What Makes a Great Trades or Service Website?
If you’re a plumber, electrician, decorator, cleaner, gardener, or run any kind of service-based business in the UK, you’ll know that reputation and word of mouth are the lifeblood of your trade. But here’s the thing: in today’s world, even the strongest reputation needs a solid online presence to back it up.
Think about it. How do you find someone when you need help? Whether it’s an emergency gas engineer, a dog groomer, or someone to fix a leaky roof, the first instinct is to pull out your phone and search online. And nine times out of ten, the businesses that show up with a professional-looking website are the ones who get the call.
That’s why having a website isn’t just “nice to have” anymore. It’s your digital shop window, your 24/7 salesperson, and often the first impression potential customers have of you. But what separates an okay website from a great trades or service website? That’s exactly what we’re going to dive into today.
Grab yourself a cuppa — this is a long read, but if you’re serious about getting more local customers and making your business look the part online, it’s worth it.
Why a Great Website Matters for Trades and Service Businesses
Let’s start with a simple truth: customers judge a book by its cover.
Imagine this scenario. Sarah in Chelmsford needs an emergency plumber. She finds two options:
Plumber A has no website, just a mobile number listed on a directory site. No photos, no reviews, nothing that says whether he’s reliable.
Plumber B has a clean, professional website. It shows photos of past jobs, has a page of customer testimonials, clear pricing for common call-outs, and a handy “call now” button that works on mobile.
Which one do you think Sarah’s going to call? Exactly.
A great website does three things for you:
Builds trust quickly – people see you’re professional.
Makes it easy to get in touch – no faffing around hunting for your number.
Helps you stand out from “the other guy” – even if you charge a bit more.
In other words, your website is your credibility badge. Without it, you’re invisible. With it, you’re the go-to expert in your area.
The Key Ingredients of a Great Trades or Service Website
Now, let’s break down exactly what makes a website “great” rather than just “there.”
1. A Clean, Professional Design
Your site doesn’t need to win design awards. Nobody’s expecting fireworks or Hollywood-style video backgrounds. But it does need to look tidy, modern, and professional.
Think simple layouts, easy-to-read fonts, and colours that match your business branding. If you’re a gardener, maybe use fresh greens and clean whites. If you’re a builder, bold blues or greys might give a solid, dependable feel.
Anecdote: I once spoke to a decorator who had a website designed in the early 2000s — flashing banners, clipart paintbrushes, and bright neon colours everywhere. He wondered why nobody was calling him from the site. The truth? It looked dodgy. People assumed he wasn’t professional. Within two months of updating his site to something clean and modern, his enquiries doubled.
2. Easy Navigation
Customers don’t want to play “hide and seek” on your site. They’re looking for quick answers:
What do you do?
Where do you work?
How do I contact you?
A great trades or service website makes this easy. Clear menu at the top, straightforward headings like:
Home
Services
About
Testimonials
Contact
That’s it. No confusion, no fancy jargon.
3. Clear Information About Your Services
Don’t assume people know what you offer. Even if you’re a plumber, there’s a difference between someone who does bathrooms and someone who specialises in boilers.
Spell it out. List your services clearly with a short description for each. Example:
Emergency Call-Outs – burst pipes, leaks, blockages.
Boiler Servicing – annual checks and safety certificates.
Bathroom Fitting – from design to installation.
The more specific you are, the more likely someone will see their exact problem listed and call you.
4. Strong Calls to Action
This is a big one. Don’t just stick your phone number in the footer and hope people find it. You need calls to action (CTAs) throughout your site.
For example:
“Call now for a free quote”
“Book your boiler service today”
“Get in touch for same-day repairs”
And if someone’s browsing on their phone, those CTAs should be tappable. One click and they’re dialling you.
5. Photos That Build Trust
A faceless website feels cold. Add personality by including real photos:
You and your team at work.
Before-and-after shots of projects.
Your van, branded with your logo.
Example: An electrician in Southend once told me that after adding a simple gallery of “before and after” rewires, he noticed customers saying, “We saw your photos and thought, yes, he knows what he’s doing.”
