Oleksandr Rohovnin Content Marketer 17 minute read Table of Contents What Is Contractor Lead Generation?Are Lead Generation Companies for Contractors Worth It? Buyer’s Journey in Contractor BusinessHow Does Lead Generation Work for Contractors?Types of Lead Gen Websites for ContractorsDirectory Lead Generation vs. Agency Lead GenerationThe 18 Best Lead Gen Websites and Services for ContractorsGroup 1 – Directories Houzz Porch BuildZoom Angi Ads HomeAdvisor Yelp For Business Bing Places For Business Bark Thumbtack Taskrabbit ModernizeGroup 2 – Agencies CraftJack ConstructConnect EverConnect CallboxGroup 3 – Free PlatformsHow Else Do Contractors Get Leads?What’s the Difference Between Lead Generation and Marketing?How Contractors Can Bring Their Lead Gen to the Next Level with PhonexaFrequently Asked QuestionsHow do contractors generate leads?Can I buy contractor leads?How much does lead acquisition cost for a contractor that buys leads?What is the best lead generation platform for contractors?How do you find local leads for contractors?How can I generate leads quickly?Related posts: Oleksandr Rohovnin Content Marketer 17 minute read Important: This article is a part of our lead generation guide for home services, where we cover the most profitable lead generation opportunities in construction, roofing, cleaning, HVAC, painting, plumbing, moving, and some other avenues. With construction contractors alone earning over two dozen billion dollars annually, contractor lead generation is an extremely profitable endeavor for businesses of all scales and types, from real estate companies to interior designers. An interrupted flow of contractor leads is a gateway to an ever-growing bottom line and niche domination. Alas, it’s not always possible to sustain a sales funnel while relying solely on organic traffic. Whether you lack an online presence or want to save on marketing, purchasing leads from lead generation companies for contractors might be your no-alternative strategy. And why not? Lead services for contractors can provide you with the clients you’re looking for at an affordable price, including no-competition exclusive contractor leads. In fact, the only thing you need is a list of these services and companies. Source: GIPHY Our SEOs and marketers have researched over five dozen lead generation companies for contractors to come up with the 18 best of them.* Here’s the shortlist of the best lead generation websites for contractors (click on the service you need to quick-jump to the full description): Directories Houzz, BuildZoom, Angi Ads, Yelp, Bing Places for Business, Thumbtack, Taskrabbit Directories & Agencies Porch, HomeAdvisor, Bark, Modernize, Agencies CraftJack, ConstructConnect, EverConnect, Callbox Free Platforms Facebook for Business, Google, LinkedIn *The list reflects the personal opinion of Phonexa’s team. We are not associated with these companies and cannot be held responsible for their business conduct or actions. What Is Contractor Lead Generation? Contractor lead generation is a set of marketing measures to make potential clients connect to your business by asking for a quote, filling out a form, downloading a guide, installing an app, etc. More often than not, the result of lead generation efforts is a list of potential clients whom you can gradually nurture to a conversion. Lead generation companies for contractors do the same; they leverage all available marketing resources to identify specific customers – for example, home improvement contractor leads – that fit the criteria of their buyers (contractors interested in these leads). Are Lead Generation Companies for Contractors Worth It? Whether you leverage organic traffic channels or lead generation sites, the gist is to hit the right demographics and psychographics. The advantage of professional lead generation websites for contractors is that they factor in seasonality, location, compliance with local business codes, and other factors that can increase the quality and relevance of your clients. In no way are lead generation companies for contractors bad – you just have to target the right persona at the right time with the right marketing strategies. Speaking of which, you may need a sophisticated call system to route live calls to an optimal operator while collecting and transferring caller information on the fly: Buyer’s Journey in Contractor Business Before using any business lead generation websites, let’s consider how a typical contractor service seeker evolves before making a purchase. Here are the three most important buyer’s journey stages: Stage 1 – Awareness A potential client acknowledges the problem – for example, a leaky roof – and considers possible solutions: DIY practices, hiring a roofer, etc. At this stage, they search for helpful content around the problem