We design responsive, UX-driven websites and landing pages that speak to your ideal clients and convert them into real opportunities.
Pinnacle, a foundation repair firm in Colorado, struggled with low web engagement and weak visibility. We deployed a digital strategy that included:
- Website and landing page optimization aligned with customer personas
- Local SEO to dominate regional search results
- Google Ads targeting homeowners and property managers
- Educational content to increase trust and authority
- Results:
- 200% increase in website sessions
- 60% increase in leads from local campaigns
- 1015% increase in leads via Google Ads
Why it matters: An optimized digital presence attracts high-quality leads and reduces your reliance on overpriced third-party platforms.
Inbound Marketing: Attract & Nurture the Right Clients
The AEC buying cycle is long and based on trust. Watermark helps firms build relationships over time through high-quality inbound strategies, including SEO, paid ads, content marketing, and retargeting.
Bellwether, a Denver-based siding contractor, came to Watermark looking to expand into Fort Collins. We repositioned their marketing strategy with a strong inbound engine that included:
- A content-rich siding comparison guide to educate homeowners
- Custom landing pages and PPC to capture interest
- Strategic calls to action and retargeting for nurture
- Ongoing ad and UX optimization
Results:
- 52% drop in cost per lead
- 32% lower cost per click
- 12% increase in user engagement
- 27.18% increase in ad visibility
Why it matters: Inbound marketing turns unknown visitors into sales-ready clients at a fraction of the cost of traditional outbound lead buying.
CRM & Marketing Automation: Close Jobs Faster
Many contractors juggle leads manually, losing hours to follow-ups and missing high-intent prospects. Watermark helps clients streamline sales and marketing through CRM systems and automated workflows that save time and reduce human error.
Our RevOps services include:
- CRM setup and optimization
- Lead scoring and pipeline management
- Automated drip and lifecycle campaigns
- Lead source tracking and real-time reporting
Why it matters: Fewer dropped leads, faster close times, and better use of your internal resources. Automation isn’t just tech, it’s ROI.
Outbound Marketing: Make a Statement That Sticks
From jobsite signage to trade shows, we create bold outbound materials that turn heads and win attention where it counts.
The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) needed to make an impact at one of the water industry’s most competitive conferences. Watermark provided:
- Booth graphics that stood out in a sea of sameness
- Print collateral with clear, technical messaging for engineers
- Branded giveaways for ongoing brand recall
- Geo-targeted digital ads to drive foot traffic at the event
Results:
- Increased booth traffic and stakeholder engagement
- Expanded reach of technical materials
- Strengthened brand visibility across the infrastructure industry
Why it matters: Even in digital-first environments, real-world experiences, when done strategically, can be a major conversion point.
Why Watermark?
Watermark is more than a marketing vendor. We’re a strategic growth partner with decades of specialized experience in the design and construction industry. Our team includes experts in branding, SEO, paid ads, web development, CRM, and content strategy — all aligned around one goal: delivering measurable outcomes.
What you gain:
- Lower cost per lead
- Higher lead quality
- Faster close times
- A system that works year-round
- A partner who speaks your industry’s language
Ready to Market Smarter?
Don’t let high acquisition costs or wasted ad spend stall your growth. Watermark helps you build a marketing foundation that supports real business goals — better leads, stronger reputation, and smarter scaling.
a strategy session today. Let’s build a smarter path to growth together.
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Alexa Taylor
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Apr 7, 2025
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