The number one thing that makes a tradesman's website look professional isn't fancy design or clever copy. It's the photos. Good photos of your actual work build trust faster than anything else you can put on a page.
The problem? Most tradesmen either use no photos at all or use terrible stock images of smiling men in hard hats. Neither works. Here's what to do instead.
Before and after shots
These are gold. A knackered old bathroom next to the gleaming new one you fitted. A leaking roof next to the finished repair. Before and after photos tell a story without you having to say a word. They're also the most shared content on social media for trades businesses.
Get into the habit of taking a quick photo before you start every job. It takes five seconds and you'll thank yourself later.
How to take decent photos with your phone
- Clean up first. Move the dust sheets, tools, and coffee cups out of shot. A tidy photo looks ten times more professional.
- Use natural light. Open the curtains and turn off artificial lights if you can. Daylight makes everything look better.
- Step back. Wide shots of the full room or area work better than close-ups for most trades. Show the full scope of the work.
- Hold your phone landscape. Horizontal photos fit better on websites and look more professional than portrait shots.
- Take three or four of each. You only need one good one, and you won't know which it is until later.
What else to photograph
Your work is the main thing, but these also help:
- Your van. Shows you're a real business, especially if it's sign-written.
- You on site. Not a posed headshot, just you doing your thing. Customers want to see who's turning up at their house.
- Materials and details. Close-ups of quality finishes, neat pipework, or tidy wiring show you take pride in your work.
Photos you should never use
Avoid generic stock images. A customer can spot them a mile off and they make your site look like everyone else's. Also avoid blurry photos, messy backgrounds, and anything taken in bad lighting. If a photo doesn't make your work look good, don't use it.
Start a folder on your phone called "Site Photos" and make it a habit. Three months from now you'll have a library of great images that make your website and your business look the part.