Get found / 2 min read
What your first trade business website needs
Your first website has a straightforward job: help someone decide whether you can help, then make it easy to get in touch. Start with the questions a real customer would ask.
Say what you do and where you work
Put your main services and service area near the top. A customer should not have to decode a slogan to discover whether you cover their town. Use the words customers use when they call you.
Be specific about the work you take on. If you only offer certain services, say so. A useful enquiry starts with a clear expectation.
- Your business name and the person behind it.
- The services you offer, in everyday language.
- The towns or areas you actually cover.
- A clear contact method and your usual working hours.
Show the person and the work
A short introduction and a few clear photos help people understand who will arrive. Use work you have done, with permission to share it. Remove customer addresses, number plates and other identifying details where appropriate.
Explain the problem, the work agreed and the finished result. Keep claims about qualifications, insurance and experience accurate and supported. You do not need to look like a large company to look professional.
Give the visitor one clear next step
Make the main action obvious: call, request a visit or describe the job. For an enquiry form, ask only for what you need to respond. A phone number or email alternative helps customers who cannot use the form.
Explain what happens next. An enquiry is not a confirmed appointment unless you have explicitly made it one. Let people know you will review the details and agree the next step.
Test it the way a customer will use it
Open the site on your phone, follow each contact link and send a clearly labelled test enquiry. Check that it arrives in the place you actually monitor. Read the confirmation message and make sure it describes what really happens.
Ask someone unfamiliar with your business to find your services, service area and contact details. If they hesitate, simplify the page before adding more to it.
- Is the text readable without zooming?
- Can you use the menu and form with a keyboard?
- Do the phone, email and form routes work?
- Are the business details and privacy information accurate?
- Is there a sensible page for a broken or mistyped link?
General business information. Adapt it to your work and location; it is not a substitute for professional advice.
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