Marketing that builds your client pipeline

Consistent new client flow is the foundation of a growing professional services firm. Jelly Digital builds and runs digital marketing for Auckland's accountants, consultants, law firms, and IT providers.

Digital marketing for professional services firms — Jelly Digital
Digital marketing for professional services firms — Jelly Digital

Why professional services firms choose Jelly for marketing

We build marketing strategies that augment your referral network and open new client channels you haven't tapped yet.

Beyond referrals

Most professional firms rely on referrals. We build digital channels that augment your network and attract clients you haven't reached yet.

Authority-first approach

For professional services, authority is everything. We build marketing that demonstrates expertise, not just lists services.

Measurable ROI

Every campaign is tracked to enquiry level. You know exactly which channels are generating clients and at what cost.

What customers say about us

Don't just take our word for it, hear from real customers across New Zealand.

Best investment we've made in the business. Jelly built our website, got us ranking in Google, and set up our Facebook ads. We now get consistent work from the website every week. The team are easy to deal with and they actually understand trades businesses.
Rangi Ngata — Ngata Painters
Owner
Bloody good to work with. Sorted us out with a pricing plan and website that shows what we're about. Easy to work with and we're already seeing more jobs.
Shaun Brannigan — Marmoset Electrical
Owner / Operator
Our old website was embarrassing — we were doing great work but the site didn't reflect it. Jelly did a full rebrand and new website. Now when we send prospects to the site they actually call us back. The branding work in particular was brilliant — very professional.
Sarah Tuitama — Tuitama Building
Managing Director
Awesome to work with, really happy with the website Jelly Digital set up for us. Looks great and got us online looking professional. They took care of everything. Highly recommend them, made the whole process super easy.
Steve Clarke — S J Clarke Construction
Owner / Operator
I was sceptical about spending money on a website but Jelly convinced me it was worth it. Within three months we were ranking on Google for plumbing jobs in Papakura and getting leads we weren't getting before. The team made the whole thing easy — no jargon, just results.
Dave Parata — Parata Plumbing
Director
Jelly have literally doubled our business. We're getting at least 8 new leads a week off the website alone — and with their Google Ads and SEO on top, the phone doesn't stop. They rebuilt our brand and website from the ground up and the difference has been night and day. Couldn't recommend them more.
James — Tree Rangers
Owner

FAQs

Got questions? We've answered the most common ones here.

What types of Meta Ads work best for tradies?

Lead generation ads (with an in-app form so customers don't have to leave Facebook) work well for quote requests. Video ads showing completed jobs or on-site work build trust quickly. Retargeting ads — shown to people who've already visited your website — convert at a much higher rate than cold audiences. We match the ad format to the goal and the audience.

How quickly do Meta Ads generate leads for a trades business?

Most clients start seeing enquiries within the first 1–2 weeks, but the cost per lead drops significantly after the algorithm's learning phase (typically 2–4 weeks). We set realistic expectations in month one — early results are proof of concept, not the final performance level. By month two, campaigns are usually running at full efficiency.

How do you target homeowners with Meta Ads?

Meta's targeting lets us reach people by location (suburb or postcode level), age, homeownership signals, and interests related to home improvement and renovation. For most trades businesses, we target 30–65 year olds within your service area radius. We also build custom audiences from your existing customer list and website visitors to retarget warm leads.

What's the difference between Meta Ads and Google Ads for tradies?

Google Ads captures demand — people actively searching 'electrician Auckland' right now. Meta Ads creates demand — reaching homeowners in your area before they've started searching. Google Ads generates faster results; Meta Ads builds awareness and retargeting audiences over time. The most effective approach uses both, with Meta feeding warm audiences back into Google campaigns.

Is $1,000 enough for Meta Ads as a trades business?

$1,000/month in ad spend can work well for a trades business in a defined service area. In a smaller NZ city or specific suburbs, $1,000 generates strong reach. In central Auckland you may need $1,500–$2,000+ to compete. We give you a realistic forecast for your area before you commit any budget.

Do Facebook ads work for trade businesses and contractors?

Yes, in the right context. Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) work best for trades businesses when used for awareness and retargeting — reaching homeowners in your service area before they've started actively searching. They're not as high-intent as Google Ads, but they're powerful for staying front of mind and generating quote requests from warm audiences.

Can you integrate my website with job management software?

Yes. We can integrate with most job management and booking platforms used by NZ trades businesses, including ServiceM8, Tradify, and standard calendar booking tools. We discuss your workflow during the brief and build the integration in from the start — not as an afterthought.

Why do I need a new website if my current one is bringing in some work?

