Website for tradesmen: 9 things that bring in more enquiries

A website for tradesmen doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to do one job: turn people who are looking for a trade into enquiries. Plenty of trade businesses have a decent-looking website that people do visit. The problem is what happens next: someone lands on the home page, looks around for a few seconds and leaves without getting in touch.

Getting more visitors is expensive. Getting more of the visitors you already have to call is usually cheaper and quicker. Here are nine things that make the difference.

1. Say what you do and where, straight away

A visitor should know in a couple of seconds that they’re in the right place. “Tree surgeons in Exeter and East Devon” beats “Welcome to our website” every time. Put your main service and area at the top of the home page, and your phone number right next to it.

2. Answer “roughly how much?”

The first question almost every customer has is about price. If your site doesn’t answer it, many people go back to Google and keep looking. You don’t need a price list: a range for typical jobs, or an instant quote calculator, answers the question without tying you to a number. More in should tradesmen put prices on their website?

3. Make it work on a phone

Most people looking for a trade are on their phone. Check your site on yours:

• Is the phone number a button that rings you when tapped?
• Is there a WhatsApp option for people who’d rather message?
• Can someone send an enquiry in under a minute, without a long form?
• Does it load quickly on mobile data?

4. Show your real work

Photos of jobs you’ve actually done, in places customers recognise, build more trust than stock photos. Before-and-after pairs work especially well. Take them on every job.

5. Put reviews where people decide

Most customers check reviews before contacting anyone. Show a few of your best on the home page and near your contact form, and link to your Google reviews. See how to get more Google reviews.

6. One page for each main service

A separate page for each service (tree felling, crown reduction, stump grinding) helps customers find what they need, and helps you appear in Google for those searches. Each page should explain the service, show photos, give a rough price and have a clear way to get in touch.

7. Show you’re a real, safe business

Customers worry about cowboys. Show the things that reassure them: insurance, qualifications, trade memberships, how long you’ve been trading, your area, and a real name and photo. Keep it short and factual.

8. Answer common questions

Do you take the waste away? Do you need to visit before giving a price? Do you work weekends? A short questions section saves you calls and reassures people who are close to getting in touch.

9. Give people something to do outside working hours

Lots of people look for a trade in the evening or at weekends. A form, a booking page or an estimator lets them take the next step there and then, instead of “I’ll ring them tomorrow”, which often turns into never.

Don’t forget Google

A good website works best alongside a well-kept Google Business Profile, which is often the first thing people see in local searches. Our Google Business Profile checklist covers the basics.

Questions

How much should a website for tradesmen cost?

It varies a lot, from free website builders to several thousand pounds for a custom site. What matters most is that it covers the points above. A simple, fast site that answers customers’ questions beats an expensive one that doesn’t.

Do I need a website if I’m on a lead site or Facebook?

Directory profiles and social pages are useful, but you don’t control them, and you share the page with competitors. Your own website and Google Business Profile are yours. See Checkatrade alternatives.

Where should my estimator or contact form go?

Near the top of the home page, on every service page and on the contact page. People shouldn’t have to search for it.