Why UK Trades Businesses Are Struggling — And How a Virtual Office Team Can Give You Your Evenings Back Running a trades business in the UK isn’t just about doing great work. Whether you’re a carpenter, plumber or electrician , you already know the truth: Your workday doesn’t end when you pack up the tools. For many trades business owners, the real shift begins after 6pm. All day on the tools All night on admin, invoicing and IT issues Trying to catch up with missed calls A weekend full of paperwork Marketing that never seems to get done Cashflow tight because payments are slow It’s no wonder so many tradespeople feel like they’re working two full-time jobs — one on-site, and one in the “office”. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And the good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. The Hidden Reality of Running a Trades Business Today Most tradespeople start their business for the same reason: You’re good at what you do. You take pride in y...
7 Reasons I Recommend Google Sites for Electricians' Websites
7 Reasons I Recommend Google Sites for Electricians' Websites
I’m a carpenter who builds websites too — here’s why I think electricians (and other trades) should start with Google Sites. It’s easy and free!
⚠️ This post may include affiliate links. If you find it useful, leave a comment — it helps me keep these tutorials going!
Thinking about making your own website as a self-employed electrician or small trades business? I've been there — and I’ve helped others do it too. So here’s why I often recommend Google Sites as the best starting point.
Whether you're a sparkie, plumber, handyman or carpenter (like me!), these seven reasons might just save you time, stress, and money.
7. It’s Free — Like, Actually Free
Google Sites costs absolutely nothing. No hosting fees, no plugins, no hidden charges. That’s a great starting point when you’re getting set up or keeping costs low.
6. It’s Secure Out of the Box
All Google Sites use HTTPS encryption. That means the data going between your clients and your site is protected — good for trust and for Google's search rankings too.
5. It’s Mobile-Friendly by Default
Over 50% of your potential clients are likely to view your site on their phone. Google Sites automatically makes your site mobile responsive. You don’t need to touch a thing.
4. You Get Loads of Storage
Other website builders often limit how many pages or images you can use unless you pay. Google Sites doesn’t. You can create as many pages as you like — great if you want to show off multiple services or projects.
3. It’s Not Bad for SEO
Let’s be honest — it’s not perfect, but it’s more than good enough for most local trades businesses. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes down to what you write, the keywords you use, and what your customers say about you. And you can rank well with a well-written Google Site.
2. It Works Seamlessly with Google Photos
This is gold if you’re already taking photos of your work on your phone. You can drop them straight into your website from Google Photos — no downloading, resizing, or faffing around.
1. It’s So Darn Easy to Use
This is the big one. No need to hire a web designer every time you want to update a phone number, add a service, or post a photo. You can do it all yourself — even from your mobile phone if you want to.
🔧 Bonus: Add Extra Features Later
Once you're set up, you can always integrate things like:
Online enquiry forms
Payment buttons
Booking systems
Maps and reviews
And more
I use tools like Zoho, Stripe, and Elfsight to do this for my own sites and client projects. (More on those in other posts.)
🎯 Final Thoughts
Google Sites isn’t flashy — but it works brilliantly for Trades business owners. It’s perfect if you want something simple, professional, and easy to manage yourself. Get online, get found, and get more work — without overcomplicating things.
👉 Want Help or a Done-for-You Setup?
You can check out more tips for trades businesses (or ask me to build it for you!) at: https://ict.bluewood.pro
If you liked this post, leave a comment below, or share it with a fellow tradie who’s thinking about making a website.
Comments
Post a Comment