Finding new leads to build and grow your client base is one of the most difficult aspects of being a contractor. Knowing how to generate leads is an important part of any marketing strategy. In today’s online market, knowing where to advertise your services is almost as important as getting reviews.

The good news is that there are a plethora of excellent websites available that make finding new customers a breeze. There are several options available in a variety of price points and services. Let’s talk about how to choose the right lead generation website for you and your business before we get into some of the best lead generation websites for contractors.

What are the benefits of lead generation for contractors?

Contractors and construction companies are unable to identify their target audience and locate them online without a clearly defined lead generation strategy, and as a result, struggle to generate quality website traffic that can be converted into quote requests and sales appointments.

In the preceding sentence, the word quality should be highlighted. When determining the success of a lead generation campaign, too many marketing teams focus on lead quantity. On the other hand, sales teams and business owners concentrate on lead quality. People who want to buy your product or service and have the financial means to do so.

Quality lead generation remains the top marketing challenge for contractors and most other businesses year after year, despite its importance.

The difference between a dry pipeline and consistent sales growth will be determined by how well you solve this problem.

Building an online presence, one profile at a time, is one of the most effective ways for contractors to produce a continuous stream of quality leads. Once those listings are live and optimized, contractors can use local SEO, PPC, live chat, and other digital methods to deliver targeted traffic to those properties.

Getting new business requires some upfront work, which includes creating business profiles on a variety of listing sites that are swarming with your target clients. However, if you’ve nailed the initial setup, you’ll be in an excellent position to use a multi-channel lead generation approach to generate a steady stream of high-quality inbound leads.

Best lead generation for you

There are no two contractor lead generation companies alike. Some specialize in real estate transactions and household services (such as moving), while others offer everything from dog walkers to lawn mowers to full-scale renovations.

First, look through your services to see where they belong in the market, and then look for a couple of your competitors. Look them up on some of these sites and on their website. If they appear to be receiving a lot of leads, that site might be a good fit for your business. You may utilize the volume and quality of reviews to figure out how engaged you will be on that site.

Deciding on the best lead generation site that will fit for your budget

If you’re new to using an online contractor lead service, you should consider ahead of time how much you’re ready to spend, as some services can be costly. Some lead generation websites are completely free or have a free version. Others offer all-inclusive memberships or a pay-per-lead strategy (which can save you money year after year if you create a lot of leads). Calculate how much money you could make each lead and then evaluate if the investment is worthwhile.

Start with a free version if you’re unsure. This option allows you to acquire a feel for the website and the experience before you spend your hard-earned money. If the site only offers paid choices, go with the per-lead option for the first several months. Later on, you can upgrade to an annual membership.

Set some time to work on your new lead generation website

When you’ve selected a contractor lead generating firm, make sure you set aside some time each day or week to follow up. It’s pointless to create an account if you don’t keep your profile up to date and stay in touch with clients in order to get more reviews.

The more evaluations you can persuade customers to leave on your selected site or sites, the more likely you are to create future leads. These websites don’t do the heavy lifting for you. They provide a well-designed platform that makes meeting new clients simple.

Lead generation sites for contractors

Angie’s List

 

 

Thanks to a series of well-known television advertising, not many people haven’t heard of this website. Angie’s List, which has over 5 million members, is a good pick for your business because of all of this publicity.

Members can use this site, which also includes an app, to find, hire, and review service providers in their area. They have over 700 specialist areas, such as health care, vehicle services, and home repair, so finding a location for your niche is straightforward.

If you want to join a site that is completely free, this is the one to go with. Once you’ve signed up, you can make use of some of their wonderful features, such as exhibiting your greatest work to show potential clients that you’re the ideal person for the job, or seeking feedback and reviews from clients to improve your company’s credibility.

You can find commercial and residential clients on Angie’s List. Residential clientele, on the other hand, are more popular and typically consist of a mix of homeowners and property managers. One disadvantage is that you can’t change your profile to show customer evaluations up front, which may deter clients searching for a short summary of previous experiences. Angie’s List will refer a contractor to the client based on their project requirements, unlike other services that allow clients to search through a list of service providers and choose one.

Let’s break it down

Here’s a quick rundown of what Angie’s List has to offer:

• Price: They offer plans ranging from free to $99 per year.
• Advertising: exclusively available for those with Gold membership
• SEO Visibility: Angie’s List gives its businesses a lot of exposure.
• Top business sectors: If you provide one-time services like pool service, cleaning, painting, electrical, roofing, HVAC, or plumbing, your business is likely to thrive.

