Outsourcing to solar lead companies can be a great way for contractors to take the pressure off and establish a reliable supply of sales. However, it’s important for contractors considering this option to realize that the key to success lies in choosing a high-quality agency.
Not all lead agencies follow the same set of practices, and many have wildly varying standards for the leads they sell to contractors. Certainly, there is a big difference between solar lead companies, and installers should know how to recognize the ones that are worth buying from. Below, we’ll look at a few of the most important criteria and discuss how compromises can result in disappointment.
Lead Generation Methods
How an agency generates their leads is the defining factor of their value. Many companies take a shortcut when it comes to lead generation, sourcing from third parties rather than doing the work themselves.
These third parties are often generic mass lead suppliers that pass on leads without much investigation into whether or not they’re actually real or worthwhile prospects. This means that many agencies are simply middlemen who have little control over the quality of leads they sell to contractors.
The most effective agencies take full responsibility for the leads they deliver. That includes every part of the generation process, from finding the leads to vetting them. Top contenders use strategic inbound marketing to attract homeowners who are genuinely interested in solar and are researching how to take the next step.
Naturally-attracted leads already offer a better chance of success over cold leads that have been sourced via random phone calls or data scrapes. But the best agencies go farther by implementing a personal screening process conducted via conversations with live agents. Using human interaction to assess a lead’s viability allows the agency to determine who’s committed and who’s just window shopping. The highest commitment level is verified by agencies that take the initiative to set the first appointment for the contractor - however, this is a very rare service.
Lead Distribution
An agency’s approach to lead distribution can dramatically dilute the quality of the leads they offer. If those leads are not sold on an exclusive basis - meaning that they aren’t just sold to a single contractor, then multiple installers will be competing for the customer’s business.
This hardly seems fair for contractors that are already paying money to access a lead. It would be more understandable if the price of the lead were lowered accordingly, but many agencies still sell these shared leads at a price far too inflated.
It’s crucial for contractors to know that lead exclusivity can also be affected by the agency’s generation method. Many mass lead suppliers sell the same leads to multiple agencies - so while an agency itself may be selling only to one contractor, the fact that the lead was already widely distributed up the chain means that there may still be other competitors who’ve gotten ahold of it.
Contractual Obligations
A good solar marketing company works in the interest of contractors. And because they offer leads worth coming back for, they don’t need to resort to terms that milk installers for every penny they can get.
Unfortunately, too many agencies impose unscrupulous terms such as purchase minimums and binding contracts, often forcing contractors to buy more leads than they want. This can be especially frustrating when contractors realize that they’ve been strong-armed into buying sub-par leads. Most small to mid-sized installers can’t afford to absorb such hits without some financial pain.
Choose the Best Solar Lead Company in the Industry
As lead outsourcing becomes a more popular solution, the agencies most favored by contractors are growing in reputation. Grid Freedom is one of the top picks of America’s installers, preferred for its in-house lead generation, uncompromising screening standards, and appointment-setting.
This agency offers the most convenient and effective lead service for contractors, minimizing all the work and uncertainty that comes with traditional solar lead generation. Leads are delivered ready to meet, with no threat from competitors and no strings attached.
Get Top Quality Leads at www.GridFreedom.com
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