and require significant nurturing before they are ready to make a purchase. Stage 2 – Consideration The potential client decides to use professional services and is starting to evaluate roofers across the entire spectrum of criteria: reputation, expertise, price, and more. At this stage, contractor leads need case studies, testimonials, statistics, and other hard data. Stage 3 – Decision Clients who have chosen a specific solution are looking for quotes, reviews, and other confirmations of their choices before making a purchase. Most lead generation companies for contractors focus on leads who’ve just realized they have a problem or those actively looking for a solution. As for the clients who have already made a decision, it may not be cost-effective and ethical to try to change their minds. How Does Lead Generation Work for Contractors? Lead generation for contractors means creating a fully-fledged sales funnel for organic traffic and unrolling marketing across the board: website, blog, social media, email, referral programs, online & offline events, SEO, and more. Full-scale lead generation requires time and effort – a year or two may pass until your organic traffic is enough to generate leads sustainably. On the other hand, you can buy purchase-prone leads from lead services for contractors. This can save you time and money, but you still have to know how to nurture and convert the leads you buy. Long story short, lead generation companies for contractors are as powerful a weapon as your sales agents are. Types of Lead Gen Websites for Contractors Quote Comparison Websites Leads from price comparison websites are deep in the sales funnel and might only need a slight nudge to convert. These pre-decision leads are quite expensive and are ready for a sales pitch. Review Websites Review websites generate contractor leads who are at the consideration stage. These leads might need data-driven persuasion: comparison tables, statistics, case studies, testimonials, etc. Niche Websites Niche websites are great when you only target a specific group of clients (for example, roofing or landscaping leads). To convert these leads, you need exceptional expertise and favorable pricing. Directory Lead Generation vs. Agency Lead Generation When choosing contractor leads services, a common friction point is whether to opt for directories or agencies. Much depends on your brand visibility, niche competition, the type and number of leads you need, and your long-term business goals. Optimal Campaign Goals Lead Quality Price Per Lead Conversion Potential Directories Broad exposure, saving marketing resources, and improving local presence Varies from low intent to high intent Free or significantly lower than with agencies Low Agencies Narrow-focused marketing campaigns, high-quality & exclusive contractor leads High, especially for pre-qualified and exclusive leads Higher, up to $200 per lead and more for live transfer and exclusive leads High The main difference between directories and agencies is that the former don’t sell leads directly but are rather platforms to expose your company to general contractor leads. Directories are a good starting point, offering organic leads of broad quality. However, if you need commercial contractor leads here and now, there’s no alternative to lead generation agencies, which sell clients’ contact details or even connect callers directly to your call center or CRM system around the clock. Source: GIPHY It’s important to note that most agencies don’t sell pre-generated leads but rather generate a certain number of leads over a defined period for a specific contractor. A typical lead gen package would look like “200 exclusive leads monthly for only $5,000.” *The list reflects the personal opinion of Phonexa’s team. We are not associated with these companies and cannot be held responsible for their business conduct or actions. The 18 Best Lead Gen Websites and Services for Contractors Group 1 – Directories Directories might represent the best lead generation websites for contractors if you want to tap into untapped markets, broad demographics, and cheap leads. However, as being said, most directories do not sell leads directly but rather let you advertise your products and services. Houzz – Home Renovation and Design Lead Source Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 12,510,384 4 175 0.62 34.39% 58.05% 0.47% 1.64% 2.85% 2.60% Houzz is one of the most known contractor lead generation directories, mostly focused on home renovation and design. Uniting over 3 million contractors, the platform offers targeted local advertising and premium profile placement to feature your brand to the desired demographics. Likewise, you can create a ready-to-go website from scratch, empowering it with built-in lead management, blogging, and