How the marketplaces charge
- Angi. Angi's pro help pages say you're charged for each lead you receive, whether or not you win the job, and that Angi doesn't guarantee jobs. Prices vary by type of request and location.
- Thumbtack. Thumbtack also charges pros for leads. Pros control their spending through settings such as a budget and a maximum price per lead.
- Yelp. You can claim a free business page, and Yelp sells advertising to businesses that want more visibility.
Prices change and differ by trade and city, so check each platform's current terms in your own account.
Where marketplaces help
- They bring you demand. Homeowners go to these platforms to find pros, so you can get requests without building an audience.
- They're quick to start. A profile can be live in an afternoon.
- Reviews in one place. A strong profile builds trust on that platform.
Where your own website helps
- No per-lead charge. A website costs the same whether it brings one request or fifty.
- The request comes only to you. Nobody else gets the same homeowner's details at the same moment.
- You control how you look. Your photos, your services, your license number, your story, without a competitor's ad beside it.
- It's where homeowners check you out. Someone who sees you on Yelp or gets your card from a neighbor will often look you up before they call.
- It's yours to point everything at. Your truck, your cards, your Google Business Profile and your social media can all link to it.
A website alone doesn't create demand, though. It works best when homeowners can find it: through your Google Business Profile, referrals, your truck and your marketplace profiles.
A sensible way to use both
- Keep a clear website with your license number, services, service area and real photos.
- Set up a free Google Business Profile and link it to your site.
- Use marketplaces where they pay off, and track what each job really cost you in lead fees.
- Put your website on everything: invoices, yard signs, your truck, your email signature.
Questions people ask
Do I need a website if I get enough work from Angi or Thumbtack?
Not strictly. But your marketplace profile belongs to the platform and leads there cost money each time. A website gives you a place to send referrals and repeat customers that costs the same every month.
Are marketplace leads exclusive?
Often not. Angi and Thumbtack can show the same request to more than one pro, so response speed matters. A request from your own website comes only to you.
Can I link my website from my Yelp or Thumbtack profile?
Most platforms let you add a website link to your business profile. Check each platform's rules for where links are allowed.
Does a website guarantee more jobs?
No. No website can promise leads or rankings, and ObraUp doesn't. A good site makes it easier for homeowners who find you to trust you and get in touch.
Sources
- Angi Leads pro help center, How leads work (checked October 13, 2026)
- Thumbtack Community, How leads are priced (checked October 13, 2026)