5 Things Every Tradesman's Website Needs
Most trade websites are missing the basics. Here's what actually matters — from someone who's been in the trade and builds websites for tradespeople.
5 Things Every Tradesman’s Website Needs
You’ve got a website. Or you’re thinking about getting one. Either way, there are five things that make the difference between a site that sits there doing nothing and one that actually brings in work.
We’ve built sites for plumbers, electricians, and builders — and we’ve seen the same mistakes over and over. Here’s what actually matters.
1. Your Phone Number — Big, Bold, Everywhere
This sounds obvious. But you wouldn’t believe how many trade websites bury the phone number at the bottom of a contact page.
Your phone number should be:
- In the header (visible on every page)
- Clickable on mobile (tap to call)
- On the homepage, at least twice
- In the footer
When someone’s got a leaking pipe at 7am, they’re not going to hunt for your number. If they can’t find it in 2 seconds, they’re gone.
Pro tip: Add a WhatsApp link too. More and more customers prefer messaging over calling — especially younger homeowners.
2. Mobile-First Design
Over 70% of people searching for a tradesperson do it on their phone. Not a laptop. Not a desktop. Their phone.
If your website looks rubbish on mobile — tiny text, buttons you can’t tap, images that don’t load — you’re losing 7 out of 10 potential customers before they even read a word.
A mobile-first website means:
- Fast loading (under 3 seconds)
- Big, tappable buttons
- Text you can read without zooming
- Click-to-call phone numbers
- Forms that are easy to fill in with your thumb
If your web designer shows you the site on a laptop first, ask them to show you the mobile version. That’s what matters.
3. Real Photos of Your Work
Stock photos of a bloke in a hard hat holding a wrench? Everyone’s seen them. Customers can spot them a mile off.
What actually builds trust:
- Photos of your actual work — before and after shots of bathrooms, kitchens, boiler installs, wiring jobs
- Photos of you and your team — people hire people, not logos
- Your van — sounds daft, but a branded van photo makes you look legitimate
You don’t need a professional photographer. A decent phone camera and good lighting is enough. Take photos of every job — it builds your portfolio over time.
4. Clear Pricing (Or At Least a Starting Point)
“Contact us for a quote” on its own isn’t enough anymore. Customers want to know roughly what they’re looking at before they pick up the phone.
You don’t have to list every price. But giving starting points removes a massive barrier:
- “Boiler service from £80”
- “Bathroom refit from £2,500”
- “Full rewire from £3,000”
This does two things:
- Filters out time-wasters — if someone can’t afford your prices, they won’t call you asking for a £50 bathroom refit
- Builds trust — transparency makes you look confident and professional
If your prices vary a lot, just say “from £X” or “typically £X–£Y”. It’s better than nothing.
5. Google Reviews (And a Way to Get More)
This is the one most tradespeople ignore. And it’s probably the most important.
When someone searches “plumber near me” on Google, the first thing they see is the map pack — three local businesses with their star ratings. If you’ve got 4.8 stars from 47 reviews, you’re getting the click. If you’ve got 0 reviews, you’re invisible.
How to get more reviews:
- Ask every happy customer — most people are happy to leave one, they just forget
- Send a direct link — don’t make them search for your Google listing. Send them the exact link
- Make it part of your process — after every job, send a follow-up message with the review link
- Put the link on your website — a “Leave a Review” button makes it easy
Even 10-15 genuine reviews puts you ahead of 90% of tradespeople in your area.
The Bottom Line
A website doesn’t need to be fancy. It needs to be fast, mobile-friendly, and trustworthy. Get these five things right and you’ll already be ahead of most of your competition.
Need help getting your website sorted? We build them specifically for tradespeople — because we understand the trade.
DRMB Tech Solutions — Built by a Tradesman, for Tradespeople