Builder and renovator profile on Websta: how to get found in Malaysia

What your profile page needs

Your Websta profile is a working page, not a brochure. It has to show clearly what you do, where you work, and how people contact you. Start with the essentials: your name or business name, the town or towns where you work, a photo of yourself or a photo from a completed job, a short description of what you offer, and a contact method.

Beyond the basics, add sections for your services, prices (you set these), photos of your work, and a way for customers to book an appointment or submit a quote request. The photo section is important - customers want to see what you have built or fixed before they call. Use photos that are clear and show the finished work well.

• Your name or business name
• Location - the town or towns where you work
• A photo of yourself or your work
• A short description of your services
• List of services you offer
• Prices you set
• Photos of completed projects
• Contact form or booking system

Which services to list

Websta's marketplace for construction in Malaysia lets customers search by the type of work they need. Think about the work you do most often and list those services first. Common searches on the marketplace include: residential renovation, kitchen and bathroom work, painting and decoration, carpentry, roof repair, plumbing work, electrical work, and general maintenance.

If you do multiple types of work, list each one. This helps customers find you when they search for something specific. Be clear about what you will and will not do. If you only do interior work, say so. If you work on both houses and commercial buildings, mention both.

Photos that attract customers

A photo of yourself matters. Customers want to know who they are dealing with. Then add photos of work you have completed - rooms after renovation, a freshly painted wall, a repaired roof, a new kitchen. Make sure the lighting is good and the work is clearly visible.

Aim for at least three to five photos of your work. If you are just starting out and have few photos, take before-and-after shots of the next jobs you do. Phone cameras are adequate if the image is clear and the light is good. Avoid blurry or dark photos.

Language: what customers search in

In Malaysia, customers search in English and Malay, or sometimes a mix of both. You can publish your profile in one language or both - that is up to you. If you are comfortable in both English and Malay, listing services and a description in both languages will reach more people. Check the language options on your Websta profile page.

Your description does not need to be long. One or two sentences in each language is enough. The rest of the page - service names, your photo, your price list - works across both languages because they are mostly visual or numbers.

How customers find you on the marketplace

People in Malaysia use the Websta marketplace to search for builders and renovators by the type of work they need and the town they live in or near. They type what they are looking for - for example, 'bathroom renovation Kuala Lumpur' or 'house painting Johor Bahru' - and get a list of providers who work in that area and offer that service. Your profile appears in these search results if your location and services match what they are looking for.

Some customers also post a task on the marketplace - describing the work they need, the location, and their budget - and providers make offers. If you set up your profile with clear services and your town, you can receive these task offers as well.

Setting up pricing and payment

You set all prices on your profile. You can list a fixed price for common jobs - for example, a set rate for painting a room or a bathroom tile job - or an hourly rate. For custom work, you can ask the customer to request a quote, and you respond with your price.

When customers book or pay through Websta, payments go to your own bank account through Stripe. You do not have to use any other payment method if you do not want to. Make sure you have a Malaysian bank account and that Stripe is set up to pay into it.

Practical steps as an independent provider in Malaysia

Before you take on paid work, check what registration or licences you need in Malaysia. Requirements differ depending on whether you work as a sole trader, a partnership, or a company, and they can vary by state. Contact your state's local authority or the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to confirm what applies to you.

You will need a bank account to receive payments. Keep records of the work you do and the money you earn for tax purposes. If you work with other people, make sure you are clear about who is responsible for what and agree on payment terms. For larger jobs, consider having a simple written agreement with the customer about the scope of work, timeline, and price.

What to write and upload in your first hour

Start with your profile photo and a short description. Write one sentence about what you do - for example, 'I carry out interior and exterior renovation work for residential homes across Peninsular Malaysia' or 'I specialise in kitchen and bathroom renovation in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur'. Keep it simple.

Then add your main services. List four to six types of work you do. Set a price for at least one service so customers can see you are active. Upload two or three photos of your work. This takes less than an hour and gives you a working profile that customers can find and contact you through. You can add more photos and refine your description later.