Waiting days for a bank transfer after finishing a job doesn’t have to be normal. The right payment app gets you paid on site, the same day the job is done, by card, by link, or by tap. Here’s what’s worth using in 2026. What to Look for in a Payment App Transaction fees Most…
If you’re still starting jobs without taking a deposit, you’re carrying all the financial risk yourself. Materials bought, time committed, diary blocked, and if the customer turns difficult or disappears, you’re the one out of pocket. Taking a deposit before you start work is standard practice across the trades. It protects your cash flow, filters…
Every tradesperson has a story. The customer who queried the invoice after the job was done. The one who went silent when payment was due. The one who asked for a quote, had you round for an hour, then never replied. It’s one of the most frustrating parts of running a trade business – and…
Finding new customers takes time, money, and effort. Getting an old customer to book you again costs almost nothing. Yet most tradespeople spend all their energy chasing new work and do very little to hold onto the customers they’ve already got. If you’re a sole trader or running a small trade business in the UK,…
You don’t need a £2,000 website to get work from Google. You need a website that loads fast, looks professional on a phone, clearly states what you do and where, and has enough content for Google to understand what searches it should show up for. Most tradespeople can build something that does all of that…
Your Google Business Profile is the single most powerful free marketing tool available to a UK tradesperson – and most tradespeople are using it at about 20% of its potential. A basic claimed profile with a phone number and a handful of reviews is a start. But there’s a significant gap between a profile that…
Three of the biggest names in UK trade lead generation – but they work completely differently and suit very different businesses. Here’s an honest breakdown of Checkatrade, MyBuilder, and Bark so you can decide where to spend your marketing budget in 2026. Quick Verdict Best overall Checkatrade Best brand trust and conversion – but only…
Checkatrade costs up to £200/month, locks you into a 12-month contract, and makes it deliberately difficult to leave. Is it still worth it in 2026? The honest answer: it depends – and for many tradespeople, it isn’t. How Checkatrade Works Checkatrade is a membership directory. You pay a monthly or annual fee to be vetted…
Ask ten tradespeople whether they need a website and you’ll get ten different answers. Some will tell you they’ve never needed one – they’re fully booked on word of mouth and referrals. Others will tell you their website is their best source of new work. Both can be true depending on where you are in…
Getting MCS certified or OZEV approved is only half the job. The other half is making sure the customers who are actively searching for qualified green energy installers in your area can actually find you. Most tradespeople who get certified don’t update their marketing to reflect it – and then wonder why the enquiries aren’t…