Where To Start With Digital Marketing As a Tradie

Digital marketing can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re busy running jobs, quoting, managing staff, and keeping clients happy. But in today’s competitive environment, having a strong online presence isn’t optional for tradies. It’s essential.

The good news? You don’t need to do everything at once. Focus on a few core strategies, and you’ll start seeing better visibility, stronger branding, and more qualified leads.

Here’s where to start with digital marketing as a tradie, even if you’re completely new to it.

1. Google Business Profile

For most tradies, Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important marketing asset you can have.

• It’s free.
• It appears when people search “plumber near me”, “electrician Gold Coast”, “roofer Brisbane”, etc.
• And it generates high-quality enquiries from people who are ready to book.

To get the most out of your Google Business Profile, make sure you:

• Verify your profile
• Add accurate business details, hours, and service areas
• Upload high-quality photos of your work
• Post weekly updates
• Request reviews from every happy client
• Reply to reviews
• Keep your profile active and consistent

Google rewards tradies who regularly update their profile. If you ignore it, your ranking drops and competitors win the enquiries instead.

2. A Professional Website

Your tradie website is usually the first point of trust for new customers. Even if they find you through Google Business Profile, they’ll still click through to check if you’re legit.

A great trade website should include:

• Clear service pages
• Before/after photos
• Testimonials and Google Reviews
• Team photos
• Licence numbers
• Contact info that’s easy to find
• A strong “Why Choose Us” section
• A professional look (no outdated designs or blurry images)

Your website must also be mobile-friendly, because over 70% of local service searches happen on phones.

Think of your website as a digital salesperson working for you 24/7.

3. Get Professional Photos

This is one of the biggest mistakes tradies make.

You might do incredible work, but if your website and Google Business Profile only showcase:

• blurry iPhone photos
• dark workshop shots
• photos with tools, rubbish, or hoses everywhere
• poor lighting
• messy backgrounds

…your business just won’t look professional.

High-quality photography can transform your brand instantly.

Hire a professional photographer (or at least use a DSLR with good lighting). Capture:

• Team photos
• Projects in progress
• Finished work
• Before and after shots
• Tools, vehicles, and equipment
• Friendly photos of you on-site

Good photos = higher trust = more bookings.

4. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO helps your website rank on Google so you appear when locals search for your services. For tradies, the key elements of SEO include:

Location-Based SEO

Pages like:

• “Plumber Gold Coast”
• “Electrician Sunshine Coast”
• “Roofer Brisbane”

Searchers want a tradie near them, so Google prioritises local content.

Service Pages

Dedicated pages for each service:

• Blocked drains
• Hot water repairs
• Concrete driveways
• Pool construction
• Roof restorations

Each service needs its own page to rank well.

Blog Content

Regular blogs help boost SEO, authority, and keyword coverage.

On-Page Optimisation

This includes:

• Meta descriptions
• Image alt text
• Header structure
• Internal linking

SEO is a long-term strategy, but it delivers the highest return on investment once it gains traction.

5. Google Ads

If you want instant enquiries, Google Ads is the quickest way to get them.

You appear at the very top, above organic search results, in front of people who are actively looking for a tradie right now.

Google Ads work particularly well for services like:

• Plumbing emergencies
• Electrical faults
• Roof leaks
• Pressure washing
• Concreting
• Renovations
• Pool construction

Pros:

• Fast results
• High-intent leads
• Scalable

Cons:

• Can get expensive if not done correctly
• Needs ongoing optimisation

If you’ve never run Google Ads before, start small and monitor your cost per lead carefully—or hire someone who knows how to optimise trade campaigns.

6. Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram Ads)

While Google captures people actively searching, Meta Ads help you reach people who aren’t yet looking but may be interested.

These work well for:

• Renovations
• Landscaping
• Concreting
• Pools
• Decks
• Outdoor living
• Roofing
• Home improvement services

Meta Ads work best when your brand looks clean, modern, and high-quality—so again, professional photos make a big difference.

Use Meta Ads for:

• Brand awareness
• Promotions
• Retargeting website visitors
• Showcasing before/after photos
• Generating warm leads

It’s a great long-term strategy for building visibility.

7. Letterbox Drops

Old-school marketing still works extremely well in the trades.

Letterbox drops—flyers, brochures, magnets—are especially effective when targeting:

• New housing estates
• Older suburbs full of maintenance needs
• High-income areas
• Streets where you’ve just completed a job

The key is consistency. One drop won’t do much, but regular drops help build recognition.

Tips:

• Keep the flyer simple
• Show photos of your work
• Include a QR code to your website
• Promote a special offer (free quote, discount, etc.)
• Use thick, high-quality printing

Magnets get kept on fridges for years—great long-term visibility.

8. Networking & Local Community Groups

Traditional relationship-building is still one of the most valuable marketing tools a tradie can use.

Join:

• Local business networking groups
• Chamber of Commerce
• BNI groups
• Property manager networks
• Real estate groups
• Construction industry events
• Online Facebook community groups

You’ll meet people who can refer work and help you build partnerships. A single referral partner—like a builder, body corporate manager, or real estate agent—can generate thousands in repeat business.

Where Should a Tradie Start First?

If you’re overwhelmed, follow this simple order:

1. Google Business Profile

Set it up, optimise it, and start collecting reviews.

2. Website

Make sure it looks professional and includes clear service pages.

3. Professional Photos

Upgrade your brand image instantly.

4. SEO + Google Ads

Start with SEO for long-term returns and use Google Ads if you want fast enquiries.

5. Meta Ads

Great for building brand awareness and attracting larger jobs.

6. Letterbox Drops

Simple, affordable, and effective at boosting local visibility.

7. Networking

Build real relationships and referral pipelines.

Final Thoughts

Digital marketing doesn’t need to be complicated. Start small, focus on your most valuable assets, and build your presence steadily. Tradies who invest in modern marketing consistently outperform those who don’t—because visibility creates trust, and trust creates bookings.