If you’re wondering how to get more outdoor living leads online, the answer is simple: stop trying to be found at the finish line, start showing up at the start of the race.
Why aren’t homeowners finding your outdoor living business online?
The reason nobody’s finding your business is because you’re showing up too late. You’re putting your name on Google, dropping some photos, maybe running a couple of Facebook ads, and praying someone types in “Bob’s Outdoor Living” into the search bar. But they won’t. They don’t know you exist.
Most contractors think marketing is about showing off the finished product. Pergolas, pools, pavers, turf, all beautifully done and slapped onto your homepage with a phone number. But guess what? That only works if the homeowner already decided they want you. That’s not where they’re at.
They’re still in research mode. They’re Googling “do I need a permit for a pergola,” or “what type of turf is best for dogs.” And if you’re not there, answering those questions, someone else is.
What are homeowners actually searching for before they hire a contractor?
Homeowners start by looking for information, not a company. Before they ever search “outdoor living contractor near me,” they’re deep in Google figuring out how this all works. They’re trying to avoid looking stupid when they finally get on the phone with someone.
They search:
- How much does a pergola cost?
- Do I need permits for a backyard structure?
- What materials are best for pavers?
- Does turf get too hot in summer?
- What makes a good pool design?
That’s your opportunity. That’s the middle ground. That’s where trust is built before the sale is ever made. You show up there, educating, guiding, breaking things down, and by the time they’re ready to hire, you’re already the one they know.
Why ranking for high-value keywords isn’t enough anymore
Everyone is trying to win the same keywords: “pool contractor,” “backyard remodel,” “pergola builder.” These are red ocean keywords, crowded, expensive, and saturated. Your competition’s throwing money at them. SEO firms are fighting for position. Ad costs are through the roof.
But while they’re all scrapping for the spotlight at the end, you’re going to win by showing up where nobody else is looking: the middle of the journey. The permitting questions. The cost comparisons. The design walkthroughs. That’s where homeowners are searching in peace, and that’s where you can dominate without a massive budget.
How do you show up in the right part of the buyer journey?
Focus your content on the “thinking about it” phase, not the “ready to hire” phase.
Think of your ideal client. They don’t just wake up and Google “outdoor contractor.” They go through a process. They wonder:
- “What even is a hardscape?”
- “How long does a pool install take?”
- “Will a pergola add value to my home?”
Be the voice answering those questions. Be the brand that explains, teaches, and makes it all make sense. By the time they’re ready to hire, you’re not just another name, they already like you. They already trust you. They feel like they know you.
What type of content should outdoor contractors be creating?
Start with what you already know, then answer every question you’ve ever heard a homeowner ask.
Seriously. Sit down and list out every topic you’ve ever had to explain:
- Cost ranges (and what affects them)
- Design options and materials
- Installation timelines
- Permit requirements by city/state
- Maintenance expectations
Each one of these is a video. A blog. A social post. And don’t overthink it, just talk like you would on the job site. No fluff. No polish. Just real, useful info.
And yes, record it on video. Post it to YouTube. Then turn that into a blog (like this one), then make a few short clips. You’ve now taken one question and turned it into a lead engine.
How often should you post to actually get found online?
You win on volume. Not perfection.
One post a week is 52 a year. That’s cute. One post a day? 365. One topic, one answer, one video. Every day. That’s how you become impossible to ignore.
You’re not just building a social feed. You’re building a library of answers. And Google, YouTube, Instagram, they all reward quantity and consistency. This is a numbers game. And most of your competitors are lazy.
You don’t need to go viral. You need to get indexed. You need to be found.
How can content shift your business from price-based to trust-based?
Homeowners shop on price when they don’t know who to trust. Content fixes that.
If the first time a homeowner sees your name is when they’re price shopping, you’ve already lost. They’ll choose whoever’s cheaper. But if they’ve watched your video on permits, read your blog about pergola design, and seen you explain turf cooling, they’ll trust you more. Even if you cost more.
That trust becomes conversion fuel. You’re no longer selling. You’re guiding. And people follow guides, they don’t haggle with them.
What’s the first step to generating better outdoor living leads?
Build your question list. Start today. Hit record.
Break your services into buckets, pergolas, turf, pavers, pools, lighting. For each one, write every question a homeowner might Google. Then record yourself answering them. One by one.
You don’t need a studio. You don’t need fancy edits. You need to show up. Teach. Guide. Lead.
That’s the difference between being invisible and being in demand.
Want a full video strategy that makes your authority impossible to ignore? Get our free Facebook ads playbook, book a demo, or join the community at https://linktr.ee/aqualeads.
