What trades does Phil Carrick help in Northern Ireland?

Phil helps electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, gas fitters, joiners, builders, handymen, plasterers, roofers, painters & decorators, gardeners & landscapers, window cleaners, pressure washing, cleaners, locksmiths, glaziers, flooring specialists, pest control, and tilers across Northern Ireland.

How does Phil help tradespeople with Google?

Phil fixes Google Business Profiles, boosts rankings through ongoing optimization, helps get more reviews automatically, keeps profiles active with weekly posts and updates, and offers call handling for the Pro package so trades never miss a job.

Why do trades work with Phil instead of an agency?

Phil talks like a normal guy with no jargon, uses WhatsApp instead of emails, does everything for you with no dashboards, provides clear friendly communication, and delivers results you can feel - more calls, reviews, visibility, and less stress.

Does Phil only work with certain types of trades?

No. Phil works with any trade operating across Northern Ireland who relies on their phone ringing for business. If locals are Googling your trade + your town, Phil can help you get seen, trusted, and chosen more often.

Do trades really need ongoing SEO?

Yes, for most trades. Ongoing SEO keeps your Google Business Profile active with fresh content, maintains your ranking position, responds to algorithm changes, and builds review momentum. Google favors businesses that show consistent activity. One-off fixes help initially, but ongoing work prevents you from sliding down rankings as competitors overtake you.

What happens if I stop SEO after ranking well?

Your rankings will gradually decline as competitors continue optimizing. Google's algorithm prioritizes recent activity—fresh posts, new reviews, updated information. If you stop, your profile becomes stale. Think of it like stopping gym workouts: you won't lose everything overnight, but momentum fades and competitors who keep going will overtake you.

Is a one-off SEO fix enough for trades?

A one-off fix works if your profile is broken, you're in a quiet area with little competition, or you can consistently post, get reviews, and make updates yourself. But for most trades in competitive areas, ongoing work is needed to maintain visibility and stay ahead of competitors who are actively optimizing.

What's the difference between SEO and what trades actually need?

Traditional SEO focuses on website content and backlinks. What trades actually need is Google Business Profile optimization: keeping your profile active with posts, getting regular reviews, maintaining accurate information, updating services, and staying visible in the local 3-pack. It's less about technical SEO and more about consistent local presence management.

Why does ongoing support matter more in busy areas?

In competitive areas like cities, multiple trades are fighting for the same keywords. If five electricians in Belfast are all optimizing regularly, standing still means falling behind. Ongoing support ensures you match competitors' efforts with fresh content, new reviews, and continuous improvements. In quieter areas, one-off fixes often suffice because there's less competitive pressure.

Can I do ongoing SEO myself instead of paying for it?

You can, but most trades don't have the time or knowledge. Ongoing SEO requires weekly posts, review management, tracking rankings, updating services, responding to algorithm changes, and monitoring competitors. If you're busy with actual trade work, it's hard to stay consistent. That's why many trades prefer monthly support that handles everything.

Is £297 per month local SEO worth it for trades?

For most UK trades, yes. £297/month covers ongoing Google Business Profile optimization, weekly posts, automated review request system, ranking tracking, and consistent visibility improvements. If you book just one extra job per month from better Google visibility, it pays for itself. Most trades see multiple extra jobs monthly once their profile is optimized and actively managed.

What do you actually get for £297 per month?

The £297 Growth package includes: ongoing Google Business Profile optimization, weekly posts to keep your profile active, automated review request system, AI-powered content improvements, monthly ranking heatmaps showing where you appear in local searches, and priority WhatsApp support. It's everything needed to maintain and improve your local Google visibility.

How many extra jobs would I need to make £297 back?

For most trades, just one extra job per month covers the cost. An electrician charging £500 for a rewire, a plumber charging £300 for boiler work, or a roofer charging £800 for repairs only needs one additional customer from Google each month to make it worthwhile. Most trades see several extra inquiries weekly once properly optimized.

