Website vs Checkatrade: do tradespeople need both?

This guide is about how the two compare, not about any one company. Prices and terms change, so always check the latest details with the platform directly before signing up.

What lead sites do well

• Work quickly. They already have homeowners searching on them, so you can get enquiries soon after joining.
• Trust from vetting. Some customers only hire through sites that check trades and verify reviews.
• Little setup. You create a profile rather than building anything.
• Visibility on Google. Big directories often rank highly for searches like "electrician near me", so being listed puts your name in front of people.

Where lead sites fall short

• Ongoing cost. Membership is usually a monthly fee, and plans with more leads cost more. For example, Checkatrade's own guide says basic plans start at around £30 plus VAT a month, with larger plans priced by trade, area and lead volume. Fixed-lead plans are commonly 12-month contracts.
• Shared customers. On many sites, the customer is shown several trades or can contact several at once, so you're competing on the same screen.
• It's their platform. Your reviews and profile live on someone else's site. If you leave, or their prices or rules change, you can lose that visibility.
• Your brand comes second. Customers often remember the platform rather than your business name.

What your own website adds

• Direct enquiries. Someone who finds your website contacts you, not you and three others.
• Your own name on Google. Together with your Google Business Profile, a good website is how you show up under your own name for searches like "roofer in Christchurch".
• AI assistants. ChatGPT, Google's AI answers and Copilot draw on websites and listings when they recommend businesses. A clear website with your services and areas helps them understand what you do. Read more about AI search.
• Something you own. Your domain, your content and your Google reviews stay with you, whoever you work with.
• The full picture. Every service, every area, your prices, photos and the reasons to choose you, set out the way you want.

The downside is that a website takes longer to bring in work than a lead site, especially for a brand-new business, and it needs looking after to keep climbing on Google.

Side by side

So, do you need both?

It depends where you are:

• Just starting out? A lead site can bring in your first jobs and reviews while your website and Google profile get going. Ask every happy customer for a Google review too, so you're building something of your own.
• Busy with a few years of reviews? Your own website and Google profile can often bring in enough direct work to cut back on paid leads. Track where every job comes from for a few months, then decide.
• In a trade where vetting matters a lot (for example, work for elderly or vulnerable customers)? Keeping a vetted listing alongside your website can help with trust, and you can link to it from your site.

Whatever you choose, keep a simple record of where each job came from and what it earned. After three to six months, it'll be clear which is paying its way.

Websites for your trade

See what your own website could look like if you're one of the trades we build for: plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, heating engineers, painters & decorators, tilers and plasterers.

Questions

Is Checkatrade worth it for a tradesperson?

It can be, especially for a new business that needs work quickly or a trade where customers rely on vetting. Whether it pays depends on your trade, area, competition and the plan you choose, so track how many jobs each month actually comes from it.

Do I need a website if I'm on Checkatrade?

Not strictly, but a website brings in direct enquiries you don't share with other trades, helps you show up on Google and in AI assistants, and keeps working if you ever leave a directory.

Can I link my Checkatrade profile from my website?

Yes. If you're a member, linking to your profile and showing your rating on your website is a good way to build trust, as long as it's accurate and up to date.

Which is better for getting on Google?

For searches like "plumber in Poole", results usually show a map with Google Business Profiles, then websites and directories. Your own website and Google Business Profile are what let you appear under your own name.

Checkatrade, MyBuilder and Rated People are trade marks of their owners. 1st Choice Digital isn't connected with Checkatrade, MyBuilder or Rated People. Prices mentioned are from Checkatrade's own published guide as of October 2026 and may change.