How to Switch from ServiceM8 to TradeDesk — Step-by-Step Guide
BLUF: Switching from ServiceM8 to TradeDesk takes about 30 minutes. Export your contacts and job history, import into TradeDesk, and move to unlimited jobs plus plumbing compliance tools on Pro ($79/month or $790/year) instead of paying $79–$349/month for capped ServiceM8 tiers.
Why Plumbers Switch from ServiceM8
- Job caps: Hit your limit mid-month and you can't create new jobs
- Escalating costs: The busier you get, the more you pay ($79–$349/month)
- No compliance: Zero plumbing-specific features (Form 7/9, standards, pipe sizing)
- Generic: Built for all field services, not specifically for plumbers
Step 1: Export Your Data from ServiceM8
- Contacts: Go to Clients → Export All → CSV format
- Job history: Go to Jobs → Filter → Export (for your records)
- Templates: Screenshot or copy any email/SMS templates you've customised
- Forms: Note any custom forms you've built (you'll recreate these in TradeDesk)
Step 2: Sign Up for TradeDesk
Create your free account — 21-day trial, no credit card, full access to all features including compliance tools.
Step 3: Import Customers
Upload your ServiceM8 contacts CSV. TradeDesk auto-maps standard fields (name, email, phone, address, notes).
Step 4: Set Up Compliance (The Part ServiceM8 Couldn't Do)
- Enter your QBCC licence details
- Select your council area
- Enable Form 7/9 generation
- Try the AI standards lookup — ask it any AS/NZS 3500 question
- Use the pipe sizing calculator on your next job
Step 5: Cancel ServiceM8
- Go to Settings → Account → Cancel Plan
- ServiceM8 is month-to-month — cancel anytime
- Download any remaining data before cancellation
What You Gain
| Feature | ServiceM8 | TradeDesk |
|---|---|---|
| Job limits | 50–500/month | Unlimited |
| Annual cost | $348–$4,188 | $790 Pro |
| Compliance tools | None | Full suite |
| AI standards lookup | No | Yes |
What You Might Miss
To be transparent — ServiceM8 has some features TradeDesk doesn't (yet):
- Online booking page for customers
- GPS tracking of field workers
- Automated "on my way" SMS notifications
If these are critical to your business, you may want to run both during your trial period to see if TradeDesk's compliance tools outweigh what you'd lose.