✅ Updated 2026

Most tradies get their first clients through word of mouth — and word of mouth remains the best source. But in 2026, word of mouth starts online. When someone recommends you, the first thing their friend does is Google you. Here's how to make sure what they find wins you the job.

📋 In This Article

  1. →Google Business Profile — start here
  2. →Do you need a website?
  3. →Getting found in Google search
  4. →Reviews — your most valuable asset
  5. →Social media — which platform?
  6. →HiPages and paid directories
  7. →Google Ads — is it worth it?
  8. →FAQs

Google Business Profile — Start Here

If you do nothing else for your online presence, do this. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is free and gets you into the map results that appear at the top of every local search — above websites, above ads, above everything.

Setup takes 15 minutes: business.google.com → create profile → choose your primary trade category → set your service areas (the suburbs you cover) → add your phone number → upload 5+ photos of your work → write a description.

What matters most: completeness (fill in every field), photos (businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions) and reviews (see below). A complete profile with 15+ reviews will appear for most local tradie searches in your area.

Category tip: Choose the most specific category for your trade — "Electrician" not just "Contractor." You can add secondary categories too. The right category dramatically affects which searches you appear for.

Do You Need a Website?

Your Google Business Profile handles local search. A website handles credibility — when someone Googles your business name after getting your quote, what do they find?

A simple 5-page website (home, about, services, gallery, contact) with a working phone number and some photos of your work is enough. It doesn't need to be fancy or expensive.

Options:

  • DIY with Squarespace or Wix — $30–$50/month, decent templates, you manage it yourself
  • Tradie-focused web designer — $800–$2,500 for a proper site, they handle everything
  • Google Business Profile only — for very early stage businesses, this is fine. Add a website when you're established.

Getting Found in Google Search

Beyond your Google Business Profile, ranking in regular Google search results takes time but is free traffic once achieved. The strategy:

  • Target suburb + trade keywords — "plumber [suburb]", "electrician [suburb]" pages on your website
  • Add a blog or resources section — helpful content about your trade brings in people researching before they hire (and they see you as the expert)
  • Get your business listed in directories — Yellow Pages, True Local, Yelp Australia — these are free backlinks that help your Google ranking
  • Patience — organic SEO takes 3–6 months to show results. Combine with Google Business Profile (faster results) and HiPages (immediate leads) while you wait.

Reviews — Your Most Valuable Marketing Asset

Online reviews have replaced word-of-mouth as the primary way homeowners choose a tradie. 87% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a local business. Five genuine 5-star reviews puts you ahead of most local competitors. Twenty reviews makes you dominant.

The system that works: ask every satisfied client for a review the moment the job is done, while they're still happy and you're still there. Text them your Google review link right then. One in three satisfied clients will leave a review if you make it that easy. Full guide to getting more Google reviews →

Social Media — Which Platform to Focus On

You don't need to be on every platform. Pick one and do it well:

  • Facebook — best for residential tradies. Local community groups ("Residents of [suburb]") are where homeowners post "can anyone recommend a good tradie?" Be in those groups and answer questions helpfully — occasional recommendations follow.
  • Instagram — excellent if your work is visual. Bathroom renovations, landscape projects, painting transformations perform well. Before-and-after content gets shared and followed.
  • TikTok — growing fast for tradies showing their work. A single viral video can bring hundreds of followers and enquiries. Higher effort but potentially high reward.
  • LinkedIn — for commercial work or building relationships with builders and developers.

HiPages and Paid Directories

HiPages, Airtasker and ServiceSeeking connect you with homeowners actively looking for a tradie right now. You pay per lead or per quote. The economics work if you have a good conversion rate and respond fast.

Tips for making HiPages profitable: respond to leads within minutes (speed is the biggest factor), have a complete profile with photos and reviews, and ask every HiPages client for a Google review after the job.

Google Ads — Is It Worth It for Tradies?

Google Ads (pay-per-click) puts your website at the top of search results immediately — before the organic results and the Google Business Profile map. For high-value trades (plumbing emergencies, electrical faults), the cost-per-click can be justified. For lower-value or less urgent work, the cost often outweighs the return.

Rule of thumb: Google Ads makes sense when your average job value is $500+ and you can convert 1 in 10 clicks to a paying client. At $5–$15 per click, a $50–$150 cost to acquire a $500+ job is reasonable. For lower-value work, build organic search and reviews instead.

How much should a tradie spend on marketing?

Most successful small trade businesses spend 3–5% of revenue on marketing. For a tradie doing $200,000 a year, that's $6,000–$10,000 — which might be a mix of HiPages membership, basic website, and occasional boosted social posts. Word of mouth and Google reviews are free and often outperform paid channels.

How long before my Google Business Profile starts bringing enquiries?

A fully completed profile in a competitive suburb can start appearing within 1–2 weeks. A profile with 10+ reviews will appear consistently within 1–3 months. New profiles in less competitive suburban markets sometimes rank within days.

