Buying Internet Leads - Page 2 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Winchester · 01-09-2009, 11:32 PM

I use a canadian site. You pay per 6 month or 1 year membership. I paid for 6 months to try it out and have made some money from it.

Jer · 01-29-2009, 01:34 PM

I inquired into sevice magic a couple years ago when I had a slow spot.
A week later I landed a big contract and didnt need any more leads.
That SM guy wouldnt leave me alone. He was calling everyday for about four days trying to sell me. I finally had to put on the dick hat and tell him where to go. If they are such a blessing to contractors why are they so desperate for takers?

LightYourNight · 02-01-2009, 08:53 PM

The lead site really dont generate much business. I wouldn't recommend them at all. Ive found a great company that sends out address labels for all new home sales in a certain area. I target homes over $500,000 in a one hour radius of our shop. goto newpros.com its a really good deal. pretty inexpensive too.

handyhands · 02-02-2009, 09:30 AM

Try qualitysmith.

They actually set the leads for you. Don't expect many leads, or to be able to rely on these guys keeping you busy,..But for $75.00 a sunroom lead,....And you do nothing but run the appointment,....not a bad source for an unexpected lead here and there.

Keep in mind, I'm on the East Coast, but with you being in Ca., they might get more leads for you.

paul sepulveda · 02-02-2009, 10:59 AM

what is thaat lead company , cuze im tired to use service magic , please reply soon thanks

whph2000 · 02-04-2009, 08:48 PM

I've had a lot of luck with Service Magic, it's really worth the money because they require you to be licensed and insured and they keep the competition to a minimum. I've found that the more you spend with them the more work you get. With that said you could also try these:

contractordeal
bidclerk
bluebook

Just some suggestions

handyhands · 02-05-2009, 08:45 AM

But if you did the research on this site, you can see the vast majority of contractors that use those services got burnt.

We still use them, and just like anything, unfortunately--you have to weed out the good with the bad.

We wouldn't be using them if we weren't selling jobs.

Good luck

Miller · 02-05-2009, 12:50 PM

Has anyone tried BidClerk.com and had any success? I'm just searching around for a company that actually gives good leads. I have Service Magic calling me every day, trying to get me to sign up. With them calling me every day telling me they have a ton of calls in my area and they are looking for a painter just doesn't sound that good to me.. Sounds like they are desperate and just trying to find any idiot on the street to sign up.. I did however like that they check your Insurance and make sure your a legit company.

Paul Joseph · 02-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I have been very happy with ************************. You own zip codes so the lead is only given out to one contractor.
http://www.PrecisionPlusHomeImprovements.com

silvertree · 02-07-2009, 06:00 PM

I don't know who your using, but if its RE here is a typical lead I got from them.
Lead ID:
Project Type: Kitchen Remodeling Location: Brooklyn Park, MN Budget Range: $5,000 to $10,000 Start Date:
Square Footage:
Concerns:
Age Of House:
Description: Refinish HW floors, upgrade 100 amp service to 200 amp, install an electrical dryer connection, some new baseboards, new kitchen cabinets with granit counter tops.
I just didn't have the time to call back someone needing 30 or 40K in work with a 5 or 10K budget.

whph2000 · 02-08-2009, 04:28 PM

We always ignore the budget when calling on a lead. Usually the budget stems from the customers lack of knowledge about who much it should cost.

If you're not using lead services how are you getting work? Simply word of mouth? In this economy our phone isn't blowing up customers, we're finding more and more have to go chase them down and lead services are A WAY (not the only way) of doing so. I would be interested in hearing how you're obtaining work when avoiding the lead service companies

silvertree · 02-08-2009, 05:54 PM

I network, and have a home show coming up. And yes the HO doesn't have the skills to estimate their work, but the example I show is a real lead. I really don't want to have to pay $50 to tell someone that their budget is short by over 75%. I always ask budget, in this case the lead supplied it, thats enough for me. I got a lead today from a referral, which I passed on to a friend. So I still get referrals and have no plans to market through lead services. Your happy with your lead service then I'm happy for you. The lead services do work for some people, many feel it isn't worth the headaches.

texan1 · 04-20-2009, 03:30 PM

I've tried that before. Especially with Goodle adwords, and ended up regretting it. People click on your links and you owe google money even though very few people may actually end up hiring you from the clicks. Works for some...not for me.

ACmax · 04-20-2009, 07:14 PM

new to site but glad to get this much info.having relocated to north carolina I"am really starting from scrach.Need to generate some business. never had a website or page. always relied on word of mouth in FL.Can't find the right lead service to trust.Are there any that perform well.

Darwin · 04-20-2009, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texan1

I've tried that before. Especially with Goodle adwords, and ended up regretting it. People click on your links and you owe google money even though very few people may actually end up hiring you from the clicks. Works for some...not for me.

Yep, I tried adwords too. I would think now it isn't for us local businesses, but it would probably work if you sell a specific product worldwide. If you just want to get your name out there, though, it works for that.

GnB Co. · 04-22-2009, 02:00 PM

I'm trying adwords also. So far i see alot of clicks but no reaction, So I'm not so sure its what I'm looking for ATM. Also I'm glad i found this thread I have also looked into going threw service magic. All they do is call me and ask why i didn't finish my account with them yet.. So that does show me they are desperate. I'm new to the web advertising but i would like to step in the right direction and not waste my money on things will not do the job I'm looking for. Does anyone have suggestion on witch steps i should be taking?? Most of my business is threw word of mouth and referrals. I would like to step it up a bit thou

easymoney · 04-23-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texan1

I've tried that before. Especially with Goodle adwords, and ended up regretting it. People click on your links and you owe google money even though very few people may actually end up hiring you from the clicks. Works for some...not for me.

With any PPC camagin you have to zero in and target your service area... A big mistake my company made was to list in business.com, we had freinds in Newyork tell us that our ads where showing up out there! and we paid thousands (about 10) over a full year.

My boss the owner, never wants to advertise with anyone now because of all the scams he has fallen for in the past. I think it's the wrong approach but I completely understand his feelings. so I've been dedicated to finding free local advertising for our bussiness (since I actually have to look at the guys faces when I let them go)

you have to read the fine print! everyone has a gimmick, free for thirty days or free but you get harrassed to upgrade or free but your ad never really comes up if there is even one paid ad in the area...

Empire · 04-29-2009, 05:03 PM

The best source is your own website - (other than referral)

Spread your marketing dollars around so that if (actually when) one source stops performing you have a back up and are not out of leads.

Online is a real challange and a dedication to managing costs on a daily basis.

SMcdonald9 · 04-30-2009, 12:37 AM

Wow good thing I read this thread, my remodeling projects were beginning to slow, and I was looking to buy membership into one of these websites.

Thanks all.

beautiful · 05-05-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbsremodeling

There is a company that sells exclusive leads, The charge a % of the job the leads are well qualified and you don't pay unless you get the job. They qualify the contractors and they are all on the same page. No hacks allowed

I'm located in St. louis, MO
RSB, could you share the name of this exclusive lead service?
If you do not want to share it here, you could e-mail me at beautifulrenovation@yahoo.com, I would appreciate it very much.

I'm new in construction field. I tried Service Magic, Construction Deal and a few others. I can't afford pay for the leads fee and get no result. Advertising is also too expensive and get no result. The majority leads from lead service are not quality leads and too much competition. A lot of prospect customers can't afford it and a lot of them will chose the lowest price or they will pick the reputable company. So it's tuff for a new business to get some work and stay in the business.