Twenty years of experience. Hundreds of five-star reviews. A reputation built entirely on word of mouth. And yet, when someone in Malaga typed "electricista malaga" into Google, VLR Instalaciones was nowhere to be found.
That's the reality for thousands of tradespeople. You're brilliant at what you do, but if you don't exist online, you're handing customers to competitors who do. Here's the story of how one emergency electrician changed that - and what any small business can learn from it.
The problem: 20 years of experience, zero online visibility
Vicente, the owner of VLR Instalaciones, runs a 24-hour emergency electrical service covering the entire Malaga province - from Estepona to Velez-Malaga. His team handles everything from urgent repairs at 2am to electrical certificates, EV charger installations, and solar panels.
The problem? He was completely reliant on word of mouth. Meanwhile, hundreds of people were searching Google every single day for an electrician in his area. Every one of those searches was a potential customer he'd never reach.
And there was another missed opportunity. The Costa del Sol has a huge English-speaking expat community who search in English. Without any web presence - let alone an English one - those customers were going straight to competitors.
What we built (and why it worked)
We didn't just build Vicente a website. We built a complete digital presence designed around one goal: making the phone ring. Here's what made the difference.
A website that loads in under one second
When someone's got a power cut at midnight, they're not going to wait for a slow website. We built a lightning-fast site that loads in under one second on mobile. That matters because over 70% of visitors come from their phones - often in a hurry.
Eight location pages covering the whole province
Instead of one generic page saying "we cover Malaga", we created dedicated pages for every major town: Malaga capital, Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Mijas, Estepona, Velez-Malaga, and Rincon de la Victoria. Each page has unique content about that area, the neighbourhoods covered, and realistic arrival times.
This is a strategy any local business can use. If you serve multiple areas, having a page for each one tells Google (and your customers) that you genuinely operate there.
Service pages that answer real questions
Rather than cramming every service onto one page, we created dedicated pages for high-value services like emergency repairs, electrical certificates, EV charger installation, and solar panels. Each page addresses the specific questions someone searching for that service would have.
Full bilingual support
The entire site works in both Spanish and English, with the right technical setup so Google shows the correct language to each visitor. Expats searching "electrician Costa del Sol" now find VLR instead of a competitor.
Mobile-first design built for action
Every element was designed for thumbs on a phone screen: large tap targets, click-to-call buttons throughout, WhatsApp integration, and a sticky phone button that's always visible. When someone needs help, calling is effortless.
Trust signals front and centre
Vicente had over 300 five-star Google reviews - brilliant social proof that was going completely to waste without a website. We made those reviews prominent, alongside his 20+ years of experience and official authorisation from the Junta de Andalucia. When a visitor lands on the site, they instantly see a business they can trust.
The results
The numbers speak for themselves. VLR Instalaciones now ranks #1 on Google for "electricista malaga" and appears in the top three for dozens of related searches. Enquiries increased tenfold - the phone, as Vicente puts it, "hasn't stopped ringing." Location pages rank across the entire province, and the English version brings in expat customers he'd never have reached before.
In Vicente's words:
"I couldn't believe how fast it was done. Within days I had a professional website that actually brings in customers. The phone started ringing almost immediately - and it hasn't stopped. Now I'm getting calls from all over the province, not just Malaga city."
You can see the full case study here for all the technical details.
What any tradesperson can take from this
You don't need to be a tech expert to get results like these. But there are a few lessons from Vicente's story that apply to any small business:
Being good at your job isn't enough. If customers can't find you online, they'll find someone else. Word of mouth is great, but it doesn't scale.
Speed matters. A slow website loses visitors - especially on mobile, where most people search. Your site should load in under two or three seconds at most.
Think local. If you serve multiple areas, make sure your website reflects that. Dedicated location pages help you show up in searches for each town or neighbourhood.
Make it easy to get in touch. Click-to-call buttons, WhatsApp links, visible phone numbers. Don't make potential customers hunt for your contact details.
Show your credibility. Reviews, years of experience, qualifications - put them where visitors can see them straight away. People need to trust you before they'll pick up the phone.
Could your business be next?
Whether you're an electrician, plumber, builder, or any other local business, having a professional website that actually brings in customers isn't a luxury - it's how you grow.
We build websites specifically for small businesses and tradespeople. No jargon, no stress, and no massive upfront cost - our plans start from just £49 a month. If you'd like to see what we could do for your business, get in touch for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a website like this?
Most small business websites are ready within one to two weeks. VLR Instalaciones had a larger site with 30+ pages and bilingual support, but even that was completed quickly. Simpler sites can be done in days.
Do I need a website if I already get work through word of mouth?
Word of mouth is fantastic, but it has limits. There are people searching for your services online every day who will never hear about you otherwise. A website works alongside word of mouth - it doesn't replace it, it multiplies it.
How much does a professional website for a tradesperson cost?
It varies. Traditional agencies often charge £2,000 to £10,000 upfront. We offer pay-monthly plans starting from £49 a month, which includes design, hosting, and ongoing support - so there's no big lump sum to worry about.
Will a website actually help me rank on Google?
A well-built website with proper SEO, fast loading speeds, and relevant content gives you the best chance. VLR Instalaciones went from invisible to #1, but results depend on your area, competition, and how the site is optimised. We build every site with SEO in mind.
Can you build a bilingual website for my business?
Absolutely. If you serve customers who speak different languages - for example, English and Spanish on the Costa del Sol - we can build your site in both languages with the correct technical setup so Google shows the right version to each visitor.