Best Website Options for Australian Tradies
Australian tradies need a website that generates phone calls and quote requests — not just looks nice. Here is an honest comparison of your options in 2026: DIY builders, freelancers, and web design agencies.
Last Updated: February 2026
Your Options Compared
| Option | Cost | Pros | Cons |
|--------|------|------|------|
| Wix | $200-$400/yr | Cheapest, easy to use | Slow, looks generic, poor SEO |
| Squarespace | $250-$500/yr | Beautiful templates | Limited customisation, average SEO |
| Freelancer | $800-$2,000 | Affordable custom work | Quality varies, no support |
| Small Agency | $1,200-$4,000 | Professional, SEO included | More expensive |
| Large Agency | $5,000-$15,000+ | Premium quality | Overkill for most tradies |
What a Tradie Website Actually Needs
Forget fancy animations and complicated features. A tradie website needs:
- **Click-to-call button** — 78% of searches are mobile. Make it easy to call.
- **Service areas listed** — "Plumber in Melbourne Northern Suburbs" not just "Plumber"
- **Google reviews displayed** — Social proof converts browsers into callers
- **Before/after photos** — Show your work, build trust
- **Simple contact form** — Name, phone, what they need, suburb
- **Fast loading** — Under 2 seconds or they leave
Why DIY Builders Fail for Tradies
Wix and Squarespace are fine for hobby sites, but they fail tradies because:
- **Slow speed** — template sites load in 3-5 seconds
- **Poor local SEO** — no schema markup, weak Core Web Vitals
- **Generic design** — your site looks like every other tradie site
- **No AI chatbot** — you miss leads when you are on a job
- **Limited Google integration** — no proper GBP optimisation
The Tradies Who Succeed Online
The tradies getting 20+ leads per week from their website all have:
- A professional, custom-built website
- 20+ Google reviews (most important factor)
- Google Business Profile fully optimised
- Listed in Australian directories (Yellow Pages, True Local, Hotfrog)
- Fast mobile site (under 2 seconds)
How Much Should a Tradie Spend?
For a tradie earning $80,000-$150,000/year, investing $1,200-$2,500 in a professional website pays for itself with 2-3 jobs from online leads.
The ROI calculation:
- Average job value: $500-$2,000
- Website generates 5-10 leads/month
- Close rate: 30-50%
- Monthly revenue from website: $750-$10,000
- Website cost: $1,200-$2,500 (one-time)
- **ROI: 300-1,000% in the first year**
CoreWebHub for Tradies
We have built websites for plumbers, electricians, builders, landscapers, and roofers across Melbourne. Our tradie websites include:
- Click-to-call on every page
- Local SEO for your service areas
- Google review integration
- Optional AI chatbot to capture leads while you work
- 3-day delivery
- From $1,200 AUD
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Need a website for your trade business? Contact CoreWebHub for a free quote. Call 0432 405 388.
