Website vs. Google Business Profile: Where Should Septic Contractors Focus First?

1. “Where Should I Even Start?” – The Septic Contractor’s Dilemma

You’ve got a solid septic business. You do good work. You answer your phone. You show up when you say you will. But when it comes to online marketing… It all feels like a giant guessing game.

Should you spend money on a professional website? Or should you focus on your Google Business Profile (GBP) instead?

We hear this all the time:

“I just want the phone to ring more, but I don’t know which one actually works.”

And if you’ve tried either—maybe had a friend build you a site or tried setting up your GBP—you’ve probably felt frustrated when the calls didn’t magically flood in.

You’re not alone. The truth is, both your website and your Google Business Profile are important—but not equally and not always at the same time.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we help septic contractors like you figure out where to focus first based on your goals, market, and what will move the needle fastest. So let’s break this down in plain English.

2. The Role of Your Website: Why It Still Matters in 2025

Think of your website as your digital home base. It’s the place people go when they want to learn about who you are, what services you offer, and—most importantly—if they can trust you.

Here’s what a good website does:

• Gives you credibility (people Google you even after referrals)
  
  

• Shows up in organic search results (with the right SEO)
  
  

• Makes it easy to contact you or request a quote
  
  

• Educates potential customers about your services
  
  

But here’s the catch:
A website won’t magically generate leads on its own. It’s part of a bigger system—especially when you’re in a competitive area.

It’s like having a billboard in the woods. If nobody sees it, what’s the point?

3. What Google Business Profile (GBP) Actually Does—and Doesn’t Do

Your Google Business Profile is the little box that shows up in map results when someone searches for things like:

• “Septic pumping near me”
  
  

• “Septic tank installer in [your city]”
  
  

• “Drain field repair contractor”
  
  

It shows your business name, phone number, photos, reviews, service area, and more. And best of all?

It’s free.

With a well-optimized GBP, you can:

• Show up in the top 3 local results
  
  

• Get calls directly from people in your area
  
  

• Build trust fast through reviews and photos
  
  

But here’s the downside:
If you don’t fill it out completely, update it regularly, and ask for reviews, your competitors will outrank you—even if you’re better at the actual work.

4. Comparing Website vs. Google Business Profile: Pros and Cons for Septic Contractors

5. Where Septic Leads Actually Come From (And What They Do Before Calling You)

Here’s what most homeowners do before picking up the phone:

1. Search for “septic pumping near me” or something similar.
   
   

2. Look at the top 3 Google Business Profiles that show up in the map.
   
   

3. Click on a couple, read reviews, maybe visit the website.
   
   

4. Choose one to call—often the one that looks the most trustworthy.
   
   

Notice how both your website and GBP come into play?

GBP helps you show up in the first place, especially on mobile. Your website helps seal the deal by showing your experience, photos, certifications, FAQs, and easy contact options.

6. When You Should Prioritize Your Website

There are some situations where your website should come first:

• You’re in a rural area where map listings are sparse
  
  

• You want to target multiple towns or counties with SEO
  
  

• You offer specialty septic services like engineered systems, repairs, or inspections
  
  

• You plan to run Google Ads or Facebook Ads (those usually need a landing page)
  
  

If you want to rank long-term, a well-built site with smart SEO will outperform any other platform over time.

7. When Google Business Profile Should Come First

On the flip side, prioritize GBP first if:

• You don’t have much of a budget to work with yet
  
  

• You want to get calls fast in your local area
  
  

• Your website is old and barely gets traffic anyway
  
  

• You’re just starting out and need visibility ASAP
  
  

It takes just a few hours to get set up right—and with reviews, photos, and service area optimization, you can start getting leads within days.

8. Why the Answer Isn’t “Either/Or” (And How to Make Them Work Together)

Here’s the truth: Your website and GBP aren’t in competition. They’re teammates.

Think of your GBP as the front door—it gets people to notice you. Your website is the living room—it helps them feel comfortable and decide to stay (and hire you).

Want the highest ROI? Combine both:

• Use GBP to get seen on local searches
  
  

• Use your website to explain your services, show reviews, answer questions, and make it easy to book
  
  

This combo is how our clients dominate their service areas—especially when paired with Google Ads or Local SEO.

9. Common Mistakes We See Septic Contractors Make With Both

We’ve helped dozens of septic businesses fix these common marketing issues:

Mistake 1: Building a Website Without a Strategy

A pretty site that doesn’t rank or convert is just digital wallpaper.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Google Business Profile

You might not even show up in the map if you haven’t claimed your profile—or if your info is outdated.

Mistake 3: No Reviews

If you have 2 reviews and your competitor has 50+, you’re probably losing calls.

Mistake 4: Not Using Both Together

People often check both your website and GBP before calling. If one is missing or weak, you lose trust.

10. Our Straightforward Recommendation (Based on ROI and Lead Quality)

If you’re starting from scratch or have a small budget:
Start with Google Business Profile. It’s fast, free, and can get your phone ringing with local leads right away.

If you’re serious about growing your business for the long haul:
Invest in a solid website next—with SEO, clear service pages, and a way for people to easily contact you.

If you already have both but they aren’t doing much:
That’s where we come in. We help septic contractors optimize what they’ve already got—so you’re not leaving leads (and money) on the table.

11. Final Thoughts from Excavation Marketing Pros

Look—we’re not here to sell you some bloated marketing package full of buzzwords. We’re a small, focused team that works with septic and excavation contractors only.

We know your world. You’re out there dealing with broken tanks, tough inspections, and picky customers—not trying to figure out why your website won’t show up or why your GBP isn’t ranking.

If you want help figuring out where to focus first—or what to fix—we’ve got your back.

No pressure. No fluff. Just real answers, real strategies, and honest advice that works in the field.

Ready to stop guessing and start getting leads that actually turn into jobs?
Let’s talk.