HomeAdvisor

Another popular and well-known lead generation site that contractors should use is HomeAdvisor. They assist clients find the best contractor for the project by using filters such as location preferences, service type, and availability.

This lead generation website is a good choice because it aids in the development of your online presence, which is important in today’s virtual market. Clients will find it simple to use, which means your firm will get a lot of attention.

HomeAdvisor has over two decades of experience in providing the finest possible service to both clients and contractors. You’ll almost certainly encounter clients that are eager to get started, so you won’t have to waste time with those who are just looking.

You can find both residential and commercial tasks on HomeAdvisor, however residential clients are more common and are often homeowners. You can put your customer reviews up front, which means clients who care about other people’s experiences with you are more likely to choose you for their project. Unlike some sites that refer contractors to the client based on task requirements, this site allows the client to browse a list of possible contractors and pick the one they like most.

Let’s break it down

Here’s a quick rundown of what HomeAdvisor has to offer.

• Pricing: HomeAdvisor is one of the more expensive solutions, with prices ranging from $15 to $100 per lead. You can enroll for $300 if you want an annual membership.
• Advertising: Contractors that join get access to a few more profile features.
• SEO visibility: It offers great visibility for contractors.
• Top business sectors: If you specialize in big home services or home improvement projects like roofing, windows, flooring, general contracting, and remodels, you’ll fit right in on this site.

Porch

Porch is another good resource for contractors seeking leads. You can personalize your profile to highlight your ratings, prior projects, credentials, and skills. There are several wonderful options available, such as deciding how far you’re prepared to travel, what types of assignments you can work on, and which payment method is best for your business.

Porch will bring you both commercial and residential clients. Residential clients, which include real estate brokers, property managers, and homeowners, are more common. One disadvantage is that you can’t see your reviews right away. Porch, unlike most other sites, will suggest contractors to clients based on their project requirements rather than allowing clients to wade through a list of prospective matches.

Let’s break it down

Take a look at this quick summary of what Porch has to offer contractors.

• Pricing: You have the option of setting a budget or paying per lead. Porch also offers annual subscriptions for $360 (the first year is only $260).
• Advertising: They don’t have anything right now, but they hope to give members options in the future.
• SEO visibility: Porch’s SEO exposure is lower than those of other lead generation sites.
• Top business sectors: If your company or services revolve on moving, general contracting, or home improvement, Porch is a great option.

TaskRabbit

For contractors that value flexibility, TaskRabbit is a great option. You can provide services in over fifty categories, select your work area, and work your own hours. You also have complete control over your charges (albeit TaskRabbit will give a recommendation based on what others in your region charge).

You may locate residential consumers that need help with quick jobs like installing furniture or hanging a portrait with TaskRabbit. You may display your reviews up front, which is a terrific tool that can help you locate more clients. TaskRabbit, like most contractor lead generation services, allows clients to go through a list of available service providers to pick the one best suited to their needs.

Let’s break it down

Here’s a quick rundown of what you receive with TaskRabbit.

• Pricing: It’s straightforward with TaskRabbit. A $25 registration fee is required.
• Advertising: They provide this to Taskers who achieve Elite status.
• SEO Visibility: TaskRabbit has lower contractor visibility than other platforms.
• Top Industries: Handyman firms are the best fit for our site.

Thumbtack

You’ll have no trouble generating fresh leads on Thumbtack, with millions of clients looking for assistance. Clients may see ratings, profiles, and results in real time, making it simple to connect and begin work. You merely need to put up some target preferences and receive at least one review from a former client to show up in searches.

You’ll have access to both commercial and residential clients through Thumbtack, however, residential clients are more prevalent and can be sought for almost anything. Thumbtack, like other lead generation services, allows customers to navigate through various contractors to find the one that’s right for them.

Let’s break it down

Here’s a quick rundown of what Thumbtack has to offer:

• Pricing: You are charged for each lead. The amount varies depending on the job’s cost and where you live.
• Advertising: Those with Pro rank have access to advertising options.
• SEO visibility: Thumbtack’s SEO visibility is lower than that of other contractor websites.
• Top business sectors: Small, one-time jobs or recurring services such as HVAC, plumbing, dog walking, painting, lawn care, or cleaning are likely to do well.

