Hipages vs your own website — which is better for Australian tradies?
5-minute read — Hipages generates leads. Your own website builds a business. The honest comparison.
Your Hipages vs Website Questions Answered
Should I use Hipages and have my own website?
Use Hipages while you build your own presence. Once your Google Business Profile has 30+ reviews and your website is ranking locally, Hipages becomes optional rather than essential.
How much does Hipages cost?
Typically $150–400/month depending on your trade and location, plus the cost per lead. In competitive trades like plumbing and electrical, lead costs are at the higher end.
What are the downsides of relying on Hipages?
You pay for leads whether they convert or not. Lead quality varies. You're always competing on price. And you never build an owned audience that grows over time.
How long to get leads from my own website vs Hipages?
In most trades and suburbs, 6–12 months of consistent effort on your Google Business Profile and website will generate comparable or better lead volume than Hipages — for free.
6 key differences between Hipages and your own website
Cost per lead
Hipages: you pay $15–80+ per lead and compete with 3–5 others for every job. Your website: free traffic from Google that compounds over time.
Who owns the customer
Hipages owns the customer relationship. Your website: the customer contacts you directly. You own their details and build the relationship.
Long-term value
Hipages requires continuous spend. Stop paying, stop getting leads. Your website: organic rankings and reviews compound and don't switch off.
Lead quality
Hipages customers are shopping around and comparing quotes. Customers from your own website have chosen you specifically before they make contact.
Where reviews live
Hipages reviews stay on Hipages. Your Google reviews build your permanent reputation and directly improve your local search rankings.
Most serious Sydney tradies use both — but not forever
Hipages is a practical short-term source while your own Google presence builds. The problem is when it becomes a permanent crutch — you're perpetually renting customers instead of owning them, and the per-lead cost compounds without building any lasting asset.
We help Sydney tradies make the transition: build the website, Google Business Profile and review system that generates free, owned leads from Google — so Hipages becomes optional within 12 months.
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