Marketing agency or AI for NZ tradies? (2027)
The marketing that actually wins trade jobs, and whether you need an agency for it.
What wins trade jobs
- A complete Google Business Profile with recent photos
- Lots of real reviews, each with a reply
- A page for each service and area you cover
- Answering the phone. See AI receptionists for trades.
What an agency costs
NZ$1,000 to NZ$3,000 a month for social media and NZ$1,500 to NZ$4,000 for SEO, plus GST (Digital Hall of Fame). That’s at least NZ$12,000 a year, before ad spend.
What AI can do on a tradie’s budget
Snap a photo when a job’s done. JENA’s Social Media Manager turns it into a post, the Content Writer turns common questions into service pages, and review replies are drafted for you. You approve each one from your phone. JENA has a ready-made trades team, from NZ$29 a month, GST included. Full disclosure: NOVA makes JENA.
When an agency is worth it for a trade business
If you’re spending thousands a month on Google Ads, or launching into a new region, a specialist can pay for themselves. Pay for that as a project and keep the weekly routine in-house with AI.
Start with the overview: marketing agency or AI? What NZ businesses pay in 2027.
Questions
Do tradies need a marketing agency?
Most don’t. Reviews, a current Google profile, job photos and service pages win most trade work, and AI can draft all of that.
What is the best marketing for a trade business in NZ?
A complete Google Business Profile, real reviews with replies, a page per service and area, and answering every call.
How much does JENA cost for a tradie?
From NZ$29 a month, GST included, with a 7-day free trial and a ready-made trades team.
Give the busywork to an AI team.
Pick a role, connect your apps and approve the first job. Free for 7 days, no card.