SEO For Tradies
How to Get Found Online and Book More Jobs
Introduction
If you’re a tradie and your website isn’t bringing in work, you’re not alone.
These days, when someone needs a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or landscaper, they don’t go flicking through the Yellow Pages — they go straight to Google. That’s why SEO for tradies isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must-have.
In this guide, we’ll break down what SEO is, why it’s essential for tradies, and how you can use it to get found by more local clients — without needing to be a tech wizard.
By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly how to make your business rank higher on Google and turn your website into a lead-generating machine.
Why SEO Matters for Tradies
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation — a fancy way of saying: making your website show up on Google when someone searches for the services you offer.
For example, if someone in Parramatta types “electrician near me”, and your site pops up at the top of Google, there’s a good chance you’ll get a call.
Why It’s Crucial for Tradies
90% of consumers use Google to find local businesses.
People rarely scroll past the first page of search results.
Your competitors are already doing it — or they will soon.
If you’re not visible online, you’re invisible to a huge chunk of potential customers.
How Google Works (In Plain English)
Google’s job is to show people the most relevant, useful, and trustworthy websites. To do that, it looks at:
Content: Is your site relevant to the search?
Links: Do other sites trust you?
User experience: Is your site mobile-friendly, secure, and fast?
Let’s unpack how you can tick those boxes as a tradie.
The 3 Pillars of SEO for Tradies
To get your website to the top of Google, you need to focus on:
On-Page SEO: What’s on your website
Off-Page SEO: What others say about your site
Technical SEO: How your site is built
Let’s break each down.
On-Page SEO for Tradies
This is the stuff you control directly on your site.
Keyword Research
Start by identifying what your customers are searching for. Examples:
“Plumber in Penrith”
“Emergency electrician Sydney”
“Bathroom renovations Newcastle”
Use free tools like:
Google Search (autofill suggestions)
Ubersuggest
AnswerThePublic
Optimise Your Service Pages
Each service should have its own page.
Example:
/plumbing-services-sydney/hot-water-repairs-blacktown
Include your target keyword in:
Page title
URL
Headings (H1, H2)
Image file names
Meta description
Create Helpful Content
A blog can help you target long-tail keywords like:
“Do I need a permit to build a deck in Sydney?”
“Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?”
Not only does this help with SEO — it builds trust and shows you’re an expert.
Image Optimisation
Use real job site photos. Make sure to:
Compress images for faster load speed
Use descriptive file names (e.g.
hot-water-repair-westmead.jpg)Add alt text with relevant keywords
Local SEO for Tradies
If you’re not doing local SEO, you’re leaving money on the table.
Set Up & Optimise Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what shows up on Google Maps. It’s free and powerful.
Tips:
Use your actual business name
Add your address, service areas, phone number, and website
Upload job site photos regularly
Get reviews from happy clients
Get Listed in Local Directories
Sites like:
Yellow Pages
True Local
hipages
ServiceSeeking
Oneflare
…help you get found and boost your site’s trust in Google’s eyes.
NAP Consistency
Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number are the same across every listing — even punctuation matters.
Get Reviews
Reviews are gold for local SEO.
Pro tip: Ask for reviews after every job. Use a QR code or link that goes directly to your Google profile.
Off-Page SEO for Tradies
Google looks at what others say about your site — not just what you say.
Backlinks
These are links from other websites to yours. The more quality backlinks you have, the more Google trusts you.
Ways to get backlinks:
Partner with builders, suppliers, or real estate agents
Get featured in local news or blogs
Submit to online directories
Sponsor local sports clubs
Social Signals
Being active on Facebook, Instagram or even TikTok can help. While social likes aren’t a direct ranking factor, they can increase traffic and brand awareness — which supports your SEO.
Technical SEO for Tradies
This is the nerdy stuff — but don’t worry, we’ll keep it simple.
Mobile-Friendly
Most people will check your website from their phone. If your site doesn’t look good or load properly, they’ll bounce.
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check.
Speed
Slow sites = lost clients. Compress images and avoid bulky themes or plugins.
SSL Certificate (HTTPS)
Your site must be secure (with a padlock symbol in the address bar). Google won’t rank insecure sites.
Indexing & Sitemap
Make sure Google can crawl your site by submitting a sitemap through Google Search Console.
Content Marketing for Tradies
Blogs might not sound sexy — but they work.
Here’s the type of content that helps tradies rank:
How-to guides: “How to unblock a toilet without a plunger”
Explainer blogs: “What is a safety switch and why does it keep tripping?”
Before & after jobs: Showcase your work (with keywords)
Use your blog to answer questions your customers are already Googling.
Top SEO Tools for Tradies
Google Search Console – See what you’re ranking for
Google Analytics – Understand visitor behaviour
Ubersuggest – Keyword ideas
AnswerThePublic – Blog topic ideas
Whitespark – Local citation tracking
Common SEO Mistakes Tradies Make
Not having a website at all
Using only social media (You don’t own those platforms!)
Keyword stuffing – Writing “plumber Sydney” 20 times won’t help
Not updating content – A blog from 2019 won’t cut it
Using a one-page site – You need individual pages for services
DIY vs. Hiring an SEO Pro
DIY SEO
✅ Cheaper
✅ Good for beginners
❌ Time-consuming
❌ Mistakes can cost rankings
Hiring an SEO Agency
✅ Fast-track results
✅ Access to tools & expertise
✅ Done-for-you strategy
❌ Can be expensive
❌ Need to choose carefully
Red Flags:
Guaranteed #1 ranking
$99/month packages
No transparency
Case Study: How One Tradie Tripled Their Leads with SEO
Meet Jake, a Brisbane-based electrician. Before SEO, he relied on referrals and Facebook posts. After six months of SEO:
His website ranked in the top 3 for “electrician Brisbane Northside”
Monthly leads went from 5 → 22
He landed a $30K commercial fit-out job
All from being found online.
Final Thoughts: Why Tradies Shouldn’t Ignore SEO
Your tools are sharp. Your work is solid. But if your website isn’t ranking, you’re handing jobs to the competition.
SEO takes time, but it pays off with consistent, high-quality leads. Whether you do it yourself or hire a pro, start now.
Because while others are waiting for referrals — you could be booked out through Google.