A First-90-Days Marketing Checklist for a New Trade Business
When you start a new trade business, everything feels urgent. You need tools, a vehicle, insurance, customers and cash flow. Marketing often gets pushed to the bottom of the list because it does not feel as urgent as tomorrow's job. But the businesses that get marketing right early are the ones that stop relying on luck and start building a pipeline. Here is a practical 90-day checklist to help you do the right things in the right order.
Month 1: Get found
Your first priority is visibility. If customers cannot find you, nothing else matters. Focus on the free, high-intent channels first. A complete Google Business Profile is the single most important thing for a local trade business. It is free, shows up in Google Maps, and captures people who are already searching for what you do. For ongoing help with your local search presence, explore our Local SEO Melbourne packages.
- Set up or claim your Google Business Profile.
- Choose specific service categories and list every service you offer.
- Add your service area by suburb rather than a vague radius.
- Upload a logo, cover photo and a few real job photos.
- Get your first three to five Google reviews from early customers.
At the same time, secure a simple website. It does not need to be fancy. It needs your phone number, a short list of services, a few photos of your work, and a contact form. Make sure it loads fast on mobile and has your business name and suburb on the homepage. If you are ready to build a site that actually converts, start with our lead-generating websites in Melbourne.
Month 2: Build trust and social proof
Once you are visible, your next job is to look trustworthy. Customers compare multiple businesses online before they call. The one that looks professional and proven wins. In month two, focus on reviews, photos, social media and basic branding consistency.
- Ask every happy customer for a Google review with a direct text link.
- Photograph every job before, during and after.
- Set up an Instagram and Facebook business page.
- Post two to three times a week showing real work.
- Make sure your logo, colours and phone number are consistent everywhere.
Consistency is the key. A potential customer who finds you on Google, checks your Instagram and then visits your website should feel like they are looking at the same business. If your profiles look different or outdated, they will assume you are disorganised.
Month 3: Start advertising and tracking
By month three you should have a simple website, a Google Business Profile, a few reviews and some social proof. Now you can start paid advertising without wasting money. Run a small, targeted Meta ad campaign focused on your local service area with one clear offer. Start with a modest daily budget and measure cost per lead, not likes or clicks.
- Set up Meta Pixel and conversion tracking on your website.
- Choose one offer and one audience to test.
- Use real job photos or video in your ad creative.
- Track enquiries, not vanity metrics.
- Review results weekly and adjust targeting or creative.
Advertising amplifies what is already working. If your website converts and your reviews are solid, a small ad spend can bring in enquiries quickly. If those pieces are missing, ads will just waste money. For a full overview of the whole system, see our marketing guide for Melbourne trade businesses. We also offer all the core services you need in one place — explore PG Media's services.
What to avoid in the first 90 days
Do not try to do everything at once. Do not worry about being on every platform. Do not spend big on ads before your website and reviews are ready. Do not post sporadically and then give up. The businesses that win early are the ones that pick a few high-impact actions and do them consistently. Marketing is a system, not a one-off campaign.
The short version
Month 1: get found with Google Business Profile and a simple website. Month 2: build trust with reviews, photos and social proof. Month 3: start small, targeted ads and track what works. Want a customised plan for your new trade business? Request a free strategy session with PG Media.
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