You’re a whizz with a wrench, a crackerjack with a trowel, and a dab hand with a drill—but if your website’s slower than a schlepp through concrete, you’re missing prime calls. Think of your site like your van: it needs regular check-ups to stay roadworthy. In this no-fluff, 1,300-word guide, we’ll show you the quick DIY checks every tradie can do—no coding degree required. Grab a cuppa, fire up your phone or laptop, and let’s get your digital van back in top gear.

1. Load Time: No One’s Got Time for a Slow Site

Imagine being called out for an emergency leak and your van won’t start—frustrating, right? A sluggish website is the same. Use Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to get a load-time score. Aim for under 3 seconds. If you’re over 5 seconds, you’ll lose more visitors than a clogged drain.

Quick fixes:

• Compress images with TinyPNG.

• Enable browser caching in your hosting settings.

• Minify CSS and JavaScript via a plugin (e.g., Autoptimize).

A quick tune-up here can shave seconds off load times and keep prospects on the job sheet, not hitting “back.”

2. Mobile-Friendliness: It’s All in the Palm of Their Hand

Most punters search for a tradesperson on their mobile, not a desktop. Test your site on Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test—if it fails, visitors will bounce faster than a rogue screw.

What to check:

• Buttons and links are tappable, not tiny.

• Text is legible without zooming.

• Menus collapse into a clear “hamburger” icon.

If your site isn’t responsive, consider a simple theme upgrade or plugin (like WPtouch) that instantly makes your site smartphone-ready.

3. Clear Contact Info: Make Calling a No-Brainer

You wouldn’t hide your phone number on your van, so don’t hide it online. Every page needs your phone number and email front and centre—ideally in the header or a sticky footer.

Check:

• Click-to-call links on mobile.

• Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across your site and Google Business Profile.

• A dedicated “Contact” page with a simple enquiry form.

When someone’s in a bind, make sure they can ring you with a single tap—no treasure hunts.

4. Broken Links & 404s: Patch Up Those Holes

Broken links are like gaps in your floorboards—unsightly and trust-breaking. Run a quick scan with Broken Link Checker (WordPress plugin) or Dead Link Checker online.

Repair steps:

• Remove or update any links that return 404 errors.

• Redirect old URLs to new pages via your .htaccess file or a plugin like Redirection.

• Check your internal links—ensure they point where they should.

A tidy site keeps visitors clicking through, not clicking away.

5. On-Page SEO Basics: Tune Your Titles & Meta Descriptions

SEO might sound like rocket science, but you can nail the basics in five minutes. View your page source or use the free Yoast SEO plugin to check:

• Title tags: Under 60 characters, front-load your main keyword plus location (“Emergency Electrician in Leeds | [Your Biz]”).

• Meta descriptions: 150–160 characters that sell your USP: “Fast, 24/7 response. Rated 5☆ by local homeowners.”

• Headings: One H1 per page, clear and keyword-rich, with H2s for subheadings.

These tweaks help Google—and your customers—know exactly what you do and where you do it.

6. Content Freshness: Keep It Updated

A dusty website looks abandoned. Check your blog posts and service pages for dates and relevance:

• Update old blog posts with new tips or local references.

• Add fresh photos to your portfolio pages.

• Remove outdated promotions or seasonal offers.

Even a small update signals to Google that you’re active—and gives visitors a reason to stick around longer.

7. Image Optimisation: Fast & SEO-Friendly

Eye-catching photos of your handiwork are gold—but giant files drag your site down. Use a plugin like Smush or an online tool to compress images without losing quality.

Also:

• Rename files descriptively: kitchen-tile-installation-birmingham.jpg

• Add alt text that describes the work and location, aiding accessibility and SEO.

Optimised images load faster and help you rank for relevant searches.

8. Security & HTTPS: Lock It Down

Nobody wants their details intercepted like a dodgy pipe. Ensure your site uses HTTPS—a secure certificate visible as a padlock in the address bar.

Quick check:

• Look for the “🔒” icon next to your URL.

• If missing, get a free SSL from Let’s Encrypt or your host.

• Update all internal links to https:// to avoid mixed-content warnings.

A secure site builds trust and can boost your Google rankings.

9. Analytics & Tracking: Know What’s Working

You wouldn’t guess how much a job costs—you measure. Same goes for your website. Install Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track:

• Which pages get the most visits.

• How long visitors stay.

• Which pages convert (calls/form fills).

Check monthly, tweak pages that underperform, and double down on what drives leads. Data = smarter decisions, not guesswork.

10. Speedy Contact Forms: No-Fuss Enquiries

Your enquiry form should be as straightforward as a one-screw fitting. Test your form:

• Require only essential fields: name, phone, job details.

• Remove captchas that are hard to decipher on mobile.

• Ensure form submission triggers a thank-you message and email notification.

If your form’s dodgy, prospects will bail. A slick form keeps enquiries flowing.

Keep Your Digital Van Roadworthy

Your site is your digital workshop—if you neglect it, you lose jobs. By running these quick, tradie-friendly checks—speed, mobile, contact info, SEO basics, and more—you’ll ensure your online presence works as hard as you do on-site.

Need a hand with the tech? SEO For The Trade specialises in helping UK tradespeople perform these audits (and fix any issues) without the jargon. Give us a shout or drop us an email, and let’s keep your digital van in tip-top shape—ready for every call-out, every time.