HomeAdvisor vs Active Business Core
HomeAdvisor was a paid lead-gen platform for trades. It's now part of Angi. Active Business Core is owned discovery. Different economics, different long-term outcome.
What HomeAdvisor is
HomeAdvisor launched in 1998 as a marketplace for home-improvement leads. It matched homeowners with prescreened local pros in categories like plumbing, HVAC, roofing, electrical, and remodeling. Pros paid per lead; homeowners got free quotes. In 2017 HomeAdvisor merged with Angie's List; the combined entity is now Angi.
HomeAdvisor (and Angi Leads, the current product) is good at: producing lead volume in trade categories. The platform has been around long enough to have household name recognition. For new trades businesses, it's a fast way to fill the calendar.
HomeAdvisor is not good at: lead quality consistency. Many pros have publicly complained about lead quality - paying for "leads" that turn out to be window-shoppers, price-shoppers, or non-existent. The per-lead fees add up. And once you stop paying, the leads stop. You don't own anything.
How we're different
- No pay-per-lead. $199/mo flat. Every change included. No surprise invoices for low-quality leads.
- Owned discovery. Your site. Your GBP. Your directories. Your reviews. You build equity over time.
- GBP management included. The source of most home-services leads is Google Maps, not HomeAdvisor. We claim and refresh your GBP.
- AI visibility for trades. When someone asks ChatGPT "who's a good electrician in [your city]," we structure your site to be cited. HomeAdvisor isn't in that answer.
- Predictable cost. $199/mo. The number doesn't change based on how many people clicked "get a quote" on someone else's site.
When HomeAdvisor (Angi Leads) is right for you
- You need to fill the calendar this month and have the cash to absorb per-lead fees.
- Your category converts reliably on HomeAdvisor-style marketplace leads.
- You're okay renting the lead channel instead of owning the discovery surface.
When we're right for you
- You want predictable monthly cost, not per-lead uncertainty.
- You want to own the discovery surface: site, GBP, directories, reviews, AI visibility.
- You're tired of paying for leads that don't convert.
Frequently asked questions
Is HomeAdvisor cheaper?
Per lead, sometimes. But the cost is unpredictable and the leads don't compound. We compare on total cost and total ROI.
Can I use HomeAdvisor (Angi) and Active Business Core together?
Yes. Use HomeAdvisor for lead-gen this season; use us to build the asset that owns the relationship long-term.
Is HomeAdvisor lead quality good?
Varies by category, market, and timing. Many pros report inconsistent quality. We help you build owned channels where quality is consistent.
Do you replace HomeAdvisor?
We don't run a lead-gen marketplace. We build owned discovery. Different job.
What about HomeAdvisor reviews?
Reviews on HomeAdvisor live on HomeAdvisor. We help you earn reviews on Google and owned surfaces where they compound forever.
Own your discovery. Stop renting leads.
Web Presence is $199/mo for trades operators. 30-day money-back guarantee.