Yelp

While many people associate Yelp with restaurant reviews, this lead generation platform can be a useful tool for contractors who want to expand their business. You may claim and set up your profile for free, which is a fantastic feature.

Residential and commercial clients can be found on Yelp, while residential clients are more common and can be almost anyone looking for a variety of services. Clients can search for contractors on Yelp, just like they can on other sites, and choose the one they think is ideal for their project.

Let’s break it down

Take a look at what Yelp has to offer contractors:

• Pricing: Yelp charges somewhere from $0.30 and $30 every click. You can upgrade to the Enhanced Profile for $90 per month if you want.
• Advertising: CPC (cost-per-click) options are available.
• SEO Visibility: Contractors have a lot of visibility on Yelp.
• Top business sectors: If you provide regular services or minor one-time chores like HVAC, plumbing, dog walking, painting, lawn care, or cleaning, you’ll do well on Yelp.

Google My Business

GMB is a platform that allows local companies to claim, customize, and control their listings on Google Maps and local search results. It’s one of the most effective techniques for getting free leads and connecting with people who are actively looking for local contractors.

As a matter of fact, Google My Business is used by up to 64% of consumers to discover contact information for local businesses. Users obtain access to Google’s commercial resources, such as the Google Ad Network, Google Search Console, customer reviews, and platform statistics, by creating an account.

Houzz

For contractors who specialize in home services, Houzz is the go-to lead generation platform.

Businesses may create a free profile or pay for Houzz Pro+, which unlocks a number of features that might help them stand out.

A premium profile that optimizes your page for exposure, targeted local advertising, and insights & analytics tools that can help you analyze and enhance your lead generation efforts are just a few of the features available.

Bing Places

Bing Places, Microsoft’s answer to GMB, is another excellent source of free contractor leads.

Users in the business world create a free profile and then follow a similar set of instructions to get started. Users can claim their business listing, add details, upload photographs, optimize for desired keywords, and provide information about their business category.

Contractors can start showing up for high intent search terms after this phase is completed. You’d be forgiven for disregarding Bing as a lead generation tool, given Google’s immense global popularity and complete dominance of online search.

Bing, on the other hand, has a number of distinct advantages that can help any lead generation campaign for home services. For starters, the 2.3 percent of internet users who choose Bing to Google offer a true sweet spot for any home-based business. The platform caters to an older demographic: 70% of members are over 35 and 33% are over 55, with many of them earning over $100,000 a year.

Due to little competition, you may also get more bang for your money in terms of ad spend. Bing advertising can be up to 70% less expensive than their Google Ads counterparts. It’s also worth mentioning that you can integrate your Google My Business profile data into Bing Places, so there’s no need to overlook this opportunity.

Bark

Customers are matched with service providers of all shapes and sizes through Bark. We’re talking about life coaches, dog walkers, and magicians, as well as home builders. Professionals are matched with project requests that fit their profile details, and a list of possible leads is sent to your email.

While being a Bark “Professional” is free, you’ll need to buy credits to connect with leads. Bark has 20 million registered members, however given the vast range of service categories, this channel may not produce a lot of traffic. Even so, you only pay for the leads you choose to contact, so there’s no harm in creating an account.

Construct Connect

Construct Connect is a platform that assists contractors and subcontractors in streamlining the bid management process, identifying public and private bidding possibilities, and reviewing project plans, specs, and requirements to assure profitability before committing to a project. ConstructConnect also offers a searchable database for prospecting and outreach, as well as tailored lead recommendations that are matched and graded based on your preferences.

BuildZoom

BuildZoom is a contractor listing platform that connects homeowners with local contractors in their area by using keywords and filters to search the site’s database. It is one of the more “niche” websites on this list, which means that while fewer potential clients visit the site, those that do are typically high-intent, highly-qualified leads.

Customers submit requirements of the project to the platform, which BuildZoom then distributes to contractors that meet the project’s criteria. BuildZoom also screens project inquiries before sending them your way, and only charges a tiny referral fee if a client buys your firm.

Facebook Business

Let’s face it: social media isn’t the best place for contractors to generate leads. However, given Facebook’s popularity, having a business account is advantageous. You can share your stories, testimonies, and even completed projects. When it comes to spreading the word about your brand online, social media may be extremely effective. What’s more, it offers the most advanced ad feature, making it an excellent lead generation platform.

