Are you tired of being burned by lead generation companies?
Onboarding, new processes, monthly fees, and putting faith in people you don’t know to generate business for you. All for you to end up being burned by the company. It can be frustrating and disheartening to invest your time and money and not get the desired results.
You may find it tempting to give up on lead generation companies, but that would be giving up on a valuable asset that could expand your customer base and increase revenue. In reality, working with a lead generation company is vital. However, lead generation isn’t easy and shouldn’t be trusted in the hands of just any company. Unfortunately, not all lead generation companies are created equal, and some may use unethical tactics or make unrealistic promises. Lead generation companies can take advantage of people if they don’t know how to spot a good lead generation company from a bad one. That’s why we’ve created an article to do just that. Check out our helpful tips and advice on how to avoid being burned by a lead generation company.
Top 5 Ways to Avoid Being Burned by a Lead Generation Company
With so many options available, it can be hard to know which lead generation company is the real deal. Discover our top 5 ways to choose the right lead generation company for your business.
1. Do Your Research to Avoid Being Burned by a Lead Generation Company
Before selecting a lead generation company, do your research. Take about an hour to explore the company’s online presence. You’ll want to check out their website, read customer reviews, and take it a step further by reaching out to business owners who have used the service. It’s crucial to select the company that best fits your goals and objectives, and you can get a glimpse of how a company aligns with you just by scratching the surface.
By doing your research, you’ll be able to weed out companies that don’t align with your company’s values and avoid working with a company that may burn you.
2. Establish Your Goals
You can’t measure success if you don’t establish a goal. Before you choose a company, ensure you take a moment to define a clear goal and manage your expectations. What are you looking to accomplish? By when? Those two simple questions will save you from spending time with a company that isn’t suited for your business or industry. Establishing goals will help ensure that you choose a company that can provide the service and support you need to achieve your desired outcome.
Additionally, you should consider your desired lead results. How many leads are you looking to get per month? What’s your goal conversion rate? And MOST IMPORTANTLY, what do you consider a “quality” lead? That last question may be your golden ticket to finding the right lead generation company.
Furthermore, having a clear understanding of your goals and objectives will help you negotiate with the company and ensure you get the best deal.
3. Compare Prices and Services
When choosing a lead generation company, it’s essential to compare prices and services offered by different companies. This will help ensure that you choose a company that offers a good balance of cost and value.
It’s important to understand that lead generation companies charge differently for their services. Some may charge for every lead generated, while others may charge a flat rate or on a retainer basis. You should understand the pricing structure and compare it to your budget and goals. Additionally, you can ask for a detailed breakdown of the services they offer, such as lead generation, lead qualification, lead nurturing, and analytics, to ensure that you are getting the most value for your money.
Furthermore, it’s also important to pay attention to the quality of the leads that each company generates. A company with a low price but low-quality leads will not bring much value to your business. While a company with high prices but high-quality leads may be a better investment.
Depending on the industry, you can expect to spend around $40 to $200 per lead.
4. Look for Quality to Avoid Being Burned by a Lead Generation Company
Don’t just go for the company offering the lowest price. Quality is just as important, if not more so. Make sure the lead generation company you choose is reputable and will provide you with quality leads. A good lead generation company will be familiar with your target market. They should be able to provide you with high-quality leads that are likely to convert into paying customers. One way to evaluate the quality of a company’s leads is to ask for samples or a test run before committing to a long-term contract.
5. Check Their Support
A good lead generation company will have a dedicated team of experts who can provide you with guidance and support throughout the lead generation process. They should be able to help you with things like setting up and optimizing your campaigns, analyzing data and providing insights, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. Also, it’s important to ensure the company has a good communication channel. So you can reach out to them easily and get the help you need quickly. Their services should also be tailored to meet your specific needs and goals, and they are expected to respond to your feedback.
Find out what kind of support the lead generation company provides. Do they offer ongoing training and technical assistance? Do they provide a dedicated customer service team? These are key questions to ask before making your decision.
