Free Website Checklist for Tradespeople (25 Things to Check)

A tradesperson's website doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to help a stranger quickly answer three questions: Do they do what I need? Do they cover my area? How do I contact them? Use this free checklist to review your site in about 20 minutes. Open it on your phone first, because that's how most customers will see it.

1. Contact details

• ☐ Your phone number is visible at the top of every page.
• ☐ Tapping the phone number on a mobile starts a call.
• ☐ There's a WhatsApp or SMS option if you accept messages.
• ☐ Your contact form actually works — send yourself a test enquiry now.
• ☐ You state your hours and how fast you usually reply.

2. Services and area

• ☐ The homepage says what you do in one sentence (e.g. "Licensed electrician in [Area] for homes and small businesses").
• ☐ Each main service is listed, ideally with its own short section or page.
• ☐ Your service area is listed by suburb or region.
• ☐ You mention emergency work if you do it, and say clearly if you don't.
• ☐ You give starting prices or a call-out fee, if you're comfortable sharing them.

3. Trust

• ☐ Licence or registration numbers are shown where required in your trade and region.
• ☐ Insurance is mentioned if you hold it.
• ☐ There are real photos of your work, team or van (not only stock photos).
• ☐ Real reviews are shown or linked, such as your Google reviews. Never write your own.
• ☐ There's an "About" section with who you are and how long you've been working.

4. Mobile and speed

• ☐ Text is readable on a phone without zooming.
• ☐ Buttons are big enough to tap easily.
• ☐ No pop-ups cover the page on mobile.
• ☐ The site loads in a few seconds on mobile data. You can test this free with Google's PageSpeed Insights.
• ☐ Images are compressed (huge photo files are the most common cause of slow trade websites).

5. Basics that often get missed

• ☐ The site uses HTTPS (a padlock in the browser). Browsers warn visitors about sites without it.
• ☐ The copyright year and any "latest news" aren't years out of date.
• ☐ All links work, especially social media icons.
• ☐ Each page has a sensible title that includes your trade and area, which helps in Google results.
• ☐ Your business name, address (or area) and phone match your Google Business Profile exactly.

Quick fixes that make the biggest difference

If you only have an hour, do these:

1. Fix the contact path. Click-to-call phone number at the top, and a test enquiry to make sure the form reaches you.
2. Rewrite the first sentence. Say exactly what you do and where.
3. Add five real photos of recent jobs.
4. Link your Google reviews.
5. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile. It's free, and for many local trades it brings more enquiries than the website itself.

Do you need a new website?

Often, no. If your site passes most of this checklist, small fixes are better value than a rebuild. A refresh makes sense when the site isn't mobile-friendly, isn't secure (no HTTPS), can't be edited, or is so old the information is wrong. Whoever builds it, make sure you own the domain name and can get access to the site if you change providers.

What to avoid

• Fake reviews or made-up awards. They can damage trust and may break consumer laws.
• Long walls of text. Short sections with headings are easier to scan.
• Auto-playing video or music.
• Contact forms with too many required fields.

Handling enquiries once they arrive

A good website brings enquiries, but they still need fast replies. Set up an auto-reply on your form and WhatsApp that thanks the customer, says when you'll respond and asks for the details you need to quote. See our guide on how fast to reply to a quote request.

Print this list, go through it on your phone, and tick off what's done. Most tradespeople find three or four quick wins.