Why your van out-performs your website

Plenty of tradespeople find that their van is better known locally than their website. This guide looks at why, and what you can do to close the gap.

The power of the branded van

Your van is a moving advert. It is seen on roads, driveways and in car parks every day, and a clearly branded van tells people you are established and reliable.

Why it works

Seeing the same van around the area again and again makes your business feel familiar and trustworthy. People remember the name before they ever need you.

Why websites get overlooked

Many tradespeople put little into their website, and it shows in local searches. Unlike your van, a website nobody can find does nothing.

  • No SEO: without SEO, your site may sit far down the results.
  • Not built for phones: if your site is hard to use on a phone, people leave, and that works against you. A well-built website fixes it.

How to improve your local SEO

Complete your Google Business Profile

Fill in every part of your Google Business Profile: your services, opening hours, contact details and service area. Add photos of your work.

Use local keywords

Mention the towns you work in, naturally, across your website. If you cover Ashford or Maidstone, say so on the pages where it fits.

Earn local links

Get listed in local directories and ask suppliers, clubs and local organisations you work with to link to your site.

Ask for reviews

Reviews affect how you rank locally and how people judge you. Ask every happy customer, and make it easy with a direct link.

Joining up van and website

Use the same branding on your van, your website and everything else, so people recognise you wherever they see you.

Keep your details consistent

Make sure your business name, address and phone number are exactly the same everywhere online.

Be part of the community

Support local events and causes, from Canterbury to Tunbridge Wells. It builds your name offline and often earns local links online.

Bringing your website up to your van

Your van does a lot of work for you on the road. Your website should do the same online. I build websites and do SEO for trades with exactly that in mind. If you would like to talk it through, get in touch.