Checkatrade vs Your Own Website: The Full Comparison
Checkatrade or your own website — which gets more work for UK tradespeople? Honest 2026 comparison of costs, lead quality, and long-term value.
Tom writes the marketing, SEO, and growth side of the Digital Tradies blog. He focuses on what actually moves the needle for trade businesses online — Google Business Profile, reviews, local search, paid ads, and the website fundamentals that turn visits into bookings. Tom prefers practical examples to jargon and tries every tactic he writes about on a real trade site before publishing.
94 articles
Checkatrade or your own website — which gets more work for UK tradespeople? Honest 2026 comparison of costs, lead quality, and long-term value.
Short answer: yes. Here's which plumbing jobs UK plumbers miss without a website, and why referrals alone stop working when the phone goes quiet.
Yes — but not for the reasons most people say. Here's what UK electricians actually lose without a website, and what it costs to fix it.
Yes — UK builders need a website. Here's why large jobs require one, what customers check before spending £20k+, and how photos win work.
What your electrician website actually needs to generate calls: must-have pages, trust signals like NICEIC badges, SEO basics, and realistic costs in 2026.
Trade website costs in the UK range from free to £10,000+. Here's an honest breakdown of what each option gets you — and what's worth paying for.
Step-by-step guide for UK tradespeople on getting more Google reviews, including WhatsApp templates, timing tips, and how reviews help map rankings.
A practical guide to plumber web design: the 5 things your site must have, what pages to include, SEO basics, and how much a good website costs in 2026.
How UK electricians can rank on Google and get more enquiries. Covers GBP, NICEIC directories, EV chargers, EICR landlord searches, and building reviews.
How UK plumbers can rank on Google and get more calls. Covers Google Business Profile, reviews, emergency plumber SEO, and the directories that matter most.
A practical guide to SEO for UK roofers. Learn how to rank on Google, get more leads from local search, and outrank the agencies in your area.
What separates UK trade websites that generate consistent leads from ones that don't. Ten proven patterns with real data on why each one works.
A practical checklist of everything a UK tradesman website needs to generate calls: from contact details to credentials, reviews, and service pages.
The best accounting software for UK tradespeople in 2026 — covering CIS, MTD, invoicing, and pricing for sole traders and limited companies.
Bark or your own website? Honest comparison of lead costs, quality, and long-term value for UK tradespeople deciding where to invest their marketing.
What separates top UK electrician websites from average ones — the specific pages, trust signals, and design choices that turn visitors into booked jobs.
The best invoicing apps for UK tradespeople in 2026 — send quotes on-site, track payments, and get paid faster with these trade-friendly tools.
The best vans for UK tradespeople in 2026 — comparing payload, running costs, security, and price for electricians, plumbers, builders, and more.
What separates the best UK plumber websites from average ones: the trust signals, pages, and layout choices that turn visitors into booked jobs.
What a builder website actually needs: portfolio pages, FMB trust signals, quote forms, and how much it costs to get a professional site in 2026.
Comparing Checkatrade and a website isn't just about cost — it's about lead quality and customer intent. Here's which actually converts better for tradespeople.
Do tradespeople need a CRM? This guide covers what CRM software does, when it's worth it, and the best options for UK tradesmen in 2026.
The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) explained for UK tradespeople. Covers deduction rates, registration, filing returns, and reclaiming overpaid tax.
Word of mouth works, but Instagram doesn't rank on Google. Here's why joiners need a website in 2026 — and what it does that social media can't.
Word of mouth works until it doesn't. Here's why painters and decorators need a website in 2026 — and what it actually does for your business.
Yes — and roofing's unique trust problem makes a website more important here than almost any other trade. Here's why and what it costs.
How Facebook Ads work for UK tradespeople, what to spend, which ad formats get results, and how to set up your first campaign without wasting money.
Late payments cost UK tradespeople thousands each year. Here are 8 practical ways to get paid on time, plus your legal rights if a customer refuses.
How to run Google Ads as an electrician in the UK — EV charger keywords, EICR campaigns, cost per click, Local Services Ads, and how to avoid wasting budget.
