A lot of tradespeople didn't pick up a tool to spend half the day chasing leads. You got into it because you're bloody good at your trade — not because you love marketing yourself online.
Here's what nobody mentions though: top-shelf workmanship doesn't guarantee a full calendar. Referrals hasn't died, but it's unpredictable - particularly when the market slows.
What are the busy tradies doing differently? These are a few straightforward things that actually make a difference - and none of them need thousands of dollars.
Get Your Digital Profile
If a homeowner searches for continue reading "local roofer" - are you anywhere to be seen? A surprising number of trades businesses are running without a proper online profile.
Nobody's saying you need something complicated. A straightforward page that shows photos of your work, covers your service area, and doesn't make people hunt for your number - that's your minimum.
A one-page setup that covers the essentials puts you ahead of the blokes relying on Facebook alone.
Google Business Profile - Free and Underrated
If you're not on your Google Business Profile, you're invisible to local searchers. It's completely free.
Those three local results that pops up before everything else when someone searches for a trade - that's prime real estate. Ranking in the map pack comes down to having a complete, active profile.
- Upload real photos - not stock images
- Ask satisfied customers for reviews - reviews are everything for local
search
- Respond to reviews, good and bad - Google notices and so do customers
- Make sure your phone number and service area are correct
All of this adds up month after month. Tradies who stay on top of their profile consistently outrank the competition that ignores it.
Facebook and Instagram - Keep It Simple
Forget about being some social media expert. The ones actually winning work from Facebook and Insta is a lot more basic than you'd think.
Grab a shot before you pack up and leave site. Side-by-side comparisons perform better than anything. A fresh switchboard - that's all you need.
Write a line or two about the job and that's it, done. Even once or twice a week is plenty. All of it is another piece of proof.
Homeowners respond to photos of real work. Real work on display does more for your business than any amount of fancy marketing - because there's no faking it.
Paid Ads - Worth It If Done Right
Paid advertising can absolutely work for tradies - but it's not a set-and-forget situation. The tradies who get burnt is paying for clicks that go to a dodgy website with no clear call to action.
If you're going to invest in ads: ensure there's a clear way for people to contact you when they click through. Paying for eyeballs is pointless if people can't find your phone number.
Start with a small budget. Pay attention to what generates real enquiries. Put more behind what works and cut what doesn't.
Reviews and Reputation - What People Check Before They Call
A fact a lot of tradies underestimate: most people will read your reviews before they pick up the phone. A trades business with strong reviews beats the competition over a tradie with none - regardless of price.
Build it into your process to follow up with a review request. People generally don't mind - you just have to ask. Make it as easy as possible and you'll be surprised how many follow through.
Respond to negative reviews professionally - your response to complaints is just as important as the positive ones.
Wrapping It Up
Growing a trade business doesn't have to be a second full-time job. The tradies who stay booked aren't doing anything magical - they set up a few things properly and keep showing up.
Get your online profile in order. Let your jobs do the talking. Build your reputation with real feedback. When you put money into advertising, do it with a plan, not a prayer.
The quality of your work speaks for itself - the growth stuff is easier than most tradies think.