The software every NZ trade business needs (and what each one does)
A plain-English map of the apps a modern trade business runs on: website, Google profile, job management, accounting, payments and phones.
Readysite3 min read
There’s an app for everything now, and sales reps for all of them. This guide cuts through it. Below is every type of software a typical NZ trade business needs, what it does, and the popular options. You don’t need all of it on day one, but this is the full picture.
1. Getting found: website and Google Business Profile
What it does: puts you in front of customers searching on Google and Google Maps.
- Google Business Profile (free): your listing on Google Maps with reviews, photos and your phone number. Our setup guide.
- A website: your home base online, with your services, areas, photos and a quote form. Why it matters.
2. Answering calls: phone and receptionist tools
What it does: makes sure enquiries don’t go to voicemail and get lost.
- Your mobile’s voicemail and missed-call text features
- Phone add-ons in some job apps (ServiceM8 has one, for example)
- An AI voice assistant that answers every call and texts you the details
More options in Stop losing jobs to missed calls.
3. Running jobs: job management software
What it does: quotes, scheduling, job sheets, photos, timesheets and invoices, all from your phone. This is the app you’ll use most days.
- Tradify: NZ-founded, simple, priced per user
- Fergus: NZ-founded by a plumber, strong on job costing
- ServiceM8: Australian, priced by jobs per month, free plan for sole traders
- Others worth a look for bigger or project-based businesses: NextMinute, AroFlo and simPRO
Not sure which? Read Tradify vs Fergus vs ServiceM8.
4. The books: accounting software
What it does: bank feeds, invoices, expenses, GST returns and payroll, and it’s where your accountant works.
- Xero: NZ-founded and the most common choice for NZ small businesses. Every major job app connects to it.
- MYOB and QuickBooks are the main alternatives.
The key is connecting your job app to your accounting software, so every invoice and payment flows across automatically.
5. Getting paid: payments
What it does: lets customers pay by card or online, so you’re not chasing bank transfers.
- Online payment links on invoices (most job apps and Xero offer this through payment providers like Stripe)
- Tap-to-pay on your phone for paying on the spot
6. Receipts and expenses
What it does: stops the shoebox of receipts. Snap a photo of a receipt and it’s matched to your accounts.
- Xero’s receipt capture tools (including Hubdoc)
- Supplier integrations in job apps that pull trade-account invoices straight in
7. Health and safety and compliance
What it does: site safety plans, hazard registers, toolbox talks and certificates of compliance, kept digitally.
- Built-in forms in Tradify, Fergus and ServiceM8
- Dedicated safety apps for larger teams
8. Email and documents
What it does: a professional email address and somewhere safe for your files.
- Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for an email address like you@yourbusiness.co.nz, shared calendars and file storage. A business email address looks more professional than a Gmail or Xtra address.
Where to start
If you’re starting from scratch, the order that pays off fastest is:
- Google Business Profile and a website (get found)
- A way to catch every call (stop losing jobs)
- A job management app (save admin time)
- Xero, connected to your job app (sort the books)
Everything else can come later. Readysite can handle step 1 and step 2 for you: websites and AI voice assistants built for NZ tradies.
Smoko Read
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