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Quick overview
| Feature | Angi | BBB |
|---|---|---|
| Industries covered | Mainly home services, automotive, and healthcare | All industries |
| Quote tool | Paid option (Angi Ads/Leads) | Free for BBB Accredited Businesses (Get a Quote program) |
| Cost for businesses | Pay-per-lead | Included in BBB Accreditation membership |
| Customer access | Free, with Angi Key membership for discounts | Free to request quotes |
1. History: A tale of two platforms
Angi: Founded as Angie’s List in 1995, merged with HomeAdvisor in 2017, and rebranded to Angi in 2021. As a directory for local services, Angi also helps businesses generate leads via reviews and paid ads.
BBB: Founded in 1912, BBB is a non-profit, membership-based organization with a mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. The BBB Directory can be accessed at BBB.org.
2. What each platform offers
Angi: Angi offers free business listings, but to truly stand out, you’ll need to pay. Their paid features – like Angi Ads and Angi Leads – boost visibility and can drive more business your way. But it’s a “pay-to-play” model. Reviews and customer engagement also factor heavily into how your business ranks on the platform.
BBB: With BBB, businesses get more than just a listing. If you become BBB Accredited, you get access to tools like the Get a Quote program. You can also put to work your BBB rating and Accredited Business Seal, as well as feature business logos, photos, videos and detailed product and service descriptions.
3. Cost: Pay for leads vs. BBB Accreditation
Angi: Businesses pay for each lead and promotional boost through ads. Becoming Angi Certified gives you access to premium features but those come at a cost, whether the leads convert or not. Customers can also become paid Angi Key members to gain access to exclusive discounts.
BBB: BBB operates a bit differently. Accreditation comes with an annual fee that varies based on the size of your business. But that’s the only cost – there’s no pay-per-lead system here. Accredited Businesses also get access to marketing tools, learning resources, and the BBB Accredited Business Seal, which is what customers look for ahead of making a purchase.
Final thoughts
Both Angi and BBB can help your business grow, but the choice depends on your priorities. If you’re looking to pay for leads and grow through ads, Angi could be a fit. On the other hand, BBB focuses more on trust and credibility, and offers tools to help you showcase those values to potential customers.
But your biggest advantage with BBB? The Accredited Business Seal. When researching businesses, it provides instant credibility to customers because the BBB Seal is earned, not bought.
So, which platform will help your business the most? If building trust and getting free quotes are important to you, BBB might be the way to go.
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The information contained in this article is based on details provided on Angi's FAQ page and 'How It Works' page, as of 10/28/24. According to Angi’s website, this information is accurate as of November 17, 2023. Readers are encouraged to refer directly to the company's FAQ page for the most current and comprehensive information.
BBB Great West + Pacific
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