Why does ongoing support cost £297 instead of a one-off fee?

Because Google's algorithm constantly changes and competitors keep optimizing. Ongoing support means weekly posts, continuous review building, regular updates, algorithm adjustments, and staying ahead of competition. A one-off fix sets things up correctly, but ongoing work maintains and improves your position over time. Think of it like gym membership versus a personal training session.

Is £297 expensive compared to other marketing?

No. Facebook ads for trades typically cost £300-500/month with no guarantee of local customers. Printed flyers cost £200+ per drop with poor conversion. Trade directories charge £50-150/month per site with limited visibility. £297 for complete Google Business Profile management—where most customers actually search—offers better ROI than traditional advertising.

What happens if I stop paying after a few months?

Your Google Business Profile stays as it was when you stopped, but fresh activity ends. Rankings gradually decline as competitors continue posting and getting reviews. You won't lose everything immediately, but momentum fades. Your profile setup and existing reviews remain, but without ongoing optimization, visibility slowly decreases as others overtake you.

What's the difference between a one-off SEO fix and ongoing support for trades?

A one-off SEO fix is a complete Google Business Profile setup that corrects categories, services, reviews, and description once. Ongoing support builds on that with weekly posts, continuous review gathering, AI improvements, and regular optimization to maintain and improve rankings over time. One-off works for fixing problems; ongoing keeps you visible and competitive.

When does a one-off SEO fix make sense?

A one-off fix is ideal if your Google Business Profile is broken or poorly set up, you're in a quiet area with low competition, you're just starting out and need the basics right, or you have time to handle posts and reviews yourself. It's the foundation—everything set up correctly once.

When do trades need ongoing support instead?

Ongoing support makes sense if you're in a competitive area where trades are fighting for visibility, you want steady growth with regular posts and new reviews, you don't have time to manage Google yourself, or you want to stay ahead of algorithm changes. It's for trades who want consistent, growing visibility.

Can I start with a one-off fix and upgrade later?

Yes. Many trades start with a one-off fix (Starter package at £149/month) to get everything set up properly, then upgrade to ongoing support (Growth package at £297/month) once they see results and want more visibility. It's a natural progression as your business grows.

What happens after a one-off SEO fix is complete?

Your Google Business Profile is properly optimized with correct categories, services, description, and initial reviews. You'll rank better than before. But to maintain that position, you need to stay active with posts and reviews yourself, or upgrade to ongoing support where it's handled for you automatically.

Why do most trades choose ongoing support over one-off fixes?

Because Google favors active profiles. Ongoing support means weekly posts, consistent reviews, and continuous improvements that keep you visible. Trades who stay active rank higher and get more calls. A one-off fix is great, but ongoing work keeps you competitive as search behavior and algorithms change.

How can an electrician get more calls from Google in the UK?

UK electricians can get more calls by optimizing their Google Business Profile with correct categories (like 'Electrician', 'Emergency Electrician', 'Electric Vehicle Charging Station Contractor'), listing all services clearly, getting regular Google reviews, and keeping the profile active with posts. Google shows electricians who are trusted, relevant, and active.

What services should electricians list on Google?

Electricians should list all services they offer: rewiring, fuse box replacement, PAT testing, electric vehicle charger installation, emergency callouts, smoke alarm installation, lighting installation, socket installation, inspection and testing, and commercial electrical work. The more specific you are, the better Google matches you to customer searches.

Why do reviews matter more for electricians?

Reviews matter because electrical work is high-stakes—customers need to trust you won't burn their house down. Google uses reviews as proof of reliability. An electrician with 30 recent 5-star reviews will get far more calls than one with 5 old reviews, even if they're equally skilled. Reviews build trust and rankings.

Do electricians need different strategies for domestic vs emergency work?

