Did you know that 40%of U.S. home improvement services customers who call from Google Search end up making a purchase?
If you run a handyman business in the U.S. and are trying to market your handyman services, there are plenty of platforms designed to connect you with homeowners who need your help.
However, generating leads for handyman business might not be as straightforward as it seems if you’re not aware of the best practices. To consistently attract the right clients, you’ll need a strategic approach that combines the right platforms with the right messaging.
In this article, we’ve ranked the top 10 lead generation platforms for American handyman services based on effectiveness, lead quality, cost, and ease of use.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, here are the top 10 platforms where you can focus your efforts on.
10. Porch
Lead generation: Paid (subscription or pay-per-lead)
Best for: Strategic partnerships and brand exposure
Porch connects professionals like you with home improvement and maintenance projects through subscription or pay-per-lead plans. The platform also integrates with various real estate and home service channels, helping you expand your reach even further.
One of Porch’s standout features is its partnership with Lowe’s, which enables direct referrals from in-store visits and consultations. It can help provide your business with a steady stream of potential customers.
Maintaining a polished, professional profile is key to generating leads on Porch. Ideally, you should include detailed service descriptions, proper licensing, and high-quality images of your work. Also, link your Porch account with your Google Business Profile to convert online exposure into real-world clients. Responding to inquiries promptly and receiving good ratings will also boost your visibility within Porch’s search results.
How to get started
- Go to porch.com/pro and sign up as a professional
- Fill out your profile, including services, service area, and licenses
- Choose a subscription or pay-per-lead plan
- Respond quickly to inquiries and follow up professionally to close jobs
9. Yelp
Lead generation: Free and paid
Best for: Boosting reputation and trust
Yelp might not be a huge source for direct leads, but it plays a critical role in influencing the decision-making process of potential clients who are looking up your business online. Many homeowners use Yelp as a credibility check before deciding to contact a handyman. A strong Yelp presence makes you look more trustworthy as most homeowners will compare you against multiple service providers before deciding.
Yelp also offers the option to run ads that can place your business at the top of local search results within the platform. Even without ads, having a complete, positively-reviewed profile boosts your business reputation and helps increase your chances of being contacted.
Good reviews are super important on Yelp. Therefore, encourage your satisfied customers to leave a review on the platform. You may also want to add quality images of your work, detailed service descriptions, and updated contact information and business hours.
How to get started
- Go to biz.yelp.com to claim or create your business page
- Add photos, business hours, services, and a detailed description
- Ask your clients to leave positive reviews
- Respond to every review
- Run Yelp ads to boost your listing in search results
8. TaskRabbit
Lead generation: Paid (commission-based)
Best for: Quick small jobs and side gigs
TaskRabbit is probably the best platform to generate leads for smaller handyman tasks, such as mounting a TV, assembling furniture, or hanging shelves. The platform is ideal for new businesses, as well as professionals looking to supplement their main workload with quick, local gigs.
TaskRabbit is simple and has a built-in client base. Once you create a profile, the platform matches you with people in your area who are actively looking for your services. There’s no need to market your services or chase leads as customers come to you based on your listed services and availability. You also have full control over your schedule and pricing.
Your profile is the key to generating leads on TaskRabbit. Therefore, ensure it clearly outlines your skills, has a professional photo, and highlights specialties and gigs you accept. Offering great customer service and earning positive reviews can quickly boost your visibility on the platform.
How to get started
- Visit taskrabbit.com and click on Become a Tasker (top right of the website)
- Create an account and select services you offer (e.g., mounting, repairs, furniture assembly)
- Set your hourly rate, availability, and service area
- Get booked by users in your area based on profile, pricing, and reviews
- Communicate promptly and provide great service to build your rating
7. HomeAdvisor / Angi
Lead generation: Paid (subscription + pay-per-lead)
Best for: High volume leads
Each year, millions of users visit platforms like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List) to look for home service professionals like yourself. These portals can be high-traffic lead sources for handyman services of all kinds, from minor repairs to complete home improvement projects.
These platforms typically work by having homeowners describe the job they need done. The system then matches them with service providers based on factors like location, availability, and area of expertise. One drawback, however, is that the leads generated on these platforms are not exclusive, meaning multiple businesses may receive the same lead simultaneously.
To stand out, you should respond immediately when a lead comes in. Many jobs are awarded to the first business that makes contact. Also, provide clear pricing and showcase your credentials for a competitive edge.
