A Facebook page is free and takes 20 minutes to set up. A website takes more effort. So when you’re starting out as a plumber, it’s reasonable to ask whether Facebook is enough — or whether you’re leaving work on the table by not having your own site.
The honest answer: Facebook is useful, but it doesn’t do the same job as a website. They solve different problems. Relying on Facebook alone means missing a significant chunk of local search traffic that goes to plumbers with websites.
Here’s exactly what each option gives you, where each falls short, and when it makes sense to use both.
Key Takeaways
- According to BrightLocal’s 2024 Local Consumer Review Survey, 98% of UK consumers used the internet to find a local business in the past year — most of that search activity happens on Google, not Facebook
- Facebook organic reach for business pages averages 1–5% of your followers, according to Meta’s own platform data — meaning most people who like your page never see your posts
- A website gives you Google visibility; Facebook doesn’t — searches like “plumber [town]” return websites, not Facebook pages
- Facebook is useful for community trust and referrals; your website converts the customers who find you on Google
- A managed plumber website starts from £49/month with no setup fee and can be live in three working days
What Facebook Actually Gives a Plumber
Facebook has over 35 million UK users (Statista, 2024). That’s real reach. When you’re starting out, a Facebook business page gives you a few useful things:
- A place to post photos of completed jobs
- A way to collect and display reviews from customers
- Community presence in local neighbourhood groups
- A business profile with your contact details and services listed
These things matter, especially in the early months when you’re building a reputation locally. Posting before-and-after bathroom photos in a local Facebook group works. Asking satisfied customers to leave a review on your Facebook page works.
But there are limits — and they’re significant.
What Facebook doesn’t give you:
Facebook is a closed platform. People on Facebook are not searching for a plumber. They’re scrolling. You appear in their feed only if they follow your page, if someone shares your post, or if you pay for advertising.
Facebook organic reach for business pages has been declining for years. The average business post now reaches 1–5% of the people who follow your page, according to data from Meta’s own platform analytics. If you have 200 followers, your post is seen by 2–10 people. That’s not a reliable lead generation channel.
More importantly: Facebook doesn’t help you rank on Google. When someone searches “emergency plumber Glasgow” or “boiler replacement Edinburgh,” they see websites. Facebook pages rarely appear in those results. That’s where the work is — customers searching with intent.
What a Website Gives You That Facebook Can’t
A website is a different tool. Its primary job is to be found by people actively searching for a plumber on Google.
According to Google’s own research on local search behaviour, 60% of smartphone users contact a business directly from search results. These are high-intent customers — they’re looking for a plumber, they’ve found you, and they’re calling. A website is how you get into those results.
What a website gives you:
- Google visibility — your site can appear when someone searches “plumber [your town]” or “emergency plumber near me”
- Google Maps listing — linked to your site, this shows your business in the map pack at the top of local search results
- A home for your reviews — your Google reviews appear in search results alongside your site, giving customers the social proof they need before they call
- Full control — you decide what’s on the page, what you charge, what jobs you take, and how you present your business
- Something you own — if Facebook changes its algorithm, increases its ad costs, or shuts down a feature, your website isn’t affected
For higher-value plumbing jobs, a website does specific work that Facebook can’t. Boiler replacements, full bathroom fits, and replumbing jobs cost thousands of pounds. Customers spend time researching before they commit. They want to verify your [Gas Safe registration](/blog/gas-safe-registration-explained/), read through your reviews, see examples of your work, and understand your process. A website is where that verification happens.
| What the customer does | Website | |
|---|---|---|
| Searches “boiler replacement [town]“ | Not visible | Potentially visible |
| Looks up your business name on Google | No page in results | Your site appears |
| Wants to verify Gas Safe registration | Only if you posted it | Permanent, linked to Gas Safe Register |
| Checks reviews before booking | Facebook reviews only | Google reviews + Facebook |
| Calls directly from search results | No | Yes, via click-to-call |
| Shares your business link with a family member | Facebook URL | Your own branded URL |
Head-to-Head: Website vs Facebook
| Factor | Facebook Page | Your Own Website |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | From £49/month managed |
| Time to set up | 20 minutes | 3–7 days (managed provider) |
| Google visibility | No | Yes |
| Appears in “plumber near me” searches | No | Yes |
| Works without paid ads | Declining reach | Yes |
| You own it long-term | No (platform dependent) | Yes |
| Collects Google reviews | No (Facebook reviews only) | Yes |
| Credibility for high-value jobs | Limited | High |
| Speed to first impression | Fast | Slower (months for SEO) |
| Works after you stop posting | No | Yes |
When Is Facebook Enough?
