If you’re a plumber, roofer, electrician, or any kind of tradesman, chances are you rely on word of mouth, referrals, or local ads to get work. But here’s something you might not have considered: more and more people are now turning to Google to find tradesmen near them.
If your business isn’t showing up when someone types “electrician near me” — you’re missing out on jobs.
That’s where SEO comes in.
What Is SEO (And Why Should You Care)?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s a way to help your website appear higher in Google when people search for your type of service in your area.
Let’s say you’re a roofer in Birmingham. If someone nearby Googles “roof repair Birmingham” — SEO helps your business show up near the top of the results.
More visibility = more clicks = more enquiries = more work.
Real-World Example:
“John the Plumber”
John’s a self-employed plumber in Leeds. His website used to be buried on page 4 of Google — which meant no one ever found him online. Once he worked on his SEO (targeting phrases like “Leeds emergency plumber” and “boiler repair near me”), his website started showing up on page 1.
Now he gets regular calls from people in his area searching for the exact services he offers — without spending money on ads.
How SEO Helps Tradesmen Like You
✅ You appear when people search for services in your area
e.g. “Electrician in South London” or “roof leak fix near me”
✅ You get more local enquiries from people ready to hire
These aren’t time-wasters — they’re looking for help now
✅ You build trust just by ranking well
People tend to trust businesses that show up at the top of Google
✅ You stay competitive
If your competitors are ranking above you, they’re getting the calls you could be getting
What’s the Return on Investment (ROI) from SEO?
SEO isn’t a quick fix — it’s a long-term strategy. But the payoff can be huge.
Let’s break it down:
- A basic 6-month SEO project might cost £2,000–£3,000 total (depending on the scope)
- If that brings in just 1 new job a week at £300, that’s £15,000+ in a year
- And unlike ads, you keep benefiting from that SEO work long after it’s done
Once your website is ranking, it can bring in free traffic and leads for years. Many of our clients still get leads from content and optimisations we did 2–3 years ago.
It’s like laying the foundations for a digital “referral machine” that works 24/7.
Don’t Have a Website? Or Got One That’s Not Working?
SEO only works if you’ve got a website — but don’t worry if it’s not fancy. Even a simple, clean website with the right keywords can do the job.
And if you’re already online but not getting leads, there’s a good chance your site needs some SEO love.
Final Word: SEO Is Like Your Online Word-of-Mouth
Word of mouth still matters — but online searches are the new way people find tradesmen. With SEO, you can make sure you’re showing up when and where people are looking.
More visibility. More jobs. Less chasing.
Want help getting your trade business seen online? At Hits & Clicks, we help UK tradesmen like you show up on Google and get more local enquiries — without wasting money on ads. Get in touch for a free SEO audit today.