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Speed to lead: why answering fast wins more jobs

Banish AnguralUpdated 1 min read
Two contractors in hard hats shaking hands on a job site

Why speed matters

When something breaks, people call down the list until someone answers. The lead you paid for goes to whoever picks up.

Simple fixes

  1. Forward calls to a mobile or a teammate during the day.
  2. Use an answering service after hours if you take emergency work.
  3. Auto-text missed calls: "Sorry we missed you, we’ll call back within 15 minutes."
  4. Form alerts by text, not just email.
  5. A reply template for common requests.
  6. Set ad hours to when someone can answer.

Measure it

Track missed calls and average response time each week. It is often the cheapest improvement in your whole marketing.

If you follow up by email or text, make sure you follow Canada’s anti-spam rules for consent.

Paying for leads you miss?

Call tracking shows missed calls by source. A free audit includes it. See Local Services Ads, where responsiveness affects ranking.

Sources

  1. Local Services Ads Help Center, Google
  2. Canada's anti-spam legislation, Government of Canada
ServiceLocal Services AdsServiceGoogle Ads management

Questions readers ask

How fast should a contractor respond to a lead?

As fast as possible: answer calls live and reply to forms within minutes during business hours. Many customers hire one of the first to respond.

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