Website Checklist for Tradies: What Your Site Actually Needs
Not every business needs the same website. A café needs a menu and photos of the food. A tradie or construction business needs something different — proof you're legit, proof you can do the job, and a fast way for people to get in touch.
Here's what actually needs to be on your site if you're in trades, home maintenance, drilling, or civil work — and what you can skip.
1. A clear "what you do" statement above the fold
The second someone lands on your site, it should tell them;
What trade or service you offer
Roughly where you service (suburb, region, or state-wide)
How to contact you
No one should have to scroll to figure out if you're the right business for the job. If it's not obvious in the first few seconds, they'll bounce to the next search result.
2. Photos of real, completed work
In a world of AI, we want real humans and real photos - This is the single biggest trust builder for a trades website, which leads to more sales.
Stock photos don't cut it here — Even a simple gallery of before-and-afters, finished sites, or completed civil works does more for credibility than any amount of written copy.
Social media is really great for this reason as well.
If you don't have photos yet, start snapping them on your next few jobs. It's worth the habit.
3. Services listed clearly, not buried in paragraphs
List out what you actually do, as clear headings or a simple list — not one long paragraph.
Someone scanning your site (or an AI search tool trying to summarise what you offer) should be able to quickly pick out each service you provide.
For drilling and civil contractors, this might include things like site preparation, excavation, boring, or specific equipment and capabilities you offer.
4. Licences, credentials, and insurance
For trades and construction especially, this is what separates a business that looks legitimate from one that doesn't. Include:
Relevant licence numbers
Insurance details (public liability, etc.)
Any certifications, safety accreditations, or industry memberships
This matters even more if you're chasing commercial or council work, where these details are often a basic requirement before you're even considered.
5. Service area, clearly stated
Say exactly where you work — suburbs, regions, or "Gold Coast and Australia-wide," whatever's accurate for your business. This helps customers self-qualify before they contact you, and it also helps Google and AI search match you to the right local searches.
6. A simple, fast way to get in touch
They Google search,
Check out Google reviews, check out the website and social media
If they like the look of you, they call and ask a few questions
If you can offer what they want: professional and reliable service, on time, at a decent price, and you're recommended by others - you have the job!
Thats usually how it goes, right?
Trades leads move fast! — if someone has to dig for your phone number or fill out a clunky ten-field form, you'll lose them to whoever made it easier. At minimum, have:
A visible phone number (click-to-call on mobile)
A short contact form — name, phone, what they need
Your service area repeated near the contact section
7. Reviews or testimonials
Not only great for Google & AI search but people trust someone that has good review - im sure you would choose someone recommended or with good Google reviews?
Even two or three genuine reviews go a long way. If you don't have any on your site yet, ask a couple of recent clients, friends and family to get it started— most are happy to help if you just ask.
Why this matters for getting found
Beyond looking credible to a potential client, a site set up this way — clear services, real project photos, licences, and a defined service area — is also exactly the kind of clean, factual content that Google and AI search tools use to understand and recommend your business. The clearer your site is for a human, the clearer it usually is for search too.
Getting your site set up right
This is exactly the kind of site Tia Maria Business by Design builds (Aussie based web designer)— professional, credible, and live within a week, built specifically with trades and construction businesses in mind.
Based on the Gold Coast, working with clients Australia-wide and highly recommended by many trades, construction companies & service-based businesses. You can see for yourself here - Google Reviews, or reach out directly to these clients as they are happy to share theie experiences with you if you're unsure (Now thats trust building!)
If your current site (or lack of one) isn't doing your work justice, get in touch to see how a proper website could be live for your business within the week.
