Alright, let's have a proper chat about this SEO business. I know what you're thinking - "Mate, I just want to do my job, not become some computer whiz." Fair enough! But here's the thing: if you're not showing up when people search for your services online, you're basically turning down jobs without even knowing it.
Now, before your eyes glaze over, hear me out. SEO for tradies isn't about complicated tech stuff - it's about making sure your phone rings more often without having to chase every job. You can do most of this while having your morning cuppa.
Why This Actually Matters for Your Trade Business
Picture this: It's Saturday morning and some poor bloke's toilet's backed up. What's the first thing he does? Grabs his phone and searches "emergency plumber [his suburb]". Now, who do you reckon he's going to call, the first few businesses that pop up, right?
That's what SEO for tradies is all about - being there when people are actively looking for exactly what you do. It's not magic, it's just smart business. Here's why it's worth your time:
✔ More local jobs - People search for tradies near them every single day
✔ Better customers - They come to you already knowing what you do
✔ Less time wasted - No more chasing jobs that never call back
✔ Beat the competition - While they're still relying on word of mouth, you're getting found first
6 Dead-Easy SEO Tricks That Actually Work
1. Get Your Google Business Profile Sorted (This is Non-Negotiable)
This is the big one, lads. Your Google Business Profile (what used to be called Google My Business) is like your digital shop front. When someone searches "electrician near me" or "kitchen renovations [your area]", this is what pops up.
Here's how to nail it:
· Fill out EVERY section properly - name, address, phone, services, hours
· Add proper photos - not just your logo, but actual job photos
· Get your customers to leave reviews (more on this later)
· Keep it updated - if you're running a special, post it there
Real talk: Use phrases like "SEO for tradies" naturally in your description. Such as: "We are the local roofing experts in both repair and gutter repairs, having served [your area] and more since over 12 years with quality work grounded to your satisfaction."
2. Use the Right Words without Sounding like a Winker:
Keywords sound fancy but they're just what people type into Google. If you're a sparky, you want to show up for searches like:
· "Emergency electrician [your suburb]"
· "Switchboard upgrades cost"
· "Best lighting installer near me"
How to find the good ones:
· Start typing your service into Google and see what suggestions come up
· Check what your competitors are using (but do it better)
· Think about what your customers would actually search
The trick is to use these naturally - don't stuff them in like a kid cramming veggies under the mash. For example:
❌ "We provide excellent SEO for tradies electrical services in Melbourne"
✅ "Need a reliable electrician in Melbourne? From flickering lights to full rewires, we've got you covered 24/7."
3. Get a Decent Website (It's Easier Than You Think)
Your website doesn't need to win design awards - it just needs to:
· Load fast (people bail if it takes more than a few seconds)
· Work properly on mobiles (where most people will see it)
· Make it dead easy to contact you
Must-have pages:
· Homepage - who you are, what you do, where you work
· Services - break down what you offer in simple terms
· Gallery - before and after shots (people love seeing your work)
· Contact - phone number, email, and a contact form
Hot tip: Throw in a blog with posts like "5 Signs You Need a Roof Repair" - it helps with SEO for tradies and shows you know your stuff.
4. Get Listed Where It Counts
These are basically online phone books that help Google trust your business more. Some good ones to start with:
· Hi pages
· Service Seeking
· Yellow Pages
· True Local
· Your local business directories
Just make sure your details are exactly the same everywhere - Google gets sus if your address is different in different places.
5. Show off Your Work Properly
Photos of your jobs aren't just for showing off to mates - they're powerful for SEO for tradies. Here is how to do it right:
· Take proper before and after shots not blurry phone pics
· Name your image files properly (not "IMG_3947.jpg")
· Add alt text - this is just a short description for Google
Using an example of a bathroom Reno pic, write them instead of putting it as just a bathroom Reno picture, name it as "bathroom-renovation-melbourne.jpg" and add description like "Complete bathroom makeover by [Your Business] with custom tiling and waterproofing."
6. Reviews Are Absolute Gold
Online reviews do two brilliant things:
1. Make you look trustworthy to new customers
2. Actually help you rank higher in searches
How to get more without being annoying:
v Send a follow up text when a job is done: Hey [Name], glad you liked the work; we would say a quick Google review will go a long way to us.
v Does it immediately and also send them a follow up via Email?
v Always reply to the reviews - thank the positive ones and take care of what was wrong with the bad ones
The Bottom Line
You didn't get into this trade to become a marketing guru, but spending a few hours setting up proper SEO for tradies can mean more jobs coming to you instead of you chasing them.
Start with these three things today:
1. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
2. Get your website basics sorted
3. Ask your next three happy customers for a review
Do this consistently, and you'll be ahead of 90% of other tradies who still think word of mouth is enough.