1. Be Clear on Why You’re Redesigning
Before you even think about the colours or layout, ask yourself why you want to redesign your website.
Is your current website outdated or hard to use?
Are you not getting enough enquiries or phone calls?
Is it slow to load or hard to view on a mobile phone?
Do you want it to rank better on Google?
A redesign without clear goals is like building a house without a plan. Knowing what you’re trying to achieve will help guide the design and functionality so that the finished product actually delivers real results.
2. Know Who You’re Speaking To
You might think your website is all about your business—but in reality, it’s all about your customer.
Put yourself in their boots. What do they want to know? What kind of problems are they trying to solve? And how can you show that you’re the one to help them?
If you’re a sparky offering emergency call-outs, your customers are likely stressed and in a hurry. They want fast info, an easy way to contact you, and reassurance that you’ll show up and do the job right. Tailoring your site content, layout and tone to meet these needs is key.
3. Make Sure It’s Mobile-Friendly
More than 60% of your potential customers are likely checking your site on their phones. If your website isn’t easy to use on mobile—if the text is tiny, buttons are hard to click, or images take forever to load—you’re losing business.
A mobile-responsive website adapts to any screen size and gives users a smooth experience, no matter what device they’re on. It also helps your Google rankings, which is a big bonus.
4. Speed is Everything
Let’s be honest—nobody likes waiting for a slow website to load. In fact, if your site takes more than 3 seconds to appear, most users will bounce. That’s potential leads walking straight out the virtual door.
Make sure your new website is lightning-fast by:
Optimising image sizes
Minimising unnecessary code
Using reliable website hosting
Caching and compressing files
At Onside Online, all our websites are built with speed in mind—because we know that in the trades world, every second counts.
5. Build for Local SEO
If you want more local customers to find you online, your website needs to be built with local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) in mind. That means:
Including keywords like “emergency plumber in Brisbane” or “roof repairs Sunshine Coast”
Adding your suburb or service areas to your page titles and content
Keeping your Name, Address and Phone Number consistent everywhere it appears online
Embedding a Google Map on your Contact page
Linking to and from your Google Business Profile
We’ve helped countless tradies climb the local search rankings simply by improving the way their websites are structured and optimised.
6. Showcase Real Work and Happy Clients
Photos of your actual work are 10x more powerful than any stock image. Don’t underestimate the power of visual proof.
Use high-quality images of jobs you’ve completed
Show before-and-after comparisons
Include short videos or walkthroughs if possible
Feature genuine testimonials from happy clients (bonus points if you can get a video review!)
This kind of content builds trust and helps you stand out as a quality, reliable professional.
7. Make It Dead Easy to Contact You
You’d be surprised how many websites bury their phone numbers or make it a mission to find a contact form.
Your redesigned website should include:
A click-to-call phone number at the top of every page
A contact form that’s simple and quick to use
A clear “Request a Quote” or “Book a Job” button
Social proof like reviews or star ratings near your CTAs (Calls to Action)
Make it effortless for a customer to reach you, and you’ll convert more visitors into jobs.
8. Keep What’s Already Working
If your current website is getting decent traffic or ranks well for certain keywords, don’t throw that away in the redesign!
You need to:
Use 301 redirects to point old URLs to new ones
Maintain key content that already performs well in search
Monitor traffic and rankings closely after launch to spot any drops
We always map out an SEO migration plan for our clients when doing a website redesign—because the last thing you want is to go backwards.
9. Choose a Platform You Can Manage
Don’t let your website be held hostage by a developer who disappears after launch.
We build our websites using platforms like WordPress and Webflow that give you the power to update content, post blogs, and make changes easily—without needing to know a lick of code.
We also offer ongoing support if you prefer to leave it in the hands of experts.
10. Don’t Forget the Follow-Through
A website redesign isn’t a one-off event—it’s the start of a long-term marketing strategy.
After your new site goes live, you’ll want to:
Keep your content fresh and up to date
Add new blog posts or project pages
Continue building local links and citations
Invest in PPC or Google Ads if you want to generate more leads fast
Track performance with tools like Google Analytics and Search Console
We offer ongoing digital marketing packages that include SEO, Google Ads, and marketing automation to help you get the most from your investment.
In Summary
Redesigning your website is one of the smartest things you can do to grow your business—if you do it right. It’s not just about looking slick. It’s about building a tool that brings in more calls, more quotes, and more jobs.
At Onside Online, we specialise in building high-performance websites for Aussie tradies. Whether you’re on the tools in Townsville or quoting jobs in Cairns, we can help you build a site that delivers real, measurable results.
Ready to talk about your website redesign? Let’s chat.
Leigh from Onside Online