How to run Google Ads as a plumber in the UK — which keywords to target, what to spend, emergency vs standard campaigns, and when LSAs beat standard ads.
How UK roofers can use Google Ads to win more jobs in 2026 — best keywords, storm campaigns, budget guide, and how to avoid wasting money on bad clicks.
How Google Ads works for UK tradespeople, how much to spend, when it's worth it, and how to cut your cost per lead from day one.
How to set up and optimise your Google Business Profile as an electrician in the UK — categories, photos, reviews, posts, and local map pack ranking.
How UK plumbers can set up and optimise their Google Business Profile to rank in the map pack, get more calls, and beat competitors for free.
Practical Google Business Profile tips for tradespeople — photos, categories, reviews, Google Posts, and what actually moves you up in the map pack.
How to set up and optimise your Google Business Profile as a tradesperson in the UK — categories, service areas, photos, reviews, and map pack ranking.
The three ranking factors Google uses to rank tradespeople on Google Maps — and the specific actions that move each one up the local pack.
How to become an electrician in the UK: entry routes, costs, how long it takes, what to do after qualifying, and whether to go employed or self-employed.
How to become a painter and decorator in the UK: entry routes, qualifications, how long it takes, what you'll earn, and how to go self-employed.
How to become a plumber in the UK: apprenticeship vs college routes, qualifications needed, training costs, earnings, and retraining at any age.
How to become a roofer in the UK in 2026: apprenticeships, direct entry, qualifications, realistic earnings, and what the job involves day to day.
Practical strategies UK builders use to fill their diaries year-round — from planning application monitoring to quote follow-up and repeat developer relationships.
Practical ways UK electricians get more work — from calling back fast to targeting high-value jobs, building landlord relationships, and winning referrals.
Practical strategies for Gas Safe heating engineers to win more boiler and heating jobs — from service reminder systems to landlord gas safety contracts.
10 practical strategies UK painters and decorators use to fill their diaries year-round — from portfolio tactics to landlord relationships and seasonal booking.
Practical strategies for UK plumbers to win more jobs — from answering the phone faster to building landlord relationships and following up on lost quotes.
Practical strategies UK roofers use to fill their diaries — from NFRC membership and storm work to referral systems and winning repeat landlord contracts.
Word of mouth is great — but passive referrals leave money on the table. These 8 practical strategies help UK tradespeople turn happy customers into steady referral sources.
Step-by-step guide to starting a carpenter business in the UK: registration, insurance, tools, pricing, getting customers, and setting up online.
Step-by-step guide to starting a building company in the UK: registration, insurance, CIS, CITB levy, pricing jobs, and winning your first clients.
Everything you need to start an electrical business in the UK: qualifications, registration, insurance, pricing, getting customers, and setting up online.
Step-by-step guide to starting a handyman business in the UK: registration, insurance, tools, rates, getting customers, and going online.
Step-by-step guide to starting a joinery business in the UK: registration, insurance, workshop setup, pricing, qualifications, and getting customers.
Step-by-step guide to starting a landscaping business in the UK: registration, insurance, tools, pricing, finding customers, and getting online in 2026.
Step-by-step guide to starting a painting and decorating business in the UK: registration, insurance, tools, pricing, and getting your first customers.
Step-by-step guide to starting a plumbing business in the UK: registration, insurance, tools, pricing, finding customers, and setting up online.
Step-by-step guide to starting a roofing business in the UK: qualifications, insurance, equipment costs, finding customers, and building your online presence.
Write trade quotes that win work and protect you legally. Free template, what to include, pricing tips, and common mistakes UK tradespeople make.
Discover exactly how a professional website generates more enquiries and jobs for UK tradespeople — from Google searches to after-hours leads.
A practical guide to using Instagram as a tradesperson in the UK — what to post, how to set it up, and whether it's worth your time.
Is a Checkatrade membership worth the monthly cost? We break down the real costs, ROI calculation, and what UK tradespeople actually experience on the platform.
10 practical marketing tactics for UK builders — from Google Business Profile to project photography, FMB directories, and winning more enquiries without cold calling.
Practical marketing guide for UK electricians — EICR landlord pipelines, EV charger leads, NICEIC directories, Google reviews, and website tips that work.
