Free trade listing vs paying for leads
Last updated 15 October 2026 · 4 min read · By GotAPal
If you're a tradesperson choosing where to be listed, the question that matters most is how each site charges you, and when. Most trade sites charge in one of three ways, and all three mean paying before you win the job. A GotAPal listing is free.
The short version
- Membership directories charge a monthly or yearly fee to appear.
- Pay-per-lead sites charge for each enquiry or job you chase.
- Credit marketplaces sell credits you spend to reply to a lead, whether or not it comes off.
- GotAPal is free to list and free to be contacted, with no lead fees and no commission.
- The one paid extra is optional: Top Pal featured placement, £15 a month.
The three ways trade sites charge
- Membership. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to appear, often with checks before you go live. The fee is due whether the phone rings or not.
- Pay per lead. You pay for each enquiry passed to you, or a fee when you're picked for a job. Several trades are often sent the same lead.
- Credits. You buy credits up front and spend them to reply to customers. Credits spent on a job that goes elsewhere aren't refunded.
None of these is hidden or unfair in itself, and each suits some trades. It's worth adding up what you'd pay in a quiet month as well as a busy one.
How GotAPal is different
GotAPal is free to list and free to be contacted. Customers find you and get in touch directly: there are no lead fees and no commission on your work. GotAPal makes money from one optional extra, Top Pal featured placement, and you can see it on the pricing page. Read more in how GotAPal makes money.
Side by side
| How the site charges | When you pay | If the job goes elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | Every month or year, to appear | The fee is still due |
| Pay per lead | For each enquiry or job | The lead fee is usually still due |
| Credits | Up front, then per reply | Credits spent are gone |
| GotAPal | Never, unless you choose Top Pal | Nothing to pay |
What it means for your wallet
On a membership or pay-per-lead model, a trade can spend hundreds of pounds before winning a single job. Leads go cold and quotes go unanswered, and the fees are due either way. A free listing lets you be found, be contacted and win work first, and pay for extras only if they earn their keep.
List on GotAPal for free
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