The question isn't whether your current site is working — it's how much it's costing you in missed leads. If your site loads slowly, isn't mobile-optimised, or doesn't clearly communicate your services and service areas, customers are leaving and calling a competitor instead. A well-built trades website typically pays for itself within 3–6 months.

Will my new website help me rank on Google?

Yes, if it's built correctly. Our Webflow builds are technically optimised for SEO — fast load times, clean code, proper heading hierarchy, and strong mobile performance. We also structure content with local SEO in mind from day one, so the site is set up to rank from launch rather than needing retrofitting later.

Should I do SEO or Google Ads first?

If you need leads now, start with Google Ads — it generates results within days. SEO takes 3–6 months to build momentum but the leads are free once you're ranking. The ideal approach is to run Google Ads while building your organic presence, then gradually reduce ad spend as SEO kicks in. We can help you plan both.

Do I need a new website for SEO to work?

Not necessarily. If your existing site is on a fast, crawlable platform we can optimise what's there. However, if it's on a slow WordPress setup or has significant technical issues, a rebuild on Webflow will produce better SEO outcomes faster. We give you an honest assessment upfront — we won't recommend a rebuild if it isn't needed.

Is SEO worth it for a small trades business?

Yes — arguably more so than for large businesses. Ranking at the top for 'electrician [your suburb]' means you're the first call for every homeowner searching that term. A single new client per month from organic search often pays for the entire SEO retainer. The main requirement is patience — meaningful results take 3–6 months.

Why isn't my trades business ranking on Google?

The most common reasons: your Google Business Profile is unverified or incomplete, your website has thin or no location-specific content, and you have no backlinks from local NZ sources. In most cases, fixing your GBP alone produces visible improvements within 60 days. A proper audit will tell you exactly what's holding you back.

How much should I expect to pay for SEO?

Quality SEO retainers in New Zealand range from $800–$3,000/month depending on competition, scope, and number of locations. Be cautious of agencies offering SEO under $500/month — at that price, you're typically getting automated reports with very little actual work. We're transparent about what's included and what you'll get for your spend.

How much does SEO cost in NZ?

SEO retainers for NZ trades businesses start from $495/month + GST with Jelly Digital. This includes technical audits, on-page optimisation, content, Google Business Profile management, and monthly reporting. The cost of not doing SEO is harder to measure — but it's every lead that went to a competitor ranking above you.

What results can I expect from Google Ads as a trades business?

Results vary by trade, location, and budget — but as a benchmark, most of our trades clients see a cost per lead of $30–80 NZD within the first 60 days. Emergency services (plumbers, electricians) tend to see faster results due to high search intent. We set clear expectations before starting and show you the numbers every month.

How much does Google Ads management cost?

Our Google Ads management starts from $495/month + GST. This covers campaign build, ongoing optimisation, monthly reporting, and regular communication. Ad spend is separate — you pay Google directly. We recommend a minimum of $1,000/month in ad spend to generate meaningful data and leads.

Can Google Ads work in smaller NZ cities and regional areas?

Yes. Google Ads works anywhere people are searching — and in smaller cities like Hamilton, Waikato, Whangarei, and regional NZ, cost per click is often lower than Auckland, meaning better returns on the same budget. We've run effective campaigns for trades businesses across New Zealand.

Do you need conversion tracking set up before running Google Ads?

Yes — we never launch a campaign without conversion tracking confirmed. We set up Google Tag Manager and configure conversion actions (form submissions, phone calls) so we know exactly what's generating leads and what isn't. Running Google Ads without tracking is flying blind.

What if I've tried Google Ads before and it didn't work?

Most trades businesses that have tried Google Ads without success were running broad match keywords, sending traffic to their homepage, or had no conversion tracking set up. These three issues account for the majority of wasted ad spend. We fix all three before spending a dollar — and we show you exactly what we're doing and why.

Do I own my Google Ads account?

Yes, always. Your Google Ads account is set up in your name and you have full access at all times. If you ever leave Jelly Digital, you take the account with you — including all historical data, campaign structure, and the learnings we've built. We don't hold accounts hostage.

Do you run Meta Ads for professional services firms?

Yes, in the right context. Meta Ads work well for professional services when used for retargeting (reaching people who've visited your website), LinkedIn-style awareness campaigns, and promoting specific content like guides or events. For direct lead generation, Google Ads typically performs better for professional services — but Meta can play a useful supporting role.

Do you manage Google Ads for professional services?

Yes. Google Ads can be highly effective for professional services firms, particularly for city-based searches like 'accountant Auckland' or 'employment lawyer Wellington'. We set up conversion tracking from day one so you can see cost per lead, not just clicks. We also run regular search term reviews to make sure your ads are attracting the right clients.

