Short answer: Choose a web designer who can show you trade websites they have built, gives a fixed quote, lets you own the site and domain, does not lock you into a contract, and sets up your Google Maps listing as well as the website. Ask to see what your site will look like before you pay.
What to look for
- Experience with trades. A designer who mostly builds for cafes will not know how tradies win work.
- A fixed price. You should know the number before work starts.
- Ownership. The domain and the website should be yours if you leave.
- No lock-in contract. If the work is good, you will stay anyway.
- Local SEO and Google Maps included or offered. A site that cannot be found is not worth much.
- The writing done for you. Otherwise the project stalls waiting on you.
- A clear timeline. Weeks, not an open-ended "when it is ready".
Questions to ask
- Can I see trade websites you have built?
- What exactly is included in the price, and what costs extra?
- Who owns the domain and the site?
- What are the ongoing costs for hosting and changes?
- How long will it take?
- Will you set up or fix my Google Maps listing?
- What do you need from me?
- Can I see a preview before I commit?
Warning signs
- A guaranteed number one ranking on Google.
- A long contract with exit fees.
- The domain registered in their name, not yours.
- No examples of past work.
- Vague monthly fees with no report of what was done.
How Ironside Digital stacks up against that list
We build websites, local SEO and Google Maps management only for Australian tradies. Websites start from $1,100 with a fixed quote agreed before we start. There are no lock-in contracts. Most sites are live within 2 to 3 weeks, the writing is done for you after one short call, and we build a free custom preview first so you can judge the work before you pay. Compare us against anyone else using the questions above.