Why tradespeople in Ireland need a website (not just Facebook)
If you're a tradesperson in Ireland still running your business off a Facebook page, you're leaving money on the table. Here's why — and what to do about it.
By Harvey Kubath, Agentic Builds · 10 July 2026 · Updated 23 September 2026
Most Irish tradespeople — plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers, carpenters — still rely on word of mouth and a Facebook page. That worked in 2015. In 2026, most new customers do a Google search before they call, and a Facebook page alone loses the job to whoever's website looks more legitimate.
What customers actually check before calling
- Google search to find local options.
- Look at Google reviews on the top 3 results.
- Click through to the website — is this a real business?
- Check service area — do they cover my town?
- Look for insurance, registrations, qualifications (RECI, RGI, SEAI, CIRI).
- Find a quick way to request a quote.
What a Facebook page can't do
- Rank in Google for "emergency plumber [your town]."
- Display professional registrations and insurance in a credible way.
- Show service-area maps.
- Run a structured quote-request form.
- Survive Facebook changing its rules every six months.
- Be a real asset you own.
What an Irish trade website needs
- Homepage with one clear service line and your phone number above the fold.
- Services pages — one per major service (boiler repair, bathroom installation, etc.) so each can rank separately.
- Service area page — list towns you cover.
- Before/after gallery — one of the most powerful trust signals for a trade.
- Registrations and insurance — RECI, RGI, CIRI numbers visible.
- Google reviews embedded on the homepage.
- Quote-request form with a small set of fields (over-asking kills conversion).
- Click-to-call button locked to the bottom of the screen on mobile.
SEO for trades is easier than you think
Most national "trade SEO" companies will charge you a monthly fee for vague work. Realistically, an Irish tradesperson needs: a Google Business Profile, three or four service pages with location keywords, a steady drip of reviews, and consistent NAP across directories. That's it. Set it up once, maintain monthly.
What it costs
A proper trade website is a €495–€1,150 build. Compare that to the value of one extra boiler installation or rewire — payback can be fast.
Pair it with the Trading Online Voucher
If you're a sole trader or small Ltd company with 10 or fewer employees, you may qualify for the TOV — up to 50% of your build cost back from your LEO, as long as the site takes online bookings or payments (brochure-only sites aren't eligible).