other tailored features. Porch – Lead Generation Directory and Agency in One Place Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 277,022 2 63 0.67 37.02% 52.50% 0 6.12% 2.02% 2.34% Porch is a rare combination of a lead gen directory and agency. You can create a custom profile to showcase your brand or receive contractor leads on demand by setting a monthly budget. For verified contractors, on-demand leads go with a 5% discount. If you want to advertise for free, you can answer homeowners’ questions in the Porch Advice section. This proactive approach will help you accumulate positive feedback, increase ratings, and get public attention in listings. BuildZoom – Connecting Homeowners and Contractors Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 809,398 6 82 0.74 12.35% 82.16% 0.11% 1.36% 2.78% 1.23% Like many other lead generation directories, BuildZoom allows you to create a detailed business profile and connect with homeowners based on your expertise and homeowners’ needs. On top of the standard features, the platform rates contractors based on feedback, history, and license status. The higher the score, the more clients you can capture. Angi Ads – Lead Generation Directory to Connect with Homeowners Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 57,066 2 38 0.78 8.07% 14.35% 0 76.28% 0 1.30% Angi Ads, part of Angi, is a lead generation directory where you can showcase your business to hundreds of thousands of roofing, remodeling, electrical, plumbing, and landscaping services. Among the popular advertising opportunities are: Angi Ads Lead Board to manage quote requests and claimed deals Message Center to communicate with potential clients App notifications to instantly connect with new leads HomeAdvisor – Home Improvement Lead Generation Platform Powered by Angi Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 4,302,861 4 155 0.48 44.26% 52.10% 0.10% 1.93% 0.81% 0.80% HomeAdvisor is a lead generation directory and agency that connects contractors with local leads across a wide range of home service requests, from carpentry to heating to pest control. You get relevant leads whenever potential clients are looking for target services in your location, and if a particular lead isn’t a good fit, you can request a refund (lead credits). After joining Angi Ads, you automatically connect to HomeAdvisor, tapping into both markets simultaneously. The rest works the same: you create and customize a profile to attract contractor leads. Yelp For Business – Free and Paid Advertising for Contractors Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 619,370 2 151 0.67 25.76% 42.90% 0.11% 29.73% 0.75% 0.77% Yelp for Business, a part of Yelp, is a free & paid advertising platform that puts you in front of local contractor leads via listings, display ads, reviews, and more. You can establish a personal connection with potential clients, showcase the best of your business, and customize advertisements for target locations and keywords, displaying ads on search and competitor pages. Bing Places For Business – A Free Way to Generate Contractor Leads on Bing Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 366,713 4 187 0.4 63.23% 29.41% 0.24% 2.24% 3.12% 1.77% Bing Places for Business is a free lead generation site that allows you to add your website to Bing listings or create a new listing at no cost. You can craft a compelling business story for Bing users and continuously optimize your listing with eye-catching visuals and reviews while providing essential contact details so clients can reach you. Bark – Lead Generation Directory and Agency Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 4,029,055 4 234 0.54 43.44% 46.84% 1.43% 1.32% 4.95% 2.02% Bark is a lead generation industry and agency where contractors can expose their products to the widest audience, connecting with leads that match their demographic criteria. The lead generation service itself provides you with a potential customer’s email address and phone number in exchange for a fee. Likewise, you can set up an online profile to promote your business locally and worldwide. Thumbtack – Connecting to The Right Contractor Leads via Detailed Forms Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 4,752,968 4 220 0.46 43.87% 46.17% 1.34% 2.72% 2.31% 3.59% Thumbtack is a lead generation directory that matches contractors with potential customers by sending notifications when a matching lead registers on the website. You can message leads directly through the platform or send them a personalized quote. As you generate more leads on the platform, positive feedback helps you acquire even more customers. Thumbtack’s detailed forms enable precise targeting, so you always get high-intent leads. Taskrabbit – Home Services Platform to Connect with Contractor