# Do I Really Need A Website As A Self-Employed Roofer?
Short answer: Yes. Long answer: absolutely yes, and here's why.
## The Reality Check
When someone's roof starts leaking at 2am, they're not scrolling through Facebook looking for recommendations. They're Googling "emergency roofer near me" or "roofer in [their town]". If you don't have a website, you're not showing up in those searches.
Word-of-mouth is brilliant. Facebook is useful. But they're not enough anymore. Here's what's actually happening:
**What customers do when they need a roofer:**
1. Google search (78% of people start here)
2. Check Google Maps results (the "local pack")
3. Visit 2-3 websites to compare
4. Call the one that looks most professional
If you're not in steps 2-4, you don't exist to them.
## "But I'm Always Busy Anyway"
Great. But what happens when work slows down? Or when you want to expand? Or when you want to charge more because you're good at what you do?
A website isn't just for getting more work. It's for:
- **Getting better work**: Professional website = you can charge more
- **Saving time**: Fewer "how much for..." calls because pricing is on your site
- **Looking legitimate**: Customers trust businesses with websites
- **Being findable**: When work slows, you're still getting enquiries
## What About Just Using Facebook?
Facebook is fine for staying in touch with existing customers. But:
- Not everyone uses Facebook
- People can't find you via Google
- It doesn't look as professional
- You don't own it (Facebook could change or shut down tomorrow)
- Older customers (often homeowners with money) prefer proper websites
Think of Facebook as your shop window. Your website is your actual shop.
## "Websites Cost Thousands Though"
They used to. Not anymore. At ARCHIVE 6, we build trade-ready websites from £995 one-off or £99/month. That's less than most roofers spend on fuel in a month.
And it pays for itself fast. Land one extra job from Google and it's paid for. Land two and you're in profit.
## What You Actually Need
A proper trade website doesn't need to be complicated:
- 5-7 pages showing what you do and where you work
- Photos of your work (before/after is gold)
- Contact details that actually work on mobile
- Google Business Profile setup
- Basic SEO so you show up in searches
That's it. No fancy animations. No blog you'll never update. Just a solid, professional presence that works 24/7 to get your phone ringing.
## The Real Cost of Not Having One
Every day without a website, you're losing potential customers to roofers who do have one. They might not be better than you. They might charge more than you. But they look more professional because they have a proper website.
**Quick maths:**
- Average roofing job: £2,000-£5,000
- One extra job per month from Google: £24,000-£60,000 per year
- Cost of website: £995 or £99/month
It's not really a question of "can I afford a website?" It's "can I afford not to have one?"
## What To Do Next
1. Accept that you need a website
2. Don't try to build it yourself (you're a roofer, not a web designer)
3. Find someone who understands trades and builds proper sites
4. Get online and start showing up in searches
We build websites specifically for UK trades. No jargon, no waffle, no six-month waits. Just proper sites that get you found and get your phone ringing.
Ready to stop being invisible online? [Get in touch](/contact) or call 07398 395 417.