Tradies depend on local customers. When someone’s hot water system breaks or they need an emergency electrician, they search online first. If you’re not showing up in those searches, you’re losing jobs to competitors who are.
This guide covers everything tradies need to know about SEO—from setting up your Google Business Profile to ranking for local searches in your service areas.
Why SEO Matters for Tradies
Word of mouth still matters, but most people search online first when they need a tradie. Consider how customers find you:
- Emergency searches: “plumber near me now”
- Project searches: “bathroom renovation Sydney”
- Comparison searches: “best electrician reviews Brisbane”
- Quote requests: “roof repair cost Melbourne”
Without online visibility, you’re invisible to most potential customers at the moment they need you.
Google Business Profile: Your Most Important Asset
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first thing customers see. It appears in local search results and Google Maps—exactly where people look for tradies.
Setting Up Your Profile
- Claim and verify: Go to business.google.com to claim your listing
- Complete every field: Business name, address, phone, hours, services
- Choose correct categories: Select your primary trade and related services
- Add service areas: List all suburbs and regions you cover
- Write a detailed description: Include your services and experience
Keeping Your Profile Active
- Post updates weekly using Google Posts
- Add new photos of completed jobs regularly
- Respond to all reviews promptly
- Answer questions in the Q&A section
- Keep hours and contact details current
Building Your Website
A professional website builds trust and captures leads. Key elements for tradie websites:
Essential Pages
- Homepage: Clear services, service areas, and contact options
- Service pages: Dedicated page for each service you offer
- Service area pages: Pages targeting each suburb or region
- About page: Your experience, qualifications, and team
- Contact page: Phone, email, form, and service areas
Mobile Optimisation
Most tradie searches happen on mobile phones—often from people with urgent problems. Your site must work perfectly on mobile:
- Fast loading (under 3 seconds)
- Click-to-call phone numbers
- Easy-to-use contact forms
- Readable text without zooming
- Simple navigation
Service Area Targeting
Tradies serve specific geographic areas. Your SEO should target those areas specifically.
Creating Location Pages
Create dedicated pages for major service areas:
- Target keywords like “plumber [suburb name]”
- Include unique content about serving that area
- Mention local landmarks and areas you cover
- Add testimonials from customers in that area
Local Keyword Examples
- “Emergency electrician North Sydney”
- “Roof repairs Eastern Suburbs”
- “24 hour plumber Gold Coast”
- “Air conditioning installation Perth”
Getting Customer Reviews
Reviews are critical for tradies. Customers check reviews before calling, and Google uses reviews as a ranking factor.
How to Get More Reviews
- Ask happy customers before you leave the job
- Send a follow-up text with a direct review link
- Make leaving a review as easy as possible
- Train your team to ask consistently
Responding to Reviews
- Thank every positive reviewer personally
- Address negative reviews professionally and constructively
- Never argue or get defensive
- Offer to resolve issues offline
Content That Attracts Customers
Creating useful content helps you rank for more searches:
- How-to guides: Simple maintenance tips homeowners can do
- FAQ content: Common questions about your services
- Seasonal content: Preparing homes for summer/winter
- Before/after galleries: Showcase your work quality
- Cost guides: Typical pricing for common jobs
Local Citations and Directories
Get listed in relevant directories:
- General: Yellow Pages, True Local, Yelp
- Trade-specific: HiPages, ServiceSeeking, Oneflare
- Industry associations: Master Builders, Master Plumbers, etc.
- Local business directories
Ensure your business name, address, and phone are identical across all listings.
Common Tradie SEO Mistakes
- No website: Relying only on Facebook or directories
- Ignoring GBP: Not claiming or maintaining your profile
- No reviews: Not asking customers for feedback
- Generic content: Not targeting specific services and areas
- Slow site: Poor mobile experience losing customers
- Outdated info: Wrong phone numbers or hours
Measuring Your Results
Track these metrics to see if SEO is working:
- Phone calls from Google Business Profile
- Website visits from local searches
- Direction requests to your business
- Form submissions from your website
- Ranking positions for key terms
Getting Professional Help
Most tradies are too busy running their business to manage SEO themselves. Our local SEO services help tradies dominate search results in their service areas.
We handle everything from Google Business Profile optimisation to website SEO, letting you focus on what you do best. Combined with broader SEO services, we build complete online visibility for trade businesses.
Your competitors are already investing in SEO. Every day you wait, they get further ahead. Contact us to discuss how we can help your trade business get found online and win more local jobs.
]]>SEO vs Paid Advertising for Tradies
Many tradies rely on paid advertising through Google Ads or lead generation services. While these can work, SEO offers distinct advantages:
- Lower long-term cost: SEO builds assets that keep working without ongoing ad spend
- Higher trust: Organic results feel more credible than ads to many customers
- Better leads: Customers who find you organically often convert better
- Compound returns: SEO investment builds over time rather than stopping when you stop paying
The best approach combines both—use paid advertising for immediate leads while building SEO for sustainable long-term visibility.
Social Media for Tradies
Social media supports SEO indirectly and helps build your reputation:
- Facebook: Share completed jobs, customer reviews, and tips
- Instagram: Before/after photos and project galleries
- Nextdoor: Local community recommendations
- YouTube: How-to videos demonstrating expertise
Consistent social presence reinforces your credibility and keeps your business top of mind in your community.
Showcasing Your Work
Visual proof of quality work builds trust and helps SEO:
- Photograph every completed job (with customer permission)
- Create before/after galleries on your website
- Add photos to your Google Business Profile regularly
- Use descriptive filenames and alt text for SEO benefit
- Share project photos on social media
Quality photos show potential customers exactly what they’ll get when they hire you.
Handling Emergency Searches
Emergency searches are high-intent—these customers need help now and will hire quickly. Optimise for emergency terms:
- “Emergency plumber [location]”
- “24 hour electrician near me”
- “After hours locksmith [city]”
Make sure your Google Business Profile shows accurate hours, including after-hours availability if offered. Speed matters for these searches—customers choose the first tradie they can reach.
Building Trust Online
Tradies enter customers’ homes. Trust is everything. Build it online through:
- Displaying licenses, certifications, and insurance
- Showing real team photos, not stock images
- Highlighting years of experience and jobs completed
- Featuring genuine customer testimonials
- Responding professionally to all online interactions
SEO Timeline for Tradies
What to expect when you start SEO:
- Month 1: Foundation—website fixes, Google Business Profile setup
- Months 2-3: Visibility begins improving in some areas
- Months 4-6: More consistent local rankings, increased calls
- Months 7-12: Strong local presence, steady lead flow
SEO isn’t instant, but the leads it generates once established are more consistent and cost-effective than most advertising.
Choosing an SEO Partner
If you’re too busy to manage SEO yourself, look for a partner who:
- Understands local service businesses specifically
- Can show results for similar trade clients
- Communicates clearly without jargon
- Provides transparent reporting
- Doesn’t require long lock-in contracts
The right SEO partner becomes an extension of your business, freeing you to focus on delivering great service while they handle getting you found online.
Every day your competitors are building their online presence while you’re not is a day they get further ahead. Start your SEO journey today and build the online visibility your trade business deserves.