Local lead generation means building websites that show up on Google when homeowners search for a service in their city, like “water heater repair Aurora”. When someone calls the number on your site, that call is worth money to a business that does the work.
Two business models
- Pay-per-call networks. A network gives you a tracking number and pays you for each qualified call it receives. Payouts depend on the service, the city and buyer demand, and only qualified calls are paid. Your network shows its current rates.
- Rank and rent. Once a site ranks and gets calls, you rent it to one local contractor for a monthly fee and point the number to them.
How long it takes
Be patient: a new site usually needs 3 to 6 months to rank, and some markets are too competitive to win at all. That's why you build in several smaller markets instead of betting on one big city. Nobody can promise you income from this, and you should be wary of anyone who does.
The rules
- Say plainly that you're a referral service that connects homeowners with independent providers. Never pretend to be the contractor.
- No fake reviews, ratings, licences or guarantees. No “free” offers and no prices.
- Follow your network's traffic rules. Some don't accept certain sources or regions.
Can I do this from outside the US?
Yes for websites: a site ranks for a US city no matter where you live. Before you build, check that your network accepts publishers from your country; most will ask for a tax form (W-8BEN for non-US individuals). Facebook Marketplace posting is different: it only works if you're actually in the area, so it's not a route for people outside the US.