If Trustatrader isn't delivering the ROI you need, here's a better way to get local customers — one you own permanently.
Trustatrader is often considered by tradespeople who've had bad experiences with Checkatrade — the fees are sometimes lower and the local competition can be less intense. But the fundamental model is identical: you pay an annual subscription to appear on someone else's platform, and every review you collect lives there rather than on Google.
The consumer awareness gap is also a real issue outside of certain regions. Checkatrade has invested heavily in TV advertising. Trustatrader has more limited reach, which means homeowners in your area may not think to look there — reducing the return on your subscription investment.
One platform you rent. One reputation you own.
| What matters | Try Review Bloom | Trustatrader |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer reach | ✓ Google — 8 billion searches per day | ✗ Trustatrader platform — limited consumer awareness |
| Contract | ✓ No contract — month to month | ✗ Annual subscription with lock-in |
| What you own | ✓ Google reviews — permanent | ✗ Trustatrader reviews — on their platform |
| Monthly cost | ✓ £297 flat | ✗ £50–£150/month depending on trade/area |
| Google Maps impact | ✓ Direct — reviews improve your Maps ranking | ✗ None — Trustatrader reviews don't affect Google |
| Long-term value | ✓ Compounding — stronger over time | ✗ Static — depends on Trustatrader's own traffic |
Instead of paying to appear on someone else's platform, Try Review Bloom builds your Google presence permanently — automated review requests after every job, AI replies to every review, full GBP management, and citation management.
Every completed job triggers a personalised SMS and email to your customer. No chasing. No forgetting.
Every Google review gets a professional, personalised response automatically. Keeps your GBP active 24/7.
Weekly posts, photos, category optimisation, heatmap tracking. Your Google profile working for you constantly.
Your business listed consistently across 50+ directories. Google uses this to verify who you are and where you work.
For some trades and areas, Trustatrader offers lower competition and sometimes lower costs. But both platforms share the same fundamental problem — reviews and reputation live on their platform, not yours. If you leave either, you start from scratch on Google.
Not directly. Your Trustatrader profile may appear in Google search results for your business name, but the reviews you collect there don't improve your Google Maps ranking. Only Google reviews do that.
Try Review Bloom builds your Google Maps ranking directly — the place 8 billion people search every day. Trustatrader builds your profile on a directory that a fraction of those people will ever visit. Same monthly cost in many cases, fundamentally different long-term outcome.
£297/month. No contract. First reviews arrive within 24 hours. Every review lives on your Google profile permanently.