Seekers Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 2,024,719 5 235 0.5 48.00% 44.05% 1.03% 3.63% 2.06% 1.23% Taskrabbit is a home services platform that connects contractors – “Taskers” – with locals who need help with moving, mounting, cleaning, painting, etc. The website doesn’t generate leads directly but is still a good promotion platform. You can use their contractor leads app to communicate with potential clients, track your progress, and receive notifications about new job requests. Taskrabbit verifies contractors before accepting them to the platform, so you get extra credibility once accepted. Modernize – Matching Homeowners with Contractors Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 613,175 2 66 0.65 21.82% 66.40% 0 10.30% 0.57% 0.92% Modernize is a lead generation directory and agency focused on exterior and interior home improvement: roofing, doors, windows, HVAC, flooring, plumbing, home security, and more. Whether you want to get help in lead generation or buy high-intent contractor leads, they have it all for you. The platform sells pre-screened live transfer leads, handing them to you live on the phone. You don’t have to compete with other contractors and can close way more sales, especially if equipped with tools and features offered by a dedicated marketing team at Modernize. Group 2 – Agencies Agencies are your best lead generation websites for contractors if you need ready-to-convert clients on the spot. Most agencies offer exclusive and live transfer leads, but you can also get less expensive shared leads if quantity-over-quality is your strategy. Here are the contractor leads you can buy from lead generation agencies: Exclusive Contractor Leads Exclusive leads are only sold to a single advertiser, are easier to convert, and are more expensive than non-exclusive leads. Most contractor lead services present exclusive leads as their strongest value proposition, but this doesn’t mean these leads are your best strategy per se. Shared Contractor Leads Shared leads are sold to several companies simultaneously, with prices varying from around $10 to $30 per lead. Buying shared leads is as good a strategy as your ability to snatch these clients from other contractors. Live Transfer Contractor Leads Live transfer leads are usually connected directly to a contractor’s sales department. These leads can cost $200 or more depending on the niche and demographics. Aged Contractor Leads Aged leads are disengaged clients who have been inactive for some time – several weeks to months – and have less-than-obvious conversion potential. CraftJack – Shared Leads Across 50 Contractor Services Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 206,890 3 73 0.4 22.64% 21.28% 0.20% 48.20% 2.66% 5.02% CraftJack is a lead generation agency that sells pre-verified residential and business leads that match the buyer’s location and demographics, altogether over 50 different professions. Every niche has a defined price range and selling conditions. For example, HVAC leads cost between $10 and $105 per lead and are sold to no more than four contractors at the time of writing. ConstructConnect – Construction Lead Generation Marketplace Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 779,735 5 180 0.5 57.21% 27.18% 0 12.85% 2.16% 0.59% ConstructConnect is a marketplace that sells construction project leads through a bidding system. There’s no guarantee you get the leads you’ve bid for, but you can bide time to grab high-quality leads at a low price. But then again, competing with other contractors requires a well-thought-out bidding strategy so you don’t waste time on the leads you can’t get and maximize exposure to underpriced leads with a high conversion potential. EverConnect – Web and Call Contractor Leads of Target Demographics Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 17,678 1 4 0.96 71.48% 13.75% 0 14.77% 0 0 EverConnect is a contractor lead generation agency that offers three lead acquisition programs: EverConnect Direct – contactor lead generation built around your brand image EverConnect Live – phone call lead generation at a fixed price EverConnect Marketplace – flexible leads marketplace for low-cost leads EverConnect offers over 40 different types of contractor leads, from roofing to plumbing to flooring to home restoration. For high-quality leads, you can enroll in the Live lead gen program; for cheap leads, you can try your luck at the marketplace. Callbox – Full-Scale Contractor Lead Generation Agency Monthly Visits Page Per Visit Time On Site Bounce Rate Direct Traffic Search Traffic Paid Referral Traffic Referral Traffic Mail Traffic Social Traffic 54,016 1 62 0.54 38.06% 61.17% 0 0.43% 0.29% 0.05% Callbox is a B2B lead generation company that leverages AI-human synergy to help contractors build a compelling sales funnel. Not