Yes. Domestic electricians benefit from steady reviews, service listings, and regular posts showing completed projects. Emergency electricians need 24/7 availability clearly stated, fast response messaging, and reviews mentioning speed and reliability. Google recognizes these signals and matches you to the right search intent.

How often should electricians post on their Google Business Profile?

Ideally weekly. Regular posts keep your profile active in Google's eyes. Post about completed jobs, new services (like EV charger installations), safety tips, certifications, or seasonal reminders (like smoke alarm checks). Active profiles rank higher than dormant ones.

Can electricians get more calls without spending on ads?

Yes. A properly optimized Google Business Profile with good reviews, clear service listings, and regular activity will bring in calls organically without paid ads. Many UK electricians get 10-20 inquiries per week from Google alone once their profile is optimized and consistently maintained.

Why do trades stop getting calls from Google (and how do you fix it)?

Updated January 2026 6 min read

Trades often stop getting calls from Google when their Google Business Profile becomes inactive, loses trust signals, or no longer matches how customers are searching. Most of the time, visibility drops slowly and quietly — long before a tradesperson notices. The good news: it's usually fixable with a few simple updates.

Engineer Male Person Using Technology. Worker In Kitchen

🔥

Why trades suddenly stop getting calls

(and the reasons nobody ever tells them)

Most trades think they've done something wrong.
But 99% of the time, the issue is silent, gradual, and fixable.

Here's the truth 👇

1️⃣

Reviews slowed down — and Google took it as a warning sign

Google LOVES fresh reviews.

If you had:

20 reviews last year
2 reviews this year

Google thinks:

"This business might not be active anymore."

Result?
Your profile slips down the map pack… quietly.

Fix:

Start getting 1–3 reviews per month again — even from small jobs.

2️⃣

Your competitors got slightly more active

Trades think dropping in search means something's wrong.
Sometimes, it just means someone else got:

6 new reviews
2 new photos
a new service added
weekly posts

Google rewards recent activity, not age.

This is why the quiet ones lose visibility.

3️⃣

Your services don't match how people search

This one blows tradespeople's minds.

If Google sees you as:

"Electrician"

But customers are searching for:

"Emergency electrician"
"NICEIC electrician"
"Domestic electrician"

You will NOT show up — even if you're nearby.

Fix:

Align your GBP services with EXACT search behaviour in your area.

4️⃣

Your profile hasn't been touched in months

GBP profiles go "stale" if ignored.

Google wants:

small updates
review replies
posts
fresh photos

If nothing changes… visibility erodes.

5️⃣

A category changed (Google does this quietly)

Google updates categories without telling you.

If your main category changed or lost relevance, your rankings drop instantly.

It's not you — it's Google.

You need to check this at least every few months.

6️⃣

One negative review can change click behaviour

Even with 40 good reviews…
One convincingly negative review can kill your call-through rate.

Not because you're bad — but because homeowners fear "the wrong person in the house."

Responding properly to that review restores trust AND improves conversions.

7️⃣

Your photos are old

Photos matter more than trades realise.

Google prefers:

fresh
recent
real-world photos
showing the person
showing the work

Old photos = old business.

8️⃣

Your website isn't linked properly

A broken website link
or confusing URL
or slow mobile site
can AS A SIDE-EFFECT hurt GBP.

Google doesn't like sending people to a bad experience.

9️⃣

You never claimed your local "service area"

Trades often set:

Business name
Phone
Hours

…then forget the rest.

But the service area helps Google show you to the right customers.

If you haven't updated this, your visibility can drop randomly in the wrong areas.

⭐

The good news

99% of visibility drops happen slowly, and they're easy to fix once you know why.

There's nearly always:

nothing "wrong"
nothing broken
nothing permanent

Just simple visibility signals that need refreshing.

⭐

Not sure what's going on?

If your Google calls have slowed down and you're not sure why, I can take a look and tell you what's going on — calmly, clearly, and without a sales pitch.

Get your Google Visibility Check

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.