In short
You can win customers without paying for leads by building referrals, collecting reviews, being visible locally and using commission-only marketplaces where you pay only when a job is completed. On Holler, listing is free and you pay a flat commission per completed booking, with no subscription or lead fees.
Why paying for leads costs more than it looks
Lead-generation sites usually charge in one of two ways: a fee per lead (often for a customer’s contact details, whether or not they hire you) or a monthly subscription to be listed. Either way, you pay before you earn.
- You pay for jobs you do not win — the same lead may go to several other providers
- Some leads are not real — people comparing prices, or who never reply
- Subscriptions run in quiet months — the cost is fixed, your income is not
- Everyone competes on price — when several people chase one lead, the cheapest often wins
Work out your real cost per job: add up a month of lead or subscription fees and divide by the jobs that actually came from it. That number is often a surprise.
Referrals: the cheapest customers there are
A customer who was recommended to you arrives already trusting you. To get more of them:
- Ask directly — "If you know anyone who needs a cleaner, I have space on Thursdays"
- Ask at the right moment: just after a job they are pleased with
- Leave a card or send a short message with your details
- Look after your regulars first — they are your best salespeople
Reviews do the selling for you
Most people check reviews before they let someone into their home. A steady stream of recent, genuine reviews makes you the easy choice, even if you are not the cheapest. Read how to get more reviews.
Be visible where you work
- Local community groups online — introduce yourself with a photo, the area you cover and a clear price
- A free business profile on map and search listings so people searching nearby find you
- Your van, uniform and cards — people notice the trade working on their street
- Partner with other trades — a cleaner, a handyman and an electrician can all pass work to each other
Commission-only marketplaces
A commission-only marketplace flips the lead model: you list for free, and pay only when a customer actually books and the job is done. Nothing is spent on jobs you do not get.
That is how Holler works. Listing is free, there is no subscription and no lead fees, and you pay a flat 8% commission per completed booking, plus Stripe’s card fee. Customers pay in the app, so you are not chasing money, and ratings come only from real completed bookings. Customers can book cleaning today, with Holler opening area by area. See Holler for business or check your take-home with the earnings calculator.
Questions people ask
Are paid lead sites worth it for tradespeople?
It depends on how many leads turn into paid jobs. Divide what you spend in a month by the jobs you actually won from it to find your real cost per job, and compare that with the alternatives.
How do cleaners get customers for free?
Referrals from happy customers, genuine reviews, local community groups, a free business profile in local search, and free listings on commission-only apps where you pay only when a job is completed.
What is the difference between pay-per-lead and commission?
With pay-per-lead you pay for a customer’s details whether or not you get the job. With commission you pay a share of the price only when a booking is completed.
Does Holler charge for leads?
No. Listing on Holler is free and there are no subscription or lead fees. You pay a flat 8% commission per completed booking, plus Stripe’s card fee.
Keep reading
How to get more reviews for your local business
How cleaners and tradespeople get more customer reviews: asking at the right moment, making it easy, replying well, and why reviews from real bookings matter.
How to get cleaning clients
How to get cleaning clients in the UK: win your first 10 customers, use referrals and local groups, list on Holler for free, and turn one-offs into regulars.
Earnings calculator for self-employed pros
Free earnings calculator for self-employed cleaners and tradespeople: enter your price and jobs per week to see your take-home per job, week and year.