Shared Lead vs Exclusive Market: True Cost Calculator
Shared lead platforms advertise a cost per lead. The real number is cost per acquired client \u2014 and it is often 3\u20135x higher than it looks. Enter your niche and budget to see the real economics.
Calculator Inputs
$1,000
$100$10,000
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5%40%
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the true cost of a shared lead?
- A shared lead has a face cost of $30–$120 depending on the vertical. But because the same lead is sold to 3–5 businesses simultaneously, close rates drop to 10–15%. The true cost per acquired customer is often $300–$800 — 3–5x the face price.
- How does exclusive market leasing compare to buying shared leads?
- Exclusive market leasing replaces the per-lead model with a monthly market lease. Every inquiry in your city goes only to you. Close rates typically run 30–45% because you are the only business responding. Cost per acquired customer drops significantly despite the higher upfront cost.
- What close rate should I use for this calculator?
- Industry benchmarks: shared lead platforms average 10–15% close rates for most home service verticals. Exclusive market businesses report 30–45% close rates. If you are new to a market, use 25% as a conservative estimate for exclusive leads.
- Is exclusive market leasing right for every business?
- Exclusive market leasing works best for businesses with at least one full-time person handling inbound calls and follow-up, an established sales process, and capacity to handle 20–100+ leads per month. It is not ideal for solo operators who cannot follow up within minutes.