How is this different from Wix or Squarespace?

Those are DIY builders. You have to design it, write the copy, set up the SEO, and maintain it yourself. We do all of that for you. You focus on your trade, we handle the website.

Is this actually custom or just a template?

Custom. We have our own platform that generates sites tailored to your trade, area, and services. Every site is different. But because we've built the engine ourselves, we can do it in days instead of weeks.

What's included in the $49/mo plan?

A custom website, hosting, SSL, domain setup, contact form, click-to-call, mobile design, 100/100 PageSpeed, monthly backups, and 2 content updates per month. No setup fees.

Is there a lock-in contract?

No. Month-to-month after signup. If we're not delivering, you can cancel anytime. We'd rather earn your business every month than lock you in.

How long until my site is live?

Days, not weeks. Once you send your details, we'll have a working preview ready within a few days. Approve it and we go live same day.

Can you do logos and branding too?

Yes. The Growth plan includes logo and brand design. If you're on Starter, we can add it as a one-off.

HiPages vs Your Own Website: The Real Numbers

Let's skip the part where I tell you HiPages is terrible. It's not. It works. That's why you're using it.

But here's what nobody talks about: you're renting customers. Every month, you start from zero. Stop paying, leads stop coming. And the tradie next door is getting the exact same leads you are.

So the question isn't "should I quit HiPages?" It's "should I also have something that's actually mine?" (If you're weighing up other platforms too, we cover all the HiPages alternatives for tradies.)

Let's look at the numbers.

What you're really paying on HiPages

Most tradies know what they pay per lead. But they don't calculate what they pay per customer.

Here's the maths for a typical sparky in Sydney:

HiPages: Cost per customer

Average cost per lead

$50

Cost per actual customer

$250at 1-in-5 win rate

If you win 1 in 5 quotes and each lead costs $50, you're paying $250 to land each customer.

That's not necessarily bad. If your average job is worth $800 and you're making $400 profit, spending $250 to get the customer still leaves you $150 ahead.

But what if that $250 went somewhere else?

The problem nobody mentions

Here's the thing about lead platforms: the customer doesn't know you exist until they need you. And when they need you, they're getting five quotes.

How lead platforms work

•Customer posts a job
•Multiple tradies get the same lead
•Everyone quotes within hours
•Customer compares and picks one
•The relationship starts and ends there

How your own website works

•Customer Googles 'electrician Parramatta'
•They find your site directly
•They read your reviews, see your work
•They call you. Just you.
•You're the only one in the picture

See the difference? On HiPages, you're one of five. On your own website, you're one of one.

The tradie who owns the search result owns the customer.

Running the numbers: 12 months on each

Let's compare two electricians. Same suburb. Same skills. Different strategies.

Sparky A: HiPages only

$1,500

Monthly spend

Leads per month

Customers won

After 12 months: $18,000 spent, 72 customers. Cost per customer: $250.

Not bad. Predictable. Scales with budget.

But here's the catch: month 13 looks exactly like month 1. Stop paying, leads stop.

Sparky B: Website + SEO

This is the model SiteNest was built for. A purpose-built electrician website from $49/mo +GST, designed by a recognised Google Developer Expert, with SEO baked in from the start.

M1-3

The slow start

Website live. Google indexing. 2-3 organic leads per month. Still relying on referrals.

M4-6

Building momentum

Starting to rank for 'electrician [suburb]'. 5-8 leads per month. Reviews building up.

M7-9

Compound effect kicks in

First page for key searches. 10-15 leads per month. Cost per lead dropping.

M10-12

Owning the territory

15-20+ leads per month. Most are exclusive (no competition). Reputation established.

After 12 months: around $588 +GST spent (at $49/mo), 100+ leads, 50+ customers. Your cost per customer by month 12: under $6. (We break down all the pricing tiers in our guide to how much a tradie website should cost.)

The key difference

Month 13 is better than month 12. The leads keep coming. The site keeps working. You've built an asset, not rented an audience.

Side by side comparison

	HiPages	Your Own Website
Upfront cost	$0	$0
Monthly cost	$500-2,000+	From $49 +GST
Competition per lead	4-5 tradies quoting the same job	They found you specifically
Customer quality	Comparing multiple quotes	Higher intent, chose you
Results if you stop paying	Leads stop instantly	Site keeps ranking
Speed to first lead	Same day	1-3 months
Builds your brand
12-month cost (typical)	$18,000	$588-1,188 +GST

So should you quit HiPages?

Probably not. At least not yet.

HiPages has one thing your website doesn't: instant leads. When you're starting out or need to fill the calendar next week, that matters.

The smart play is both. Use HiPages to fill gaps. Use your website to build something that compounds.

The hybrid strategy

Start with HiPages at $500-1,000/month. Launch your website. As organic leads grow, reduce HiPages spend. By month 6-9, you should be able to cut it in half. By month 12, it becomes optional.

The real question

Every dollar you spend on HiPages is gone tomorrow. Every dollar you spend on your website builds equity.

In 12 months, do you want to be paying $250 per customer? Or $30?

The tradies booking 3 months ahead aren't winning the race to reply on lead platforms. They're the first result when someone Googles their trade + suburb.

That's not luck. That's a website doing its job. Not sure where to start? We compared the best website builder options for tradies.

Want to see what your website could look like? We'll mock one up for free. Takes 48 hours. No call required. Just fill out the form and we'll send you a preview.

Note: Cost figures and lead volumes are illustrative examples based on typical industry ranges. Your actual results will vary based on location, trade, competition, and market conditions.