Plenty of plumbers, electricians, and HVAC businesses get work through a Facebook page and word of mouth. So is a website worth it? The honest answer: it depends on how you get customers today and what you want to change. This article is opinion, not a guarantee in either direction.
What a social profile does well
- It's free to set up and quick to update from your phone.
- Neighbors can share and recommend you inside local groups.
- Photos of recent jobs and short updates show you're active.
- Reviews and messages live in a place many customers already use.
What an owned website adds
- An address you control, independent of a platform's rules or account issues.
- A clear, permanent summary of services, service area, and how to reach you.
- A page search engines can understand and show to people who don't use Facebook.
- A simple estimate form that sends requests straight to you.
- A more established first impression for customers who check you out before calling.
Side by side
| Facebook page | Owned website | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Free | One-time build cost (for example, our $800 starter) |
| Ongoing cost | Free; your time to post | Domain and hosting fees, plus any changes |
| Control | Platform sets the rules and layout | You control the content and the address |
| Found by search engines | Sometimes, inconsistently | Designed to be crawlable; rankings not guaranteed |
| Contact options | Messages, comments, call button | Tap-to-call and an estimate form |
| Maintenance | Regular posting keeps it alive | Occasional updates when details change |
Costs and maintenance to expect
A website is not free even after it's built. Expect a yearly domain fee, hosting costs, and occasional updates when your services, phone number, or area change. Ask any provider for these numbers in writing before you start.
When waiting on a website makes sense
- You're booked solid from referrals and don't want more inquiries yet.
- You're still deciding which services or areas to focus on.
- Cash flow is tight, and the money is better spent on tools or licensing.
- You don't have basics like a consistent business name, phone number, or a few job photos yet.
A practical middle ground
You don't have to choose. Many contractors keep their social profile and add a single, focused page as the place everything else links to. If that sounds right, read our plumbing website checklist or see what's in the $800 Contractor Starter Website.