1. Make Sure Locals Can Find You Online (Local SEO Basics)
You can have the best website in the world, but if it’s buried deep in Google’s search results, it might as well not exist.
To be easily discoverable by locals, you need to focus on Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – this ensures your business appears in search results when someone nearby looks for services like yours.
Key Local SEO Actions:
Google Business Profile: Make sure your Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business) is fully completed, up-to-date, and optimised with the right categories, service areas, and keywords. It’s one of the most important tools for showing up in Google Maps and local search.
Use Local Keywords: On your site, include keywords that real locals would search for – e.g. “blocked drains Ipswich” or “aircon installation Cairns.” Add these in your page titles, headings, and content naturally.
NAP Consistency: Your business Name, Address, and Phone Number should be consistent across your website, Google Business Profile, and every online directory. Inconsistent details confuse Google and lower your rankings.
Location Pages: If you serve multiple towns or suburbs, create dedicated pages for each. These pages should highlight your services in that area, showcase testimonials from nearby customers, and use suburb-specific keywords.
2. Build Trust with Reviews & Testimonials
Nothing reassures a potential customer like seeing that others nearby have had a good experience with your business.
Encourage Google Reviews: Ask happy clients to leave a review on Google – it helps with your local rankings and builds social proof.
Showcase Testimonials on Your Site: Dedicate a page to testimonials or include them throughout your site, especially on service pages. If you can, include the suburb or area of the client – e.g., “Mark from Redcliffe.”
Use Photos When Possible: Before-and-after images or pictures of completed jobs help build credibility and give people confidence in your work.
3. Make Sure Your Site Works Perfectly on Mobile
The majority of your local customers are going to find you from their phones – especially if they’re in a hurry or need help urgently (think burst pipe or power outage).
Your site must be:
Mobile-Friendly: The design should adapt to smaller screens automatically.
Quick to Load: Every extra second your site takes to load, you lose potential customers. Optimise images and hosting for speed.
Easy to Click & Read: Big buttons, clear text, and no clutter – especially on key action areas like “Call Now” or “Get a Quote.”
At Onside Online, we build every site with a mobile-first approach – because that’s where most of your traffic comes from.
4. Make Navigation a Breeze
People don’t have time to dig through pages. Your site should make it super easy for someone to find what they need in a couple of clicks.
Good navigation includes:
A simple top menu with clear labels: Home, About, Services, Service Areas, Contact.
Quick access to your phone number and contact form on every page.
Sticky headers that follow the user as they scroll, so your “Call” button is always visible.
Pro tip: Use a “Book Now” or “Call Now” button in a standout colour in your site’s header – it boosts conversions by making the next step obvious.
5. Add Local Content That Feels Personal
Google loves helpful, relevant content – and so do your customers. By publishing localised content, you can demonstrate authority and improve your chances of being found in local searches.
Local content ideas include:
Blog posts like “5 Common Roofing Problems in Brisbane’s Rainy Season” or “How to Prepare Your Cairns Home for Cyclone Season”
Local project showcases: e.g., “Recent Electrical Fit-Out in Nambour”
FAQs tailored to your region: e.g., “Do I Need Council Approval for a Deck in Toowoomba?”
This kind of content not only boosts your local SEO, it also makes your site feel more trustworthy and relevant to local customers.
6. Use Marketing Automation to Capture Leads
Once someone lands on your site, don’t let them slip through the cracks. Tools like marketing automation can help you stay in touch and close more deals.
Here’s how we do it at Onside Online:
Instant Quote Requests: Forms that auto-email you (and the customer) with their info.
Follow-up Emails: Automated emails that go out if someone doesn’t book straight away.
SMS Reminders: For confirmed bookings or quotes, to reduce no-shows.
It’s all about keeping potential customers engaged – even if they’re not ready to book right away.
Bonus Tips to Supercharge Local Visibility
Add Schema Markup: It’s a bit technical, but it helps Google understand your business location and services.
Use Local Directories: List your site on Yellow Pages, True Local, and any trade-specific directories.
Run Local Google Ads: If you want quick visibility, a targeted Google Ads campaign can get your business in front of locals searching right now.
In Summary
Your website should be more than just a digital business card – it should be your hardest working team member. When it’s properly optimised for local visibility and built to guide users towards action, it becomes a lead-generating machine.
At Onside Online, we’ve helped hundreds of tradies across Australia turn their websites into their most valuable asset. If you’re ready to take your online presence seriously – and attract more local customers – we’d love to chat.
Let’s build something great together.
Need help making your website easier for locals to find and use?
👉 Get in touch with Onside Online today and let’s chat about how we can help your business grow.
Leigh from Onside Online