Key points
- Checkatrade takes a cut on every lead but doesn’t guarantee quality (Which?, 2024).
- 67% of UK homeowners now search Google first when looking for local trades (Statista, 2023).
- Word-of-mouth is still strong, but slower and less predictable than digital visibility (Federation of Master Builders, 2022).
Do this first: Claim and optimise your free Google Business Profile, it’s the digital van sign that gets you found before Checkatrade even enters the picture.
What is “getting work without Checkatrade”?
Put simply: it means not depending on a single third-party platform for your livelihood. Instead of buying leads, you create your own pipeline through visibility, trust, and proof. A key corner stone of growing your own pipeline is a professional website set up to rank for your key services and locations.
| Term | Plain Meaning | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Being findable in local search, social, and offline | Means customers call you directly, not whoever paid Checkatrade first |
| Control | Owning your pipeline instead of renting it | No sudden lead droughts when an algorithm changes |
| Proof | Reviews, photos, jobs-done stories | Builds trust faster than platform badges |
How to do it step by step
- Set up Google Business Profile: Add photos, services, hours, and get reviews.
Check: Appear in the “map pack” for “[trade] near me.”
Evidence: Businesses with complete profiles get 70% more clicks (Google, 2023). - Collect reviews directly: Ask happy customers to leave Google reviews.
Check: Aim for 10+ reviews with consistent ratings.
Evidence: 87% of consumers trust Google reviews as much as personal recommendations (BrightLocal, 2023). - Show work in progress online: Use Facebook/Instagram for quick snaps or reels.
Check: At least 1–2 posts per week.
Evidence: Local posting boosts recall, “I saw you everywhere” effect. - List on free/local directories: Yell, Bark, Nextdoor.
Check: Consistent name, address, phone everywhere.
Evidence: NAP consistency helps local SEO ranking (Moz, 2022). - Run micro-budget ads when quiet: Even £5–10/day can plug gaps.
Check: Track cost per call, not per click.
Evidence: Many trades see calls within a week of launch.
Gotcha: Don’t confuse “boosting a post” with proper ads. Boosts scatter, targeting brings jobs.
| Option | When It Wins | Risks | If This Then That |
|---|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade | Quick plug-in for beginners | Pay per lead, quality mixed | Use only as a short-term top-up |
| Google Business + Reviews | Builds long-term local presence | Takes effort to collect reviews | Prioritise if you want predictable calls |
| Social Media + Proof | Great for visibility + reputation | Needs consistency | Pair with reviews for best effect |
| Paid Ads | Fast fill during quiet weeks | Wasted spend if not targeted | Start small, scale only when ROI shows |
FAQ
Is Checkatrade bad?
No, it’s just limited. Good as a starter, risky as your only source.
How long does Google Business take to work?
Often within weeks. Reviews + photos speed things up.
Do I need a website?
Not always. A strong Google profile + Facebook page can get calls, but a site helps you control leads fully. A website well help to power your Google Business profile and increase the number of leads you can generate.
What about word-of-mouth?
Still gold, but slower. Pair it with digital so you don’t miss fast-moving jobs.
Do ads only work for big firms?
No, micro-budgets can fill days. The trick is targeting, not spend.
Isn’t this more work on top of the tools?
Set-up takes hours, not weeks. Once live, it runs in the background while you’re on-site.
Evidence and sources
- Which?, Checkatrade review model breakdown, accessed 2024
- Statista, UK homeowner search behaviour, accessed 2023
- Federation of Master Builders, Word-of-mouth vs digital, accessed 2022
- Google, Business Profile impact, accessed 2023
- BrightLocal, Consumer review trust, accessed 2023
- Moz, Local SEO ranking factors, accessed 2022
Why trust Dentons Digital
Author: Sam Sandars
Dentons Digital, specialises in marketing for UK trades and construction firms. With first-hand experience running local PPC + SEO campaigns that delivered hundreds of enquiries for sole traders and small contractors.