8 Ways to Spot a Shady Lead Generation Company
To avoid falling prey to a shady lead generation company, it’s essential to be aware of the warning signs. And know what to look for when evaluating potential companies. You can avoid getting burned by understanding and avoiding the following warning signs when choosing a lead generation company.
1. Unusually Low Prices
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Low prices from lead gen companies may seem attractive, but consider all factors before making a decision. These companies may be cutting corners or using unethical methods to generate leads, which can ultimately harm your business and reputation.
2. Lack of Transparency
A shady lead generation company may be vague about its methods or unwilling to provide detailed information about its lead generation process. Choose a company that is transparent about its methods and can deliver measurable results.
3. Pressure to Sign a Contract
A reputable lead generation company will not pressure you to sign a contract without first discussing your needs and goals. Companies that push for a quick commitment without providing detailed information should be avoided.
4. Guarantees with Unrealistic Expectations
Don’t trust companies that promise high conversion rates or offer guarantees based on unrealistic expectations. A good lead generation company will be honest about the potential outcomes and will not guarantee a specific number of leads.
5. Bad Return Policy
Bad return policies are an easy way to identify shady lead-generation companies. A reputable lead generation company will have a return policy that allows you to return leads if they don’t meet your expectations. Poor return policies may indicate that a company isn’t confident in the quality of its leads or that it won’t back them up.
A good return policy should include guidelines regarding what constitutes a valid return, a timeline for returns, and the process for submitting a return request. Return policies should also have a clear process for reviewing and approving returns. As well as for refunding or crediting accounts for returns.
Alternatively, a shady lead generation company may have a confusing, restrictive, or nonexistent return policy. Also, they may make it hard for you to return leads, or even refuse to accept returns altogether. There is a possibility that these companies are more concerned with making a quick sale than providing you with quality leads.
6. Bad or Old Reviews
If you look up the company and are only seeing reviews from 2+ years ago, run, don’t walk. Only being able to find old or negative reviews for the lead generation company you’re looking into is not a good sign. A reputable lead generation company will have a positive reputation and an up-to-date history of satisfied customers, who are willing to share their experiences.
By researching reviews and testimonials from previous clients, you can get a sense of the quality of the leads and services provided by the company. On the other hand, a shady lead generation company may have a history of bad reviews, complaints, or negative feedback. These reviews may be old, but if they continue to have bad reviews over a long period, it’s a red flag.
7. Not Easy to Find Online
What year is this? If the lead generation company you’re looking into doesn’t have a website or is hard to find in general, they are not a reputable company. In today’s digital age, most legitimate businesses have a presence online, whether it be a website, social media, or independent review websites. A company that is not visible online may be a sign that they are not a legitimate business or they are new and not yet established. Not being able to find a company online may also mean that they are not transparent about their methods, or they are not providing enough information about their services.
A legitimate business will have a presence online, with a professional-looking website, active social media accounts, and positive reviews from previous clients.
8. Sketchy Vibe
Yes, sometimes you can just get a sketchy vibe entirely from a company. Sketchy vibes can be a warning sign that a lead generation company is shady. A reputable lead generation company will have a professional and trustworthy demeanor, whereas a shady company may give off a “too good to be true” or “pushy” vibe.
A company with salespeople that refuse to answer specific questions about its lead generation process or is evasive about its methods might not be transparent or credible. Similarly, if they make you sign a contract without explaining their services in detail, this is a warning sign. Moreover, if the company’s email signatures seem unprofessional or generic, they may not be serious about their business.
By paying attention to these “vibes” and using your intuition, you can make an informed decision and choose a lead generation company that is credible and trustworthy.
Tired of Being Burned by Lead Generation Companies?
It is time to stop being burned by lead generation companies and join 360Connect instead. At 360Connect, we generate high-quality leads, employ experienced professionals, maintain a strong reputation, and CARE about your success. What are you waiting for? Get Started Today!