You’re good at your trade. Jobs come in steady enough. So why bother with a website?
Because the way people find tradespeople has changed, and it’s only going in one direction. If a homeowner in your area needs a plumber, electrician, or builder today, the first thing they do is Google it. Not ask a neighbour. Not scroll Facebook. Google.
If you’re not there, you don’t exist.
The Problem With “Just Facebook”
A Facebook page feels like a website. You can post photos, collect reviews, get messages. But here’s what it can’t do:
- Show up in Google search results when someone types “electrician near me”
- Build trust the way a professional domain does ([email protected] vs [email protected])
- Convert visitors into enquiries with a clear, focused call to action
- Belong to you , Facebook can change its algorithm, restrict your reach, or shut your page down at any time
A website is yours. It works 24/7. It doesn’t get buried by an algorithm update.
What Makes a Trade Website Actually Work
Not all websites are equal. A poorly built website is almost worse than none , it creates a bad first impression and sends people straight to your competitor.
Here’s what a good trade website needs:
1. Fast load times
If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load on mobile, over half your visitors will leave. Full stop. Fast hosting, optimised images, and clean code aren’t optional extras. They’re baseline.
2. Mobile-first design
More than 70% of local searches happen on a phone. If your site doesn’t look and work perfectly on mobile, you’re losing enquiries every single day.
3. Clear calls to action
Every page should have one job: get the visitor to contact you. That means a visible phone number, a simple contact form, and a single clear message. “Book a free quote”, “Call now”, “Get in touch today”.
4. Real trust signals
Reviews, photos of your actual work, your Gas Safe or NICEIC registration, your service area , these are what convert a visitor into a lead. Stock photos and generic copy don’t cut it.
5. Local SEO baked in
Your site needs to be built so Google understands who you are, where you work, and what you do. That means proper title tags, a Google Business Profile linked up, and your location mentioned naturally throughout the content.
What It Actually Costs
This is where most tradespeople get put off. They’ve heard horror stories about agencies charging £3,000 for a site and then £150/month for “maintenance” forever.
It doesn’t have to be that way. A solid, professional website for a trade business should cost somewhere between £500 and £1,500 to build, depending on how many pages you need. Hosting is typically £10 to £20/month.
If you’re being quoted significantly more than that for a simple 5-page trade site, you’re probably paying for an agency’s overheads, not your website.
The ROI is Simple
If a decent website brings you just one extra job per month , say a boiler service at £150, or a day’s electrical work at £350 , it’s paid for itself within the first two months.
Most of the trade businesses we work with see far more than that. When you’re showing up in Google, have a fast mobile site with clear contact options and real reviews, enquiries come in consistently. Not just when you remember to post on Facebook.
Thinking about getting a proper website for your trade business? Get in touch and we’ll have a no-pressure chat.