Guide
Do I need a website if I'm on Checkatrade?
Updated 1 October 2026 · 4 minute read
If Checkatrade or another directory already sends you work, it's fair to ask whether a website is worth having. The honest answer is that they do different jobs.
What Checkatrade costs
From Checkatrade's own pricing page:
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | A profile and reviews |
| Approved | £30 a month | The verification tick and a directory listing, on a 12-month fixed membership |
| Growth | From £59 a month | More leads and a boost in search results, on a 12-month term |
The real price depends on your trade and area, so get a quote. Sources disagree on whether VAT is included, so ask about that too.
How customers see you there
When a customer searches Checkatrade, they get a list. A search for plumbers in Leeds, for example, showed "34+" plumbers, each with a score out of 10, a review count, a phone number and a "Request a quote" button. Checkatrade's help pages explain that a quote request can go "to multiple trades at once".
That's great for getting enquiries. But it also means you're always shown next to your competitors, and the customer is comparing you the whole time.
The other big platforms
- Rated People memberships ended in September 2026, before the brand was bought by Checkatrade Group on 18 September. Rated People says you can now only buy its leads by becoming a Checkatrade member.
- MyBuilder charges a shortlist fee when a customer shares their contact details with you, whether or not you win the job. Reported fees start from around £7 and depend on the size of the job.
Where a website fits
Ofcom found that 82% of UK adults use Google Search. When someone's been recommended to you, or has seen your van, they'll usually search your name before they call. A website means they find you, your number and your reviews, not a list of other trades.
A website also lets you have a page for each job you do, such as boiler servicing, EICRs or fencing, in your own words and with your own photos. And it's yours: no ranking algorithm and no 12-month term decide how you appear.
Keep both
This isn't either/or. A directory can be a good source of new leads, and a website helps turn the people who look you up into phone calls. If money's tight, start with a free Google Business Profile, then add a simple website that it can link to.
See what yours would look like
We'll build a website for your business from your Google listing, free. You only pay £199 if you want to keep it, with no monthly fee. See how our cheap websites for tradesmen work.
Sources
- Checkatrade: pricing for trades
- Checkatrade: how to find a trade
- Rated People: joins Checkatrade Group (17 Sept 2026)
- LocalAdder: UK trade lead cost tracker (Q3 2026)
- Ofcom: how the UK goes online in 2025 (Dec 2025)
Prices change. Figures were checked on the date above; check the provider's site for today's price. How we write our guides.