Yes — most tradies need a website. Word-of-mouth slows down, is unpredictable, and the majority of people check you online before they call (illustrative). A simple site gets you found on Google for “[trade] near me”, proves you're legit, and turns searches into calls. It doesn't need to be big — most find 5 pages covers everything they need.
The short answer
If you rely on referrals, a website is cheap insurance for when they slow down. It's the one place you control that shows up when someone searches for your trade in your suburb — and it works while you're on the tools.
When word-of-mouth isn't enough
Referrals are great until they aren't — a quiet season, a slow patch, or a competitor who just got a site and now ranks ahead of you. When that happens with no online presence, there's nothing to fall back on. New customers can't find you, and the ones who do hear your name often Google you to check you're legit before they call.
What a website does that a Facebook page can't
| Facebook page | Your own website | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows up for “[trade] near me” on Google | Rarely | Yes, with local SEO |
| You own and control it | No — the platform does | Yes, outright |
| Looks professional to a new customer | Sometimes | Yes |
| Connects to Google Business Profile | Limited | Yes |
| Works as a 24/7 quote request | Clunky | Built-in contact form |
A Facebook page is worth having — but it rents your audience from someone else. A website is the asset you own. For a deeper comparison, read website vs a Facebook page for tradies.
You don't need anything fancy
Most trades find five pages covers everything — who you are, the services you offer, a gallery of your work, and how to get a quote. Mobile-first, fast, and set up for local search. If you'd rather start lean, a three-page site does the essentials and you can grow later.
What it costs
Less than most people expect. A 5-page site is $750 — our most popular — and a 3-page site is $500, both flat, live in 2 weeks, no lock-in. See the full pricing or get a free preview before you pay anything.
Frequently asked questions
I get all my work from referrals — do I still need a website?
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It's worth having one ready. Referrals work until they slow down, and even referred customers often Google you first to check you're legit. A $500 site is cheap insurance for the quiet periods.
Isn't a Facebook page enough?
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A Facebook page helps, but you don't own it and it rarely shows up when someone searches Google for your trade in your suburb. A website is the asset you control and the one most likely to turn a local search into a call.
How many pages do I actually need?
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Most trades choose five pages so they can showcase their work and give an extra service its own page — that's the $750 Scalesites package, and the most popular. If you'd rather start lean, a 3-page site is $500.