Let’s be honest, if you’re a plumber, joiner, roofer, window installer, builder, decorator, or spark, your next customer is probably already googling you. And what are they looking at first? Your reviews.
In 2025, online reviews have become one of the most powerful tools in a tradesperson’s kit, right up there with your combi drill and your van that smells faintly of sawdust and sausage rolls. Before anyone fills in your quote form or gives you a ring, they’re checking what past customers are saying.
And the numbers back it up. According to BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey, 93 percent of consumers say that online reviews influence their decisions, especially when booking local services. So if you’ve got five stars and some cracking testimonials, you’re already ahead of the game.
But here’s the catch ...... not all review sites are equal.
Some are brilliant for building Google visibility and trust. Others are glorified sales funnels with paywalls. And a few? They’re just digital graveyards that no real people visit unless they’re leaving a complaint.
If you're in the trades, showing up with strong reviews in the right places is no longer optional, it's essential for getting found, getting clicked, and getting hired.
When it comes to online reviews for tradespeople, Google Reviews is in a league of its own. Whether you're a bathroom fitter in Bexley, a roofer in Ramsgate, or a joiner in Jersey, this is the one platform that truly moves the needle.
Why? Because your Google reviews appear right on your Google Business Profile, the box that pops up when someone searches “plumber near me” or “window company Folkestone”. These stars are the first thing people see, often before they even click your website.
Here’s why Google Reviews should be your number one priority:
✅ It boosts your local SEO rankings, especially for terms like “electrician near me” or “loft conversion Tunbridge Wells”
✅ It builds instant trust, with your star rating showing right next to your name in search results
✅ It’s mobile-friendly, making it easy for happy customers to leave reviews straight from their phone
✅ It integrates seamlessly with Google Maps, so you're easier to find
And the best bit? Unlike some directories or platforms that charge you to feature your best feedback (👀 yes, we’re looking at you), Google Reviews are completely free and extremely powerful.
If you're only going to focus on one review platform, make it Google. It doesn’t just polish your reputation, it puts you on the map. Literally.
You’ve probably seen Trustpilot stars on everything from washing machine reviews to dodgy online sock shops. But what you might not know is that Trustpilot has become a trusted heavyweight for service-based businesses too, including trades.
While it originally catered to eCommerce giants, Trustpilot is now a go-to for customers wanting verified, independent feedback. And let’s be honest, when a customer’s about to spend thousands on a new roof, sash window restoration, or bathroom refit, they want to know you’re the real deal.
So why should builders, electricians, joiners, glaziers, and other local tradespeople care about Trustpilot?
✅ High domain authority means Trustpilot profiles often show up on Page 1 of Google
✅ It’s well-known and trusted by UK consumers, especially in industries where scams or shoddy work are a concern
✅ You can embed review widgets directly onto your website to show off your glowing feedback
✅ Customers can find you directly through Trustpilot’s search, not just Google
There’s a slight catch though: the free version is quite limited, and to access features like review invitations, branding control, and those sleek widgets, you’ll usually need to pay.
That said, for tradespeople looking to scale up, secure high-value clients, or add some extra polish to their online presence, Trustpilot can be a smart nut quite expensive investment, especially when combined with strong Google Reviews.
Checkatrade has become something of a household name when it comes to hiring trades in the UK. If you've ever had someone say, “I found them on Checkatrade,” you’ll know just how influential it can be, especially for jobs around the home.
Unlike platforms that cater to everyone from florists to financial advisors, Checkatrade is laser-focused on tradespeople. Whether you’re a plumber, joiner, bricklayer, roofer, electrician, or tiler, this site was built with your kind of work in mind.
Why tradespeople like it (and why customers trust it):
✅ Trade-only listings - which helps cut out irrelevant noise and keeps the platform focused
✅ Verified reviews and background checks, adding credibility and safety for customers
✅ Strong UK brand recognition, with plenty of TV and radio ad campaigns boosting visibility
✅ A dedicated profile page where you can upload photos, qualifications, services, and more
✅ Some listings also appear on Google, giving you an extra push in local search results
Unfortunatly Checkatrade isn’t free. You’ll usually pay a monthly fee, and in some areas, competition is fierce. You also don’t own the leads. If someone messages you through Checkatrade, they’re likely messaging five other trades as well.
Still, if you're looking for steady exposure, especially in areas where Checkatrade is popular, it can be a great way to fill the pipeline and build review credibility alongside your own website and Google profile.
While Facebook isn’t a formal review platform like Trustpilot or Checkatrade, its Recommendations feature can be pure gold for tradespeople, especially in tight-knit communities where everyone knows someone who “knows a guy.”
When a happy customer tags your business in a local Facebook group, or leaves a recommendation on your business page, it’s seen not just by that person, but by dozens (or hundreds) of their friends and followers. That’s digital word-of-mouth and it spreads fast.
So whether you're a plumber in Peterborough, a decorator in Dartford, or a joiner in Hastings, here’s why you should keep Facebook in your marketing toolbox:
✅ Excellent for local community marketing - especially in active neighbourhood groups
✅ Combines reviews with interaction, so customers can comment, tag friends, or share photos of your work
✅ Helps build your brand’s personality - your page shows how you speak, respond, and treat your customers
✅ You can respond to praise publicly, and even boost great posts to reach more potential clients
✅ Completely free to use, unless you choose to run paid ads alongside it
Facebook Reviews aren’t always as structured as Google or Reviews.io, but they carry something just as valuable: social proof that your business is trusted in the real world.
Especially in towns where local groups are active, Facebook Recommendations can land you jobs quicker than any cold call ever could, all by letting your customers speak for you.
Let’s face it, in 2025, your reviews are doing as much talking as you are. For tradespeople, from bathroom fitters to boiler engineers, glaziers to groundworkers, the businesses that take reviews seriously are the ones showing up first, getting more enquiries, and closing more jobs.
Your online reputation is now one of your biggest assets, and managing it properly is no longer just “a nice idea” - it’s a necessity. Reviews boost your local SEO, earn customer trust, and often make the difference between getting the job or losing it to the next person with more stars.
So what’s the move?
Focus on quality over quantity - better to build two strong profiles than ten empty ones
Prioritise platforms that impact search visibility - like Google Reviews and Checkatrade
Ask every happy customer for feedback - consistently, not just when you remember
Make it easy - send links, use QR codes, or follow up politely via email or text
Bottom line: give great service, collect glowing reviews, and you’ll start to dominate your local market, no billboards or leaflets required.
