Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to 21 questions UK tradespeople ask us about websites, local SEO, Google and what it all costs. If yours isn't here, book a free call and ask it directly.
Working With Local Ladder
What does Local Ladder do?
Local Ladder is a UK web design and local SEO agency for tradespeople and home service businesses. We build lead-generating websites and run complete local marketing systems: local SEO, Google Business Profile optimisation, five-star review capture and missed-call text-back. Everything is done for you, so you can stay on the tools.
Which trades do you work with?
All home service trades across the UK, including plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, carpenters, cleaners, gardeners, painters and decorators, handymen and window cleaners.
Where is Local Ladder based, and do you cover my area?
Local Ladder is UK-based and works with trades across the whole of the United Kingdom. Everything runs remotely (calls, updates and reporting), so where you are in the country makes no difference to the service.
Who will I actually be working with?
Directly with Elliot Blackler, the founder. There are no account managers and no outsourcing. If we can help you, we will tell you exactly how; if we cannot, we will tell you that too.
How much does a website from Local Ladder cost?
We quote per project, because a one-page site for a sole trader and a full marketing system for a multi-van firm are very different jobs. There is a one-time setup fee that covers building the website and configuring your systems, then a rolling monthly fee. Book a free call and we will give you a straight price for your situation.
Is there a setup fee?
Yes. A one-time setup fee covers building your website, configuring all your systems, and the initial optimisation sprint, so everything is set up properly from day one. The setup fee varies by plan.
Are there long-term contracts?
No. We work on a rolling monthly basis. We believe our results should keep you with us, not a piece of paper.
What happens if I cancel?
No hard feelings. Your website and systems run on our managed platform as part of your subscription. If you decide to leave, we will export your content and help you transition smoothly. We do not hold your business hostage.
Do you fix my current website or build a new one?
We build a brand new lead-generating website from the ground up as part of your marketing system. It is lightning-fast, mobile-optimised, and designed from day one to rank on Google and convert visitors into enquiries.
How long until I see results?
Your system starts capturing leads from day one: missed call text-back, review capture and your optimised Google Business Profile work immediately. For organic search rankings, you will typically see significant movement within 3 to 6 months, though quick-win strategies often bring in leads sooner.
What's included in the monthly fee?
Every plan includes your website hosting, ongoing support, and the tools that power your lead capture system. Larger plans also include active monthly marketing work: content creation, Google Business Profile management and competitive analysis. You are getting a marketing team on retainer, not just a website.
Websites & Leads
Do I really need a website if I already use Checkatrade?
A directory listing rents you visibility; a website builds your own. Directory leads are shared with competitors (Checkatrade enquiries reportedly reach 10 to 20+ members, Bark leads can be bought by up to 5 professionals), while a visitor on your own website is talking only to you. Most established trades use directories to fill gaps, not as the foundation. Our UK Trade Lead Cost Tracker collects what each platform really costs.
How much do trade directories like Checkatrade cost?
Checkatrade officially starts at £30/month (+VAT) with lead-generating plans from £59/month, and members report real bills of £80 to £500 a month on 12-month contracts. MyBuilder charges from £7 per shortlist, Bark credits cost £1.80 each (roughly £9 to £36+ per lead), and Rated People and TrustATrader publish no prices at all. We track every published figure, with sources, in our UK Trade Lead Cost Tracker.
What makes a trade website actually generate leads?
Five things done properly: a clickable phone number in a sticky header, fast loading on mobile (where most trade searches happen), visible trust signals like reviews and accreditations, a dedicated page for each service you offer, and clear calls-to-action on every page. A website missing these is a brochure, not a salesperson.
What is missed call text-back?
When you cannot answer the phone because you are on the tools, the system instantly texts the caller back, keeps the lead warm and captures the enquiry so you can call back later. Around half of trade calls go unanswered during working hours. Text-back stops those turning into jobs for your competitors.
How do I get more Google reviews?
Ask every customer, every time, with as little friction as possible. The reliable way is an automated follow-up after each completed job with a direct link to your Google review form. A steady flow of recent reviews matters more to both Google and customers than a big number gathered years ago.
Local SEO & Google
Why isn't my business showing up on Google Maps?
Usually one of three things: your Google Business Profile is incomplete or unverified, your business details are inconsistent across the web, or competitors simply have stronger profiles: more reviews, better categories, more complete information. Google ranks map results on relevance, distance and prominence, and you can influence two of the three.
What is a Google Business Profile and why does it matter?
It is the free listing that appears in Google Maps and the local results when someone searches for your trade nearby. For local trades it is often the single biggest source of enquiries, because the map pack sits above the normal search results. An optimised profile (right categories, services, photos, reviews and regular updates) is the foundation of local visibility.
How long does local SEO take to work?
On-page fixes often show movement within 2 to 8 weeks once Google recrawls your site. Competitive gains (outranking established firms in your area) typically take 3 to 6 months of consistent work. Smaller towns move faster than big cities. Be wary of anyone promising page 1 in a fortnight.
Do I need a separate page for every town I cover?
If you want to rank there, yes. Google matches searches like "roofer in Guildford" to pages about roofing in Guildford, not to a generic homepage. A dedicated, genuinely useful page for each main service area (local jobs, local reviews, local detail) is one of the most effective local SEO tactics for trades.
Should I pay for Google Ads or invest in SEO?
Ads fill the gap while organic rankings build, especially for emergency trades where customers need someone immediately. But every lead keeps costing you money. SEO compounds: once you rank, the enquiries do not carry a per-click fee. Many trades run ads at the start and scale back as organic leads grow. The mistake is treating ads as a permanent substitute for ranking.
Still Got Questions?
Fifteen minutes with Elliot will tell you exactly where your online presence stands and what would move the needle. No pitch, no jargon.
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