The Ultimate Guide to Google My Business for Aussie Tradies

If you’re an Aussie tradie trying to get more jobs through your phone, your Google My Business listing might be your biggest untapped asset. It’s free and surprisingly underused.

At Matter Solutions, we work with businesses to improve their local listings and SEO, and we’ve been at it since 2008. So we know exactly what makes those listings work hard for tradies like you.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to make your listing work harder for you, with tips that are simple, practical, and tradie‑tested.

How to Set Up Google My Business for Tradies

Most tradies skip the basics and wonder why customers can’t find them. You don’t want to be one of them, so make getting your Google My Business listing claimed and verified your first step.

Think of claiming your listing like getting your business licence. Without it, Google doesn’t trust that you exist, and with proper verification, you unlock all the features that help customers find and choose your business. Here’s how to get your business verified.

Verifying Your Business

Google offers several ways to verify your business in 2025. Here are your three options:

• Video: Video verification is the most common method, especially for new listings. You’ll film yourself showing your business premises or equipment whilst explaining what you do.
  
• Phone or text: Next is phone or text verification, which works best for established businesses. Once Google sends a code to your business number, you enter it online, and the process is done in just a few minutes.
  
• Postcard: Postcard verification is available, but Google rarely offers it now. This happens when Google posts a code to your business, and the process can take up to two weeks.

After verification, the next step is setting your service area.

Setting Your Service Area

Do you want customers showing up at your home office? If not, create a service-area business. It keeps your address private while showing your service areas.

You can list up to 20 service areas using cities, postcodes, or regions. Just remember to keep it realistic. Google doesn’t like it when you claim to service areas more than two hours’ drive away.

Tips for tradies who travel: If you work across different areas, think strategically about which suburbs to list. We’ve found that tradies who list 10-15 specific areas perform better in local searches than those who use broad, generic descriptions. So, instead of saying “Greater Melbourne,” list the specific suburbs where you actually work regularly.

Entering Contact Details, Hours, and Services

Next, fill out every section completely. Would you trust a tradie whose Google listing looks like they couldn’t be bothered completing it? Obviously not. That’s why we also recommend adding two backup numbers, along with your main business number, if you have them.

Now, be honest about your working hours. There’s nothing more frustrating for a customer than calling during your listed hours and getting voicemail. So, if you only take emergency calls after 6 PM, make that clear.

As for services, you want to be as specific as you can. Instead of just saying “plumbing,” try “emergency plumbing,” “blocked drains,” or “hot water repairs.” Why? Because it helps you show up when someone searches for exactly what you do. 

Now that you’ve got your basic setup sorted, it’s time to make your listing actually look professional. 

Tradie Photos That Attract Customers and Build Trust

Picture this: a homeowner’s hot water system just died, and they’re scrolling through Google looking for a plumber. They see two listings: one with a single low-res photo and another showing crisp images of a plumber installing hot water systems. Which one do you think got the call?

If your answer was the second one (or even if it wasn’t), here’s why this is so important.

Why Visual Proof Beats Written Descriptions 

When someone’s choosing between tradies, they want to see proof you can actually do the job. Before-and-after shots work like magic because they tell a complete story. Photos also help customers feel confident about letting you into their home. 

Essential Photos Every Tradie Needs

Start with shots of your finished work since they serve as your portfolio in action. Show off those completed bathroom renovations, tidy electrical panels, or perfectly installed hot water systems. This helps potential customers see your skills and trust you.

Your work and crew deserve a photo, too. Show your clean van or ute with your business name, and include shots of you and your team working safely with good tools. It helps customers see your business as professional and trustworthy.

Using Location Tags and Descriptions

Now, don’t forget to turn on your phone’s location when taking photos for your Google listing. Geotagging helps Google understand where you work, which can improve your local search rankings.

Also, write helpful descriptions for each photo. But instead of simply writing “bathroom job,” use a description like “complete bathroom renovation in Blacktown” to give Google more details about your services and location.

But even the most impressive before-and-after shots won’t matter much if you’ve only got one review from your mum. Let’s talk about how to build up those golden stars and handle the occasional unhappy customer next.

Boost Your Reviews and Manage Criticism Professionally

The thing is, most customers are happy to leave a review when they’re pleased with your work. But they forget about it once you’ve packed up and left. Here’s how you can get the timing right.

Simple Ways to Get Reviews Without Being Pushy

When’s the best time to ask for a review, you ask? It’s right after the job is done and the customer is satisfied.

If you haven’t received a review, send a quick text message a few hours later saying something like: “Thanks for choosing us today. If you’re happy with the work, a quick Google review would really help our small business.”

Adding a QR code to your invoices works brilliantly too. The best part of QR codes is that most people know how to scan them with their phone, and it takes them straight to your Google review page.

Why Reviews Make You Money

Reviews affect the amount of work you get, but not always how you expect. Google actually shows businesses with more positive reviews higher in search results, which means more people see your listing first.

But here’s the real kicker: 20+ good reviews usually beat just three when it comes to attracting customers. Nearly half of tradies have only a few, so more reviews give you a competitive edge.

Turning Bad Reviews Into Trust Builders

Every tradie gets a negative review eventually. It’s just part of the business. The main responsibility is to respond professionally: stay calm, acknowledge the concern, offer to make it right, and keep it brief.

Sometimes, a well-handled negative review actually builds more trust than having only five-star reviews. It shows you’re real, you care about customer satisfaction, and you’re willing to fix problems when they arise.

Use GMB to Get Found and Book More Work Today

So, there you have it. Google My Business is completely free, works brilliantly for local businesses, and is perfect for tradies when you use it properly. 

Think about what we’ve covered: better visibility in local searches, instant credibility through reviews and professional photos, and complete control over how potential customers see your business. These three things alone can transform how many calls you get each week.

So, ready to get your Google My Business working properly? 

Our team at Matter Solutions specialises in helping Aussie tradies get found online. Let us help you turn more local searches into actual paying jobs.

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