How to get started
- Go to homeadvisor.com/pro or angi.com to create a professional account
- Fill out your services, pricing, and licenses
- Pay a subscription or per-lead fee to receive service requests
- Leads are shared, so respond immediately when you get one
- Ask clients for reviews and keep your profile active and updated
6. Facebook (Marketplace and Local Groups)
Lead generation: Free and paid (through lead ads)
Best for: Local community outreach
Facebook is still one of the best ways to generate local leads for handyman business because of its massive user base and active local communities. Most neighbourhoods have dedicated Facebook groups where members regularly post about looking for handyman services, offer referrals, or ask for recommendations.Â
Beyond groups, Facebook Marketplace also serves as a listing space where you can promote your services to people in your area. The platform offers both free and paid lead generation tools, including Facebook Lead Ads, which allow users to submit their contact details with just one click.
To generate leads effectively on Facebook, join community and neighborhood groups, contribute to conversations, and post your services with clear photos, pricing, and availability. Running low-budget lead ads can also help generate leads from specific zip codes or demographics. Keep in mind, consistency and engagement are two of the most important things for generating leads on Facebook organically.
How to get started
- Create a personal Facebook account (if you don’t have one)
- Set up a Business Page under your profile
- Join local community and buy/sell groups in your service area
- Promote your services organically by regularly posting before/after photos, tips, offers, and service announcements in groups
- If you have the budget, run Lead Ads targeting local zip codes
5. Nextdoor
Lead generation: Free and paid (low-cost ads)
Best for: Local referrals
Nextdoor facilitates local recommendations and neighborhood credibility, connecting neighbours with trusted service providers. It’s a platform built specifically for communities.
People turn to Nextdoor when they want referrals they can trust. A single recommendation from a satisfied customer can quickly gain traction and result in multiple enquiries. It’s a great platform for handyman businesses; you don’t just get local leads but also build a presence in your immediate service area that can lead to long-term, repeat customers.
To generate leads on Nextdoor, create a business page with a detailed description of your services, service area, and contact details. Post regularly in local conversations and offer helpful tips or seasonal advice to stay visible. Most importantly, ask satisfied customers to recommend you. Recommendations boost your visibility within the app.
How to get started with Nextdoor
- Visit business.nextdoor.com and sign up for a free business page
- Add your services, location, contact info, and profile picture
- Ask satisfied clients in your neighborhood to recommend you
- Post helpful content in local conversations (e.g., tips, seasonal maintenance checklists)
- Ads on Nextdoor are generally affordable. Consider running ads to increase reach in your zip code
4. Google Local Services Ads
Lead generation: Paid (pay-per-call)
Best for: High-intent leads
Local Services Ads from Google is probably the best paid method to generate leads for your handyman business from Google. Your Local Services Ads appear at the very top of search results pages on Google, above both traditional ads and organic listings. This placement ensures an excellent visibility of your business to potential customers who are actively searching for handyman services.
The pay-per-call model is another great feature from Local Services Ads. You only get charged when a customer makes direct contact via a phone call. This ensures you’re only spending your budget on high-intent leads rather than just clicks or impressions.
Google Local Services Ads also offer you the opportunity to become “Google Guaranteed”. This verification shows customers that Google has vetted your business, giving them confidence to reach out.
To generate leads effectively through Local Services Ads, complete the verification process, choose the right categories that match your services, set a realistic service area, and optimise your Google Business Profile.
Here’s how to get started with Google Local Services Ads:
- Go to ads.google.com/local-services-ads
- Set up your business profile and complete the verification steps. This includes background checks and license verification
- Choose the services you offer and the areas you serve
- Set your weekly budget
- Ensure your Google Business Profile is active and has good reviews, as it might affect ad performance
3. Thumbtack
Lead generation: Paid (pay-per-lead)
Best for: Direct access to leads
Thumbtack is a great platform to engage with high-intent prospects. It connects you with users who are actively seeking handyman services. It’s a paid platform that charges you per lead. That being said, unlike traditional advertising platforms where you pay to be seen, Thumbtack only charges you for the leads you choose to respond to, making it a more cost-effective solution.
The platform offers a professional interface where you can showcase your expertise, pricing, service locations, and reviews. People submit requests that match your services, and you decide which ones to reach out to.
To generate leads successfully, optimise your profile with clear service descriptions and high-quality images of your work. The platform favours professionals who reply quickly. Therefore, always ensure you respond to queries immediately. Positive reviews is another factor to boost your visibility on Thumbtack.
How to get started:
- Visit thumbtack.com/pro and sign up as a service provider
- Set your service category, location, pricing, and availability
- Complete your profile with reviews, licenses, photos, and a business description
- You’ll get notified when jobs are posted in your area. The platform will only charge you when you respond to a lead.
