How do I get reviews when I have none?

Ask real customers to leave a Google review as each job finishes, with a direct link to make it easy. Do not offer rewards for reviews and do not ask only the happy ones.

Should I spend on ads before I have customers?

Only once you have somewhere good to send people and a way to answer enquiries quickly. Start with a small test budget you can afford to lose.

How to get your first customers

Written by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, Melbourne. Updated 5 October 2026.

The first customers do not come from a clever funnel. They come from people who already know you, then people who can find you, then people you pay to reach.

This is the order that usually works, with the cheapest and fastest first.

Book a Launch Call See the prices

1. People who already know you

Tell everyone you know, in a sentence, what you do and who for.
Ask for one introduction, not for work.
Do the first jobs well and ask for a Google review as each one finishes.

2. Be findable

A Google Business Profile, so you show on Maps for your area.
A simple website with your offer, your area, your phone number and real photos.
The same name, phone and email everywhere you appear.

3. Show real work

Photos and short clips of the actual jobs.
A few plain sentences from the first customers, with their permission.
Do not fake a portfolio. One real job beats five stock images.

4. Then pay to reach more

Paid ads work best once there is somewhere good to send people. Decide a test budget up front, send the ad to a page that matches what it said, answer every enquiry the same day and check the numbers weekly. Our guide on how much to spend on ads walks through the sums.

Keep a weekly rhythm

Once a week, look at who enquired, who became a customer and where they came from. Do more of what produced customers and stop what did not.

More guides for new businesses

All of them are on the guides page.

Who is behind this

Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo, the founders of Urban Media, on a shoot in Melbourne

Urban Launch is built and run by Urban Media (ABN 28 169 446 902), a Melbourne studio founded by Jack Harrington and Gabriel Pozo. Urban Media makes video, design and websites for clients including Box Hill United, Brighton Grammar and Porsche Club Victoria.

If you want to talk to the people doing the work, call 0456 785 904. More about who we are, and how to check us, is on the About page.

Jack Harrington, co-founder of Urban Media, speaking to camera — Jack Harrington, co-founder of Urban Media, on how Urban Launch works. Captions are on screen.

Common questions

How do I get reviews when I have none?: Ask real customers to leave a Google review as each job finishes, with a direct link to make it easy. Do not offer rewards for reviews and do not ask only the happy ones.
Should I spend on ads before I have customers?: Only once you have somewhere good to send people and a way to answer enquiries quickly. Start with a small test budget you can afford to lose.

Start with a Launch Call

Live and generating enquiries within 45 days, or we keep working at no extra cost until you are. The Launch Call is where we check it is the right fit before we book anything in. For a real example, read the Airwize case study (12 conversions, meaning leads that became sales, in the first month of Google Ads from $70 of ad spend, our figures). You can also read how a launch package compares with hiring separately, or go to the packages and prices on the homepage.

Book a Launch Call

More: Brand and website package, Melbourne, Startup package for a new business, Melbourne, Branding, website and photography package, Melbourne.