5 Common Website Mistakes Tradespeople Make (and How to Fix Them)

As a tradesperson, having a professional and functional website is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, builder, or landscaper, your website could be the decisive factor in whether potential clients choose to work with you or look elsewhere. However, many tradespeople fall prey to common website mistakes that not only harm their online reputation but also cost them valuable leads.

In this post, we’ll uncover five common website mistakes tradespeople make and provide actionable tips on how to fix them, ensuring your website becomes a powerful tool for growing your business.

Mistake 1: Neglecting Mobile Optimisation

Did you know that over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices? If your website is not mobile-friendly, you’re likely losing potential clients before you even get a chance to make an impression. When prospective customers land on your site and struggle to navigate it on their smartphone or tablet, they’ll quickly leave and move on to a competitor with a better user experience.

How to Fix It:

A mobile-optimised website adjusts seamlessly to any screen size and ensures smooth navigation across devices. To achieve this, choose a responsive website design framework that automatically adapts to different screens. Alternatively, work with a professional web developer to optimise your site for mobile use.

Test your website on various devices to ensure buttons, text, images, and navigation bars work seamlessly. 

Mistake 2: Slow Loading Speeds

We live in an age of instant gratification, and people expect websites to load within two to three seconds. A slow website frustrates users and harms your ranking on search engines like Google. For tradespeople who depend on local search visibility, this can be detrimental to attracting new clients. 

How to Fix It:

Improving your website speed involves several steps. First, compress your images to reduce file sizes without compromising quality—tools like TinyPNG can help with this. Second, minimise the use of large, unnecessary plugins that bog down your site. Third, ensure your website is hosted on a fast and reliable server.

Additionally, enabling browser caching and using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) can improve load times for repeat visitors. 

Mistake 3: Lack of Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Imagine a potential customer visiting your website, liking what they see, but not knowing how to proceed, or just not compelled to take action due to your call to action button, message, offer, or contact options. This happens more often than you’d think, as many tradespeople fail to include prominent and clear calls-to-action (CTAs) on their site. Without CTAs, visitors are left to wonder if they should call, email, or submit an enquiry form—and many will leave rather than figure it out.

How to Fix It:

Ensure that every page on your website includes a compelling CTA that guides users on the next steps to take. Examples of effective CTAs include:

• "Request a Free Quote Today"
• "Call Us Now to Book a Service"
• "Get in Touch to Discuss Your Project"

Place these CTAs in prominent locations, such as at the top of every page, at the bottom of blog posts, and alongside key service descriptions.

Mistake 4: Poor Content and Lack of Local Focus

Many tradespeople make the mistake of either not having enough content on their websites or featuring poorly written, generic information that fails to connect with their audience. Worse still, some fail to incorporate a local focus, which is critical for small, service-based businesses.

Without well-written, relevant content, search engines have little reason to rank your site, particularly when competing against competitors who regularly post blogs, service pages, and location-specific information.

How to Fix It:

Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience and provides value. For example:

• Write blogs answering common questions such as “How much does it cost to install new gutters in [Location]?”
• Include testimonials that reference specific local projects you’ve completed.
• Highlight service areas and the benefits of working with a trusted local tradesperson.

Remember SEO best practices. Include relevant keywords and phrases (e.g., “emergency plumber in Manchester”), meta titles, and descriptions that address both users and search engines.

Mistake 5: Missing or Outdated Contact Information

Your website is meant to be an effective lead-generation tool, yet many tradespeople fail to include essential contact details or display outdated information. This makes it difficult for potential clients to get in touch, creating frustration and potentially damaging your credibility as a professional.

How to Fix It:

Ensure your contact information is accurate, up-to-date, and prominently displayed across your website. A well-designed “Contact Us” page should include:

• Your phone number (preferably clickable for mobile users)
• Email address
• Physical address (if applicable)
• A contact form for online enquiries
• Links to your social media profiles

Adding a Google Maps embed is especially useful for helping local clients find you. Additionally, make it a habit to review and update this information regularly.

Bonus Tip: Building Trust with Reviews and Certifications

While not a mistake, failing to highlight your accreditations and customer reviews is a missed opportunity. Tradespeople often rely on trust to convert leads into customers, and showcasing positive reviews or membership in industry bodies (e.g., NICEIC for electricians) goes a long way toward building confidence in your services.

Incorporate testimonials directly into your website, include links to Google Reviews, and prominently display badges or membership logos on your homepage.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding these common website mistakes can transform your online presence and help you attract more customers. By optimising for mobile users, speeding up your site, incorporating clear CTAs, and focusing on high-quality local content, you’ll create a website that not only looks great but also drives tangible results for your business.

At Winston Web Co, we specialise in helping tradespeople create effective websites designed to boost leads and grow their businesses through being found and chosen. If you’re ready to take your website to the next level, get in touch with us today for a free consultation.