[Help] Lead Gen Site - Tracking Leads For Multiple Companies...

[aus11]

So I'm currently developing a websites that is basically going to be a lead generation site - but for multiple companies and I am struggling to work out the best way to track the leads.


I'll use a hypothetical to explain my idea.

Say my domain was: BuyaShed.com.au (not mine) and I wanted to list the sheds from different manufacturers and have a contact form (the lead gen) at the bottom of the page for people to contact the manufacturer.

NOTE: I don't want to sell directly on my site (as e-commerce will not really work in my market)


My Problem:

If it was just one manufacturer, I would set myself up through an affiliate network to track my leads, but how does it work (without getting too expensive) when you are tracking leads for multiple companies?


My Super Simple Solution...

The only thing I could think of was just use a generic feedback form that sends the enquiry directly to the company, and sends a BCC email to me (for tracking). I then bill them at the end of the month.

Or I could get the email sent to me and I forward it, but that seems like double handling.

Anyone doing lead gen with local businesses that can offer a suggestion?



Oh, and it's not for the granny flat site in my sig, but now that I think of it, that could probably be a good site for lead gen

 

[johno69]

findtim does just this and has offered to set up the form for people. The bcc & invoice seems easiest way to me.

 

[Blue Wren]

My Super Simple Solution...

The only thing I could think of was just use a generic feedback form that sends the enquiry directly to the company, and sends a BCC email to me (for tracking). I then bill them at the end of the month.
[/I]

Great post and I thank you for it as I wondered how to do this myself.

If Tim (or anyone else) does the above on their lead-gen site. How does one know that this 'lead' has converted from a 'lead' into a paying customer?

 

[Ashman]

How does one know that this 'lead' has converted from a 'lead' into a paying customer?

And what would happen if the customer returns to buy more products or services in the future, would you charge a percentage of revenue?

 

[Ashman]

So I'm currently developing a websites that is basically going to be a lead generation site - but for multiple companies and I am struggling to work out the best way to track the leads.

I have been thinking about this too and my solution would be to use a Drupal Webform with SugarCRM integration. You would create a lead generation form to collect the relevant data and when the user submits the form the data is transferred into SugarCRM. The companies you represent would have user accounts in SugarCRM and you would allocate the leads to your clients. Your clients would then manage the leads from within your CRM where they have the ability to send emails and complete other CRM functions. All managed from within your own system.

How does one know that this 'lead' has converted from a 'lead' into a paying customer?

By using the system I have described above you would have total control and management over leads and conversions and if the customer returns to buy more products or services in the future you could get a piece of that action too.

 

[FirstPageResults]

Great post and I thank you for it as I wondered how to do this myself.

If Tim (or anyone else) does the above on their lead-gen site. How does one know that this 'lead' has converted from a 'lead' into a paying customer?

Why do you need to know if the lead converts? You're just selling the lead

 

[Blue Wren]

Why do you need to know if the lead converts? You're just selling the lead

hmmm. Thanks for this, because I thought one could only get a payment through a full conversion (paying customer/client). You have shown me in your reply that lead generation can also create payment, (hence the name lead-generation; lol ). However I think one could generate even more sales with a commission or percentage of final sale price. That is why I was interested in knowing if a lead has converted. Never dawned on me that the lead itself is worth payment.

This may have been obvious to most here but it wasn't to this newbie. (ducks and hides).

 

[Shane]

Yeah there are various ways in which you can monetise your leads.

I have some which I sell for a fixed fee regardless of the outcome, but for my main sites I do a revenue split with my referral partners.

With regards to finding out whether a lead has turned into a sale, for me it's just a trust thing in relying on my partners to report the right figures.

 

[findtim]

findtim does just this and has offered to set up the form for people. The bcc & invoice seems easiest way to me.

thanks johno69 and yes i have spent alot of time creating exactly this so aus11 PM me and i can give you a run through of how it works.

tim

 

[aus11]

Thanks for all the advice guys!

@tim - I'm just sending you a message now.

 

[Ashman]

How would you determine the price to charge for the lead? Would that be similar to the Adsense CPC or negotiated?

 

[FirstPageResults]

How would you determine the price to charge for the lead? Would that be similar to the Adsense CPC or negotiated?

A quantified lead is worth more than a click hands down as advertisers don't get a lead for every click, but how much depends on the industry I guess.

Contacting the CPC advertisers would also be a good place to start when looking for companies to sell the leads too.

 

[findtim]

it comes back to "strike rate" , how many leads before a sale is made, if a business is willing to pay 25% for a sale ( which alot are) and the sale is $1000 ( to make it easy maths) then how many leads before a sale is made? this will depend on how many people you are sending the lead to, lets say 5, so you have a 1 in 5 chance of making a sale, so lets say you actually make a sale 1 in 5, so 5 / 25% = 5% of product retail so thus the lead cost is $50, this way they end up giving you 25% "eventually"

if you get greedy and put more people into the leads list then you will have drop outs after your hard work to get them on board.

it has to be win win or you loose

tim

 

[FirstPageResults]

Interesting - I would've assumed people would only want to pay for exclusive rights to a lead?

Conversely the person who submitted the lead probably doesn't want to be contacted by 5 companies?

 

[findtim]

its no feasable to have only 1 lead as the customer wants choice, i generally stick with 3 and then try to have them have points of difference eg: a wedding celebrant, well straight away you have male / female , young / old, etccc

i state on the website that there will be 3 offers and feedback is that is an ok number, not to many but providing choice

tim

 

[FirstPageResults]

its no feasable to have only 1 lead as the customer wants choice, i generally stick with 3 and then try to have them have points of difference eg: a wedding celebrant, well straight away you have male / female , young / old, etccc

i state on the website that there will be 3 offers and feedback is that is an ok number, not to many but providing choice

tim

I see, that makes sense for comparative quotes