Industry Guide

Tradesperson website design UK

A complete guide to creating an effective website for plumbers, electricians, builders, and other tradespeople. Learn essential features, accreditation display, local SEO strategies, and what to budget for a trade website in the UK.

Essential features Cost guide

70%+

of local trade searches are on mobile

97%

check reviews before hiring a tradesperson

46%

of Google searches have local intent

78%

of local mobile searches lead to purchase

Why It Matters

Your website is your 24/7 salesperson

When someone's boiler breaks down at 7pm or they discover a leak on a Sunday morning, the first thing they do is search on their phone. In those moments, your website needs to do the selling for you - clearly showing that you're qualified, trusted, and available.

Word of mouth and reputation still matter enormously in the trades, but the way people verify recommendations has changed. Even when a friend recommends you, potential customers will Google your name to check reviews, see examples of your work, and verify your credentials before picking up the phone.

A professional website is not about looking flashy - it's about making it as easy as possible for customers to contact you, trust you, and choose you over competitors. Every element should serve that purpose. Whether you're a sole trader plumber or an established electrical contractor, your website should work as hard as you do.

What makes a great tradesperson website?

A great trade website does three things: it makes your phone ring (or forms get submitted), it builds trust through accreditations and reviews, and it works perfectly on mobile devices. Everything else - fancy design, clever animations, extensive content - is secondary. Get these fundamentals right, and your website becomes your most reliable lead generation tool.

Must-Have Elements

Essential features for tradesperson websites

These are the features your trade website needs, ordered by importance. Start with the critical items and add more as your budget allows.

Prominent phone number

Critical

Large, clickable phone number in header. Most trade customers prefer to call, especially for emergencies.

Mobile responsiveness

Critical

Perfect display on all devices. Over 70% of local trade searches happen on mobile phones.

Quote request form

Critical

Simple form capturing name, phone, postcode, job description. Make it easy to get in touch.

Services list

Critical

Clear breakdown of all services offered. Helps customers and improves SEO for specific searches.

Service area coverage

Critical

List of areas covered or map showing radius. Customers need to know if you work in their location.

Accreditation badges

High

Gas Safe, NICEIC, NAPIT, TrustMark, Checkatrade. Builds trust and is legally required for some trades.

Customer testimonials

High

Real reviews from satisfied customers. Social proof is powerful for service businesses.

Before/after gallery

High

Visual proof of your work quality. Photos convince customers better than words.

Emergency contact

High

If you offer emergency callouts, make this extremely visible. State hours and any callout fees.

Google Maps embed

Medium

Show your location or service area. Reinforces local presence and helps with SEO.

About page

Medium

Your story, experience, qualifications. Customers want to know who is coming to their home.

Blog or advice section

Optional

Tips and guides build trust and help SEO. Only worth maintaining if you can update regularly.

The Phone Number Rule

For tradespeople, the most important element on your website is your phone number. It should be large, visible on every page without scrolling, and clickable on mobile devices. Many trade customers prefer calling to filling in forms - make it impossible to miss your number.

Building Trust

Accreditations and trust signals

Displaying your qualifications and memberships is essential for trade websites. Here are the key accreditations customers look for and why they matter.

Gas Safe Register

Gas engineers, boiler installers, heating engineers

Legally required for all gas work. Customers actively look for the Gas Safe logo. Display your registration number and link to the online register for verification.

Verify at: www.gassaferegister.co.uk

NICEIC

Electricians, electrical contractors

The most recognised electrical certification scheme. Shows competence and allows you to self-certify work. Essential for customer trust in electrical services.

Verify at: www.niceic.com

NAPIT

Electricians, plumbers, heating engineers

Major competent person scheme covering multiple trades. Well-known and trusted by customers seeking qualified professionals.

Verify at: www.napit.org.uk

ELECSA

Electricians

Part of the Certsure group alongside NICEIC. Provides competent person status for electrical work certification.

Verify at: www.elecsa.co.uk

TrustMark

All building trades

Government-endorsed quality scheme. Required for some grant-funded work. Demonstrates adherence to industry standards.

Verify at: www.trustmark.org.uk

Checkatrade

All trades

Popular consumer platform with vetting process. The badge is widely recognised and trusted by homeowners.