Finding the best lead generation companies

Do you need the services of a lead generation provider for your organization? If you’re looking for the finest contractor lead generation company, there are a few questions you can ask to assist your organization locate the greatest lead generating company for your time and money.

Begin your search by asking yourself the following questions:

• What is the cost of joining or using the platform?
• What is the level of competition on the platform?
• How long does it take to set up the platform?
• Is there a preference on the platform for contractors who reply quickly to leads?
• What types of leads does the website or business generate?
• What are the opinions of other contractors in my field concerning this platform?
• Is the platform willing to exchange leads with other lead generation firms?
• Do you have to accept or pay every lead that comes your way, or do you have the option of picking and choosing?
• What kind of lead generation reputation does this platform have?

These questions will aid your company’s investigation and examination of a lead generation firm. You may rapidly eliminate sites that demand a subscription or have a questionable track record from consideration, bringing you one step closer to selecting the ideal one.

Lead generation and marketing

One of the most common misunderstandings about lead generation is that it is not the same as contractor marketing. On the contrary, lead generation is an important part of marketing—in fact, the entire marketing process is built around the concept of lead generation.

Begin by attempting to raise awareness about your company. Potential clients will not consider you if they are unaware of your existence, but once they are, they will be able to inquire about your services and experience. If they’re really interested, they’ll sign up for future communications or ask for more information.

Then there’s the back-and-forth, during which your prospects decide whether or not they want to hire you. Some will inquire directly for information, while others will learn more about your company by visiting your blog or following you on social media. They may not always ask how you can help them, but they are looking for clues in content, case studies, or testimonials.

The next step is to decide whether or not to invest. Some leads are eager to convert and will contact you for more information about what you can do for them. Others may be interested, but an incentive like a free estimate or other premium will tip the scales in your favor. You’ll get a new project and a new client if the offer is compelling enough.

As you can see, lead generation and marketing are very similar. However, using lead generation sites can limit your ability to market to leads.

How to get more leads without utilizing the best lead generation websites?

You can use these lead generation strategies in addition to those contractor lead generation websites to get more leads.

Create high-quality content

Create freebies, such as e-books and guides, that provide your audience with useful information. In exchange for their name and email address, you can give them access to a free download on your website. This allows you to obtain potential clients’ contact information while also providing them with information.

They will most likely remember your company if your offer was beneficial to them. Even if they don’t require your services right now, they will remember you when they do. You will be able to distinguish yourself from your competitors as a result of this. Because you’ve given them useful information, you’ll be able to get more qualified leads.

Offer a referral program

Friends and family are more likely to be trusted than marketing pitches. As a result, word of mouth is an excellent way to increase the number of leads for your construction company. You can start a referral program to encourage people to spread the word about your business. Every time a happy customer sends you a referral, you should reward them.

Search engine optimization

SEO (search engine optimization) is an excellent method, particularly when combined with PPC advertising. You may improve the ranking of your company’s website in search results by optimizing it. As a result, more individuals will learn about your firm and contact you—and become devoted customers. Because 75% of internet users do not skip past the first page of search results, being on the first page is crucial. The first page of search results is not skipped by 75% of internet visitors.

Increase your social media presence online

You can use social media to connect with potential clients. Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are all popular networks to use. If you’re not sure which one to employ, start by determining where your target market is most likely to be found. You should connect with your potential leads on a social media platform where they are active.

Furthermore, social media provides numerous options for contractors. It allows you to post information about your company, such as hours of operation, contact information, and location. It is also possible to list your services. People will know if you provide the service they require if you list your offerings. It’s also a good idea to provide a link to your website.

PPC Ads

Pay-per-click advertising is one of the most effective strategies to increase the number of leads for your construction company. If you’ve used Google frequently, you’ve probably noticed the paid ads that appear above the organic results. PPC is based on a competitive bidding method. You can select the keywords that will be used to trigger your ads, and then set the highest bid. This is a wonderful method for contractors since it allows you to keep track of your spending.

Last words

It’s critical to remember that using an online contractor lead service should be a part of your overall marketing and growth strategy. Don’t just create an account and log in whenever you remember it or need more work. Lead generation sites can help your contractor business grow if you stay on top of them and seek out reviews and feedback.

Don’t be concerned if this appears to be a difficult task. Choose one site to start with and work your way up. Your trust in online lead generation will grow over time, and you may find yourself picking your new clients.