Why Most Brisbane Websites Feel Like Ghost Towns
I want you to think about the last time you looked for a local service—maybe an electrician to fix a power fault in Coorparoo or a solicitor in the CBD. You probably opened three or four tabs on your laptop or phone.
Most of those websites looked identical. They had the same stock photos of people shaking hands, the same generic text about "quality service," and the same boring contact forms.
If your website looks like that, you aren’t giving people a reason to choose you. You’re just a name on a list.
But then, you click on one site and a video starts playing. It’s not a Hollywood production. It’s just the owner standing in front of their van or shop, saying, "G'day, I'm Mike. We've been helping families in Brisbane for fifteen years, and here is how we do things differently."
Instantly, Mike isn't just another name. He’s a real person. You’ve seen his face, heard his voice, and decided if you like him. That is the power of video. It turns a cold webpage into a warm introduction.
At Local Marketing Group, we’ve seen this work for dozens of local businesses. A simple video can be the difference between someone clicking away or picking up the phone to book a quote.
The "Trust Gap": Why People Hesitate to Call You
Every time a new visitor lands on your site, there is a "trust gap." They don't know if you're reliable, if you'll show up on time, or if you'll overcharge them.
Text can only do so much to bridge that gap. Anyone can write "we are the best." But showing your face and your team in action proves it. When you make your website feel alive, you remove the mystery. You show the human being behind the business, which makes people feel safe enough to reach out.
Will this actually make me money?
Yes. Here is why: 1. People stay longer: If there is a video, people stay on your page to watch it. The longer they stay, the more likely they are to remember you. 2. It saves you time: A 90-second video can explain what you do better than a 2,000-word essay. This means the people who do call you are already "sold" on how you work. 3. Google likes it: If people spend more time on your site watching a video, Google notices. They figure your site is helpful and start showing it to more people.
You Don't Need a $10,000 Film Crew
One of the biggest myths I hear from business owners in Milton or North Lakes is that video is too expensive. They think they need a director, lighting rigs, and professional actors.
That’s rubbish. In fact, over-produced videos often feel "fake" to local customers. They look like a TV commercial, and we’ve all been trained to ignore commercials.
What works for a local plumber, landscaper, or accountant is authenticity.
The "iPhone Method"
Most modern smartphones have cameras that are better than professional gear from ten years ago. You can literally walk out to your job site today, hold your phone up, and record a winning video.Here is the 3-step script for a video that sells: 1. The Hook: "Are you sick of tradies who don't show up on time in Brisbane?" 2. The Solution: "I'm Sarah from XYZ Plumbing. We guarantee a 30-minute window for all our call-outs, or we give you $50 off." 3. The Call to Action: "Give us a call on the number below and we'll get you sorted today."
That’s it. No special effects needed. Just you being real.
Where to Put the Video for Maximum Results
Don't hide your video on an "About Us" page that nobody visits. It needs to be front and centre.
We recommend putting it "above the fold"—which is just a fancy way of saying "the part of the screen people see before they start scrolling."
If you put a video right next to your enquiry form, you’ll see more people filling out that form. Why? Because the video gave them the confidence to take the next step. If you combine this with showing reviews that sell, you create a powerhouse page that does the heavy lifting for your sales team.
Three Types of Videos That Get More Enquiries
If you’re wondering what to actually film, start with these three. You don't need all of them, but having even one will put you ahead of 90% of your competitors.
1. The "Welcome" Video
This is the one I mentioned earlier. It’s you introducing yourself and your business. The goal is to make the customer feel like they already know you. Mention your local area—whether you serve the Southside, the Western Suburbs, or the whole of South East Queensland. It shows you're a local who cares about the community.2. The "How We Work" Video
People are often nervous about what happens after they call. Do you come into their house? Do they need to move furniture? How do you handle payments?A quick video showing your process removes those fears. Show your team arriving in a clean uniform, putting down floor protectors, and finishing the job with a smile. It’s about setting expectations.
3. The "Client Success" Video (The Real Deal)
Instead of just a written quote, film a 30-second clip of a happy customer standing next to the work you did."Hey, I'm John from Chermside. The team just finished our deck and it looks amazing. They were on time and kept the place clean. Highly recommend them!"
This is worth more than any amount of clever marketing copy you could ever write.
Avoiding the Common Mistakes (Don't Waste Your Money)
I’ve seen Brisbane business owners spend thousands on videos that actually hurt their sales. Here is what to avoid:
Autoplay with Sound: Never, ever have a video that starts blasting music or talking the second the page loads. It’s annoying, especially if someone is browsing at work or late at night. Let them click play when they're ready. Too Long: We have the attention span of a goldfish. Keep your videos under 2 minutes. If you can do it in 60 seconds, even better. The "Slow Load" Trap: If your video makes your website take forever to load, people will leave before they even see it. You need to make sure your site is fast. We've talked before about how real speed drives sales, and this is especially true with video. Use a service like YouTube or Vimeo to host the video so it doesn't slow down your own server. No Captions: A lot of people watch videos on silent (like while they're on the bus or in a meeting). If you don't have captions (subtitles), they won't know what you're saying. Most video tools can add these automatically now.
What Will This Cost Me?
Let’s talk brass tacks.
The DIY Option ($0 - $200): You use your own phone. You might buy a $30 tripod and a $50 clip-on microphone from JB Hi-Fi to make the sound clearer. You spend a Saturday afternoon filming and use a free app to trim the ends. Total cost is basically just your time. The Semi-Pro Option ($1,500 - $3,000): You hire a local videographer for a half-day shoot. They bring proper lights and mics, and they edit it for you. You’ll get a very polished result that lasts for years.
- The Full Production ($5,000+): This is for larger companies wanting multiple videos, drone shots, and high-end editing. For most small businesses, this is overkill.
How Long Until I See Results?
This isn't like SEO, which can take months. As soon as that video is live on your site, every single person who visits will see it.
You can see an increase in phone calls and enquiries within the first week. We had a client in the landscaping industry who added a simple "meet the team" video and saw their enquiry rate jump by 20% almost immediately. People just felt more comfortable calling "Dave the Landscaper" once they'd seen Dave on screen.
What Should You Do First?
Don't overthink this. You don't need a scriptwriter.
1. Grab your phone. 2. Find a spot with decent light (facing a window is best, don't have the window behind you). 3. Record a 60-second intro. Say who you are, what you do, and why people in your part of Brisbane should call you. 4. Watch it back. If you don't stumble over your words too much, it's good enough. 5. Get it on your site.
Most business owners will read this and think, "That sounds like a good idea," but they'll never do it. They're too shy or too busy.
If you actually take 15 minutes to record a video today, you are already ahead of almost every other business in your suburb. You are making it easy for customers to trust you, and in a world of faceless websites, that is how you win.
Need a Hand Getting It Right?
At Local Marketing Group, we specialise in making sure your website doesn't just look pretty—it actually makes you money. Whether you need help placing your video, speeding up your site, or getting more local leads, we're here to help Brisbane businesses grow.
If you want to stop guessing and start getting more bookings, get in touch with us today. Let's get your phone ringing.