Verify at: www.checkatrade.com

Which? Trusted Traders

All trades

Backed by the Which? consumer brand. Rigorous assessment process. Particularly trusted by older homeowners.

Verify at: trustedtraders.which.co.uk

Federation of Master Builders

Builders, contractors, construction

Long-established trade association for builders. Membership demonstrates professionalism and provides consumer protection.

Verify at: www.fmb.org.uk

Display Them Properly

Do not just add logo images - link to verification pages where customers can check your credentials are genuine. Display your registration numbers and when certifications were last renewed. This transparency builds trust and differentiates you from cowboys who fake accreditations.

Getting Found

Local SEO for tradespeople

How to ensure customers find your business when they search for tradespeople in your area. Local SEO is critical for service businesses.

Google Business Profile

Critical

Claim, verify, and fully complete your profile. Add all services, photos of work, respond to reviews, and keep hours accurate.

Local keywords

Critical

Use location-specific terms naturally: plumber Cardiff, emergency electrician Newport, builder Swansea. Create pages for each area.

NAP consistency

Critical

Your Name, Address, and Phone number must be identical across your website, GBP, directories, and social media.

Service area pages

High

Create individual pages for each town or area you cover. Include local content and specific services available.

Review generation

High

Systematically ask for Google reviews after every job. Respond to all reviews professionally within 24 hours.

Local directories

Medium

Get listed on Yell, Thomson Local, FreeIndex, Yelp, and trade-specific directories. Ensure NAP consistency.

Schema markup

Medium

Add LocalBusiness and Service schema to help Google understand your business type, services, and service area.

Mobile optimisation

Critical

Fast loading, easy navigation, tap-to-call phone number. Most urgent trade searches happen on mobile.

Key insight: For tradespeople, Google Business Profile is often more important than your website for local searches. Invest time in optimising it - add photos of completed work weekly, respond to every review, and keep all information accurate.

Social Proof

Getting and displaying reviews

Reviews are the modern word of mouth. Here is how to systematically generate reviews and use them effectively on your website.

Ask at the right moment

Request reviews immediately after completing a job successfully, when the customer is happiest. Strike while the iron is hot - waiting even a day reduces response rates significantly.

Make it effortless

Send a text message with a direct link to your Google review page. Create a short URL or QR code. The fewer clicks required, the more reviews you will receive.

Follow up once

If no review after 2-3 days, send one polite reminder. Do not pester customers - one follow-up is acceptable, more is annoying and damages relationships.

Respond to every review

Thank positive reviewers specifically, mentioning details of their job. Address negative reviews professionally, acknowledge concerns, and offer to make things right.

Display reviews on your website

Embed Google reviews on your site or manually add testimonials with customer names and locations. Seeing reviews in multiple places reinforces trust.

Use review cards

Leave a business card after each job with a QR code linking directly to your review page. Physical reminders can prompt action when customers get home.

Aim for Critical Mass

Having 5 reviews is not enough - customers are suspicious of businesses with only a handful of reviews. Aim for at least 20-30 Google reviews to appear established and trustworthy. Consistent review generation should be part of your regular business process, not something you do occasionally.

Show Your Work

Before and after galleries

Visual proof of your skills is more convincing than any words. Here is how to build an effective portfolio on your website.

A strong portfolio is one of the most powerful tools for converting website visitors into customers. When someone is considering hiring you for a bathroom installation, seeing photos of bathrooms you have actually completed is far more convincing than reading about your experience.

Photography tips for tradespeople

Always take before photos - They make the transformation more impressive and show the scale of work completed
Use consistent angles - Photograph from the same position before and after for maximum impact
Good lighting matters - Turn on all lights and open curtains. Avoid flash if possible as it creates harsh shadows
Tidy the space - Remove tools and debris before after photos. First impressions count
Get permission - Always ask customers before photographing their property
Organise by category - Group photos by service type so visitors can easily find relevant examples

What to include in gallery descriptions

Do not just show photos - add brief descriptions including the type of work, any particular challenges you overcame, the location (city or area, not full address), and roughly how long the job took. This context helps customers understand what you can do and gives search engines useful content.

