Blog
Lead handling for trade businesses
Short pieces on what happens between the enquiry and the invoice. Written for owners, meant to be read on a phone between jobs.
AI receptionistPromptingAI receptionist prompting: what to write so it handles your calls properly
AI receptionist prompting for a small firm: a prompt to copy, the rules that stop it inventing prices, and twelve test calls to run before it goes live.
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Auto attendantPhone scriptsSample auto attendant scripts for a small business, and when to skip the menu
Sample auto attendant scripts for small offices, trade firms and property managers, with business hours, after hours and holidays, ready to record today.
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Quote requestsLead nurturingHow to respond to a quote request: email templates for trades and small firms
How to respond to a quote request by email: what to send the same day, when to ask for photos or a visit, and seven templates, including a polite no.
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Christmas closureOut of officeChristmas closure message for customers: templates for trade businesses
Christmas closure message templates for trades: email auto-reply, voicemail, website banner and customer email, plus the 2026 UK and Irish holiday dates.
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Payment remindersUnpaid invoicesHow to chase an unpaid invoice: payment reminder templates and the UK late-payment rules
Send a payment reminder before the due date, on it, a week late and as a final notice. Three templates, plus the UK late-payment interest and fixed sums.
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VoicemailMissed callsVoicemail greeting for contractors: 8 scripts you can record today
Eight voicemail greeting scripts for contractors and tradespeople, with placeholders, and what to set up behind the greeting for callers who hang up.
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AI for tradespeopleAI receptionistAI for tradespeople: examples of where it helps and what you still decide
AI for tradespeople, with examples from calls, quotes, bookings, invoices and reviews: what the software does in each job and what you still decide.
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Online bookingLead nurturingOnline booking for tradespeople: which jobs customers should book themselves
Online booking for tradespeople: which jobs customers can book themselves, how to allow for travel time, and what UK GDPR and PECR say. Not legal advice.
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Google reviewsNegative reviewsHow to respond to a negative Google review: replies a trade business can copy
How to respond to a negative Google review as a trade business, with five replies to copy. Google's rules as read on 12 October 2026. Not legal advice.
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WhatsApp BusinessCustomer enquiriesWhatsApp Business for tradespeople: set-up, away messages and the UK rules
Set up WhatsApp Business for tradespeople: use a landline number, copy away message examples, and read what the ICO says on marketing. Not legal advice.
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Quote follow-upLead nurturingHow to follow up on a quote, with phone, text and email messages for trades
When to follow up on a quote, how often and what to say, with phone, text and email messages a tradesperson can copy for each stage, and when to stop.
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Missed callsCall forwardingMissed call text back: how it works for trade businesses
Missed call text back sends a caller a text when nobody picks up. How it works with call forwarding, what the text should say, and when it beats voicemail.
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AI receptionistAnswering serviceAI receptionist vs answering service
AI receptionist or answering service for a plumber or electrician? How each one works, what it can't do, and how each is priced.
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Call forwardingMissed callsConditional call forwarding for small business, explained
Conditional call forwarding moves a call on only when nobody answers or the line is busy. Which type a trade firm needs, how long to ring, where calls go.
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Paid adsGoogle AdsSix questions to ask before you sign an agency's ad proposal
Six questions to put to any Google Ads or Local Services Ads proposal before you sign, and what Google's move of Local Services Ads means for the answers.
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Google Business ProfileLocal searchYour Google Business Profile is the page customers see before your website
Homeowners see your Google Business Profile first. How Google ranks trade listings, what to keep current, and why the phone number must get answered.
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Google reviewsReview policyGoogle reviews for trade businesses: what changed in April 2026, and how to ask and reply
Google tightened its review rules on 17 April 2026. What trade businesses can no longer do, how to keep asking, and why every review needs a reply.
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Lead nurturingResponse timeThe Saturday evening enquiry: replying in five minutes when nobody is at work
A web enquiry sent on Saturday evening often gets its reply on Monday. How to answer within five minutes out of hours, by hand or automatically.
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Missed callsAI receptionistCount your missed calls for one week before you decide anything
How many calls does your trade business miss? A one-week audit with a notepad, how to put a value on the count, and which fix fits the result.
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Paid adsGoogle AdsPlug the leaks before you pay for ads
Google Ads are worth it for a trades business once every call and enquiry gets answered. Five checks to run first, and a cost example with made-up numbers.
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Website speedMobileWhy a trade business website should load in under two seconds and ask for one thing
Is a slow website losing you customers? Test it in five minutes with your phone and Google's free tool, then fix the causes in order, cheapest first.
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Database reactivationConsentDatabase reactivation with consent: winning back past customers by message
Database reactivation for trade businesses: why past customers beat new ads, Germany's consent rules for texting them, and a six-touch schedule.
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