Website vs hipages
Website vs hipages for tradies: which is worth it?
Lead marketplaces and your own website do different jobs. Here is how they differ, what each really costs, and how to work out which one pays for itself in your trade.
The short version
A lead marketplace such as hipages, Airtasker or Oneflare puts your trade in front of people who are already asking for a quote. You usually pay for that access, through a membership, per-lead charges or both, and the same enquiry is often sent to more than one tradie.
Your own website is a place you control. People who search your name, see a recommendation or tap a link can see your services, areas and photos, and call or message only you.
For most tradies the answer is not either-or. Use a marketplace if it brings profitable jobs, and let your website turn everyone else into enquiries.
How they differ
- Who owns it: a marketplace profile sits on someone else's platform, your website and domain are yours
- How you pay: marketplaces typically charge as you go, a website is a build fee plus a small monthly fee
- Competition: marketplace enquiries are often shared, website enquiries come only to you
- Control: your own site has your wording, photos, prices and areas, with no one else's ads beside them
- Speed: a marketplace can send enquiries soon after you join, a website builds trust over time
When a marketplace makes sense
- You are new and need your first jobs quickly
- Your trade has plenty of one-off jobs and you are comfortable quoting against others
- You can price the leads into your quotes and still make a profit
When your own website makes sense
- You want repeat customers and referrals to find you directly
- You want to stop paying for every enquiry
- You want people who search your name or trade in your area to see a professional page
- You want one link for Facebook, business cards, your ute and Google
Work out the real cost yourself
Open your marketplace account and add up what you paid last month and how many jobs you actually won. Divide the total by the jobs won to get your cost per job.
Then compare it with a website: Starter is A$599 + GST with domain, hosting, SSL, maintenance and business email included for the first 12 months, then currently A$29 + GST a month. Check the marketplace's current pricing and terms before you decide, because they change.
Areas we serve
Based in Melbourne's west and working with businesses across Melbourne, including:
- Hoppers Crossing
- Werribee
- Point Cook
- Tarneit
- Truganina
- Wyndham Vale
- Williams Landing
- Laverton
- Altona Meadows
- Sunshine
- Melton
- Caroline Springs
Website vs hipages: your questions
Should I stop using hipages and get a website instead?
Not necessarily. Keep a marketplace while it brings you profitable jobs, and add a website so repeat customers, referrals and people who search your name can reach you directly. Starter is A$599 + GST (A$658.90 inc. GST), with the first 12 months of hosting, domain, SSL, maintenance and business email included.
Are marketplace leads exclusive to me?
Often not. Marketplaces commonly send the same enquiry to several tradies, so check the current terms for your plan. Enquiries from your own website come only to you.
How much does a website cost compared with a lead marketplace?
A website is a one-off build plus a small monthly fee: Starter is A$599 + GST and Plus is A$999 + GST, then currently A$29 + GST a month after the first 12 months. Marketplace costs depend on your trade, area and plan, so check your own account for last month's spend and jobs won.
Will a website get me jobs without paying for leads?
We can't promise results or Google rankings. A clear, fast website makes it easier for people who already know of you, or find you by searching, to trust you and get in touch. Plus includes Google Analytics and Search Console, with an enquiry report after 30 days so you can see what is working.
Do I own my domain name?
Yes. Your domain name belongs to you and stays with you.
Ready when you are.
Tell us about your business and we will reply with the right package and next steps.