Facebook alone works in a narrow set of circumstances:
- You’re just starting out and your diary is mostly filled through word of mouth
- You operate in a tight local area where community groups drive most of your work
- You’re testing whether there’s demand before investing in a website
In these cases, a Facebook page covers the basics: somewhere for customers to find your contact details, see photos, and read reviews. It buys you time.
The problem is that Facebook-only businesses hit a ceiling. When referrals slow down, there’s no fallback. When someone hears about you and searches your name on Google, they find nothing. When a customer wants to book a bathroom installation and starts their research online, you don’t show up.
Most plumbers outgrow Facebook-only within a year or two of trading. The ones who build a website early compound the benefit over time — Google rankings take months to develop, and the sooner you start, the sooner you’re visible.
How to Use Both Together
The strongest setup isn’t choosing one or the other — it’s using each for what it’s good at.
Facebook: Community presence, job photos, reviews from Facebook-native customers, local group posts, referral validation. Post consistently but don’t expect it to be your primary lead source.
Website: Google visibility, click-to-call from search, Gas Safe verification, booking form, Google reviews, long-term SEO. This is where customers with intent find you and convert.
A customer might hear about you in a local Facebook group, then look up your website before calling. Both touchpoints matter. But the website is usually what closes the decision.
If you’re considering which to prioritise: set up the Facebook page first since it’s free and fast, then get a website in place as soon as you can. The months you spend without a website are months you’re not building Google rankings.
What a Plumber Website Costs
The most common objection is cost. A Facebook page is free; a website isn’t. Here’s what the actual numbers look like.
| Option | Monthly cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook only | Free | Social presence, declining organic reach |
| DIY website (Wix/Squarespace) | £10–£25/month | Site you build and maintain yourself |
| Freelance-built website | £0/month after build | One-off build cost (£500–£2,000+), no ongoing support |
| Managed plumber website (Digital Tradies) | From £49/month | Professional site, hosting, ongoing support, live in 3 days |
A managed website through Digital Tradies costs from £49/month with no upfront fee. That’s roughly the cost of a single call-out job per month in exchange for the infrastructure that generates the next one.
For more on what a plumber website should actually contain, see our guide on web design for plumbers.
SEO: The Part Facebook Skips Entirely
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is how your website gets found on Google without paying for ads. Facebook can’t do this for you — it sits outside Google’s index for business purposes.
When someone searches “plumber Nottingham” or “blocked drain repair Sheffield,” Google shows websites and map listings, not Facebook pages. Getting your website to appear for those searches takes time — typically 3–6 months — but once it’s ranking, the leads come in without any additional cost or effort.
For a full breakdown of how to get your site found on Google, read our guide on SEO for plumbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Facebook page count as a website for Google? No. Facebook pages are on Facebook’s domain, not yours. They occasionally appear in Google search results, but they don’t rank for local search terms like “plumber [town]” the way a dedicated website can. Google treats them as social profiles, not business websites.
Can I just use Facebook and skip a website entirely? You can, but you’ll miss the customers who search on Google rather than Facebook. That’s a growing proportion of local search — particularly for higher-value jobs like boiler replacements, where customers research carefully before committing. It’s not impossible to run a plumbing business from Facebook alone, but you’re limiting your reach significantly.
How long does it take for a plumber website to appear on Google? Typically 3–6 months before you see meaningful rankings, though you’ll start appearing in some results sooner. The sooner you launch a site, the sooner that clock starts. See our guide on what a tradesman website should include for what to prioritise from day one.
Is it worth paying for a professional website over building one myself? It depends on your time. DIY platforms like Wix cost £10–£25/month but require you to design, write, and maintain everything. A managed service like Digital Tradies handles the build, hosting, and support from £49/month. For most working plumbers, the time saved is worth the difference.
Do I need to keep posting on Facebook once I have a website? You don’t need to post constantly, but keeping your Facebook page active has value — it’s where some customers check for social proof and recent work photos. Post when you complete a job worth showing, respond to messages promptly, and keep contact details updated. It takes 20–30 minutes a month and supports the trust-building that your website converts.
