Most tradies didn't start out on their own to sit around on the phone quoting. You started your business because you're good at what you do — not because you wanted a career in marketing yourself online.
The reality is: being great at your trade won't fill your schedule on its own anymore. Referrals hasn't died, but it dries up - particularly when things get quiet.
How do the blokes who are always booked solid pull it off? Here are a few straightforward things news that actually make a difference - no massive budgets or marketing degrees.
Get Your Web Footprint
If a potential customer searches for "plumber near me" - can they find you? Too many tradies haven't set up a proper online profile.
Nobody's saying you need anything over the top. A clean site that displays what you actually do, lists where you work, and doesn't make people hunt for your number - that's the baseline.
A one-page setup with your services, contact details, and a few photos puts you ahead of the blokes relying on Facebook alone.
Google Business Profile - Costs Nothing, Does a Lot
If you're not on your GBP, you're handing work to your competition. It costs nothing.
The map listings that shows up at the top when someone searches for a trade - that's where you want to be. Showing up there comes down to not leaving your profile half-empty.
- Upload real photos - not stock images
- Get your happy clients to leave a review - reviews are everything for local
search
- Reply to every review - Google notices and so do customers
- Make sure your phone number and service area are correct
All of this compounds over time. Blokes who put 20 minutes a month into this beat out the ones who set and forget.
Posting Your Work Online - Don't Overthink It
Forget about being an influencer. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta is a lot more basic than you'd think.
Snap a photo of a completed project. Side-by-side comparisons perform better than anything. A fresh switchboard - that tells the story on its own.
Post it with a short caption and that's it, done. Even once or twice a week is plenty. Each post shows potential customers you're the real deal.
Customers believe photos of real work. Real work on display does more for your business than paid ads nine times out of ten - because it's proof.
Google Ads - Not a Magic Bullet
Spending money on online ads can absolutely work for tradies - but it needs to be done with a plan. Where most people waste their budget is boosting random Facebook posts.
Before you spend a dollar: have a landing page that works. Paying for eyeballs is pointless if people can't find your phone number.
Don't go all-in on day one. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Double down on the winners and pull the plug on anything that's just burning cash.
Reviews and Reputation - The Stuff That Actually Sells
One thing that doesn't get talked about enough: nearly every potential customer looks at what other people have said about you first. A tradie with 50 genuine reviews beats the competition over someone with zero social proof - every single time.
Get into the routine to ask for a review after every job. People generally don't mind - they just need a nudge. Text them the Google review link and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
Respond to negative reviews professionally - the way you deal with a negative review says more about your business than you'd think.
Wrapping It Up
Getting more work as a tradie shouldn't 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. Let your jobs do the talking. Build your reputation with real feedback. And if you go the paid route, be strategic about where the budget goes.
You're already great at what you do - getting found online is easier than most tradies think.