09 Apr 8 SEO Myths That Could Be Hurting Your Tradie Business
What every Tradie Wife should know to stop wasting time on hit-and-hope marketing, and start focusing on what actually gets your business found online.
If you’re running the admin side of a Tradie business — alongside everything else you juggle — chances are you’ve heard of SEO. But between the tech talk, the spammy emails, and the vague promises of “ranking #1,” it’s hard to know what’s real… and what actually helps your business get found online.
As someone who helps Tradie businesses show up on Google (without the gimmicks), I want to share some of the most common SEO myths I hear — and gently bust them with clarity and confidence.
Whether you’re doing your own SEO, working with a provider, or just curious what all the fuss is about, this guide is here to give you lightbulb moments and practical insights — without the jargon.
Because SEO isn’t just for tech wizards — it’s for smart businesswomen like you, who want your business to be seen, trusted, and chosen.
Myth #1: “Sponsored Ads and SEO are basically the same thing, right?”
Truth Bomb: Nope! They can complement each other, but they’re totally different beasts.
- Sponsored ads = paid spots at the top of Google. You stop paying? You disappear.
- SEO = earning your place in the results naturally. It’s slower, but way more sustainable.
Lightbulb moment: SEO is like planting a garden — it takes time and care, but it grows into something long-lasting. Ads are more like grabbing a bunch of flowers from the shop — quick, pretty, pricey but short-lived.
Myth #2: “Those scary emails saying our website has 72 critical issues must mean our SEO is broken…”
Truth Bomb: Most of those emails are spammy scare tactics designed to confuse you.
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- Most of the time, these are mass-produced, automated reports from email farms overseas. They recycle the same generic list of ‘issues’ and blast them out to thousands of businesses — whether those issues exist or not. It’s just a sleazy tactic to get you to reply.
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- Real SEO is about building trust, relevance, and helpful content — not chasing a checklist of scary-sounding errors.
Lightbulb moment: Instead of panicking, focus on consistency, clarity, and connection.
Ask Your Provider: “Can you walk me through how you’re building our online presence — not just fixing errors?”
Myth #3: “If we’re not #1 on Google, SEO isn’t working.”
Truth Bomb: Rankings are only part of the story. Tracking the right keywords matters more than chasing #1.
- Some SEOs send keyword ranking reports that look impressive — but the keywords might not actually bring in business.
- The real goal is to rank for the terms your ideal clients are typing into Google when they’re ready to book or call.
Lightbulb moment: It’s not about being #1 for just anything — it’s about being found for the words that actually grow your business.
Myth #4: “We built the website — job done!”
Truth Bomb: A stale site is a forgettable site.
- Google loves fresh, relevant content.
- An active blog helps Google understand what you do, where you do it, and that you’re still in business.
Try This: Write 1-2 blog posts a month answering questions you get from customers all the time. That’s SEO gold! And…now a handy resource for you to share as well!
Lightbulb moment: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — just share what you already know and do every day…
Myth #5: “We post on Facebook & Insta — isn’t that enough?”
Truth Bomb: Social media and SEO play different roles — and people use them in very different ways.
- Social media is great for building brand personality and creating a visual portfolio of your work.
- But when someone needs a lawn mowed or a new deck installed right now, they’re heading to Google, not scrolling their feed.
- SEO makes sure you’re the one they find when they’re ready to book.
Lightbulb moment: Social media is where people browse. SEO is how people find you when they’re ready to act.
Myth #6: “We’ve got a Google Business Profile — that’s all we need for local SEO.”
Truth Bomb: Creating the profile is just the start. Keeping it active is what gets you results.
- Consistent, relevant reviews that mention services + suburbs help Google understand who you serve.
- Regular photo uploads (with GPS on!) and weekly posts show you’re real and active.
Try This: Ask happy clients to mention the job type and location in their review. E.g. “Blocked drain fixed in Shellharbour — fast and professional!”
Lightbulb moment: Local SEO = signals of trust + location + activity. Google notices the details.
Myth #7: “One-page websites work just fine.”
Truth Bomb: One-pager websites are like flyers. Great to hand out, but not great for Google.
- You need dedicated pages for each service you offer.
- Servicing multiple towns? Each location should have its own page too.
Lightbulb moment: The more clearly you tell Google what you do and where, the more likely you are to show up when someone nearby searches for it.
Myth #8: “A reputable SEO company always has a 12-month contract minimum.”
Truth Bomb: You shouldn’t stay with an SEO provider because you have to — you should stay because it’s working.
- Long contracts often protect the provider more than the client.
- SEO does take time, but your provider should be checking in, showing progress, and keeping communication open.
- Month-to-month or short-term check-ins are a sign of confidence and partnership.
Ask Your Provider: “If I’m not happy after a few months, what are my options?”
Lightbulb moment: You deserve an SEO partner who earns your trust, not one who locks you in.
Final thoughts
The world of SEO is full of noise, and it’s easy to get stuck doing things that don’t actually move the needle. Hopefully, busting a few of these myths has given you some clarity on what really matters — and what you can probably ignore.
This stuff doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need to do it all at once, but you do need to do it with intention. If anything in here hits home, it might be time to rethink your strategy and make sure you’re building something that works for your business, not just ticking boxes.
And if you’re not sure where to start — you know where to find me.
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