Why this matters for a contractor
A homeowner with a leaking pipe or a storm-damaged roof is in a hurry. They are comparing several businesses, usually on a phone, and they don't wait around. A fast, clear, easy-to-use site tells them you are organized before they ever speak to you.
Google also pays attention. Its documentation explains that it primarily uses the mobile version of a page to decide how to list it, and that page experience, which includes how quickly a page loads and responds, is something its systems consider. Speed isn't the only thing that matters, and good content still comes first, but a site that works well on a phone helps both people and search.
Run a two-minute check
- Open your site on your own phone. Use mobile data, not Wi-Fi, to see what a customer sees. Does it load quickly? Can you read the text without zooming?
- Try to call. Tap your phone number. Does it open the dialer? If not, it needs fixing.
- Try to request a quote. Fill in the form with your thumb. Are the fields big enough? Does it confirm the message was sent?
- Run PageSpeed Insights. Go to pagespeed.web.dev, enter your web address and read the mobile results. It shows how your page performs and lists suggestions.
- Look at a slow page, not just the home page. Gallery pages with many photos are the most common problem.
Don't chase a perfect score. Look for big problems like very slow loading, content that jumps around as the page loads, or buttons that are hard to tap.
The usual causes of a slow site
- Huge photos. A photo straight from your phone can be several megabytes. A page needs a much smaller version. This is the number one cause on contractor sites.
- Too many add-ons. Chat widgets, pop-ups, sliders and tracking scripts each add weight. Keep only the ones you use.
- Cheap or overloaded hosting. Some bargain plans respond slowly.
- Autoplay video. A large video at the top of the page can slow everything. If you use one, make sure it loads well on mobile data.
- Old, heavy templates. Some older website builders and themes carry a lot of extra code.
Our guide to job photos that sell explains how to take good photos; your site should then serve them at a sensible size.
Mobile-friendly basics
Good mobile design isn't complicated:
- Tap-to-call. Your phone number should be a link that dials when tapped, and visible without scrolling.
- Readable text. Body text should be comfortable to read without pinching to zoom.
- Big buttons. Buttons and links should be easy to hit with a thumb, with space between them.
- Short forms. Ask for name, phone, what's needed and perhaps a photo. Every extra field loses some people.
- Simple menu. Show your main services and a clear "Call" or "Get a quote" option.
- No sideways scrolling. The page should fit the screen width.
Keep the important things easy to find
On a phone, a visitor sees a small slice of the page at a time. Put the essentials near the top: your trade, the areas you serve, your phone number, your license number and one clear action. Details and galleries can come after. For a full checklist of what a contractor site needs, see what a contractor website needs.
Check again when you change things
A site can get slower over time as photos and plug-ins pile up. Run PageSpeed Insights again after you add a gallery or a new feature, and test your phone number and form once in a while. It takes a few minutes and catches problems before customers do.
Where ObraUp can help
ObraUp websites are built to be mobile-friendly with tap-to-call and quote forms. If you want help keeping the site current, ObraUp add-on services are quoted for each business and are not part of the plan price. Two relevant ones are Update your website by text and a Photo quote form.
Want to see how it looks on your phone? Start with my website.
Questions people ask
What is a good PageSpeed score?
Google describes scores in ranges and explains the details on its own pages. Treat the score as a guide. Pay more attention to the specific suggestions and to how the site feels on a real phone.
Do I need a separate mobile site?
No. A single site that adjusts to any screen size is the standard approach, and it's what Google recommends.
Will a faster site get me more jobs?
It can help, because visitors are less likely to leave and more likely to call. No one can promise a specific result, though. Clear services, real photos and reviews matter too.
How do I make my phone number tappable?
On a properly built site, the number is a link that starts a call. If yours isn't, ask whoever built the site to change it.
Sources
- Google, PageSpeed Insights (checked October 2026)
- Google Search Central, Mobile site and mobile-first indexing best practices (checked October 2026)
- Google Search Central, Understanding page experience in Google Search results (checked October 2026)