Most people looking for a tradie are standing in their kitchen with a problem, phone in hand. Your website has a few seconds to show you do the job, you cover their suburb and you can be trusted. Here's what it needs to do that.
- Make calling or requesting a quote possible in one tap, from every page.
- Show your licence number, reviews and real photos so people trust you straight away.
- List the suburbs you cover, so you show up when people search for them.
- Reply fast. Most jobs go to whoever gets back first.
1. A tap-to-call button at the top of every page
Most tradie searches happen on a phone. Put your number in a button at the top of every page, not buried in the footer. Many customers will call rather than fill in a form, especially for urgent jobs.
2. A short quote form
Some people would rather not call, especially after hours. Keep the form short: name, phone, suburb, what they need, and the option to add a photo. Every extra field loses enquiries.
3. Your licence number
In South Australia, plumbing, gas fitting and electrical contractors must show their licence number in advertising to the public, and that includes websites. It's also a trust signal. Put it in your header or footer, and link to the public register so customers can check it.
Consumer and Business Services (CBS) requires SA plumbers, gas fitters and electricians to include their licence number on websites, vehicles and business cards. Builders have similar rules. Check the CBS guidance for your trade.
4. The services you actually want more of
List your main services on their own pages: blocked drains, hot water, switchboards, decking. Each one gives Google a page to show for that search, and gives customers a clear answer to "do they do this?".
5. The suburbs you cover
People search "plumber Norwood" or "electrician Mawson Lakes". Name your service areas on the site, and give your main suburbs or regions their own short pages with genuinely local details.
6. Reviews, front and centre
Customers read reviews before they call. Show your Google rating and a few recent reviews near the top of the page, and link to your full Google reviews. Need more? See how to get more Google reviews.
7. Real photos of your work
Stock photos of smiling models in clean overalls don't build trust. Photos of your van, your team and finished jobs do. Before-and-after shots work especially well.
8. Clear pricing guidance
You don't need a full price list, but "call-out from $120" or "hot water replacements from $1,650" helps customers decide to contact you. It also filters out people looking for the cheapest quote.
9. A fast reply, even when you're on the tools
The first tradie to reply usually wins the job. Your website should send every enquiry straight to your phone and send the customer an instant reply, so they stop shopping around. Read why the fastest reply wins the job.
10. A fast, mobile-first site
If your site takes more than a few seconds to load on a phone, people leave. Run your site through our free website check to see how it performs on a phone.
Don't forget your Google Business Profile
For most tradies, the Google Maps listing brings in as many calls as the website itself. Make sure it's complete, links to your site and shows your service areas. Our Google Business Profile checklist walks you through it.
The quick checklist
- Tap-to-call button on every page
- Short quote form with photo upload
- Licence number visible (and linked to the register)
- A page for each main service
- Service areas and suburb pages
- Google rating and recent reviews near the top
- Real photos of your work
- Pricing guidance ("from $…")
- Instant reply to every enquiry
- Loads fast on a phone
Want to go further on Google? Our SEO for tradies checklist covers your profile, reviews, website and links.
Want all of this done for you?
Our websites for tradies include every item on this list, plus instant enquiry alerts and an AI assistant that answers customers after hours.
Frequently asked questions
If you want work beyond word of mouth, yes. Customers search Google before they call, and a website plus a Google Business Profile is how you show up. See do you need a website for your business.
Get website tips by email
One short email a month on winning more enquiries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Rhys builds and looks after every Reactive Web website himself, from Redwood Park in Adelaide, for local service businesses that want more calls, bookings and enquiries.
