Most tradies get work through word of mouth. That works until it doesn't — a quiet month hits, a big client moves on, or you want to grow beyond what referrals alone can support.
The good news: there are proven ways to get more leads as a tradie without becoming a marketing expert. This guide ranks them by return on investment, starting with what costs nothing and works best.
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1. Set Up Google Business Profile (Free, Highest ROI)
Google Business Profile is the single most effective free lead generation tool for tradies. When someone searches "electrician near me," the map pack at the top of Google pulls from GBP listings. A complete, optimised profile can boost your local search visibility by up to 200%. If you do one thing from this list, do this.
How to get it right:
- Claim and verify your listing at business.google.com
- Fill in every field: services, service area, hours, phone number, website
- Add real photos of your work (businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests)
- Post updates weekly — Google rewards active profiles
- Choose specific categories ("Emergency Plumber" beats "Plumber")
GBP is where 78% of mobile searches for local services end up. If you are not there, you are invisible to most people looking for a tradie right now.
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2. Stack Up Online Reviews
Reviews are the strongest trust signal for tradies online. Customers check them before they call, and Google uses them to rank your Business Profile. A tradie with 30 five-star reviews will almost always outrank one with 5 reviews, even if the second one has a better website.
What to do:
- Ask every happy customer for a Google review (in person, right after the job)
- Send a follow-up text with a direct link to your review page
- Respond to every review, good or bad — it shows you are active and professional
- Never buy fake reviews. Google will penalise you, and customers can tell
Aim for at least 20 reviews to start seeing real traction. After that, consistency matters more than volume.
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3. Get Your Own Website With Local SEO
Your own website is the only online asset you fully control. Social media accounts can get banned. Lead platforms change their pricing. But your website is yours, and it works for you around the clock. Combined with local SEO, it turns Google searches into phone calls.
Local SEO basics for tradies:
- Include your suburb and service area on every page ("Plumber in Cranbourne")
- Create a page for each service you offer
- Make sure your site loads fast on mobile — 78% of local searches happen on phones
- Add your name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistently across the web
- Get listed in local directories (Yellow Pages, True Local, Yelp Australia)
A website without local SEO is a brochure nobody finds. A website with local SEO is a lead machine.
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4. Run Google Ads (Once the Foundations Are Set)
Google Ads puts you at the top of search results instantly. But it costs money on every click, and without GBP and a decent website already in place, most of that spend gets wasted. Set up GBP, get some reviews, and build your website first. Then Google Ads becomes a multiplier instead of a money pit.
Tips for tradies running ads:
- Start with a small daily budget ($20-30) and one service area
- Use exact match keywords ("emergency plumber Dandenong," not just "plumber")
- Send clicks to a dedicated landing page, not your homepage
- Track which calls come from ads so you know what is working
Google Ads works best when everything else is already in place. It is step four, not step one.
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5. Use Social Media Strategically
Social media is not where tradies close deals, but it is where they build trust. A Facebook page with before-and-after photos, job updates, and the occasional customer testimonial keeps you top of mind when someone in your area needs work done.
Keep it simple:
- Post 2-3 times a week — job photos, tips, finished projects
- Facebook is still the best platform for tradies in Australia
- Join local community groups and answer questions (without spamming)
- Instagram works well if your trade is visual (landscaping, tiling, painting)
Do not overthink it. Consistency beats polish. A blurry phone photo of a finished job beats a perfectly designed post you never publish.
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6. Lead Platforms Like Hipages (Use With Caution)
Lead platforms connect you with customers who are actively looking for a tradie. That sounds great, but the economics are rough. Hipages charges between $21 and $200 per lead depending on the trade and job size. You are competing with other tradies for the same lead, and there is no guarantee the customer picks you.
When it makes sense:
- You are just starting out and have zero online presence
- You need to fill gaps in a quiet month
- You treat it as a short-term tool, not a long-term strategy
When it does not:
- You are paying for leads you could get for free through GBP and SEO
- Your close rate on platform leads is below 20%
- The cost per acquired customer is higher than your profit margin
Build your own channels first. Use lead platforms to supplement, not as your main source.
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7. Build a Referral System
Word of mouth is still the most trusted form of marketing. The difference between tradies who get steady referrals and those who don't is usually a system. Don't just hope customers will recommend you — make it easy and give them a reason.
Simple referral ideas:
- Leave a few business cards after every job
- Offer a small discount or gift card for referrals that turn into jobs
- Follow up with past customers every 6 months (a quick text is enough)
- Partner with complementary trades (a plumber refers an electrician and vice versa)
Referrals compound over time. One good system, maintained consistently, can keep your pipeline full without spending a dollar on ads.
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Where to Start
If you are a tradie looking to get more leads, here is the priority:
- Google Business Profile — free, 15 minutes to set up, immediate impact
- Reviews — ask every customer, starting today
- Website + local SEO — your long-term lead engine
- Everything else — layer on ads, social, and referrals once the basics are solid
You do not need to do everything at once. Start with GBP and reviews this week. Build your website this month. The leads will follow.
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