## Local SEO: The Real Game-Changer for Aussie Tradies Google Local Services Ads (LSA) have changed the game since 2024. If you're a plumber, electrician, or builder in Australia, this is where potential clients are looking first — not organic search results. Here's what you need to know: Google Local Services Ads appear at the very top of search results when someone in your area searches for your trade. They show your photo, rating, and response time. You only pay when someone contacts you directly through the ad — no clicks wasted on window shoppers. **Getting set up is straightforward:** Start with your Google Business Profile (you should already have this). Then apply for Local Services Ads through Google. You'll need to verify your business details, pass a background check, and provide proof of any required licenses or insurances. For tradies, this part matters — Google specifically checks that you're legitimate. Once approved, you're bidding against other tradies in your area. The good news? You only pay per qualified lead, not per click. A sparkie in Melbourne might pay $15-40 per lead depending on competition. A plumber in regional NSW might pay half that. **The real advantage:** Your Google rating shows right there in the ad. If you've got 4.8 stars from 40+ reviews, you're beating the tradie with 3.2 stars before they even click. The challenge? You need consistent response times. Google measures how quickly you respond to inquiries. If you're slow to reply, the algorithm pushes your ad down. This is where job management tools like Tradify actually pay for themselves — instant notifications mean you're responding within minutes, not hours. ## Reviews: Your Most Valuable Marketing Asset Here's something most tradies get wrong: they think reviews are nice to have. They're actually your primary marketing channel in 2026. A tradie with 50 five-star reviews will consistently beat one with 200 three-star reviews. Google's algorithm heavily weights review recency and overall rating. Recent reviews signal you're still actively working and doing good jobs. **How to actually get reviews (the practical version):** Most tradies wait for clients to leave reviews. Wrong approach. You need a system. Here's what works in Australia: **Day of job completion** — Before you leave the site, mention you'd appreciate a review. You don't need to be pushy. Something like "If you're happy with the work, a quick review on Google really helps us out" works fine. Take a photo of the finished job while you're there. **Within 24 hours** — Send an SMS or email with a direct link to your Google review page. Not a generic "please review us" message. Make it specific: "Hi Sarah — thanks again for the kitchen tap job yesterday. If you'd like to leave a quick review, here's the link: [insert review link]." **Three weeks later** — If no review appeared, send a friendly follow-up. By this point, they've actually used your work and can speak to durability and reliability. The timing matters. Reviews left months after a job are less valuable to Google's algorithm than reviews left within a week of completion.

TIP: Set a phone reminder for every job completion. Your system should be: finish job → mention reviews → same day send link via SMS → calendar reminder at 21 days for follow-up. This takes 2 minutes per job but generates reviews consistently. Tradies with 30+ recent reviews get 3x more inquiries than those with scattered old reviews.

## Online Marketing Strategy Comparison: Which Channel Wins for Your Trade Different trades have different winning channels. Here's what's actually working for Australian tradies in 2026: | **Marketing Channel** | **Best For** | **Cost (Monthly)** | **Lead Quality** | **Time Investment** | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Google Local Services Ads** | Plumbers, electricians, builders, painters | $300–1,200 | High (ready to hire) | Low (setup only) | | **Facebook/Instagram Ads** | Kitchen & bathroom renos, landscaping, pool cleaning | $200–800 | Medium (awareness → conversion) | Medium (ongoing optimization) | | **Google Search Ads (Pay-Per-Click)** | Specialized trades (boilermakers, HVAC) | $400–2,000 | High (intent-based) | High (continuous management) | | **Local Facebook Groups** | All trades | $0 | Medium (relationship-based) | High (daily posting/engagement) | | **YouTube (local video content)** | Bathroom/kitchen tradies, landscapers | $0–500 | Low initially, compounds over time | Very high (regular filming) | | **Email Marketing (existing clients)** | All trades (repeat/referral) | $0–100 | Highest ROI | Low (once setup) | **What this table actually means for you:** If you're a plumber in Sydney — Google Local Services Ads is where your budget should go. You'll see leads within a week. If you're a landscaper — split your budget between Facebook Ads (nice visuals, local targeting) and local Facebook group presence. Show before/afters constantly. If you're a electrician rebuilding your business — invest in Google Local Services Ads first, then add a basic website. Skip YouTube until you've got consistent work. The worst strategy? Spreading small budgets across everything. Pick two channels and own them. --- ## FAQs About Tradie Marketing Online

How much should I spend on online marketing as a tradie?

Budget 5–10% of your revenue for marketing. For a tradie doing $150k annual turnover, that's $7,500–15,000 yearly ($625–1,250/month). Start with Google Local Services Ads ($400–600/month). Once leads are consistent, add a second channel. You'll often find that good Google Local Services Ads work means less money needed elsewhere because the lead quality is high. Track everything — if you're spending $500/month and getting 0 jobs, something's wrong. If you're spending $500/month and getting 3–4 jobs, that's gold.

Do I actually need a website if I'm using Google Local Services Ads?

Not immediately. Google Local Services Ads can send you work without a website. However, here's the thing: when someone searches your business name after a referral (which still drives 40% of tradie work), they should find something. A basic website takes 2–3 hours to set up with WordPress or Squarespace and costs $10–20/month. It doesn't need to be fancy. Three pages work: who you are, what you do, contact form. If you're managing multiple jobs, Tradify integrates with your website to book jobs automatically. Eventually, yes, get a basic website. It's the cost of doing business now.

How long before I see results from online marketing?

Google Local Services Ads: 3–7 days for first leads (if your profile and reviews are solid). Facebook Ads: 2–3 weeks to see meaningful data (initial ads are learning phase). Google Search Ads: 1–2 weeks. Email to past clients: immediate (within days). The mistake tradies make is stopping after one week because they haven't seen a job yet. Google LSA particularly needs 2–3 weeks of consistent data before the algorithm fully optimizes. Give every channel 21 days minimum before deciding it doesn't work.