How to create a great tradesperson profile

Your profile is doing the selling while you are on the tools. Customers compare two or three at a time, and the differences they notice are specific: real photos, a description that sounds like a person, and evidence that you do their kind of job.

Write a description that is actually about you

Avoid the standard block of text about quality, reliability and competitive prices — everyone has it, so it distinguishes nobody. Say what you do most, how long you have done it, the type of property you usually work on, and how you work. Four sentences is plenty.

Better: "Time-served joiner, fifteen years, mostly working on Victorian and Edwardian properties around the north of the city. Staircases, bespoke fitted wardrobes and sash window repairs are my main work. I usually run one job at a time so I'm on site every day until it's finished."

Photos: show the work, not the van

• Six to twelve photos of finished work is the sweet spot.
• Include a couple of before-and-after pairs — they are the most persuasive thing you can upload.
• Shoot in daylight, tidy the area first, and keep the phone level.
• Show variety within your specialism rather than twelve versions of the same job.
• Only upload work you actually did.

Get your service area right

Set a radius you would genuinely travel for a normal job, not the furthest you have ever been. On Find A Trade Local you can adjust the radius when you browse, so keep the profile radius realistic and widen your search when you want to.

Credentials and trust signals

• Insurance — state the cover level and keep it current.
• Scheme registration or trade body membership where you hold it.
• Complete the trade knowledge check so your profile shows as verified.
• Reviews from completed jobs, built up steadily.