What it costs to advertise a local business: the main options
A local business can pay to be found in several ways. Some charge per click. Some charge per lead. Some charge a flat monthly fee. This page names ten options and quotes what each company's own page says about how it charges. It is a plain list, not a ranking. We give no average prices, because no company page gives one. Read each company's own terms before you pay.
How each one says it charges
Each line is quoted from the official page named beside it, as we read it in October 2026. Follow the link to see it in place.
Google Local Services Ads: you pay when a customer gets in touch, not when someone clicks.
“Only pay when potential customers get in touch through your ads on Local Services Ads, so you can focus on real results for your business.”
Google Verified badge on Local Services Ads: Google says where it shows.
“The Google Verified badge will display on the Local Services Ads profile, and it may dynamically appear on other surfaces where it adds consumer value.”
Google Ads: you pay per click, and you can set the most you will pay for one click.
“That way, you'll never pay more than the amount you set for a click on your ad.”
Google Ads Smart Bidding - AI-Driven Bid Optimisations & Ad Spend
Yelp Ads: you pay per click, inside a monthly budget that you set.
“Each time your ad is clicked, we will charge you according to your CPC price.”
How does Yelp's Cost Per Click (CPC) advertising program work?
Angi: you pay per lead, and the fee depends on the size of the job.
“you pay a nominal fee for each lead you match to.”
Bark: you pay a fee, in credits, each time you respond to a lead.
“You simply pay a one-off fee to respond to a lead.”
Porch: you can buy leads one at a time, set a monthly budget, or do both.
“Buy leads individually, set a monthly budget and receive leads automatically, or combine both options.”
Networx: its contractor page describes a flat fee each month.
“Partnering with the Networx lead generation service costs you only a small flat fee per month.”
Houzz Pro: an advertising package is sold as a monthly price, starting at the amount shown.
“Stand out to local, hiring homeowners with targeted ads tailored to your business. Starting at $499/mo”
Houzz Pro Pricing: All-in-One Business Solution for Home Design & Remodeling Professionals
Nextdoor: sells ads to local businesses. Its small business page gives no price.
“Meet your marketing goals with easy to set up ads.”
Small Business Ads: Promote Locally with Nextdoor | Nextdoor
The three ways of paying
Per click: you pay each time someone clicks your ad. Google Ads and Yelp Ads describe this on their own pages. A click is not a customer. Someone can click and then leave.
Per lead: you pay when a customer gets in touch, or when you answer a customer's request. Google Local Services Ads, Angi and Bark describe this. A lead is not a job. You can pay for a lead and not win the work.
Flat monthly fee: you pay the same amount each month. Networx and Houzz Pro describe monthly prices. Porch lets you set a monthly budget. A flat fee does not promise any calls. Nextdoor sells ads, but its small business page gives no price.
For more on each company, see our pages at /business/angi-alternatives-for-contractors, /business/yelp-advertising-alternatives, /business/thumbtack-cost-for-contractors, /business/houzz-pro-alternatives-for-contractors, /business/bark-cost-for-contractors, /business/porch-leads-cost-for-contractors and /business/networx-leads-cost-for-contractors.
What to ask before you pay for any of them
Ask for the price in writing. Ask what a click, a lead or a month costs, and whether the price can change.
Ask how many other businesses get the same lead. Angi's page, for example, says a lead can go to you and up to 3 other pros. Other companies may do it differently, so ask each one.
Ask about refunds. What happens if a lead is a wrong number, a repeat, or a person who never replies? Ask where the rule is written down.
Ask how long you are signed up for and how to stop. Is there a contract? Do you have to give notice? Is there a fee to leave? Read the company's own terms, not just a sales call.
Free things to do first
Start with a free Google Business Profile. Google says that creating a Business Profile and listing your business on Google is free. Google also says that businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results.
Fill in your name, address, phone number, opening hours and website link. Use the same details everywhere. Our page on free listing sites for contractors goes through the other free places to list.
Free steps cost only your time. You can do them before you spend anything on ads.
Where a flat-price directory listing fits
A local directory lists businesses in one town or area. Some charge a flat monthly price for extras. The price does not change with the number of clicks or leads.
It is one small option next to the rest. No directory can promise you calls, leads or a place on the first page of Google.
How Local Business America works
Local Business America is a network of local guides and business directories covering a small number of areas so far. Every business in a guide has a free listing with opening hours, a map and a link to its website. Claiming is free, and a person checks each claim.
Essentials is $19 a month and adds a photo gallery, an enquiry form and Google reviews. Premium is $39 a month and adds a boost to the top of its category and a do-follow link to your website, and removes other businesses from your listing page. The price is the same every month and you can cancel any time.
We are not a lead service. We do not sell leads, promise calls, check licences or give verified badges. Owners can read more at /list-your-business.
How a Local Business America listing works
Every business in one of our guides has a free listing, with opening hours, a map and a link to its website. Claiming it is free.
Essentials is $19 a month and adds a photo gallery, an enquiry form, your Google reviews. Premium is $39 a month and adds a boost to the top of your category and a do-follow link to your website. The price is the same every month, and you can cancel any time.
A listing is not a lead service. We do not sell leads, we do not promise calls, and we cover a small number of areas so far. It is a page about your business in a guide to your town.
Common questions
- How do I advertise a local business?
- Start with the free steps, such as a Google Business Profile. Then look at the paid options on this page. Each company says on its own page how it charges. Read the terms before you pay.
- How much does it cost to advertise a contracting business?
- We cannot give an average, because the company pages we read do not publish one. This page quotes only what each company says about how it charges, such as per click, per lead or per month. Ask each company for its price in writing.
- How much do Local Services Ads cost?
- Google's page says you only pay when potential customers get in touch through your ads. It does not give a price per lead on the page we read. Ask Google for the price for your trade and area.
- What is the difference between pay per click and pay per lead?
- Pay per click means you pay when someone clicks your ad. Pay per lead means you pay when a customer gets in touch or when you answer a request. Neither one promises a job.
- What is the Google Verified badge?
- Google says it shows on a Local Services Ads profile and may show in other places too. Google also says new advertisers must complete its screening and verification process to get it. Read Google's own page for the current rules.
- What should I ask before I pay for leads?
- Ask the price, how many other businesses get the same lead, what the refund rules are, and how long you are signed up for. Get the answers in writing.
- Is a flat monthly price better than paying per lead?
- We do not rank them. A flat price stays the same each month. A per-lead price can change with how many leads you get. Neither one promises results. Pick the one that fits your budget and read the terms.
- Does Local Business America sell leads?
- No. We do not sell leads, promise calls, check licences or give verified badges. Every business in a guide has a free listing, and paid plans are $19 or $39 a month with the same price every month.
Sources: Google Ads - Lead Generation for Local Businesses; About Google Verified badge - Local Services Help; Google Ads Smart Bidding - AI-Driven Bid Optimisations & Ad Spend; How does Yelp's Cost Per Click (CPC) advertising program work?; Service Professional FAQ's - Angi Leads Pro - HomeAdvisor; Angi Leads | Get Matched to Top-Rated Remodelers, Plumbers and More; Bark US Pricing; Get qualified homeowner leads for your business - Porch; Contractor Leads | Networx; Houzz Pro Pricing: All-in-One Business Solution for Home Design & Remodeling Professionals; Small Business Ads: Promote Locally with Nextdoor | Nextdoor; Get Listed on Google - Google Business Profile; Tips to improve your local ranking on Google - Google Business Profile Help. Those pages can change, so read them yourself before you act on them.