I’m going to say something that might ruffle a few feathers…
Most tradie websites are terrible.
Not “a bit rough around the edges” terrible. I mean genuinely, actively bad at doing the one job they’re supposed to do – bring in customers.
I’ve been building websites for over 20 years, worked with massive brands like IBM and Volvo, and now I’m based on the Sunshine Coast building sites for local businesses. And I can tell you with absolute certainty that the average sparky, plumber, or chippy deserves better than what they’re getting.
The Template Problem
Have a look at pretty much any tradie website and you’ll see the same thing. Stock photo of a bloke in hi-vis giving a thumbs up. Generic “About Us” text that could belong to literally anyone. A contact form buried somewhere. Maybe a few bullet points about being “reliable” and “professional”.
Congratulations, you’ve just described about 90% of trade websites between Caboolture and Noosa.
The problem isn’t that these sites are ugly – some of them actually look decent enough. The problem is they’re completely forgettable. When someone’s looking for an electrician in Maroochydore and they’ve got fifteen tabs open, your generic template site isn’t giving them any reason to pick up the phone and call you instead of the next bloke.
What Actually Makes People Pick Up the Phone
Here’s what I’ve learned works, and it’s surprisingly simple.
Show them you’re local. Actually local. Not just “servicing the Sunshine Coast” but mentioning that you’re based in Buderim, that you’ve worked on houses in Mooloolaba, that you know the building codes specific to Queensland. People want to hire someone who understands their area, not some faceless operation that could be anywhere.
Let them see who they’re dealing with. Get a proper photo of yourself. Not a stock image – you, standing next to your ute, or on a job site, or even just in your workshop. People hire people, not logos. When someone can see your face, they’re already halfway to trusting you.
Talk like a human being. “We provide comprehensive electrical solutions for residential and commercial clients” tells me nothing and sounds like it was written by a robot. “I’ve been wiring up houses on the Coast for twelve years and I’ve seen every dodgy job under the sun” – now you’ve got my attention.
The Reviews Thing
Every tradie knows reviews matter. But here’s what most get wrong – they treat their website and their Google reviews as two separate things.
Your website should be working with your reviews, not alongside them. Pull in your best testimonials. Make it easy for happy customers to leave a review after you’ve finished a job. If someone’s mentioned something specific in a review – like how you cleaned up after yourself or explained what you were doing – highlight that. Those little details matter more than any amount of marketing speak.
Mobile First, Everything Else Second
I’m going to be blunt here. If your website doesn’t work properly on a phone, you’re losing customers. Full stop.
Think about when people are looking for a tradie. They’ve got a burst pipe or a flickering light or their aircon’s packed it in. They’re not sitting at a desk with a nice big monitor – they’re standing in their kitchen with water on the floor, searching on their phone.
Your site needs to load fast, show your phone number prominently, and make it dead simple to get in touch. Anything that gets in the way of that is costing you money.
The Google Question
Here’s something that surprises a lot of tradies: Google actually cares about your website content.
If you want to show up when someone searches “plumber Caloundra” or “electrician Nambour”, Google needs to see that your site is actually relevant to those searches. That means having proper pages for the areas you service. It means having content that talks about the work you do. It means not just having a one-page site with your phone number and hoping for the best.
This isn’t about stuffing keywords everywhere – Google’s smarter than that now. It’s about genuinely showing that you’re an electrician who works on the Sunshine Coast, not just claiming to be one.
What I’d Actually Do
If I were a tradie starting fresh, here’s what I’d want my website to have:
A proper “About” page that tells my story. Where I trained, how long I’ve been at it, why I do what I do. Maybe mention that failed attempt at becoming a professional fisherman before getting into the trade. People connect with real stories.
Clear information about what I do and where I do it. Not vague service lists – actual descriptions of the work, the areas I cover, what makes me different from the fifteen other blokes doing the same thing.
Photos of my actual work. Before and afters, job sites, finished projects. Real photos beat stock images every single time.
An easy way to get in touch. Phone number visible without scrolling. Contact form that works. Maybe even a booking system if I’m feeling fancy.
And honestly? A website that doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Something that actually reflects who I am and how I work, not just another template with my logo slapped on it.
The Bottom Line
Your website is often the first impression someone gets of your business. It’s working for you 24/7, even when you’re on a job or having a beer on a Friday arvo.
It’s worth getting right.
If you’re a tradie on the Sunshine Coast and your website’s letting you down – or you don’t have one at all – I’d be happy to have a chat about what might work for you. No pressure, no hard sell, just a conversation about whether a custom site makes sense for your business.
Get in touch and let’s see what we can do.