Customers don't always choose the best tradesperson — they choose the one who looks the most trustworthy. If your Google profile is incomplete, your reviews are thin, or you're hard to contact, they'll go with someone who seems like a safer bet. It's not about being better. It's about being visible and credible when they're ready to book.
You've been doing this for years. You turn up on time, do quality work, and charge fair prices. So why does the guy down the road — who you know isn't as good — seem to be getting all the jobs?
It's frustrating. But here's the truth: customers aren't comparing your actual skills. They're comparing what they can see — and if your competitor looks more professional, more trustworthy, or easier to contact, they win. Every time.
When someone searches "electrician near me" or "plumber in Belfast," Google shows the businesses it trusts most. If your Google Business Profile isn't set up properly — or worse, doesn't exist — you're invisible.
Your competitor might not be better than you. But if they show up and you don't, they get the call.
Fix it: Claim and fully complete your Google Business Profile. Add photos, services, hours, and your service area.
Imagine you're a homeowner choosing between two joiners. One has 47 reviews with a 4.9 rating. The other has 3 reviews from 2019. Who would you call first?
Reviews are the modern word-of-mouth. If you're not asking happy customers to leave a review, you're losing out to someone who does.
Fix it: Ask every happy customer for a review. Make it easy — send them a direct link. Read more about why reviews matter so much.
Your competitor might have a proper logo, quality photos of their work, a clear list of services, and responses to their reviews. You might have... a blurry photo from 2018 and a generic description.
First impressions happen in seconds. If your profile looks neglected, customers assume your work might be too.
Fix it: Upload recent photos of your work, vans, and team. Reply to every review. Keep your info up to date.
If a customer has to hunt for your phone number, guess your email, or wonder if you even serve their area — they'll move on. People are impatient. They want to tap a button and get through to someone.
Your competitor might just be better at making themselves easy to reach.
Fix it: Make sure your phone number is clickable, your hours are accurate, and your service areas are clearly listed.
Most people don't scroll past the first few results. If your competitor is ranking above you in Google Maps, they're getting seen first — and that's often enough.
Ranking isn't about luck. It's about having a complete, active profile with good reviews and consistent information.
Fix it: Learn why your visibility might have dropped and what to do about it.
Being good at your trade isn't enough anymore. You also need to look good online.
Customers can't see your 20 years of experience when they're scrolling Google on their phone. They can only see what you've shown them — your profile, your photos, your reviews, and how easy it is to get in touch.
The good news? This is all fixable. And once you sort it out, you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.
Every section filled in. Every service listed. Every photo uploaded. Leave nothing blank.
Ask happy customers. Send them a link. Make it easy. One new review a week changes everything.
Before/after shots, your van, your team, finished jobs. Real photos build real trust.
Thank people who leave good reviews. Handle bad ones professionally. It shows you care.
Let me take a look at your Google profile and show you exactly what's holding you back.
Quick questions, honest answers
See what customers see when they search
No hard sell. No jargon. Just clear advice on how to get more of the right customers.