How to Rank Higher on Google Without Paying for Ads
Let’s talk real for a sec , if you’re a tradie and your business isn’t showing up on Google, you’re probably losing jobs every week. Think about it. When someone needs a plumber, sparkie or landscaper, what do they do? They Google it. If your website isn’t there , or it’s sitting on page three - they’ll never even know you exist. The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands on ads to show up. With a few smart tweaks and some local know-how, you can start ranking higher and getting more leads — all without touching a Google Ads account.
This guide breaks down tradie SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) in plain English. No tech jargon. Just practical stuff you can actually do to get more tradie leads and grow your business in 2025 and beyond.
What Is SEO (And Why Should Tradies Care)?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s how you get your website to appear higher in Google search results — especially when someone types something like:
“Electrician near me”
“Plumber in Western Sydney”
“Landscaper Northern Beaches”
The higher you rank, the more people click on your website — and the more calls, quote requests and bookings you’ll get.
Best part? Once you’re ranking well, it’s free traffic, unlike Google Ads where you pay every time someone clicks.
Local SEO: The Most Important Kind for Tradies
You’re not trying to compete with massive companies or national brands — you want local jobs from customers in your service area. That’s where local SEO comes in.
When someone searches for:
“Blocked drain Penrith”
“Emergency electrician Campbelltown”
“Concrete driveway Hills District”
You want your business to appear at the top of the list — ideally in the Google Map Pack (the 3 listings under the map with star ratings). That’s where most of the clicks go.
8 Ways to Improve Your Google Ranking (Without Paying)
Here’s your no-fluff SEO checklist for tradies. You don’t have to be techy — just follow the steps and you’ll be ahead of 90% of your competitors.
1. Set Up (and Optimise) Your Google Business Profile
This is hands-down the most important step.
Go to google.com/business and claim your listing
Add accurate business details: name, phone, email, website
List all the suburbs you serve
Upload photos of your work, logo, van, team
Choose the right category (e.g. “Electrician”, “Plumber”, etc.)
Update your hours and service info
Ask every happy customer to leave a review (and reply to them)
💡 Pro tip: Use this link generator to send review requests: https://supple.com.au/tools/google-review-link-generator/
2. Use Location + Service Keywords Across Your Site
Google reads your site like a book. You want to tell it what you do and where you do it.
Examples:
“Hot water system installation in Parramatta”
“Licensed electrician in Penrith for residential and commercial jobs”
“Affordable garden makeovers Inner West Sydney”
Add these kinds of phrases to:
Your homepage and services pages
Headings (H1, H2)
Image file names and ALT tags
Your site’s meta descriptions and SEO titles
Just don’t “stuff” keywords in — write naturally, like you’re explaining it to a customer.
3. Create a Page for Each Service You Offer
Instead of one big “Services” page, break it up:
/plumbing-maintenance
/emergency-callouts
/led-light-installation
/concreting-services
Each one should:
Focus on one job type
Be at least 300–500 words
Include a call to action (“Call now for a free quote in [suburb]”)
Mention suburbs you serve
More pages = more chances to show up in search results.
4. Create Location-Specific Pages
If you service multiple suburbs, create individual pages like:
/plumber-blacktown
/electrician-baulkham-hills
/landscaping-northern-beaches
Don’t just copy-paste — change the wording to mention different landmarks, past jobs in the area, and services most requested in that region.
5. Show Off Your Reviews and Real Projects
Customer reviews = SEO gold. Display them throughout your site:
On your homepage
Next to each service
On a dedicated Testimonials page
And don’t forget to show off your work with before-and-after photos, videos, or even short write-ups about recent jobs. This builds trust and gives you fresh content Google loves.
6. Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly and Fast
Over 80% of tradie-related searches happen on mobile. If your website isn’t:
Easy to use on a phone
Fast to load (under 3 seconds)
Click-to-call enabled
…then you’re losing jobs, full stop.
You can check your site here: https://pagespeed.web.dev
7. Start a Blog (Even If It’s Just Every Now and Then)
This one’s optional but powerful.
Blog ideas:
“What to do when your hot water stops working”
“How much does a new switchboard cost?”
“What to look for when hiring a landscaper in Sydney”
Each blog is a new chance to show up on Google — and builds your authority over time.
8. Add Schema Markup (or Ask Your Web Developer)
Schema is a small bit of code that helps Google understand your business. For example, it tells Google:
You’re a local tradie
What services you offer
Where you’re located
Your business hours
If your site is built on Squarespace, WordPress, or Wix, schema can usually be added with a plugin or extension.
Bonus: How to Know If Your SEO Is Working
Once you’ve done the work, how do you track results?
Here’s what to use:
Google Search Console: See what search terms are bringing people to your site
Google Business Insights: See how many people saw or clicked on your profile
Call tracking or form submissions: Track leads that came through your website
Check your ranking manually: Google your top keywords in private/incognito mode and see where you appear
Set a monthly reminder to check. SEO is a long game — but the wins add up.
How Long Does SEO Take for Tradies?
If your industry and area are competitive, don’t expect overnight results. Here’s a realistic timeline:
1–2 weeks: Google indexes new changes
4–6 weeks: You start seeing small ranking jumps
3–6 months: Real traction (steady website traffic and leads)
Unlike paid ads, your SEO efforts keep working in the background — even if you take a break.
Final Thoughts: SEO Isn’t Magic, But It Works
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a tech expert, marketing guru or spend thousands on SEO “specialists” to improve your rankings.
Just take it step by step. Set up your Google profile, optimise your site, keep your content fresh, and give Google what it needs to trust you.
It’s not flashy — but it works.
Want a Website That’s SEO-Ready From Day One?
We build websites for tradies that Google loves — fast, mobile-friendly, and designed to show up in local search results. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to fix an underperforming site, we’ll make sure you’re getting the attention (and leads) you deserve.
👉 Enquire now and let’s get your website working as hard as you do.
