Are Checkatrade and MyBuilder Actually Worth Paying For?
For trades with steady demand and good reviews already in hand, these platforms can pay for themselves through the volume of leads they bring, though the membership and lead fees add up and cut into margin on every job won through them. They tend to work best as one channel among several rather than a sole source of work.
How Do You Choose Which Directories Are Worth Your Time?
Look at how active the directory is in your specific area rather than its overall size nationally. A smaller, more locally relevant directory with genuine reviews can bring better quality leads than a bigger platform where you're competing against dozens of other tradespeople for the same job.
What Makes a Directory Profile Actually Convert?
The same things that make any online profile convert: real photos, a clear description of what you actually do, genuine reviews, and fast response times to enquiries. Directories with slow or incomplete profiles lose potential customers to competitors who reply within minutes rather than days.
Should You List on Every Directory You Can Find?
No, spreading across too many directories dilutes the time you can spend keeping any single profile fresh and responsive. Two or three well-maintained profiles on the platforms most relevant to your trade and area typically outperform ten neglected listings scattered across every directory that exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Checkatrade worth the membership fee?
It depends on your trade and area, since results vary by region and category. Trial it for a few months and track how many jobs it actually brings before committing longer term.
Do free directories work as well as paid ones?
They can, particularly Google Business Profile, which is free and often more influential than paid directories. Paid directories add value mainly through their review systems and lead generation, not visibility alone.
How many directory listings should I maintain?
Two or three well-maintained, active profiles beat many neglected ones. Focus on quality and responsiveness over sheer number of platforms.