A tradie’s website needs four things above all: your phone number one tap away, a clear list of what you do, the area you cover and photos of real jobs. Everything else is a bonus.
Why a website still matters when word of mouth works
Most of your work may come from referrals, but people still look you up before they call. If they find a clear website with your photos, licences and reviews, the referral turns into a booking. If they find nothing, they may call the next name on the list.
According to InternetNZ research, nearly half of New Zealand businesses don’t have a website, and only one in four sole traders do. Having a good one already puts you ahead.
The checklist
Contact
- Your phone number at the top of every page, as a tap-to-call link.
- A short quote form: name, phone, suburb, the job and when they need it.
- Your hours, and how quickly you reply.
What you do
- A clear list of services, in the words customers use (“hot water cylinder replacement”, not just “plumbing”).
- Who you work for: homes, businesses, landlords, builders.
- Emergency or after-hours work, if you do it.
Where you work
- The suburbs and towns you cover, written out in full.
- A link to your Google Business Profile, so people can see your reviews and find you on Maps.
Proof
- 10 to 20 photos of real jobs, before and after if possible.
- Your registration or licence number (electricians and plumbers can be checked on public registers).
- A few reviews from real customers, with their first name and suburb.
What to leave out
- Stock photos of smiling people in hard hats. Real photos of your work are far more convincing.
- Long paragraphs about your passion for quality. Show it in photos and reviews instead.
- Pages nobody needs. A single, well-organised page often works better than five thin ones.
Make it work on a phone
Most people looking for a tradie are on their phone, often in a hurry. Check your website on your own phone: can you see what you do and tap to call within five seconds? If not, fix that first.
Our websites for tradies are built around exactly this checklist, with the price published before you get in touch.
Click-to-call, your photos, your service area. See what’s included.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a website if I’m on Builderscrack or NoCowboys?
Those platforms are useful for finding jobs, but your website is where people check you out on your own terms, and it’s yours, whatever happens to the platforms.
Should I show prices?
If you can, show typical prices or a call-out fee. It filters out time-wasters and builds trust.
How do I get reviews?
Ask happy customers straight after the job, and send them the link to your Google Business Profile. Most people are happy to help when asked.