2. TikTok
Lead generation: Free and paid (lead generation ads)
Best for: Building your brand
TikTok has seen a surge in popularity among Americans in recent years. Thanks to its unique algorithm that gives all creators a fair shot, regardless of their follower count, it’s an excellent platform to reach your target audience.
That said, generating leads on TikTok works a bit differently than on other platforms. The process can be broken into two parts: publishing content and capturing leads. The first part involves creating engaging videos for your potential clients. The second part is about building a system outside of TikTok to collect their contact information, since the platform doesn’t allow direct lead capture unless you’re running paid lead generation ads.
To attract potential clients, focus on videos that solve real problems and provide valuable information related to your business. As a handyman, you already know the everyday issues your customers face. Use that to your advantage. Share quick tips, DIY fixes, or temporary solutions they can try until professional help arrives. This not only builds trust but also positions you as the go-to expert. Over time, viewers will follow you for more helpful content and reach out when they need a professional.
Some content ideas include:
- DIY fixes for everyday home issues
- Common mistakes to avoid (Do’s and Don’ts)
- Temporary fixes until help arrives
- What it typically costs to fix certain problems
- Quick maintenance tips for homeowners
While some viewers may reach out to you directly on the platform, it’s essential to have a proper system in place to capture leads. The most effective way to do this is by creating a lead capture form, either on your business website or using one of the many free form builder tools.
Once your form is ready, you can add the link to your bio or video descriptions. Just keep in mind that TikTok requires at least 1,000 followers before you can include a clickable link in your bio.
Also, don’t forget to include a clear call to action at the end of your videos that tells viewers how to get in touch with you or where to go next. This simple step can significantly boost your chances of turning views into leads.
How to get started:
- Download the TikTok app and create a free account
- Set up your business profile with your bio, contact link, and profile image
- Create and publish engaging videos
- Use local hashtags like #dallasrepairs or #handymanflorida to attract local viewers
- Engage with comments and direct messages
1. Google Business Profile
Lead generation: Free
Best for: Local visibility and credibility
Google Business Profile is a really powerful free tool to attract handyman leads in your immediate area because it puts your business front and center when people are actively looking for local services like yours on Google.
Many homeowners, especially new movers, search for “handyman near me,” on Google when they need handyman services. Google prioritises Google Business Profile for such types of local searches. This means your Google Business Profile is typically the first thing they’ll see. Apart from local search results, it also appears prominently on Google Maps.
Your Google Business Profile includes your business name, contact info, service areas, operating hours, customer reviews, and photos of your work. With this, your potential clients get everything they need to decide whether to contact you.
To appear at the top of search results and capture leads successfully, make sure your profile is fully optimised. This includes adding relevant keywords to your business description (for instance, handyman services on call in Tulsa, Oklahoma), uploading high-quality images of your work, and encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews. Complete and active profiles are more likely to appear higher in local search rankings.
How to get started
- Go to google.com/business
- Sign in with your Google account and create your business profile
- Fill in your business name, category (Handyman), location/service area, phone number, and website if applicable
- Verify your business (Google will mail you a postcard with a code)
- Optimise your profile (Add detailed description with right keywords, Upload photos of your work, collect reviews from past clients, etc.)
Be active on the platform, respond to all reviews, and keep your information updated to improve local search visibility
Final words
There are many platforms that can help your handyman business connect with potential clients. But generating leads successfully comes from a strategic approach. It all starts with understanding your customers. Instead of simply promoting how great you are at your job, focus your efforts on addressing the real problems your customers face.
In the early stages, make the most of free platforms. Test out various options, experiment, and stay active across all of them to identify what works best for your audience.
Once you start generating leads, the next big challenge is converting them into paying customers. On average, about 10% of leads convert. That’s why it’s crucial to follow up immediately and have a solid sales process in place to ensure no lead slips through the cracks.
If you’re collecting leads from multiple sources, it can be overwhelming to manage contacts manually, import them to your phone, reach out one-by-one, and track follow-ups. Handling these steps manually may result in late outreach and inefficient communication, causing you to miss key opportunities.
That’s where Privyr comes in. It’s a mobile-first CRM built to streamline your sales process and help you maximise conversions, no matter where you’re generating leads. Privyr integrates with major lead sources, keeping all your leads in one place.
It also ensures you follow up with your leads consistently through automatic reminders, ensuring you stay in touch and never miss an opportunity. And best of all, you can manage everything right from your phone, wherever you are.
Try Privyr for free today!