Are the Top 10 Construction Management Firms Missing the Boat on Blogs?

• 13 years ago

I have felt for some time that the building/construction industry was dragging its heels on Internet marketing and social media but  I was surprised to see that even the top firms were slow to adapt. Using Building Design + Construction’s Giants list as a guide in checking  out the websites of the industry’s top construction management firms, I found only one of the top ten construction management companies  – all with revenues in excess of $888 million, had a blog.

There is no denying these companies have achieved success without a blog, but they undoubtedly face increased competition. While I am sure  potential building owners still solicit referrals for a considered set of builders, I am equally confident they also turn to websites at some point during their search.  A company  blog  provides an outlet for thought leadership, an opportunity to showcase expertise as well as a  place  for customers and potential customers and prospective employees  to  engage with you online.

There are plenty of content possibilities … projects in progress, sustainability, charitable work, interesting people and stories. When research shows that blogging drives website traffic, provides valuable feedback to management, and allows companies to showcase their  expertise and talent, I am at a loss to understand why  these top construction management companies are foregoing the opportunity.

No. 6  (Suffolk Construction) as well as  No. 11 on the list, (Hunt Construction Group,) are the exceptions.  Hunt’s  blog, entitled Landmarks, offers an inside look at various projects under construction as well as community events. Suffolk’s blog provides thought leadership from the company’s CEO. While  good efforts, neither of the blogs  provides website visitors with an opportunity to  comment. About half of the  Top 10 firms  have Facebook and Twitter accounts.  However,  often the connections weren’t accessible from the company websites.

Today’s buyers demand more.  A modern site should include blogs and sharing features that foster a sense of community.Why is construction so far behind the curve?

Rank BD+C Giants	Company		Blog
1	Gilbane Building Co.	www.gilbaneco.com/	No
2	Skanska USA	www.skanska.com	No
3	Lend Lease	www.lendlease.com	No
4	Hensel Phelps Construction	www.henselphelps.com	No
5	Whiting-Turner Conracting Co.	www.whiting-turner.com	No
6	Suffolk Construction	www.suffolkconstruction.com	Yes
7	Structure Tone	www.structuretone.com	No
8	Jacobs	www.jacobs.com	No
9	Flintco	www.flintco.com	No
10	The Yates Companies	www.yatescompanies.com	No
11	Hunt Construction Group	www.huntconstruction.com	Yes