Update Regularly

A gallery that has not been updated in years suggests you are not busy or have gone out of business. Make adding new photos a regular habit - even just one good project per month keeps your portfolio fresh and shows you are actively working.

Budget Planning

Tradesperson website costs in the UK

What to expect when budgeting for a trade website. Prices vary based on features and complexity.

Basic Tradesperson Site

Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks

£500 - £1,000

Typically includes: Homepage, services page, about, contact form, mobile-responsive design, basic SEO

Suitable for: Sole traders just starting out, limited budget, wanting online presence

Professional Trade Site

Typical timeline: 2-3 weeks

£1,000 - £2,000

Typically includes: Above plus photo gallery, testimonials, service area pages, Google Maps, optimised for local SEO

Suitable for: Established tradespeople wanting to grow, multiple service areas

Premium Trade Site

Typical timeline: 3-4 weeks

£2,000 - £3,000

Typically includes: Above plus booking system, customer portal, multiple galleries, blog, advanced SEO, analytics setup

Suitable for: Growing businesses, multiple staff, wanting to dominate local search

Ongoing Costs to Budget For

£50-150

per year for hosting

£10-30

per year for domain

£0-100

per month for maintenance (optional)

Get an instant estimate for your trade website project.

Use our cost calculator

Mobile-First

Why mobile matters for tradespeople

When someone has an emergency or needs a quote, they search on their phone. Your website must work perfectly on mobile devices.

Click-to-call

When a pipe bursts or lights go out, customers need to call immediately. Make your phone number impossible to miss.

Solution: Large phone number in header, always visible, tappable to call directly. Consider a sticky call button on mobile.

Fast loading

Impatient customers with urgent problems will not wait for slow sites. Every second of delay loses potential customers.

Solution: Optimise images, use fast hosting, minimise code bloat. Test regularly - aim for under 3 second load times.

Simple navigation

People searching on phones often have one hand occupied. Complex menus frustrate users.

Solution: Clear, simple menu with key pages easily accessible. Most important actions within thumb reach.

Quick quote form

If calling is not convenient, customers need an easy alternative way to make contact.

Solution: Short form with minimal required fields. Auto-detect location if possible. Prominently placed above the fold.

Thumb-friendly buttons

Small touch targets lead to mis-taps and frustration on mobile devices.

Solution: Large touch targets (minimum 44px), adequate spacing between interactive elements.

Readable text

Tiny text requiring pinch-to-zoom is a poor experience, especially in bright sunlight.

Solution: Minimum 16px body text, high contrast colours, no horizontal scrolling required.

Test in Real Conditions

Do not just check your site on WiFi. Test on mobile data, in bright sunlight, with one hand while walking. That is how your emergency customers will be using it. If you cannot easily find your phone number and tap to call within 5 seconds, something needs to change.

The Big Question

DIY website builders vs professional design

Should you build your own site or hire a professional? Here is an honest comparison.

DIY Website Builders

Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy Website Builder

Advantages

Lower upfront cost (£100-300/year)
You control everything yourself
Can make changes anytime
Templates get you started quickly

Disadvantages

Time-consuming to learn and maintain
Often slow loading speeds
Limited SEO capabilities
Generic, template-looking results
Your time has value - is it worth it?

Professional Web Design

Hiring a web designer or agency

Advantages

Professional, unique design
Optimised for speed and SEO
Built to convert visitors to leads
No time investment from you
Ongoing support available

Disadvantages

Higher upfront cost (£500-3,000)
Need to find a trustworthy designer
Changes may require designer involvement
Quality varies significantly

The Real Question

How much is your time worth? If you charge £40/hour and spend 20 hours building a DIY website, that is £800 of your time - plus ongoing hours maintaining it. A professional site might cost £1,000-£1,500 upfront but requires no time from you and typically generates more leads due to better SEO and conversion optimisation. For most tradespeople, professional design pays for itself quickly.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about tradesperson websites

Answers to common questions about trade website design, costs, and features.

How much does a tradesperson website cost in the UK?

