The HelloGMB blog
Plain-English guides for UK tradespeople on websites, domains, WhatsApp buttons, photos, quotes, invoices, pricing, insurance and finding customers.
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How much does a website cost for a tradesperson in the UK? (2026)What UK tradespeople typically pay for a website in 2026: DIY builders, freelancers, trades specialists and agencies, the hidden costs, and what you actually need.What pages should a trades website have? A simple checklistThe five pages every plumber, electrician or builder website needs, what goes on each, and the extras you can safely skip.Do tradespeople need a website? An honest answerDo plumbers, electricians and builders really need a website in 2026? When it pays for itself, when it does not, and what to do instead if you are not ready.
Websites, domains and getting found
Website vs Facebook page vs lead sites: where should a tradesperson be listed?Compare your own website, a Facebook business page and lead or directory sites such as Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Rated People, and how to use them together.How to choose a domain name for your trade business (.co.uk or .com?)How UK tradespeople should pick, check and buy a domain name: .co.uk or .com, what to avoid, where to buy, and how to keep it safe.How to add a WhatsApp button to your website (UK guide with code)Step by step: how to add a click-to-chat WhatsApp button to a trade website, the right number format for UK mobiles, a pre-filled message, and tips for using it well.Tap-to-call buttons and enquiry forms: how to get more calls from your siteHow to set up a tap-to-call link and a short enquiry form on a trade website, what to ask, how to stop spam, and how to make sure you never miss an enquiry.Wix, Squarespace or pay someone? How to build a website as a tradespersonAn honest comparison for UK tradespeople: building a site yourself with Wix or Squarespace, hiring a freelancer, or buying a one-off trades website. Cost, time and trade-offs.The best photos for a trades website (and how to take them on your phone)What photos to put on a plumber, electrician or builder website, how to take good ones on a phone, what permission you need, and how to avoid common mistakes.Website basics and UK rules for tradespeople: privacy, cookies and what to showA plain-English overview of what a UK trade website should include: privacy notice, cookies, business details, claims and testimonials. Not legal advice, with where to check.12 website mistakes that cost tradespeople callsThe most common problems on plumber, electrician and builder websites, from hidden phone numbers to slow pages, and how to fix each one.How to get found on Google as a tradesperson (without paying for ads)The practical basics of local search for UK tradespeople: your website, your Google profile, reviews, consistent details and realistic timescales.Free website for tradesmen: is it really free, and is it worth it?What a free website for a plumber, electrician or builder really involves: the catches with free builders, lead-site pages and social pages, and when paying a little makes sense.
Running your trade business
Quotes, invoices, deposits, insurance, pricing and finding customers.
How to write a quote for a trade job (with a template)What a good UK trade quote includes, how to word it so there are no arguments, and a copy-and-paste template for plumbers, electricians, builders and other trades.Invoice template for sole trader tradespeople: what to includeWhat a UK trade invoice should contain, a plain template, payment terms, and how to chase late payment politely. General information, not tax advice.How to ask for a deposit as a tradesperson (and the rules to know)When and how to ask customers for a deposit, how much is reasonable, how to put it in writing, and the consumer cancellation rules UK tradespeople should check.Public liability insurance for tradespeople: what it is and why customers askA plain-English explanation of public liability and employers' liability insurance for UK tradespeople, why customers and schemes ask for it, and how to check you are covered.How to get your first customers as a new tradespersonPractical ways for a new UK plumber, electrician, builder or other tradesperson to find their first customers without paying lead sites: referrals, local groups, your van, Google and more.How to price a job as a tradesperson: a simple methodA step-by-step way for UK tradespeople to price jobs: day rate, materials, overheads and profit, with a worked example and common mistakes to avoid.How to find local customers without paying for lead sitesFree and low-cost ways UK tradespeople can find local customers: referrals, Google, Facebook groups, partnerships, signage and repeat work, with a simple weekly routine.How to reply to trade enquiries fast (and win more of them)Customers message several tradespeople at once and often choose the first good reply. How to respond quickly from site, WhatsApp and phone, with templates and a simple system.How to get testimonials and case studies for your trade websiteHow UK tradespeople can collect genuine customer quotes and simple case studies, ask permission properly, and use them on a website without breaking the rules on reviews.When are tradespeople busiest? Seasonal planning for your website and marketingHow demand tends to rise and fall through the year for plumbers, heating engineers, roofers, gardeners, decorators and others, and what to update on your website and profile each season.
Looking for Google reviews and Google Business Profile advice? See our reviews guides.
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