Practical marketing guide for UK heating engineers — Google Business Profile, reviews, MCS heat pump leads, local SEO, and website tips that actually work.
Practical marketing tips for UK landscapers — from Google Business Profile and reviews to directories, van branding, and getting repeat customers year-round.
Practical marketing tips for UK locksmiths — from Google Business Profile and reviews to emergency SEO, directories, and building a trustworthy reputation.
Practical marketing guide for UK roofers — Google Business Profile, storm response, before/after photos, NFRC directories, and website tips that generate leads.
Practical marketing ideas for UK plumbers — from Google Business Profile and reviews to directories, social media, and van branding. Start getting more calls.
Missed calls cost UK tradespeople jobs every day. Here's how missed call text back works, what to say, which tools to use, and how to set it up.
MyBuilder or your own website: which gets UK tradespeople more jobs? Honest 2026 comparison of pay-per-lead costs, lead quality, and long-term value.
Should tradespeople offer online booking? This guide covers the benefits, the best tools, what it costs, and when it's actually worth the effort.
Website or Facebook for your plumbing business? We compare reach, leads, costs and long-term value to help UK plumbers make the right call.
Rated People or Checkatrade — which lead generation platform gets UK tradespeople more work? Honest 2026 comparison of costs, lead quality, and what you actually get.
A practical guide for tradespeople on responding to Google reviews — positive and negative — with copy-paste UK templates and the mistakes to avoid.
SEO for bathroom fitters explained: Google Business Profile, portfolio photos, the keywords that bring bathroom renovation enquiries, and how to rank locally.
How UK builders can rank on Google and win more jobs. Covers Google Business Profile, reviews, project-specific keywords, and the directories that matter.
Practical SEO guide for UK gardeners. Covers Google Business Profile, reviews, service pages, directories, and how to win regular maintenance clients online.
How UK handymen can rank on Google and win more local work. Covers GBP, reviews, service pages, and the keyword strategy that works for a broad trade.
SEO for heating engineers explained: GBP setup, boiler keywords, Gas Safe directories, and a website structure that gets you calls from local homeowners.
SEO for joiners explained: Google Business Profile, review strategy, the keywords that bring in bespoke joinery enquiries, and how to build a profile that converts.
Practical SEO guide for UK landscapers. Covers Google Business Profile, service pages, seasonal keywords, and local ranking tactics that get you more enquiries.
How UK painters and decorators can rank on Google and win more domestic and commercial jobs. Covers GBP, reviews, service pages, and Houzz.
How UK locksmiths can rank on Google and get more callouts. Covers Google Business Profile, emergency SEO, MLA directories, and the review strategy that wins.
How UK plasterers can rank on Google and win more jobs. Covers Google Business Profile, reviews, plastering keywords, and directories that deliver real work.
SEO for tilers explained: Google Business Profile, reviews, the keywords that bring in bathroom and floor tiling enquiries, and how to rank ahead of local competitors.
How UK tradespeople can rank on Google and get more enquiries. Covers GBP, reviews, keywords, directories, and what actually moves the needle in 2026.
How to set up as a sole trader in the UK as a tradesperson. Covers HMRC registration, tax, insurance, record-keeping and getting your business running.
Practical advertising ideas for UK tradespeople — from Google Ads and lead platforms to van livery and leaflet drops. Where to spend your advertising budget.
Real-world tradesman website examples broken down by trade type. See what electricians, plumbers, roofers and builders put on their sites — and why it works.
What your carpentry website actually needs to win more jobs in 2026: portfolio, trust signals, the right pages, and realistic costs explained.
What your painter and decorator website actually needs to win jobs: must-have pages, PDA trust signals, before/after galleries, and realistic costs in 2026.
How to set up WhatsApp Business as a tradesperson in the UK — automate replies, send quotes, and look professional without extra cost.
A practical guide to roofer web design: must-have pages, NFRC trust signals, before/after galleries, emergency CTAs, and what a good site costs in 2026.
Website or Facebook page for your trade business? Compare costs, lead quality, and long-term ROI to make the right call as a UK tradesperson in 2026.