If you work in the trades in Shropshire, the Checkatrade vs website debate is probably something you think about every time your phone rings with sales reps trying to sell you a premium listing. Whether it’s Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Yell, or Rated People, the pitch is always the same: they promise you unlimited leads and massive exposure in exchange for a hefty monthly direct debit.
But is it actually worth it? Or are you better off investing that money into your own platform?
In the battle of Checkatrade vs website, there is no single “right” answer, but there is a smart answer. In 2026, relying 100% on rented leads is a risky strategy. Here is the honest truth about the difference between renting your reputation and owning it
When a customer visits a trade directory site, they are usually looking for three quotes. They post a job, and five of you fight over it.
This immediately turns your service into a commodity. You are forced to compete on price rather than quality. If you are a high-end joiner or a heating engineer who refuses to cut corners, these platforms can be frustrating. You often lose out to the “cheap and cheerful” guy who undercuts everyone.
With your own website: You have the customer’s full attention. They aren’t distracted by your competitors in the sidebar. You can use your own site to explain why you use copper pipe instead of plastic, or why your prep work takes longer. You compete on value, not cheapness.
On Checkatrade, typically up to three tradespeople are picked to purchase a lead and put a quote in for a job, slightly lower than the FIVE trades permitted on MyBuilder!
Paying a monthly fee to a directory is like renting a house. It keeps the rain off, but you will never own it. The moment you stop paying, you disappear. All those 5-star reviews you built up over the years? Gone overnight.
With your own website: You are paying a mortgage on a digital asset. Every blog post you write, every project photo you upload, and every testimonial you add stays there forever. It belongs to you, not the directory.
Over time, your website builds authority with Google, bringing you “free” traffic that you don’t have to pay a monthly fee for.
Here is a secret about modern customers: They might find you on a directory, but they will Google you afterwards.
We call this the “Validation Check.” A customer sees your profile on a directory, but before they call, they type your business name into Google to see if you are legitimate.
If they find a professional, modern website, they trust you.
If they find nothing—or a Facebook page that hasn’t been updated since 2023—they often assume you are a “fly-by-night” operation.
A professional website acts as the “trust signal” that seals the deal, even if the lead originally came from elsewhere.
Some premium directory listings can cost £100+ per month plus lead fees (“shortlisting fees”). That is over £1,200 a year, every year, forever. More recently, speaking to tradespeople I’ve found out that most are spending up to £2300 per year on Checkatrade and Mybuilder due to service price increases in 2025!
As I broke down in my previous guide on website costs for small business a professional website might cost you around £900 as a one-off fee, and then only £30 a month for hosting and maintenance.
Over a three-year period, owning your own site is significantly cheaper than renting a premium listing on a directory.
Not necessarily. In the debate of Checkatrade vs website, it isn’t always black and white.
When you are starting out, directory sites are a tap you can turn on to get quick leads. But they shouldn’t be your only source of work. Treat directories like a tap for emergencies, but treat your website like a rainwater tank. Build it, fill it with great content, and eventually, you won’t need to pay for the tap anymore.
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