Stock images can fill gaps, but sprinkle in real ones wherever possible. They build instant trust.
6. Customer Testimonials and Reviews
People trust other people more than they trust you (sorry, but it’s true). That’s why testimonials are gold.
A few short quotes from happy customers — especially with names and locations — will make a huge difference. Even better, add photos of the finished work alongside the testimonial.
7. Mobile-Friendly Design
This isn’t optional anymore. Over 70% of people looking for local services are doing it from their phone. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re basically waving goodbye to half your customers.
That means:
Big, readable text.
Buttons that are easy to tap.
Quick loading times.
8. Local SEO Basics
Your website isn’t just about looking pretty. It should help you show up when people search “plumber in Basildon” or “electrician near me.”
That means sprinkling in local keywords, having your location clearly listed, and linking to your Google Business Profile.
We’ll get into this more later, but trust me — a website without SEO is like printing leaflets and never delivering them.
9. Easy Contact Options
Don’t make people jump through hoops to contact you. The best trades websites have:
Click-to-call phone numbers.
A simple contact form.
An email address for those who prefer typing.
Sometimes even WhatsApp links.
If you’re reachable in multiple ways, you’re more likely to catch that lead before they move on to someone else.
10. A Personal Touch
Finally, don’t be afraid to show who you are. An “About Me” page with your story goes a long way.
Maybe you’re a third-generation roofer carrying on the family trade. Maybe you started your cleaning business after years in hospitality because you wanted to do things properly. Share a bit of that. Customers like knowing who’s behind the business.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Of course, it’s not just about what you should include — there are also pitfalls to avoid.
Too much jargon: Nobody cares about “bespoke solutions for integrated plumbing systems.” They care about “fixing a leaky tap fast.”
Hiding your contact details: Your number should be visible on every page.
Slow websites: If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, most people will click off.
Outdated information: Nothing says “don’t trust us” like a website advertising Christmas deals from 2019.
The SEO Angle: Getting Found in Local Searches
A quick word on SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Even the best-looking site won’t help you if nobody can find it. That’s where SEO comes in — it helps Google put your site in front of people searching for your services.
For trades and service websites, this means:
Having your town/area listed in your content.
Making sure your services are clearly written in plain English.
Linking your site with your Google Business Profile.
When someone types “emergency electrician in Romford,” you want your site to pop up, not your competitor’s.
FAQs About Trades and Service Websites
Q: Can’t I just rely on Facebook instead of a website?
A: Social media is great, but it’s rented land. You don’t control it, and not everyone uses it. A website is your own space, always available, and it makes you look more professional.
Q: Do I need to spend thousands?
A: Absolutely not. That’s where services like 99 Quid Websites come in — you get a professional, fully built site that does the job without breaking the bank.
Q: What if I’m not “techy”?
A: You don’t need to be. A good web company (like us) will handle the setup, design, and hosting. All you need to do is provide your info and a few photos.
Q: How quickly can I get a website live?
A: With the right service, you can have a website up and running in days, not months.
Q: Will my website really get me more customers?
A: Yes — but only if it’s built properly. A great website builds trust, helps you show up in Google, and makes it super easy for people to contact you. That’s a recipe for more calls and enquiries.
Your Website Is an Investment, Not an Expense
Here’s the truth. A great trades or service website isn’t just a cost — it’s an investment that pays for itself. One extra job booked through your site could cover months (or even years) of running costs.
Imagine this: you invest in a clean, professional website. The next time someone searches “gardener near me” in your area, they find you. They hire you for regular weekly work. That one customer could be worth thousands over time — all because they trusted you based on your website.
That’s the power of looking legit online.
Ready to Look the Part?
If you’re ready to stop losing customers to competitors and want a website that actually works for your business, it’s time to take action.
At 99 Quid Websites, we specialise in building professional, affordable sites for trades and service businesses just like yours. No confusing jargon. No hidden extras. Just a solid, good-looking site that does the job.
👉 Get in touch with us today (07816 528421) and let’s build you a website that makes your business look the part — and gets you more customers.
