Tradesmen: How to Create the Perfect Website

Tips on how to create the perfect website, show-off your business and get found online.

Now more than ever consumers are going online to get information before they make a decision and hiring a tradesperson is no different.

Homeowners who use our service regularly look through our members' websites before choosing whom to go with, so a professional website can set the customer's mind at ease as well as set you apart from your competition.

It's important to sound friendly, approachable and professional - the kind of person people are happy to invite into their house and carry out work for them.

If you follow these steps you'll be well on your way to growing your customer base and remember, unlike a brick-and-mortar shop or an employee, your website is working for you 24/7, 365 days a year.

What Website Platform To Use?

Before we get started on what to include in your website, it's important to know that you don't need to spend thousands to get a website.

You can build your very own website yourself and you don't need to be an internet nerd to do it either.

Here at Onlinetradesmen, we have made it easy for tradesmen to show off their company and services online by creating the perfect Website Builder for just a €99* for a year.

What To Include on Your Website:

1. Company Information

A crucial part of a good tradesperson’s website is the company information. After all, a homeowner needs to know whom they’re hiring. If in doubt, think like a customer, what do you look for when you want to make a purchase?

A perfect website needs to have information like:

Company name
Contact information
- Make sure this is clear so users don't have to click through too many pages to find it.
How long you have been in business
- Homeowners love to choose experienced tradespeople, so if you have 30 years of experience then why not tell them?
Qualifications
- Depending on your trade, these will vary in importance but we would recommend adding all relevant qualifications including insurance to your website. It gives homeowners peace of mind and your business added validity.
Where you’re based
- It might sound obvious but it's important to state where you are based and also what areas you cover. For example, you could live in Meath but also work in Dublin, if it's not clear that you cover Dublin too a homeowner may not consider you.
- On the flip side, you don’t want to waste time talking with customers who are outside your service area.
- Listing your location prominently (homepage) is also good for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), to help your services display in local search
The work you do / services you offer
- It's crucial to list the services your company provides, the last thing you want is to already be talking to a customer only for you to realize the job isn't suitable.
- If you specialise in a certain field/type of job this is a good opportunity to mention it. It's a simple but effective way to get more of the jobs you love.

2. Customer Ratings

Ratings are an important part of your website and in running a business in general. While word-of-mouth is still great, putting that word-of-mouth reputation online increases who can see it by tenfold.

Customers trust other customers, so add any positive ratings you get from jobs, google reviews social media, etc. If you have built up 5* ratings via a service like Onlinetradesmen, why not add a link from your standalone website to your rating page?

3. Photos

The perfect website needs good-quality pictures of your work. It's fine to say how great you are, but photos will make it hit home.

Depending on the job, ‘before and after' pictures work well. It's also a good opportunity to show how clean and organised you are when working.

Tip: it's a good idea to name the file something relevant to the picture. This also helps improves SEO. For example, a picture of a new bathroom could be something like this ‘ company name_ bathroom_refit_ location.jpg’.

4. Other Tips

It sounds obvious but makes sure to double-check for things like spelling.

Try not to use too much jargon. This will differ from trade to trade but too much could put some customers off.

Use lists and bullet points - the same amount of text can seem easier to read if it is formatted well. Ultimately, customers want quick-to-the-point information.

Don't Want To Website DIY?

If you don't want to spend a few hours using our website builder to build your website, then Onlinetradesmen also provides a full setup service for €199 ex Vat. Join up and then drop us a line if want us to help.