Marketplace profiles bring visibility inside that platform, often with fees per lead or order, and the platform controls the customer relationship. Your own website builds your brand, captures direct inquiries without per-lead fees and works with your Google profile. Use marketplaces as channels, not as your only home.
Compare
| Marketplace profile | Owned website | |
|---|---|---|
| Leads | Inside the platform | Direct to you |
| Fees | Per lead, order or subscription | Website and care cost |
| Customer data | Platform controls | Yours |
| Brand | Next to competitors | Only you |
Worked example
A cleaning company gets leads from a marketplace that charges per lead. The owner keeps the marketplace profile but builds an owned website with services, prices and reviews, and asks marketplace clients to book directly next time where allowed. Over a year, more repeat clients book through the website.
Common mistakes
- Depending entirely on paid leads
- Breaking marketplace rules about direct contact
- No owned channel
How to decide
Marketplaces bring visibility but control the customer relationship, fees and rules; your owned website and Google profile build an audience you keep. Track the cost and quality of marketplace leads against direct inquiries. If marketplace leads become expensive or low quality, shift effort toward reviews, your website and referrals. Read each marketplace's terms about contacting customers directly.
Questions to ask about a marketplace
- How are leads priced?
- Can I contact customers outside the platform?
- Who owns reviews and customer data?
- How are disputes handled?
- Can I pause or leave anytime?
Building owned channels alongside a marketplace
Ask every satisfied customer for a Google review, collect emails with permission for reminders, and make sure your business name and website are easy to remember. Over time, repeat customers and referrals come directly to you. Keep your marketplace profile accurate and responsive while it brings value, but measure each lead's cost against the jobs it produces.
Measuring lead quality
Track how many marketplace leads become paying customers and at what cost, and compare with direct leads from your website and Google profile. Shift effort toward the sources that produce customers at a reasonable cost.
Common questions
Should I leave marketplaces?
Not necessarily. Track cost per customer and compare with direct website leads.
Can my website link to my marketplace reviews?
Yes, linking to genuine reviews is fine.
Should I leave marketplaces?
Many businesses use them for discovery while building owned channels.
Who owns my marketplace reviews?
They stay on the platform; your Google and website reviews are portable.
Can I link my website from a marketplace profile?
Rules vary; some marketplaces restrict outside links. Check the terms.
Are marketplace leads exclusive?
Often not; some are shared with several businesses, so reply quickly.
Do marketplace reviews help my Google ranking?
Google reviews matter most for your Google profile; marketplace reviews help on that platform.
Should I mention marketplaces on my website?
Usually not necessary; focus on direct contact.
How do I move customers to direct booking?
Give great service, ask for reviews, and make your website and contact details easy to find, within platform rules.
See how your website can present real work and make contacting you easier
Photos of real jobs, clear services and one-tap calling or a short form turn the visitors you earn from Google and reviews into customers.
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