only can the team handle your marketing routines, but they can also qualify contractor leads and schedule appointments for you. Group 3 – Free Platforms Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn work akin to directories, except they are free (some directories are free as well, while others require a subscription or listing fee). Facebook for Business You can create a business page and use it as your promotional platform. Whether you acquire leads via visual content, webinars, or reviews, you can do it on Facebook for Business. Google The two major ways to generate contractor leads on Google are SEO and Google My Business listing. For SEO purposes, you use Google Analytics. LinkedIn LinkedIn is a powerful B2B lead gen weapon for contractors with a strong company page and data-driven marketing: research studies, case studies, statistics, and more. How Else Do Contractors Get Leads? When it comes to lead acquisition, you can’t reinvent the wheel. There are only three possible ways to get leads as a contractor: Generate contractor leads using organic traffic channels Acquire contractor leads using paid advertising Purchase contractor leads from lead generation companies for contractors: directories, agencies, affiliate networks, or marketplaces Each strategy encompasses myriads of sub-strategies, tactics, and maneuvers. For example, using several lead generation companies for contractors may help you diversify risks, dip your toes into uncharted waters, or even conduct A/B testing to see what clients convert better. What’s the Difference Between Lead Generation and Marketing? In the lead generation vs. marketing debate, it’s quite simple: the latter is a broader concept that encompasses the former. Contractor lead generation is identifying potential clients, whereas marketing takes care of the entire customer journey, from lead generation to nurturing to conversion. How Contractors Can Bring Their Lead Gen to the Next Level with Phonexa Whether you generate web or call contractor leads, Phonexa’s unique lead management software suite will unlock the caller journey and ensure every customer connects to a matching sales or customer support representative. As a contractor, you will get exhaustive insights into your leads while being able to manage all your campaigns from a single dashboard. Here’s how Phonexa can revolutionize contractor lead generation and marketing: Phonexa’s all-in-one lead management software suite includes: LMS Sync Lead tracking & distribution software Call Logic Call tracking & distribution software E-Delivery Email & SMS marketing Cloud PBX Cloud phone system Lynx Click & link tracking software Opt-Intel Suppression list management software HitMetrix User behavior recording & analytics software Books360 Automated accounting software Navigate to the pricing page to get it all at only $100 per month, or schedule a free consultation to learn more about Phonexa. Frequently Asked Questions How do contractors generate leads? There are three major lead generation strategies for contractors: organic traffic channels, paid advertising, and buying contractors leads. Buying leads from lead generation companies for contractors is the only way to get clients instantly and without marketing. Can I buy contractor leads? You can buy contractor leads from plenty of lead generation websites for contractors, including exclusive and live transfer leads that fit your buyer persona. Likewise, you can buy cheaper leads (shared leads, exclusive leads, etc.) to process more customers. How much does lead acquisition cost for a contractor that buys leads? If you buy clients from lead generation companies for contractors, your lead acquisition cost will include the price of the purchased leads plus all other acquisition expenses: subscription fees, agent training, overhead costs, and more. If the price per lead is $15, the acquisition cost may reach $30 or more. What is the best lead generation platform for contractors? There’s no single best website to generate leads for contractors, but there are three types of websites contractors can combine: directories, agencies, and free platforms like Facebook Business Manager, Google, and LinkedIn. How do you find local leads for contractors? You can find local leads through directories like Houzz, HomeAdvisor, or Yelp for Business. These platforms can promote your company to local clients and clients from nearby states. Alternatively, you can buy contractor leads from lead generation agencies. How can I generate leads quickly? You can only generate contractor leads quickly if you have a traffic channel to capitalize on: your website, blog, social media account, etc. Otherwise, you have to purchase clients from lead generation companies for contractors. 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