Do Tradies Need a Website in 2026? (Yes — Here's Why)
"I get all my work through word of mouth." We hear this all the time. And it's true — referrals are gold for tradies. But here's the thing: even referrals Google you before they call.
The Referral Reality Check
Your mate Dave tells his neighbour you're a great sparky. What's the first thing that neighbour does?
They Google you.
If they find nothing — or worse, find a competitor with a professional site — you've just lost a warm lead.
87% of Australians search online before hiring a tradie. That's not a guess. That's the market.
"But I'm Already Busy"
Great. What about when you're not?
The trades are cyclical. Interest rates go up, building slows down, work dries up. The tradies with a professional online presence keep getting leads. The ones relying purely on word of mouth scramble.
A website is insurance for the slow times and fuel for the busy ones.
What a Tradie Website Actually Does
1. Builds Trust Before You Answer the Phone
Photos of your work, a professional look, maybe a few reviews — all of this builds credibility. By the time they call, they're already half-sold.
2. Filters Tyre-Kickers
Your website can show your service areas, the types of jobs you take, rough pricing guidelines. Bad-fit enquiries filter themselves out.
3. Works While You Work
You're on a job site. Your website is answering questions, showing off your work, and capturing enquiries 24/7.
4. Helps You Charge What You're Worth
A professional online presence positions you as a professional business, not a bloke with a ute. That means you can charge accordingly.
"Websites Are Expensive and Take Forever"
That used to be true. Getting a website meant:
- $3,000-$10,000 to an agency
- Weeks of back-and-forth
- Learning to update it yourself (or paying someone every time)
Not anymore.
Modern tools like Onboard create professional tradie websites in minutes for $49/month. Your site is ready to preview immediately — no design meetings, no technical skills required.
What Your Tradie Website Needs
Keep it simple:
- Your name/business name — obvious but essential
- What you do — clear list of services
- Where you work — suburbs or regions you cover
- Photos of your work — real jobs, not stock images
- How to contact you — phone, form, or both
- Licence and insurance info — builds trust instantly
That's it. You don't need a blog, a video, or 15 pages. You need something professional that answers the basic questions.
The Bottom Line
You don't need a website to be a good tradie. But you need one to be a visible tradie.
The best tradies are often booked out — not because they're on Instagram doing content marketing, but because they show up when someone searches and they look professional when they do.
A simple, professional website puts you in the game. Without one, you're leaving money on the table.