Tradesperson website costs in the UK typically range from £500-£3,000 depending on complexity. A basic site with services, contact details, and a quote request form costs £500-£1,000. A professional site with galleries, testimonials, and local SEO optimisation costs £1,000-£2,000. Premium sites with booking systems, customer portals, and advanced features can exceed £2,500. Ongoing costs include hosting (£50-150/year) and domain renewal (£10-30/year).

What features does a tradesperson website need?

Essential tradesperson website features include: prominent phone number with click-to-call, clear list of services offered, service area coverage, quote request form, accreditation badges (Gas Safe, NICEIC, etc.), customer testimonials, before and after photo gallery, Google Maps showing coverage area, opening hours and emergency availability, and mobile-responsive design. Most customers will view your site on their phone when they have an urgent problem.

How important is Google Business Profile for tradespeople?

Google Business Profile is absolutely critical for tradespeople. When someone searches for a plumber or electrician near me, Google shows local results from GBP first. Claim your profile, add all services, upload work photos regularly, collect reviews, and keep your hours accurate. For many tradespeople, GBP generates more leads than their website. The two work together - your website provides detailed information while GBP handles local discovery and reviews.

How do I get more reviews for my trade business?

Getting reviews requires a consistent system. Ask every satisfied customer to leave a Google review - immediately after completing the job when they are happiest. Send a follow-up text or email with a direct link to your review page. Make it easy - the fewer clicks, the better. Respond to every review professionally, including negative ones. Some tradespeople offer a small discount on future work for reviews, though Google technically discourages incentivised reviews. Aim for at least 20-30 reviews to build trust.

Should I include emergency callout information on my website?

Yes, if you offer emergency services, make this extremely prominent. Display emergency contact numbers in the header, use attention-grabbing styling, clearly state your callout hours, and show any emergency callout fees upfront. People needing emergency plumbing or electrical work are stressed and will call the first number they see. If you answer 24/7, say so clearly. If you have limited emergency hours, be specific to avoid frustrating late-night calls.

How do I display quote requests effectively on my website?

Your quote request form should be simple but gather enough information to provide accurate estimates. Include fields for: name, phone (essential - tradespeople need to call), email, postcode (to check if in your area), service type dropdown, brief job description, preferred contact time, and whether it is urgent. Keep the form above the fold or have a sticky button. Respond within hours, not days - speed often wins the job. Consider offering instant quotes for common jobs.

Which accreditation badges should I display on my website?

Display all relevant accreditations prominently. For gas engineers, Gas Safe registration is legally required and customers look for it. Electricians should show NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA certification. Builders benefit from Federation of Master Builders or TrustMark. General tradespeople can show Checkatrade, MyBuilder, or Which? Trusted Trader badges. Always link to verification pages where customers can check your credentials. Display registration numbers and expiry dates to show accreditations are current.

How do I showcase my work with before and after photos?

A strong portfolio convinces customers you can do the job. Take photos before starting and after completing every significant project. Use good lighting, clear angles, and consistent framing. Organise galleries by service type (bathroom installations, rewiring, extensions). Include brief descriptions of the work done and any challenges overcome. Ask permission before photographing customer properties. Update your gallery regularly - a stale portfolio suggests you are not busy. Video walkthroughs of completed projects can be even more compelling.

How do I improve local SEO for my trade business?

Local SEO is how tradespeople get found online. Optimise for service plus location keywords like plumber Cardiff or electrician Newport. Create separate pages for each service and each major area you cover. Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent everywhere online. Get listed in local directories like Yell, Thomson Local, and FreeIndex. Encourage Google reviews mentioning your location. Add schema markup for local business. Embed Google Maps showing your service area. Build local links from suppliers, trade associations, and community sites.

Should I build my own website or hire a professional?

DIY website builders like Wix or Squarespace cost less upfront but have limitations. They often load slowly, have poor SEO, and look generic. More importantly, your time has value - hours spent wrestling with website builders are hours not spent on paid work. A professional website costs £500-£2,000 but ranks better, loads faster, converts more visitors to enquiries, and requires no ongoing effort from you. For most tradespeople, the return on investment from a professional site pays for itself within months through increased leads.

Need a website for your trade business?

Web Cardiff creates professional websites for plumbers, electricians, builders, and other tradespeople across Wales. Fast-loading, mobile-optimised sites that generate leads and build trust. Let's discuss your project.

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