Comparison
Lead marketplace vs a trade directory
The short answer
A trade directory charges you a membership or subscription to list your business and hopes customers find and contact you. A lead marketplace actively matches you to verified enquiries, and you only pay when a lead turns into business. The marketplace ties your cost to results; the directory charges you whether the phone rings or not.
| Lead marketplace | Trade directory | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Free to reserve, fee on results | Monthly or annual membership |
| Cost if no work comes | Nothing | You still pay the membership |
| Who does the work | We match leads to you | You wait to be found |
| Lead quality | Verified, matched to your criteria | Whoever clicks your listing |
| Competition | Exclusive option available | Listed next to every rival |
| Speed | Leads pushed to you in real time | Passive, depends on your ranking |
Which is right for you?
Lead marketplace
A marketplace wins when you want leads that come to you and a cost tied to results.
Trade directory
A directory can help with visibility and reviews, but it rarely fills a diary on its own.
The bottom line
A directory is a shop window. A marketplace is a matchmaker. If you need actual enquiries rather than a listing, the marketplace does the work and only charges when it pays off.
With AceLeads you reserve verified leads for free and pay a finder's fee only when one becomes a customer.
See it for yourself
Set your criteria and browse verified leads. Reserve the ones you want for free, and only pay when one turns into business.
FAQ
Common questions
Are directories worth it?
They can help with visibility and reviews, but you pay whether or not the work comes in. A marketplace ties your cost to actual results.
Do I still get reviews on a marketplace?
Reviews live with your own business. AceLeads focuses on getting you the enquiry; how you build your reputation is up to you.