Picture a homeowner who calls a few handymen and waits for anyone to call back. My take: that wait is your real competition, not the other guys. Show up when you said, for the price you said, and people remember. Marketing just makes that easy to see before the first job.
The homeowner's fear is specific: no-shows, vague prices, a job left half done. Answer it in public. Ask happy customers to say what actually happened, in their own words, never from a script. A review like “replied in an hour, came Thursday like he said” does more than five stars alone. Add photos of finished jobs and your real name and face. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking (Google Business Profile Help). Ask right after the fix, while they're still happy about it.
My take: a house that let you in once will need you again, and past clients are the easiest work you'll ever win. Keep a simple list. Check in each season (“Gutter season. Want on the schedule?”). Treat small jobs as a tryout for bigger ones. Property managers and realtors can send repeat work orders too, so be the one who sends photos when the job is done and never needs chasing.
Start with your Google Business Profile: photos of real work, the services you do (and the ones you don't), the towns you cover, and your license if you have one. Google says businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results (Google Business Profile Help). Then build a one-page site with the same info in plain text, so people, search engines and AI tools can all read it. What to skip: racing to the cheapest hourly rate, and making lead apps your whole plan. My take: you end up paying for strangers while your past clients forget your number. Stay in front of your list instead.
Reviews that prove you show up, a complete Google profile, and steady repeat business. My take: seasonal check-ins with past clients and one or two property managers can keep a calendar full without paying for leads.
My take: by the job when the scope is clear, because a flat number is easier for a homeowner to say yes to. Keep hourly for work you truly can't predict. Either way, put the number in writing before you start.
As a starter or a way to fill gaps, they can help. As the whole business, I wouldn't. You pay the app for the work, and the customer found the app, not you. My take: use them to get your first reviews and start your client list, then let the list take over.
One page, yes: services, towns, photos, reviews, license info, and how to reach you, written in plain text that search engines and AI tools can read. My take: without it, people only hear about you by word of mouth.
Not sure if people searching for a handyman in your town can find you? Email alejandro@ojedaworks.com and I'll check for free.
Related: Contractor marketing · Home services marketing · Do I need a website?