If you own a small home improvement business, you know finding qualified leads can be challenging, especially in a competitive market. That’s why many small business owners rely on the help of CRMs and online marketplaces like HomeAdvisor.
HomeAdvisor is an online platform that can help small business owners attract new clients and make bids on potential projects. These features are great for finding new business in your area and continue growing your business.
Small business owners need an effective lead-generation strategy to sustain profitability and expand to new markets. However, HomeAdvisor doesn’t have all of the tools and features to maintain business growth, and here’s why:
What is HomeAdvisor for Small Businesses?
HomeAdvisor is an online platform small business owners can use to connect with customers in their area. The platform offers a variety of lead gen tools and features that can help enhance online visibility and connect with new customers. There are also tools for tracking communication, sending invoices, and organizing leads.
The annual cost to get set up on HomeAdvisor is $350. Small business owners are also required to pay for each lead they receive. The cost of the lead will vary depending on the city you’re servicing. For some more competitive cities, you can pay up to $100 for a single lead. You’re expected to pay these costs before sending them a quote, which means you may need to pay for leads that won’t convert. These costs can start to add up, especially if you have a small budget for lead generation efforts.
HomeAdvisor is better for small business owners who work on more expensive deals. However, the overall cost per lead might be too high to receive an ROI from the platform.
Top 6 HomeAdvisor Alternatives
Before committing to HomeAdvisor, you’ll want to explore other online platforms you can use to track leads and build relationships with new clients. Here are six companies like HomeAdvisor to consider:
1. Townsquare Interactive
Townsquare Interactive is one of the most well-rounded HomeAdvisor alternatives. Townsquare offers digital marketing services, along with an easy-to-use business management platform with various tools and features for small business owners in any industry. The platform has a cloud-based CRM, invoicing and billing features, email/SMS automation, and online scheduling tools.
While you can’t pay for leads with the platform, some features can help you improve the lead nurturing process and improve your lead gen strategy. There’s also a lead conversion tool you can integrate into your website. The team at Townsquare Interactive also offers website design and SEO services you can use to maximize your online presence in your specific local market, attracting customers to your business.
2. Houzz Pro
Houzz is an online marketplace that connects contractors, designers, and other small businesses with homeowners. With this platform, you can send estimates and invoices. You can also process payments, schedule appointments, and create directory placements.
There are a few different ways to generate leads from House Pro. You can create directory placements or invest in paid ads. There’s also a project matchmaking service that can connect you with leads looking for your services.
The platform charges per user, which can get expensive for small businesses. This HomeAdvisor alternative is also geared towards companies that work in the home improvement industry. Small businesses in other industries won’t find the lead generation tools beneficial.
3. Angi
Another popular HomeAdvisor alternative is Angi (formerly Angie’s List). Angi is a popular online directory and review platform that connects service providers with potential customers, making it a solid choice for small business owners looking to generate leads.
This platform allows businesses to showcase their services, qualifications, and customer reviews to a broad audience seeking reliable professionals. Since Angi is a more popular platform, service providers are typically competing for leads with a lot of other local businesses, which can make it more challenging for service providers to convert leads into paying customers.
4. Thumbtack
Thumbtack is a lead generation platform small businesses can use to connect with leads in their area and manage client projects. The platform matches your preferences, so you can send quotes and estimates to potential customers looking for services. With the platform, you can also set your own lead prices, so you don’t need to worry about overpaying for leads.
Thumbtack is a great option for contractors, plumbers, roofers, or pest control companies. There are also leads looking for event planning, photographers, or accountants. While the platform is more affordable than HomeAdvisor, the lead quality can be inconsistent, especially in areas with more competition. You’re also not guaranteed to receive a return on investment from the leads you invest in.
5. Porch
Porch is a lead-gen mobile app for home improvement projects. Small business owners can purchase fully vetted leads from Porch. You can choose between various subscription plans and decide how many leads you want regularly. You can sign up for a free account. However, businesses can pay to maximize visibility on the platform, which can make the competition on the app more competitive. The platform also charges a commission fee for any project that closes on the platform, which can be expensive.
6. CraftJack
CraftJack is a lead generation service tailored for contractors and home service professionals. It differentiates itself by offering real-time leads, helping businesses connect with potential clients shortly after they search for a specific service. Additionally, CraftJack supports its users with a unique speed-to-call discount, incentivizing quick follow-up.
A downside to using CraftJack for lead generation is the cost of leads can be significant, considering that these leads are not exclusive, which can lead to a lower ROI for business owners.
Invest in the Best HomeAdvisor Alternative for Small Businesses
Whether you own a med spa or you’re a tow truck driver, lead generation is vital for your business growth. You’ll want to consider investing in a business management platform like Townsquare Interactive’s to ensure you have the tools to nurture leads into paying customers.
Our platform offers various features that can be tailored to align with your unique business needs. You can create follow-up campaigns using email automation or set up an appointment scheduling widget on your lead gen pages. Every action you take will be tracked in the cloud-based CRM to ensure everyone on your team is always on the same page.