Year-End Checklist: 7 Things Every Contractor Should Do Before January
December is not just the end of the year. It is your runway for January. The contractors who finish December with a plan start January with momentum. The ones who coast into the new year without preparation spend the first quarter scrambling. Here are 7 things to do before the ball drops.
1. Review Your Numbers
Pull up your total revenue, expenses, and profit for the year. Know your numbers cold. Which months were strongest? Which were weakest? How much did you spend on marketing and what did it return? You cannot improve what you do not measure. If you do not have clean financials, hire a bookkeeper. It is one of the best investments a small business can make.
2. Update Your Website
Check your site for outdated information. Is the copyright year still 2023? Do your service pages reflect everything you currently offer? Are the prices or promotions mentioned still accurate? Is your phone number correct on every page? A quick audit takes 30 minutes and prevents embarrassing mistakes in January.
3. Refresh Your Google Business Profile
Update your hours for the holiday season. Add any new photos from recent projects. If you added new services this year, make sure they are listed. Post a year in review or a thank you to your customers. An active profile heading into the new year signals to Google that you are still in business.
4. Set a Marketing Budget for Next Year
Based on your revenue review, decide what you will invest in marketing next year. If you are growing, increase by 10% to 20%. If things are tight, maintain your current budget but reallocate from channels that underperformed to channels that delivered. Having a number in place before January prevents the “I will figure it out later” that turns into “I spent nothing on marketing all quarter.”
5. Ask for Those Last Reviews
You completed jobs in November and December. Did you ask for reviews? Send a batch of review request texts to your recent customers before the holiday rush makes everyone forget. Starting the new year with more reviews gives you an immediate ranking advantage over competitors who let their review count stagnate.
6. Plan Your Q1 Content
Write down 4 to 6 blog topics or social media post ideas for January through March. You do not need to create the content yet, just plan it. Having a list eliminates the “what do I post?” decision fatigue that keeps most contractors from publishing anything at all.
7. Check Your Insurance and Licenses
Do any licenses need renewal? Is your insurance policy up to date? Are your workers’ comp certificates current? Many of these renewals happen at year end. Missing a renewal can mean operating without coverage, which is both illegal and terrifying.
Start the New Year With a Solid Marketing Strategy
Let ProToBoss handle your marketing so you can focus on what you do best.
More Resources for Home Service Businesses