CheckaTrade vs Book a Builder

[Scaff10]

Anyone used either Checkatrade or Book a Builder for their scaffolding firm and got any pros and cons? I feel like they’re aimed at Joe Bloggs Customers rather than builders / building companies more likely to contact scaffolding firms..
However, on a marketing drive at the moment so considering one.
Book a Builder is half the price of CheckaTrade and I hear the MD from CheckaTrade has moved from there to Book a Builder so tempting but not sure whether to go with the older more well known option if that’s got better results. Anyone used?

 

[Anthony Kay]

I hadn’t heard off book a builder until you mentioned it, but very aware and comfortable using check a trade. Having said that I would be your joe bloggs consumer rather than trade so less likely to have a requirement for scaffolding direct.

 

[Currentlyignorant]

Can't talk for those two in particular, but I've used similar pay per lead websites (albeit in a different sector) and didn't get on well with them at all...

Customers just put vague requests out, then waited for the cheapest price/didn't bother to reply to quotes as they were just browsing.

 

[Paul Carmen]

You need to ask them a few questions and see if you can get any guarantees about the quality and quantity of the leads... you probably can't. They are often very expensive per lead and the quality is poor, plus as you say, they're aimed at the general public looking for building work, rather than B2B work.

In most industries, and especially yours, you'd be far better offer to build a good local reputation and generate your own local leads. You should be able to get leads relatively quickly using Facebook and via your own website cheaper than these pay per lead sites, this then helps with word of mouth and gets you known to the local trade too.