Honest Comparison
Lead subscriptions vs exclusive Google enquiries. See which delivers better ROI for UK tradespeople in 2026.
Updated March 2026
Rated People offers subscription-based lead access, but leads are shared, reviews are trapped on their platform, and you pay ongoing fees with nothing to show long-term.
TradesBooked builds you a Google presence that delivers 100% exclusive leads. Your reviews stay on Google, you own the asset, and leads come to YOU rather than you chasing them.
| Feature | TradesBooked | Rated People |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | £297/month flat fee | £20-£100+/month + per lead |
| Lead exclusivity | 100% exclusive — only you | Shared with other tradespeople |
| Lead type | Inbound — they find you | Outbound — you chase leads |
| Ownership | You own your website & rankings | Nothing — profile on their site |
| Review ownership | Reviews on YOUR site & Google | Reviews trapped on their platform |
| Time to results | 30-90 days | Immediate |
| Price competition | None — you set prices | High — competing on quotes |
| Long-term value | Asset grows over time | Zero — starts over if you stop |
Like other lead sites, Rated People sends leads to multiple tradespeople. You compete on price and response speed, racing others to win the same job.
Every review you earn stays on Rated People. Leave the platform and your reputation disappears. With Google, reviews follow YOUR business forever.
Many plans charge both a monthly subscription AND per-lead fees. You pay to be on the platform, then pay again for each lead you want to pursue.
Every enquiry is yours alone. No sharing, no competing, no chasing.
Customers find YOUR website on Google and contact YOU directly. No outbound hustle.
Google reviews stay on Google forever. Your reputation belongs to you, not a platform.
Flat monthly investment. No per-lead charges, no hidden costs, no surprises.
Rated People can generate leads, but like other lead sites, enquiries are shared with multiple tradespeople. You pay subscription fees plus per-lead costs, and all your reviews are trapped on their platform. For long-term value, your own Google presence is better.
Rated People charges a monthly subscription (typically £20-£100+ depending on plan) plus additional costs per lead. Some plans include a certain number of leads, with extra leads charged separately.
All reviews you collect on Rated People stay on Rated People. If you cancel, potential customers cannot see those reviews. With your own Google presence, reviews stay on Google forever — they follow YOUR business, not a platform.
When someone searches Google for "plumber in Manchester", they are actively looking for help right now. Rated People leads come from people submitting requests to compare multiple quotes — they are price shopping from the start.
Yes, many tradespeople do this. Use Rated People for immediate work while your Google rankings build. As organic leads increase, reduce your Rated People spend. The goal is full independence from lead sites.
Stop chasing shared leads. Build a Google presence where customers come directly to you.
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