{"id":569,"date":"2025-06-11T14:33:29","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T14:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/?p=569"},"modified":"2025-06-12T14:30:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T14:30:28","slug":"from-rankings-to-relevance-how-one-remodeling-contractor-is-winning-in-the-age-of-ai-search","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/2025\/06\/11\/from-rankings-to-relevance-how-one-remodeling-contractor-is-winning-in-the-age-of-ai-search\/","title":{"rendered":"From Rankings to Relevance: How One Remodeling Contractor Is Winning in the Age of AI Search"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ducttapemarketing.com\/from-rankings-to-relevance-how-one-remodeling-contractor-is-winning-in-the-age-of-ai-search\/\">From Rankings to Relevance: How One Remodeling Contractor Is Winning in the Age of AI Search<\/a> written by <a href=\"https:\/\/ducttapemarketing.com\/author\/johnjantsch\/\">John Jantsch<\/a> read more at <a href=\"https:\/\/ducttapemarketing.com\">Duct Tape Marketing<\/a><\/p>\n<article>\n<section><\/section>\n<\/article>\n<article>\n<header>\n<h2>TL;DR (Too Long; Didn\u2019t Read)<\/h2>\n<p>In this post, I use the example of a home remodeling business to give context, but this really applies to just about any business trying evolve with AI.<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<section id=\"tldr\">\n<ul>\n<li>Search is changing; keyword rankings alone don\u2019t drive leads anymore.<\/li>\n<li>Remodelers should focus on overall visibility, trust, and answering real homeowner questions.<\/li>\n<li>Use EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) to stand out in Google and AI-driven search.<\/li>\n<li>Practical \u201cduct tape\u201d ideas: audit your content, build FAQs, show real project expertise, and leverage local stories.<\/li>\n<li>Regularly update your site to keep content fresh and relevant for both humans and search engines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<nav id=\"table-of-contents\">\n<h2>Table of Contents<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#search-has-changed\">The Search Game Has Changed\u2014Are You Ready?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#why-visibility\">From Keyword Rankings to Search Visibility: Why It Matters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#audit-content\">Step 1: Audit Your Existing Content\u2014And Think Like a Homeowner<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#map-entities\">Step 2: Map Out Entities, Not Just Keywords<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#answer-engines\">Step 3: Answer Questions Directly\u2014Optimize for Answer Engines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#prove-eeat\">Step 4: Prove Your EEAT\u2014Show, Don\u2019t Just Tell<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#monitor-tweak\">Step 5: Monitor, Tweak, and Keep Building<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#toolbox\">The Remodeler\u2019s Content Toolbox: Quick Wins for Search Visibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#wrapping-up\">Wrapping Up: The Future Belongs to the Visible<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faqs\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<section id=\"search-has-changed\">\n<h2>The Search Game Has Changed\u2014Are You Ready?<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s be honest: the SEO playbook has always been a little like remodeling itself. Just when you think you\u2019ve finished, a new trend comes along, shiplap, open shelving, or in our case, answer engines and AI search. If you\u2019re a remodeling contractor still measuring your online success by keyword rankings, it\u2019s time for a renovation of your own.<\/p>\n<p>Google isn\u2019t just showing lists of blue links anymore. With answer engines, featured snippets, and \u201czero-click\u201d search, your future clients might get what they need without ever visiting your website. So, how do you stay visible? How do you make sure your business is still the one they remember and trust?<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break it down, roll up our sleeves, and use some good old duct tape thinking to adapt your content strategy for the future of search.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"why-visibility\">\n<h2>From Keyword Rankings to Search Visibility: Why It Matters<\/h2>\n<p>Here\u2019s the bottom line: churning out blog posts targeting \u201ckitchen remodel Boston\u201d isn\u2019t enough anymore. Searchers and search engines want answers, expertise, and trust. Google\u2019s EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) framework is the new measuring stick.<\/p>\n<p>In a recent case study, a remodeling contractor made the leap from traditional keyword SEO to a visibility-first approach. The results? More qualified leads, better brand recognition, and a site that\u2019s built to last\u2014no matter how search evolves.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"audit-content\">\n<h2>Step 1: Audit Your Existing Content\u2014And Think Like a Homeowner<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>What questions do homeowners ask before, during, and after a remodel?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Does your content clearly answer those questions?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Are you providing real advice, or just chasing search volume?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>AnswerThePublic is a great tool for finding what people are asking<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Duct Tape Tip:<\/strong> Use a simple spreadsheet to list your current blog posts and service pages. Add columns for \u201cQuestions Answered\u201d and \u201cGaps\/Opportunities.\u201d No fancy tools required\u2014just a contractor\u2019s eye for what\u2019s missing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"map-entities\">\n<h2>Step 2: Map Out Entities, Not Just Keywords<\/h2>\n<p>Google now understands topics through \u201centities\u201d\u2014not just keywords. For example, it knows that \u201ckitchen islands,\u201d \u201cbacksplash,\u201d and \u201cquartz countertops\u201d are all part of a kitchen remodel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How to do it:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Review your content and make sure you\u2019re talking about all the major components of a remodel, not just the big-ticket keywords.