How do you report on results?

All clients on ongoing retainers receive a monthly report covering the metrics that matter for their specific services — lead volume, cost per lead, keyword rankings, organic traffic, or ad performance depending on the scope. We focus on business outcomes (enquiries, leads, revenue) not vanity metrics (impressions, followers).

What makes Jelly Digital different from other agencies?

Two things. First, we specialise in two specific client types — trades businesses and professional services firms — which means we understand your industry, your clients, and what converts, rather than treating every business the same. Second, we're a small team which means you deal directly with the people doing the work, not account managers passing messages. You get senior-level thinking without the agency overhead.

Can you help with Google Business Profile?

Yes. Google Business Profile optimisation is one of the highest-leverage things a local business can do. We handle setup, category selection, description optimisation, photo uploads, and a review generation process. For most local businesses, an optimised GBP listing will generate more enquiries per dollar spent than almost anything else.

Do you work outside Auckland?

Yes. The majority of our work is done remotely so we can work with businesses anywhere in New Zealand. We have clients in Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, and regional areas. If you're in Auckland, we're happy to meet in person — for everyone else, video calls work just as well.

Do you sign contracts?

Yes. All projects and retainers are covered by a straightforward service agreement that protects both parties. We don't lock clients into long-term contracts for ongoing services — retainers run month-to-month with 30 days' notice to cancel. We'd rather earn your business every month than hold you to a term.

Do you offer ongoing monthly support?

Yes. Most of our clients are on ongoing retainers that include a mix of services — SEO, Google Ads management, content updates, or a combination. Monthly retainers start from $600 + GST/month depending on the scope. One-off projects (websites, branding) are also available.

How do I get started with Jelly Digital?

The easiest way is to fill in our contact form or give us a call. We'll book a free 30-minute strategy call to understand your business, your goals, and what you're currently doing online. From there we'll put together a clear proposal — no vague scope, no surprise fees.

Do you handle both trades and professional services clients?

Yes. Jelly Digital was built to serve both trades businesses and professional services firms. We keep these client tracks separate — different strategies, different content, different tone — but the expertise, tools, and quality of work are consistent across both. This also means we can support referral relationships between trades clients and professional services clients (a builder and their accountant, for example).

Is Facebook advertising worth it for tradies?

Yes, in the right context. Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) work particularly well for brand awareness, retargeting website visitors, and promoting seasonal offers. For lead generation, Google Ads typically has higher intent — but Meta Ads are valuable for staying top-of-mind in your service area. We recommend combining both for best results.

How quickly will Google Ads generate leads?

Google Ads campaigns can start generating enquiries within days of launch. Most campaigns reach their optimal performance within 4–8 weeks as the algorithm learns which clicks convert best. We set up conversion tracking from day one so you can see exactly what your ad spend is producing.

How much should I spend on Google Ads?

For most NZ trades businesses and professional services firms, we recommend a minimum ad spend of $1,500–2,000/month to generate meaningful results. Below this threshold, campaigns often don't have enough data to optimise effectively. We'll recommend a budget based on your service area, competition level, and lead targets.

Do you offer ongoing SEO support?

Yes. We offer monthly SEO retainers that include technical maintenance, content creation, link building, and regular reporting. SEO is not a one-time fix — ongoing work is what drives consistent improvement over time.

What's the difference between SEO and Google Ads?

SEO (search engine optimisation) improves your organic (unpaid) rankings in Google over time. Google Ads puts you at the top of search results immediately but requires ongoing spend. The two work best together: ads for immediate lead flow, SEO for long-term compounding visibility. Most of our clients use both.

How long does SEO take to work?

Most clients see meaningful improvements in Google Business Profile visibility within 2–3 months. Ranking improvements for competitive organic search terms typically take 6–12 months of consistent work. SEO is a compounding investment — the earlier you start, the sooner you benefit.

Who does Jelly Digital work with?

We primarily work with two types of clients: trades businesses (electricians, plumbers, builders, landscapers, and other trades) and professional services firms (accountants, HR consultants, lawyers, and IT providers). We have deep experience in both niches and understand what converts in each industry.

Where is Jelly Digital based?

We're based in Auckland, New Zealand, and work with clients across Auckland and throughout New Zealand. Most of our work is done remotely, so location is rarely a barrier.

What does Jelly Digital do?

Jelly Digital is an Auckland-based digital marketing agency specialising in trades businesses and professional services firms. We design and build websites, run Google Ads and Meta Ads campaigns, manage SEO, and create branding — everything a growing business needs to win more clients online.

Ready to get started?

We take on a limited number of new clients each month. If you're a trades business or professional services firm ready to grow, we'd like to hear from you.