Types of tradesmen who could benefit from a website -

Key Points

Research suggests many tradesmen in the UK, especially self-employed or small business owners, could benefit from a website to increase visibility and credibility.
It seems likely that trades like builders, plumbers, electricians, and gardeners are particularly in need, given their common reliance on local customer searches.
The evidence leans toward a wide range of trades, including specialised services like locksmiths and pest control, also benefiting from online presence.

Types of Tradesmen

Tradesmen who may need a website include those in construction, maintenance, and specialised services. Common examples are:

Construction Trades: Builders, carpenters, roofers, plasterers, tilers, and electricians.
Maintenance Services: Plumbers, gardeners, window cleaners, and pest control services.
Specialised Trades: Locksmiths, glaziers, and chimney sweeps.

These trades often lack online presence but can gain from showcasing their work and contact details online.

Why They Need a Website

A website helps tradesmen appear in local searches, build trust with potential customers, and provide 24/7 availability. For instance, a plumber in London can attract more local clients through a well-optimised site.

Supporting Resources

For more details, check platforms like Checkatrade or Rated People, which list various trades needing online visibility.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Tradesmen Needing Websites

This survey note provides a comprehensive analysis of the types of tradesmen in the UK who may benefit from having a website, based on extensive research into online platforms, industry insights, and customer behavior. The focus is on self-employed individuals or small business owners in manual trades who often lack an online presence but could significantly enhance their visibility and credibility through a website.

Background and Context

In today’s digital age, having a website is increasingly essential for businesses, including tradesmen. Research from sources like Tradesman Insurance 4u emphasises that every business needs a website, highlighting its role as a powerful marketing tool. This is particularly relevant for tradesmen, as customers frequently search for local services online, as noted by HomeOwners Alliance. Platforms like Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder cater to a wide range of trades, indicating a demand for online visibility across various sectors.

Methodology

The analysis involved reviewing multiple sources, including tradesman recommendation sites, insurance providers, and business directories. Key platforms like Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder were examined to identify listed trades, while articles from OneBaseMedia and Breeze Development provided insights into why websites are vital. The focus was on trades commonly sought by customers and those likely to lack an online presence, such as self-employed or small-scale operators.

Detailed List of Tradesmen Needing Websites

Based on the research, the following categories and specific trades were identified as likely candidates for needing a website:

General Construction and Building Trades:
Builders/Construction professionals: Often handle large projects and need to showcase portfolios.
Carpenters/Joiners: Require websites to display custom work and attract local clients.
Roofers: Benefit from online visibility for emergency repairs and long-term contracts.
Plasterers: Need to demonstrate expertise in finishing and repairs.
Tilers: Can showcase different styles and materials used.
Flooring installers: Useful for displaying before-and-after photos.
Bricklayers: Essential for large construction projects needing trust.
Plumbers: Frequently searched for emergency services, as seen on Rated People.
Electricians: Critical for safety-related work, needing credibility.
Gas engineers: Must comply with regulations and attract safety-conscious clients.
Heating engineers: High demand in colder months, needing year-round visibility.
HVAC technicians: Specialised services requiring detailed service descriptions.
Specialised Trades:
Locksmiths: Often needed for urgent services, benefiting from 24/7 online contact.
Glaziers: Useful for emergency glass repair and replacement, needing quick visibility.
Fencing contractors: Can showcase different styles and materials, attracting garden owners.
Deck builders: Ideal for displaying outdoor project photos, appealing to homeowners.
Concrete contractors: Essential for large-scale projects like driveways, needing trust.
Asphalt paving companies: Useful for commercial and residential projects, needing bids.
Septic tank services: Specialised and often local, needing clear contact details.
Tree surgeons: High-risk work requiring trust, benefiting from testimonials.
Chimney sweeps: Seasonal demand, needing visibility during colder months.
Gutter cleaners: Regular maintenance service, needing local customer reach.
Maintenance and Repair Services:
Handymen: Versatile services, needing a website to list all skills.
Window cleaners: Regular service, benefiting from subscription models online.
Pest control services: Essential for health-related issues, needing quick contact.
Cleaning services: High demand for both residential and commercial, needing scheduling tools.
Gardening and landscaping services (including lawn care, garden maintenance, hedge trimming, garden clearance): As seen on Checkatrade, these trades have high numbers (e.g., 21,483 landscapers on MyBuilder), indicating a need for online presence.
Rubbish/waste clearance: Essential for home renovations, needing visibility for quick bookings.
Interior and Exterior Services:
Painters and decorators (interior and exterior): High demand for home improvements, as noted on Rated People, with 47,646 listed on MyBuilder.
Patio and paving services: Useful for outdoor enhancements, needing photo galleries.
Conservatory installation and roof replacement: Specialised, needing detailed project showcases.
Scaffolding hire: Essential for large projects, needing trust and contact details.
Moving and Storage Services:
House removal services: High demand during moving seasons, needing online booking systems.
Storage solutions: Complementary to removals, needing visibility for local clients.
Other Services:
Air conditioning installation: Growing demand, especially in warmer months, needing technical details online.
Security system installation: High trust required, benefiting from testimonials and certifications.
Gutter installation and repair: Often bundled with cleaning, needing comprehensive service listings.
Driveway installation and repair: Long-term projects, needing before-and-after photos.

Supporting Evidence

The need for websites is supported by the following observations:

Tradesman Saver compares platforms like Checkatrade and Rated People, indicating that tradesmen across various categories use these to generate leads, suggesting a gap for those without websites.
Direct Line for Business lists apps and websites for tradespeople, reinforcing the digital trend.
Rhino Trade Insurance mentions trades like gardening and plumbing, which are part of the list, indicating their relevance.
Customer behavior, as noted by HomeOwners Alliance, shows that people rely on online searches, making websites crucial for tradesmen to be found.

Pricing and Package Considerations

While not directly part of the question, the context from the previous conversation suggests that these tradesmen would benefit from simple, affordable websites, such as one-page sites starting at £30/month or three-page sites at £50/month, as offered by The Visual Network. Maintained options (£40-£60/month) could appeal to those wanting hassle-free updates, especially for trades with less technical expertise.

Table: Summary of Trades and Their Online Needs

Category	Examples	Online Needs
Construction and Building	Builders, Electricians, Roofers	Portfolio, testimonials, contact details
Specialised Trades	Locksmiths, Tree Surgeons, Glaziers	Emergency contact, trust-building
Maintenance and Repair	Gardeners, Window Cleaners, Pest Control	Scheduling, service descriptions
Interior/Exterior Services	Painters, Patio Services, Scaffolding	Before-and-after photos, project showcases
Moving and Storage	House Removals, Storage Solutions	Booking systems, local visibility
Other Services	Air Conditioning, Security Systems	Technical details, certifications

Conclusion

The evidence strongly suggests that a wide range of tradesmen in the UK, particularly those in construction, maintenance, and specialized services, are in need of a website. These tradesmen, often self-employed or running small businesses, can leverage a website to increase visibility, build credibility, and attract local customers, especially given the digital shift in customer search behavior. Platforms like Checkatrade, Rated People, and MyBuilder further validate the demand across these categories, with thousands of tradespeople already listed, indicating a market gap for those without an online presence.

Key Citations