Choose a Lead Source That Fits Your Diary
For urgent callouts, use a source that reaches you while you can attend. For larger planned jobs, use one that lets you inspect the request and arrange a quote. One source does not have to fill every gap.
Choose the route for the job
| What you want | A useful route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Local people looking for your business | Your Google Business Profile and website | Build reviews and make the number easy to find |
| Emergency calls around existing bookings | GetTheCall | Take live calls during chosen hours; pay per agreed job |
| Planned projects you can choose | Posted-job or shortlist services | Read requests, follow up and quote |
| A regular base of booked days | An agent or contractor relationship | Agree scope, approval and payment terms |
| Your website and marketing managed for you | A managed-marketing service | Pay for a broader package rather than a particular booking |
A sensible small-business mix
A local plumber could keep their own profile for repeat customers, accept agent work on booked days and take emergency calls only in the remaining hours. The calls supplement the diary instead of competing with jobs already promised.
Avoid paying twice for the same gap
If the phone already rings but you cannot reach the jobs, more advertising will not help. Reduce the patch or change the hours first. If customers cannot find your number, fix the profile before buying visitors.
For the payment differences, use our contact, subscription and pay-per-job comparison. It includes the worked cost example.
Updated 29 October 2026 · Report a factual error