Most tradies didn't get into the game to waste hours on the phone quoting. You got into it because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you love marketing yourself online.
But here's the thing: being great at your trade won't fill your schedule on its own anymore. Referrals hasn't died, but it comes in waves - particularly when the market slows.
What are the busy tradies doing differently? These are a few practical things that get results - without a fancy agency.
Set Up a Proper Web Profile
When someone searches for "plumber near me" - do you show up? Heaps of owner-operators still don't have a proper online profile.
It doesn't need to be anything over the top. A clean website that has real job photos, lists where you work, and has a clear way to get in touch - that's where you start.
Even a single-page site that covers the essentials outperforms most of your competition.
Your Google Listing - Still the Easiest Win
If you haven't claimed your Google Maps listing, you're handing work to your competition. Zero dollars to set up.
That map pack that pops up before everything else when a homeowner needs a tradie - that's where you want to be. Ranking in the map pack is mostly about filling out your listing properly.
- Put up photos of your work - not stock images
- Get your happy clients to leave a review - this is massive for trust
- Reply to every review - Google notices and so do customers
- Update your info when anything changes
All of this adds up month after month. Tradies who stay on top of their profile consistently outrank the ones who set and forget.
Posting Your Work Online - It's Not Rocket Science
Nobody's asking you to be an influencer. The tradies who get results from social media is a lot more basic than you'd think.
Take a quick pic before you pack up and leave site. Before and afters perform better than anything. A freshly painted room - that's all you need.
Write a line or two about the job and that's it, done. You don't need to post every day. Each post builds your credibility.
Customers believe what they can see with their own eyes. A genuine job photo outperforms paid ads nine times out of ten - because there's no faking it.
Google Ads - Worth It If Done Right
Spending money on online ads gets results when it's set up properly - but it's not a set-and-forget situation. The tradies who get burnt is running ads with no clear target.
Before you spend a dollar: make sure your website actually converts. Paying for eyeballs is pointless to a site that doesn't load properly.
Start with a small budget. Pay attention to what generates real websites for tradies enquiries. Scale the campaigns that convert and kill the duds quickly.
Reviews and Reputation - What People Check Before They Call
A fact worth paying attention to: most people checks reviews before making contact. Someone with a stack of real feedback gets the call over the bloke with no online presence - even if their prices are higher.
Make it a habit to send a quick message asking for feedback. People generally don't mind - they just don't think of it. Make it as easy as possible and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
Don't ignore or argue with bad feedback - how you handle criticism is just as important as the positive ones.
What It All Comes Down To
Getting more work as a tradie doesn't have to be overwhelming. The tradies who stay booked haven't cracked some secret code - they got the fundamentals right and stuck with it.
Lock in your Google listing and a basic site. Share what you do. Collect reviews. And if you go the paid route, be strategic about where the budget goes.
The quality of your work speaks for itself - the growth stuff is easier than most tradies think.