Plenty of trades business owners didn't get into the game to spend half the day chasing leads. You went solo because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you love digital advertising.
But here's the thing: being great at your trade isn't enough to keep the phone ringing. Mates recommending you hasn't died, but it comes in waves - especially when the market slows.
What are the busy tradies doing differently? These are some no-BS things that actually make a difference - and none of them need a fancy agency.
Get Your Web Presence
If a potential customer searches for "plumber near me" - can they find you? Heaps of tradies are running without a proper online profile.
Nobody's saying you need something complicated. A clean site that shows photos of your work, lists where you work, and doesn't make people hunt for your number - that's where you start.
A one-page setup that covers the essentials puts you ahead of most of your competition.
Your Google Listing - Still the Easiest Win
If you haven't claimed your Google Maps listing, you're missing the easiest free leads going. It's completely free.
The map listings that appears first when a homeowner needs a tradie - that's where you want to be. Showing up there comes down to filling out your listing properly.
- Upload real photos - not stock images
- Ask satisfied customers for reviews - people read these before they call
- Respond to reviews, good and bad - Google notices and so do customers
- Keep your hours and contact details up to date
These small things adds up month after month. The ones who keep it updated beat out the ones who set and forget.
Social Media - Don't Overthink It
Forget about being an influencer. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta keep it dead simple.
Take a quick pic of a completed project. Transformation shots perform better than anything. A finished bathroom reno - that's all you need.
Post it with a short caption and that's it, done. Consistency helps but don't stress about a schedule. Every photo you share builds your credibility.
People trust actual results over polished ads. A genuine job photo outperforms any amount of fancy marketing - because there's no faking it.
Paid Ads - Worth It If Done Right
Spending money on online ads can absolutely work for tradies - but it's not a set-and-forget situation. The common mistake is running ads with no clear target.
If you're going to invest in ads: have a landing page that works. Paying for eyeballs is pointless if your site looks like it was built in 2005.
Start with a small budget. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Scale the campaigns that convert and cut another source what doesn't.
Your Online Reputation - The Stuff That Actually Sells
One thing worth paying attention to: the majority of homeowners checks reviews before making contact. A trades business with strong reviews will win the job over the bloke with no online presence - regardless of price.
Get into the routine to ask for a review after every job. Most customers are happy to help - they just don't think of it. Text them the Google review link and the reviews will stack up faster than you'd expect.
Don't ignore or argue with bad feedback - the way you deal with a negative review tells potential customers as much about you as the good reviews do.
Wrapping It Up
Getting more work as a tradie doesn't have to be overwhelming. Blokes with full schedules aren't doing anything magical - they've just covered the basics and stayed consistent.
Lock in your Google listing and a basic site. Share what you do. Ask happy customers to back you up online. And if you go the paid route, be strategic about where the budget goes.
Your skills aren't the problem - the growth stuff doesn't take as much as you'd expect once you get the ball rolling.