Local SEO for Roofers and Trades
Service areas, before/after photos, emergency intent — the local SEO playbook for UK trades.
Quick answer
How do UK roofers and trades get more local enquiries from Google?
Set GBP up as a service-area business (not storefront), list every service individually, post before/after photos every week, and run a job-completion review request system. Trade prospects decide in 60 seconds based on reviews and photos.
Trades local SEO is brutally simple: show up, look credible, get the call. Here's the four-step setup.
1. Service-area, not storefront
Most one-van trades set up wrong as a storefront. Switch to service-area, list your real coverage radius. This single change can fix invisibility in surrounding towns.
2. Service breakdown
Roofer: flat roof, pitched roof, fascias & soffits, guttering, leak repair, chimney work, emergency call-out. Each = ranking opportunity.
3. Before/after photos
Trades buyers want to see your work, not stock photos. Two before/afters per week from every completed job. Tag the location in the description.
4. Emergency capture
Most roofing enquiries are reactive (leak after storm). Click-to-call button above the fold on mobile. Answer the phone. This is half the battle.
FAQs
›Should I be on Checkatrade and MyBuilder?
Useful for early-stage tradespeople, less so once Google Maps is performing. Most established trades drop them over time.
›Do I need a website?
Yes — a simple 5-page site (home, services, areas, gallery, contact) is plenty. Fast load on mobile is non-negotiable.
›Are vans with phone numbers worth it?
Yes for branded search volume (people search 'name + town' after seeing the van). That builds prominence over time.
Want this done for you?
Get your free Google Maps audit — we'll tell you exactly what to fix first.