How to build a Websta profile as a gardener in Japan

What a Websta profile contains for gardeners

Your profile page acts as your online presence. Customers visiting it will find information about who you are, what you offer, photos of your work, and a way to contact you or book your time.

Start with a profile photo of yourself. Then write a short description of what you do - whether you focus on residential gardens, landscape maintenance, plant selection, pruning, seasonal work, or another speciality. Keep it direct and honest about your experience and what services you actually provide.

Add photos of gardens you have worked on. These are the clearest way to show what you can do. Include before-and-after shots if possible, and photos that show different types of work - hedge trimming, planting, seasonal care, hardscaping, or whatever you specialize in.

List the specific services you offer. You set the prices yourself. Each service should have a clear description so customers know what they are paying for. For example, 'seasonal leaf cleanup', 'perennial garden maintenance', or 'fruit tree pruning' are more useful than generic terms.

Booking and quote requests

You can accept bookings directly on your profile or let customers request quotes. Many gardening jobs need a site visit first to give an accurate quote, so a quote request function works well for this trade.

Decide which works better for you: allowing customers to book standard services at set times, or having them describe the job they need and you responding with an offer. You can also use both - quick maintenance visits as bookable services, and larger projects handled through quote requests.

When a customer books or requests a quote, you can communicate through the platform to agree on details, timing, and any site-specific needs before you start work.

Language and local search

Publish your profile in Japanese and English. Many customers in Japan will search in Japanese, especially those booking for residential gardens. English helps you reach expat communities in cities and tourists who need temporary garden help.

People in Japan find gardeners through the Websta marketplace by searching for 'gardener' or 'garden services' and their location. The platform shows providers near the customer's town or district. Make sure your profile clearly states the areas you cover - whether you work across a prefecture, in specific cities, or just one neighbourhood.

Include the Japanese names of locations you serve. If you work in Tokyo, write 'Tokyo' (東京) or specific wards. If you cover a regional area, say so. This helps customers in that area find you when they search locally.

What to check before you start

Japan does not have one national list of requirements for gardeners, and rules can differ by prefecture and municipality. Check with your local municipal office or city hall about whether you need to register your business, hold a specific licence, or meet health and safety standards for garden work.

If you are a sole trader working from home or as a self-employed person, you typically need to register with the tax office for income tax purposes. Consult your local tax office (tax bureau) to confirm what paperwork you need to file and when.

Insurance is something to arrange. Liability insurance protects you if your work accidentally damages a customer's property. Check what the market offers for gardeners in your area.

Websta processes card payments through Stripe and pays money into your own bank account. You will need a Japanese bank account to receive payouts. Make sure your account is set up and active before you take your first job.

Services to list for the Japanese market

Gardens in Japan range from traditional Japanese gardens with stones and moss, to modern residential plots, to rooftop and small urban spaces. Consider what you actually do and what customers in your area ask for.

Common services gardeners offer include seasonal maintenance, leaf and debris cleanup, hedge and shrub pruning, lawn care, planting, weeding, and preparation of gardens for winter or spring. Some gardeners specialize - for example, in traditional Japanese garden design or care, or in native plants.

List services at the level of detail that helps customers understand what you do. 'Garden maintenance' is too vague. 'Monthly weeding and pruning for residential gardens' is clear. Price each service separately so customers see what they are paying for.

What to write in your first hour

Start with your profile photo and a short bio in both Japanese and English. Write one paragraph about who you are and what kind of garden work you do. Be factual - say how many years you have been gardening, what training or experience you have, and what you enjoy doing.

Next, list three to five core services you offer right now. Do not add services you plan to offer later. Customers will search for what you actually do today.

Add at least three photos of work you have done. If you do not have photos yet, take some this week. Clear photos of finished work speak louder than text.

Write the locations you serve. Be specific: name the towns, cities, or prefectures where you work. This helps the right customers find you.

Set up the contact or quote request form. Write a simple message explaining that customers should describe their garden and what they need, and you will visit to assess and make an offer.

How customers find you on Websta in Japan

Websta has a marketplace where people nearby search for services by type and location. When someone in Kyoto searches for 'gardener', they see profiles of gardeners who work in Kyoto.

Your profile appears when your location matches the customer's search and your services match what they are looking for. The more specific your service descriptions and location information, the easier it is for the right customers to find you.

Some customers will also browse profiles directly. Make sure your photos and service list are clear so they can quickly tell if you are the right person for their job.

Getting set up on Websta

Sign up, create your profile, and fill in your business details. Upload your photo, write your bio, and list your services. Add photos of your work. Choose whether to accept bookings, quote requests, or both.

Check that your location information is correct so customers in your area can find you. Websta will ask for the towns or regions you serve.

Test your contact form or booking system to make sure it works. When a customer first contacts you, respond quickly to show you are active and professional.

Keep your profile updated. If you add new services, change your availability, or take photos of new projects, update your profile so customers see your current work.