How a platform works
- You pay per contact, sometimes even when the customer does not respond.
- Several businesses can pay for the same enquiry.
- The customer knows the platform, not you.
How your own enquiries work
- Customers find you in Google, through an assistant or by referral.
- They call, message or request a quote, directly with you.
- You pay for the site and its upkeep, not per enquiry.
- It takes longer before it gets going.
An honest comparison
- Speed: a platform works at once, a site needs time.
- Cost: per contact against a one-off build plus upkeep.
- Ownership: site and data are in your name.
- Control: you decide what it says and how you reply.
- Certainty: neither promises you work.
When a platform fits
- You are just starting and have no name yet.
- It is quiet and you want extra jobs for a while.
- You want to try a new work area without risk.
How to start with your own enquiries
- Complete your Google Business Profile.
- Put call and message buttons on every page.
- Ask customers for a review.
- Work out what your leads cost you and what a site costs.