What Should a Builder's Website Have? A Checklist for Surrey Trades

Most people who hire a builder in Surrey have been recommended one, then look them up before they ring. Your website is where that recommendation either turns into a call or quietly dies. Here’s what it needs to do its job.

1. Your phone number, everywhere, and tappable

Most people will find you on their phone. Put your number in the header of every page, and make it a link they can tap to call. A WhatsApp button next to it helps too. If your number is inside an image, phones can’t dial it.

2. Photos of real jobs

Nothing sells building work like the work itself. A gallery of recent jobs, with a line on each saying what it was and where, does more than any amount of text. Phone photos are fine: good light, a tidy site, a before shot where you have one.

3. A page for each kind of job

Someone searching for “loft conversion redhill” should land on a page about loft conversions, not your homepage. Give each main service its own page: extensions, lofts, garage conversions, renovations, whatever you want more of.

4. The towns you actually cover

Say where you work, clearly, and give your main towns a mention in the right places. It helps Google show you to people nearby, and it tells customers straight away whether you’ll come to them.

5. A Google Business Profile that matches

Your Google Business Profile is what shows up on the map. Set it up as a service-area business with your home address hidden, pick the right main category, list your services and add real photos. Your website and your profile should say the same things.

6. Reviews you can check

Most people won’t use a firm with only a handful of reviews. Ask every happy customer for a Google review, ideally by text on the day you finish. Don’t pay for reviews, and don’t ask family: both break Google’s rules and UK consumer law.

7. An easy way to ask for a quote

A short form with name, phone number, what they need and the option to add photos. The fewer boxes the better. If they can send photos and rough measurements, you can often price the job before you visit.

8. Speed

If your site takes more than three seconds to load on a phone, a lot of people give up. Big uncompressed photos are the usual cause. A fast site also helps you rank.

9. The things that build trust

Insurance, trade memberships, guarantees, how long you’ve been going, and a photo of you or your team. Say whether you handle planning drawings and building control, because many customers worry about that part most.

10. A domain in your name

Whoever builds your site, make sure the domain is registered to you. If you ever change designer, your web address and your email should come with you.

Where Checkatrade fits

Lead sites can bring work, but the same enquiry often goes to several firms, and if you stop paying your listing goes with it. Your own website and Google profile keep working for you, and every enquiry is yours alone. Plenty of trades use both, and put the money into their own site once it starts bringing in work.

Want this done for you?

I build websites for Surrey builders and trades with all ten of these covered. Live in a week, £99 a month, nothing to pay until you're happy with it.

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