Why Tilers Rarely Rank on Google — and How to Fix It
Tiling is one of those trades where the quality of the finished product is immediately obvious. A beautiful bathroom floor, a perfectly set kitchen splashback, a walk-in shower lined in large-format porcelain — people notice. Customers who've had a poor tiling job done once are especially careful next time.
Which makes it all the more frustrating that most tilers struggle to be found online. The majority have no website, or a single-page site that does nothing for search visibility. The work is there — jobs like bathroom renovations and kitchen refits are in demand across the UK — but the enquiries go to whoever ranks highest on Google.
This guide is about how to be that person.
What Customers Search for When They Need a Tiler
The search terms that drive real, bookable enquiries include:
- "tiler near me"
- "bathroom tiling [town]"
- "floor tiling quote [area]"
- "wall tiling service [town]"
- "wet room installation [county]"
- "large format tile installer [area]"
- "kitchen splashback tiling [town]"
- "commercial floor tiling [county]"
- "tile repair and regrouting [area]"
- "underfloor heating tiling [town]"
These searches are not interchangeable. The person looking for "wet room installation" has a specific — and often higher-value — project in mind. The person searching "tile repair" wants a smaller job done quickly. A website that targets all of these with dedicated pages captures enquiries across the full range of tiling work.
What a Well-Ranked Tiler's Website Looks Like
Tiling businesses that consistently appear in local Google results share a clear structure:
- Separate pages for each tiling service — floor tiling, wall tiling, bathroom fitting, kitchen tiling, wet rooms, commercial tiling, outdoor and porcelain patio tiling
- Location pages for every area — individual pages targeting each town by name
- Portfolio photos showing tile types and layouts — herringbone patterns, large-format porcelain, natural stone, mosaic details
- Tile supply clarity — do you supply or is it labour only? This is a key decision point for many customers and needs to be addressed clearly
- Substrate and prep information — levelling compounds, waterproofing membranes, backer boards — the content that signals a thorough, professional approach
The Trust Signals That Win Tiling Enquiries
Finished Work Photography
Tiles are a purchase where aesthetics matter enormously. A customer choosing between two tilers will instinctively go to the one whose website shows them finished bathrooms they'd want in their own home. Even a small number of high-quality photos of completed rooms — bathroom, kitchen, hallway — makes a significant difference to conversion.
Tile Type Expertise
Mentioning the tile types you work with — ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, large format — attracts the right customers and filters out the wrong ones. A homeowner with Italian porcelain tiles to install wants a tiler who mentions porcelain specifically, not one whose website says nothing more than "all tiling considered."
Wet Room Credentials
Wet room installation is a specialist job requiring proper waterproofing, gradient, and drainage. If you do wet rooms, this deserves its own prominent section. It's a higher-value service and commands a higher search intent — customers Googling "wet room installation" are typically committed to the project.
Underfloor Heating Compatibility
Many bathroom and kitchen renovations now include underfloor heating, and homeowners want a tiler who's worked over UFH before. If you have experience with this, say so explicitly. It's a common search term and a legitimate differentiator.
Why Generic Websites Don't Work for Tilers
- Too few pages — a single Services page with a bullet list doesn't give Google enough specific content to rank you for individual tiling searches
- No local targeting — without pages for specific towns, you're missing the majority of local search traffic
- No visual showcase — a text-heavy site without portfolio photos fails to convert visitors into enquiries
- No ongoing SEO — a static site loses rankings over time as better-optimised competitors appear
Many tilers also rely on platforms like Checkatrade or Bark for leads — paying per enquiry, competing on price, and building no long-term asset. A website that ranks organically generates enquiries that compound over time, at no additional cost per lead.
The £59/Month Solution for Tiling Businesses
The trade website service at deankeating.com is built for UK tradespeople — tilers included. For £59 per month:
- 200+ targeted pages — a dedicated page for each tiling service across every area you cover
- Ongoing SEO — monitored and maintained so your rankings hold and improve
- Weekly ranking email reports — you know exactly where you stand in Google each week
- No contract — no tie-in, no minimum term. Cancel any time
Frequently Asked Questions
I work on domestic bathrooms only. Do I need 200 pages?
For bathroom tiling specifically, there are still multiple distinct services (floor, wall, wet rooms, ensuite, splashback) and multiple location pages. Across a typical coverage area, 200 pages builds up naturally — and each is a separate potential ranking for a different customer search.
Do I need to provide tiles or is labour-only fine?
Either works, and the site will reflect your model. Many tilers find that stating clearly whether they supply materials or not reduces time wasted on calls from customers with different expectations. The site addresses this proactively on relevant pages.
What if I also do bathroom fitting as well as tiling?
Additional services get their own sections. If you fit bathrooms as well as tile them, the site covers both — and bathroom fitting is an even higher-value search term worth targeting.
Can I see how my competitors are ranking before I decide?
You don't need to wait — you can search your own trade and location in Google right now and see exactly who's appearing and what their sites look like. If page one is taken by competitors with thin or poorly designed sites, that's an opportunity. If it's dominated by established businesses, the right website is what closes that gap.