[ecoscapes]

I have been working on my marketing all winter and have run across a bunch of lead generation sites. Does anyone have any success stories with them, or are they not worth their weight?
I saw the postings on service magic -- it sounds like that is not worth it.
Does anyone use:
paversearch.com?
bestcontractors.com?
qualitysmithpro.com?
leads.com?
merchantcircle.com?
lots of others? If you have good or bad experiences with either of these I would like to hear them!
It seems that they could be one more way to get your foot in the door, but are they doors you want you foot in?

[Stonehenge]

In general, I think you’ll find that the online lead generation outfits will provide very low quality leads. I don’t think it’s the fault of the companies collecting and dispersing the leads, but the reality of the medium being used. With so much of the internet being free and anonymous, I think it’s trained people to expect a lot for nothing. I’ve been getting leads from Contractor.com for over a year now, and only one was close enough to my market to be willing to pay for it, but the person looking for contractors stated they were “trying to decide between pavers and concrete”.

For those in hardscaping, they know that’s code for – “we want pavers but we really can’t afford it.” So paying $30 for that lead would have been a wasted $30. And that was the closest thing to a good lead in 12 months.

Now I’m sure some are better than others, but I think in general you’ll find that you’ll be purple and passed out if you hold your breath waiting for a good lead that way.

Though I’d love to hear any success stories out there, if there are some.

[PSUscaper]

I've been using about 3-4 diff't web based lead services. I have to say that I actually have had good results.

Number one thing is to hammer, and I mean hammer the people with questions on the phone. Jeff is correct with the number of cheapo's you will get. 50% of them you can disregard within the first 30 seconds of a the call. I always flat out talk budget. Just a simple question like "Is your budget closer to 1k, 10k, or 20k?" will elimate the dead ends instantly.

Another way to eliminate dead ends is with an estimate fee. If they pass the first test of where there budget in, you then tell them you have a estimate fee. That helps eliminate another good portion of the dead beats.

I started with the e-referrals last year and can say I probably got close to 60k in good work. So far, this spring, things are looking good again.

It has been a pretty slow start this season for me. I have to say that the e-referrals are actually a blessing. I've been getting a lot of quality leads and am booking a some quality jobs. Right now I'm going on me e-referral estimates than others.

I won't disagree that there is alot garbage. I don't think they are geared to larger companies. But, if you are smaller operation, you actually do get a lot of nice, little jobs out of them. Not to say you don't get anything larger that is good.

I will also add this. The services do a great job of getting people to you on the website/name. If I google my companies name, it shows up first on the list.....but in one of the e-referral listings. That alone has value. Also, if someone does a generic landscape search on the web for their part of the country, the services tend to flood them with their services......which contains yours. It really does get you name plastered all over the internet.

For example, if you were to type in 'landscape contractor nj' (or whatever state you are in) in a search engine, it is very unlikely you will be anywhere near the top. However, if you are in a online referral service, it is likely that the service referring you will be in the top page or so. That to me has value to me. Put that together with a nice webpage that has good ranking and it definetly gets your name out there.

[ecoscapes]

Thank you very much for your input -- I fiqured they couldn't be all bad. I think it is like any other big net marketing, there is a lot of throw backs! -- What are the specific sites that you use? I did a free trial of service magic, but it sounds like you have to pay for any lead you get, you can't say --- I don't want that one cause it is bogus. I was wondering if there are other ones that work well. Service magic's free trial seems pretty decent. I know there is some smaller jobs on there but I am a one crew company and can still make money on small jobs!
I had my web guy do some website optimization and have had great luck with that. i just want to jump a step with my company, I want to add a second crew and keep on a good right hand man from year to year! I first need to be able to sell enough work though so I'm trying to grow!

[Nebraska]

For over a year I've been receiving emails with leads. I have yet to purchase one because the majority have red flags. FYI...here's a recent lead from contractor.com that I received:

Job Type: Retaining Wall - INSTALL

Scope: We are trying to put up a 24ft round pool in our backyard. We need someone to come and build a retaining wall around the area for labor costs only. We will provide the materials for the job.

Cost: 18.00 Buy Lead Now

[Stonehenge]

lol - and that's better than almost all the leads I've had from that source. I got one for a pergola (he called it a "turgola"), and I paid the $10 to see what I'd get. Well, it was a guy in some kind of modified assisted living place, with little money to throw around. "I'd be willing to pay $1,000, or even $1,500 for my turgola if I thought it'd be worth it" was the answer to my budget question.

$10 wasted.

And it seems to go the same way for the other online lead services, large and small.

[Terre]

Every so often I get something off lead sites, but since I am so limited in what I do, it's rare. But then every so often I get a good one. Today it was this:

We want a half stone wall built and then a pergola on top of it, around our patio. The patio itself is like 30ft by 12ft, approximately. The stone wall goes around and the pergola on the top. We provide all the materials and we need a good carpenter and a masonite to build the things. References are a must. Will pay 500 for both.

I have found that for free advertising, nothing beats craigslist in my area. As a general rule, I am dealing with professional people who have a clue, (unlike the above), and aren't reluctant to spend money when they perceive value.

Now I'm looking for another advertising source, and had tried some lead sites, but so far zilch of any value. Propertydoctors.com was one that I thought might work, but again, nothing.

[ecoscapes]

I have also found Craigslist to be a great source, about 50% of my business has come from there this year cool projects too, a neat little patio on a lake lot and an awesome outdoor kitchen! Craigs.ist rules!!! I also use it to get rid of materials I am tearing out including soil which is hugh! I bet last year I saved at least $1000 using craigslist to get rid of stuff!

[Stonehenge]

You know, I've been to Craig's List and I still don't quite get how one can get free advertising out of that site. Maybe I'm just dense.

How are you getting business that way?

[Terre]

Post in the Services area. I run alternating posts under Skilled trade, and household. I get 4 or 5 calls a week from there.

There are a LOT of posts for landscaping, lawn care, and maintenance, so I do everything I can to distinguish myself from them, emphasizing individualized planning, and personal service. That serves the purpose of not only getting a call, but seems to let most people know I am not the cheapest one there.

I just looked at CL for your area of Wisconsin, and it's not nearly as busy as my area, Denver. Here is a link to my ad:

http://denver.craigslist.org/sks/356982076.html

[weed n feed]

I was wondering about that as well. It seems between craigslist and lead services and getting a website that online marketing seems to work. I was thinking about getting a website as well. I found this company www.fresh-web-solutions.com sets you up with a googleadwords account. It doesn't look like a bad price because just looking on google all those advertisements at the side can apparently be local. Has anyone tried google adwords?

Thanks