If you're a plumber, roofer, sparky, or any kind of tradesman, chances are you've built your business on word of mouth. And that's class. But here's the thing nobody tells you: a recommendation isn't the finish line anymore. It's the starting point.
What happens after someone recommends you
Say a customer tells their mate about you. "Use Dave, he's brilliant." Great. What does that mate do next? They Google your name. If they find a proper website with your services, a few photos of your work, and a phone number, they'll ring you. If they find nothing? They'll search "roofer near me" and call whoever comes up first.
You just lost a job and you didn't even know about it.
Your competitors have websites. That matters.
Have a look at Google right now. Search for what you do in your area. The businesses showing up at the top almost all have websites. Google uses your site to understand what you do, where you work, and whether you're trustworthy. Without one, you're invisible to anyone who doesn't already know your name.
And here's the kicker: some of those competitors showing up above you might do worse work than you. They just have a better online presence.
"But I'm busy enough already"
We hear this all the time. And fair play if you are. But think about it this way: are you busy because of a steady stream of quality jobs, or are you busy because you take whatever comes your way? A website lets you attract the right kind of work. Higher value jobs, better customers, less time wasted on tyre kickers.
Plus, what happens when the quiet months hit? Every trade has them. A website keeps generating enquiries even when the phone stops ringing on its own.
"I've got a Facebook page though"
Facebook's fine for keeping in touch with existing customers, but it's not a replacement for a website. You don't own your Facebook page. They can change the rules, tank your reach, or shut you down whenever they like. And when someone Googles your business name, a Facebook page just doesn't look as professional as a proper website.
It doesn't cost what you think
A lot of tradesmen assume a website means spending thousands. It doesn't. You can get a professional site built and maintained for less than a tank of diesel a month. No messing about with updates or hosting yourself. Just a site that works, looks good, and brings in leads while you're out grafting.
If you've been putting it off, ask yourself this: how many jobs have you missed out on this month from people who Googled you and found nothing? Even one decent job covers the cost of a website for a year.