Most tradies didn't get into the game to spend half the day doing marketing. You started your business because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you enjoy marketing yourself online.
Here's what nobody mentions though: being great at your trade won't fill your schedule on its own anymore. Word of mouth is still gold, but it's unpredictable - especially when things get quiet.
How do the blokes who are always booked solid pull it off? Here are a few straightforward moves that actually make a difference - without massive budgets or marketing degrees.
Set Up a Proper Digital Presence
When someone searches for "plumber near me" - do you show up? Heaps of trades businesses are running without even a basic website.
You don't need something complicated. A straightforward page that has real job photos, mentions the suburbs you operate in, and makes it dead easy to call or message - that's where you start.
Even a single-page site that covers the essentials puts you ahead of the tradies who have nothing.
Google Business Profile - Still the Easiest Win
If you haven't claimed your find out more Google Business Profile, you're invisible to local searchers. It costs nothing.
That map pack that pops up before everything else when someone searches for a trade - that's where you want to be. Ranking in the map pack is mostly about not leaving your profile half-empty.
- Upload real photos - not stock images
- Get your happy clients to leave a review - people read these before they call
- Engage with what people write - it makes a real
difference
- Update your info when anything changes
These small things adds up month after month. Tradies who stay on top of their profile beat out the competition that ignores it.
Posting Your Work Online - Don't Overthink It
Forget about being an influencer. The tradies who get results from social media keep it dead simple.
Take a quick pic when you finish a job. Side-by-side comparisons get the most engagement by far. A finished bathroom reno - that's all you need.
Add where the job was and what you did and you're sorted. Consistency helps but don't stress about a schedule. Every photo you share builds your credibility.
People trust actual results over polished ads. An honest before-and-after outperforms paid ads nine times out of ten - because it's real.
Google Ads - Worth It If Done Right
Spending money on online ads is effective for trades businesses - but it needs to be done with a plan. The tradies who get burnt is running ads with no clear target.
If you're going to invest in ads: make sure your website actually converts. Paying for eyeballs is pointless if people can't find your phone number.
Test with a modest spend. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Scale the campaigns that convert and cut what doesn't.
Your Online Reputation - More Powerful Than Any Ad
One thing that doesn't get talked about enough: nearly every potential customer will read your reviews before they pick up the phone. A tradie with 50 genuine reviews gets the call over the bloke with no online presence - even if their prices are higher.
Build it into your process to send a quick message asking for feedback. Most customers are happy to help - you just have to ask. Send them a direct link and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
Don't ignore or argue with bad feedback - your response to complaints tells potential customers as much about you as the good reviews do.
What It All Comes Down To
Growing a trade business doesn't have to be overwhelming. The busy ones aren't marketing geniuses - they got the fundamentals right and stuck with it.
Sort out your web presence. Let your jobs do the talking. Collect reviews. And if you go the paid route, do it with a plan, not a prayer.
Your skills aren't the problem - getting found online is easier than most tradies think.