"My work is impeccable, my customers love my custom creations, but I struggle to find new projects." It's not your skills that are lacking — it's your visibility.
In 2025, 82% of homeowners and architects search for a carpenter on Google before making contact. They no longer flip through directories or place newspaper ads. They type "carpenter [city]" or "custom woodwork" and contact the top results with a good portfolio.
people search for "carpenter" + city name each month on average
Why You're Missing Out on Profitable Projects
The problem isn't the quality of your finishes. The problem is that customers can't find you when they're planning their projects.
Typical scenario:
- A homeowner in Portland wants to redo their kitchen with custom solid wood cabinets
- They type "custom kitchen carpenter Portland" on Google
- They see 3-4 carpenters with photos of completed projects and customer reviews
- They visit their sites, compare styles, and contact those that match their project
- If you're not visible with an online portfolio, this $15,000 project goes to a competitor
This scenario repeats 12-15 times per week in your area. Interior carpentry projects, built-ins, custom staircases, closets — all captured by your online-visible competitors.
Reality check: In a city of 200,000 people, 180 "carpenter [city]" searches per month. If your site captures 10% of this traffic, that's 18 qualified requests per month. With a 30% conversion rate, you sign 5-6 additional projects per month.
What Your Customers Are Really Searching For
Your future customers don't search for "a carpenter." They have specific projects:
Interior Carpentry (50% of requests)
- "custom kitchen cabinets carpenter"
- "custom wood staircase"
- "custom closet [city]"
- "custom built-in bookshelf"
- "solid hardwood flooring installation"
Exterior Carpentry (30% of requests)
- "custom wood deck carpenter"
- "custom wood pergola"
- "custom wood shutters fabrication"
- "custom wood gate craftsman"
Commercial Projects (20% of requests)
- "retail store woodwork"
- "restaurant carpentry"
- "custom office furniture"
- "trade show booth woodwork"
An optimized site positions you for all these searches and attracts customers ready to invest in quality custom work.
The 6 Key Elements of a Carpenter Website
Your site isn't a catalog. It's a 24/7 virtual showroom that generates quote requests.
🪚 Detailed Portfolio by Project
High-quality photos of your work: custom kitchens, staircases, built-ins. Organized by category. Customers must visualize your expertise.
🎯 Clear Specialization
"Custom Solid Wood Kitchen Specialist" — Better to be an expert in one area than an average generalist. It attracts the right customers.
⭐ Detailed Customer Testimonials
Not just "Great work." Details: "Custom kitchen delivered in 6 weeks, perfect finish, impeccable follow-up."
📐 Project Quote in 3 Clicks
Simple form: project type, approximate dimensions, desired material. You call back to refine before the on-site visit.
💵 Pricing Ranges
"Custom kitchen: $10,000-$22,000 depending on dimensions" — Transparency eliminates browsers and attracts serious customers with budgets.
🏆 Certifications & Credentials
Licensed contractor, insured — Show your qualifications. It reassures and justifies your premium rates on custom work.
Case Study: James, Carpenter in Seattle
Before / After (6 months)
Profile: James, craftsman carpenter in Seattle for 11 years. Specialized in custom kitchen cabinets and closets. Excellent local reputation but dependent on word-of-mouth.
Before the website:
- 2-3 projects per month through recommendations
- No online visibility (just an inactive Facebook page)
- Forced to accept small jobs to fill gaps
- Irregular revenue, difficult to plan
Implementation:
- Website with portfolio of 35 projects (before/after photos)
- Optimized pages: "carpenter Seattle," "custom kitchen Seattle," "custom closet Seattle"
- Complete Google Business Profile with reviews
- Simplified quote form (4 fields)
Results after 6 months:
- 19 qualified requests per month (vs 2-3 before)
- 6 projects signed on average (32% conversion rate)
- $52,000 additional revenue
- Can now turn down small jobs and focus on profitable projects (kitchens, closets, built-ins)
"I invested in the site thinking it would take 6 months to see results. I got my first request 3 days after launch. Today, I choose my projects. ROI in less than a month." - James, carpenter in Seattle
Fatal Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Poorly Organized Portfolio
30 random photos = zero impact. Organize by category: Kitchens | Closets | Staircases | Commercial Work. Customers must instantly find what interests them.
Mistake 2: Poor Quality Photos
Blurry or poorly framed photos = lost credibility. Invest in a recent smartphone or hire a photographer for 10-15 key photos. It makes all the difference.
Mistake 3: No Indicative Pricing
"Quote on request" with no indication = 80% of visitors leave. Give ranges: "10-foot kitchen: $7,500-$11,000." It filters and qualifies.
Mistake 4: No Local SEO
A beautiful invisible site = wasted money. Optimize for "carpenter [your city]" + impeccable Google Business Profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
"I don't have enough photos of my work"
Start with 10-15 photos of your best recent projects. Add 2-3 each month. In 6 months, you'll have a solid portfolio. The important thing is to start.
"My customers all want custom work, which takes time"
Exactly! A website attracts customers looking for quality and custom work. You won't sell faster, but you'll sell more regularly. No more 2-month gaps without projects.
"Architects/kitchen designers already give me work"
Great. But what happens if your main contact leaves? A website is your own customer source, independent of third parties. Security.
"How long to see results?"
Realistic timeline:
- Week 1: Google indexing, first visits
- Month 1: 3-5 quote requests
- Month 3: 12-15 requests/month
- Month 6: 18-22 requests/month (stable)
About Made For Leads: We help contractors and small businesses grow their business through effective online presence. No fluff, just measurable results.
Transform your website into a lead generation machine
Call us at +1 (917) 963-5407 or fill out the form below to get your free audit today