
The 10 Reasons Your Self-Built Website Isn't Working for Your Trade Business - Number 7 Should Be Obvious!
Author: Guy Harley
Estimated Read Time: eg. 5 minutes
In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any trade business. A well-designed website can help you attract new customers, showcase your services, and build credibility. However, if you've built your website on your own and it's not yielding the desired results, it's time to identify the issues and take corrective measures. In this blog, we'll discuss ten common reasons why your self-built website might not be working for your trade business and provide actionable solutions to fix them.
1) Lack of a Professional Design:
First impressions matter, and if your website looks unprofessional or outdated, visitors are likely to leave immediately. Invest in a modern, user-friendly design that reflects the quality of your trade business. Consider hiring a professional web designer or utilising website builders that offer sleek templates and customisation options.
2) Poor Navigation and User Experience:
If visitors find it difficult to navigate your website or can't find the information they need, they will quickly become frustrated and leave. Ensure your website has intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and a logical structure. Conduct usability tests to identify and resolve any issues hindering the user experience.
3) Slow Page Loading Speed:
In today's fast-paced world, people expect websites to load quickly. Slow-loading pages can deter potential customers and harm your search engine rankings. Optimise your website's performance by compressing images, minimising server requests, and using caching techniques. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
4) Lack of Mobile Responsiveness:
More people are accessing the internet via mobile devices than ever before. If your website is not mobile-responsive, it will appear distorted and be challenging to navigate on smartphones and tablets. Make sure your website automatically adjusts to different screen sizes and offers a seamless experience across all devices.
5) Inadequate Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):
Without proper SEO, your website may struggle to rank well in search engine results, making it difficult for potential customers to find you. Optimise your website for relevant keywords, create high-quality content, and ensure your meta tags, headings, and URLs are optimised. Consider utilising SEO plugins or seeking professional SEO assistance to boost your visibility.
6) Insufficient or Ineffective Content:
Compelling and informative content is crucial for engaging visitors and establishing your expertise. If your website lacks content or the existing content is poorly written, you may fail to captivate your audience. Regularly update your website with valuable blog posts, case studies, testimonials, and detailed service descriptions. Focus on addressing your target audience's pain points and providing solutions.
7) Absence of Clear Call-to-Action (CTA):
A website without clear CTAs fails to guide visitors towards the desired actions, such as requesting a quote, scheduling an appointment, or making a purchase. Ensure that your website has prominent, well-placed CTAs that stand out from the rest of the content. Use action-oriented language and provide incentives to encourage conversions.
8) Lack of Social Proof:
Testimonials, reviews, and client success stories play a crucial role in establishing trust and credibility. If your website lacks social proof, potential customers may be hesitant to choose your services. Include genuine testimonials and showcase any industry certifications, awards, or affiliations you have. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on reputable platforms.
9) Inadequate Integration with Other Marketing Channels:
Your website should seamlessly integrate with your overall marketing strategy. If it's disconnected from your social media profiles, email marketing campaigns, or other channels, you miss out on opportunities to engage with potential customers. Make sure your website has prominent social media buttons, newsletter sign-up forms, and links to your other digital properties.
10) Neglected Analytics and Monitoring:
Without tracking and analysing website performance, you're shooting in the dark. Utilise tools like Google Analytics to gain insights into user behaviour, traffic sources, conversion rates, and more. Analyse this data regularly to identify areas for improvement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Building an effective website for your trade business takes time, effort, and attention to detail. If your self-built website isn't delivering the expected results, reassess its design, user experience, performance, and content. By addressing the ten reasons mentioned above and implementing the suggested solutions, you can optimise your website for success, attract more customers, and grow your trade business in the digital realm.
Extra notes:
While it's true that building a shed in the backyard may be within the realm of possibility for many homeowners, constructing a house is an entirely different endeavour. Similarly, when it comes to websites, the stakes are higher when it comes to representing the success of your business. You wouldn't settle for an overbuilt garden shed to serve as your family's home, and the same principle applies to your website. Your website is the digital face of your trade business, supporting your livelihood and providing for your loved ones. Just as you rely on professionals to build a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing house, it's crucial to entrust the development and design of your website to experts who can create a polished and professional online presence that accurately reflects the success and credibility of your business.
Hey Kiwi and Aussie tradies — does this sound familiar?
You’re putting in the hours, doing the graft, but still finding it hard to keep the pipeline full of good, high-paying jobs. Between quoting, running sites, and keeping on top of admin, there’s barely time to breathe — let alone figure out why your network’s drying up or how to find a new one. So, you start quoting lower just to keep things moving, blaming “quiet times” when chatting with the boys at the pub. Meanwhile, the bigger companies with flash systems and full-time marketing teams keep raking it in — building demand like they’re developing entire suburbs.
We’re tradienet. — and we’re not some ex-tradie turned digital “expert.” We’re a team of trained professionals with over 16 years of experience in eCommerce, branding, marketing, and sales. For the past four years, we’ve focused specifically on helping Kiwi and Aussie tradies get the most out of what’s available today — so you don’t get left behind and can compete confidently on the new digital stage.
We believe it’s time to level the playing field. Local, quality-focused trade businesses deserve a fair go — to compete for the same high-value work as the big players, without needing massive budgets or fancy sales teams. The market should reward skill, craftsmanship, and reliability — not just who shouts the loudest online.
That’s why we give tradies the tools, systems, and strategies to build their own steady pipeline of high-quality leads. Using modern tech and proven marketing systems, we help your business look, run, and sell like a professional operation — even while you’re on the tools. From branding and websites to automated proposal systems, we’ll help you attract higher-paying customers who value the quality of your work, not just your price. You’ll go from being the quote provider to being the consistent job winner.
💪 Ready to stop chasing work and start choosing it?
Check out our plans and packages at tradienet.nz and see how we can help your trade business take the next step.