Comparison guide
Checkatrade vs Your Own Website: Which Is Better for UK Trades?
Short answer: directories like Checkatrade can bring enquiries quickly, but you pay an ongoing fee and share the page with other trades. Your own website is a one-off cost you own outright. For most established trades, the best setup is your own website first, with directories as an extra.
We're a website company, so we've tried to keep this fair. Sites For Tradies isn't connected to Checkatrade, and directory fees change — always check their current pricing.
Side by side
Directory listing vs your own website
| Trade directory (e.g. Checkatrade) | Your own website | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Ongoing membership fee, usually monthly | One-off £500 build; monthly support optional |
| Who owns it | The directory owns the page and the platform | You own the website and your domain |
| Competition on the page | Listed alongside other local trades | Only your business on the page |
| Reviews | Built-in review system customers recognise | Show your Google reviews and real jobs |
| Speed to first enquiry | Can be quick once listed and vetted | Builds over time through Google and your profile |
| If you stop paying | Your listing and its reviews usually stop showing | Your website stays yours (hosting and domain still apply) |
| Control over content | Fixed profile format | Your own pages, services, areas and photos |
Honest advice
When each one makes sense
A directory suits you if…
You're just starting out, have no reviews yet and need work quickly, and you're happy to pay an ongoing fee for that.
Your own website suits you if…
You want enquiries that come straight to you, a business you own online, and fewer monthly costs over time.
Using both suits you if…
You want quick enquiries now while your website and Google profile build up over the coming months.
See real trade websites we've built
Grange Plumbing and Sussex Guttering both have their own websites built by us. See how they're laid out and what's included.
FAQs
Checkatrade vs website questions
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