<\/li>\n<li>Create pillar pages that cover the whole process (\u201cThe Complete Guide to Remodeling Your Kitchen\u201d) and cluster content around related topics (\u201cChoosing the Right Countertop Material\u201d).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Duct Tape Tip:<\/strong> Pull inspiration from your own project photos and customer questions. Each project is a story with entities you can mention, materials, timelines, local permitting, before\/after results.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"answer-engines\">\n<h2>Step 3: Answer Questions Directly\u2014Optimize for Answer Engines<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Add FAQ sections to your service pages and blog posts.<\/li>\n<li>Use schema markup (free plugins exist for WordPress!) to help search engines understand your answers.<\/li>\n<li>Write in plain language, just as you would explain a process to a client.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Duct Tape Tip:<\/strong> After every job, jot down three questions your client asked. Turn those into FAQs on your site. If one person asked, others will too.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"prove-eeat\">\n<h2>Step 4: Prove Your EEAT\u2014Show, Don\u2019t Just Tell<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Experience:<\/strong> Share project stories, testimonials, before\/after photos, and your years in business.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Expertise:<\/strong> Create guides, checklists, and videos showing you in action.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Authoritativeness:<\/strong> Get quoted in local media, partner with suppliers, and encourage reviews on trusted platforms.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Trustworthiness:<\/strong> Display licenses, insurance, and guarantees clearly on your site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Duct Tape Tip:<\/strong> Record a quick \u201cwalkthrough\u201d video on your phone for every major project. Upload it to YouTube and embed on your site. It\u2019s a fast, authentic way to demonstrate expertise and experience.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"monitor-tweak\">\n<h2>Step 5: Monitor, Tweak, and Keep Building<\/h2>\n<p>Visibility isn\u2019t set-and-forget. Check how your content is performing, not just in rankings, but in clicks, calls, and leads. Use simple tools like Google Search Console or even call tracking.<\/p>\n<p>Update your content regularly. When you finish a unique project, write about it. If a new material trend pops up, cover it.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"toolbox\">\n<h2>The Remodeler\u2019s Content Toolbox: Quick Wins for Search Visibility<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>FAQ schema:<\/strong> Free plugins or simple code snippets can help you stand out in search results.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Project portfolios:<\/strong> Each project is a chance to showcase your expertise and answer homeowner questions in context.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Local content:<\/strong> Don\u2019t just say \u201cserving Boston,\u201d write about permitting, climate considerations, and local material suppliers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>User-generated content:<\/strong> Encourage clients to leave reviews and share photos on social media, then feature those stories on your site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"wrapping-up\">\n<h2>Wrapping Up: The Future Belongs to the Visible<\/h2>\n<p>SEO isn\u2019t dead, it\u2019s just wearing a new toolbelt. For remodeling contractors, the path forward is about being visible, credible, and truly helpful in every digital interaction. When you focus on answering real questions, showing your expertise, and building trust, you\u2019ll stand out, no matter how search evolves.<\/p>\n<p>So grab your digital duct tape, audit your content, and start building a site that\u2019s ready for whatever Google (or AI) throws your way. The next wave of clients is searching for answers\u2014make sure they find yours.<\/p>\n<p><em>Want more practical marketing tips for remodelers? Stay tuned for our next guide, or reach out for a free website visibility assessment!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"faqs\">\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/h2>\n<dl>\n<dt>What is EEAT and why does it matter for remodeling contractors?<\/dt>\n<dd>EEAT stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It\u2019s Google\u2019s framework to judge if your site is credible, accurate, and trustworthy, crucial factors for homeowners deciding whom to trust with their remodel.<\/dd>\n<dt>How can I optimize my remodeling website for answer engines?<\/dt>\n<dd>Add clear FAQs, use schema markup, and answer common homeowner questions in plain language. Structure your content to directly address the queries people ask before, during, and after a remodel.<\/dd>\n<dt>Do I need expensive SEO tools to get started?<\/dt>\n<dd>No! Start with a spreadsheet for content audits, free Google Search Console for performance monitoring, and your own project records and client questions for inspiration.<\/dd>\n<dt>How often should I update my website content?<\/dt>\n<dd>Aim to update or add new content at least once a month, especially after unique projects, when new material trends emerge, or when you have new client questions to answer.<\/dd>\n<dt>What\u2019s a \u201cduct tape\u201d idea I can implement today?<\/dt>\n<dd>Record a short video walkthrough of your latest project on your phone and upload it to your website. Authentic, firsthand content builds trust and demonstrates expertise instantly.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From Rankings to Relevance: How One Remodeling Contractor Is Winning in the Age of AI Search written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing TL;DR (Too Long; Didn\u2019t Read) In this post, I use the example of a home remodeling business to give context, but this really applies to just about any business&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=569"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":570,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/569\/revisions\/570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.agencywebdesigners.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}