Question 1

What's wrong with Bark, Checkatrade or MyBuilder?

Accepted Answer

Nothing inherently — they generate enquiry volume. The structural problem is that the same enquiry is sold to three to five competing trades, so your win rate collapses to roughly 10–20% even if your quote is best. You pay per lead whether you win or lose, and the customer becomes the platform's customer, not yours.

Question 2

Should I drop shared lead platforms entirely?

Accepted Answer

Most established firms eventually reduce them to a small top-up channel. The maths only works while you have spare capacity to chase low-conversion enquiries. Keystone's exclusivity model gives you higher win rates on fewer enquiries, which usually pays back faster than another £600/mo on shared leads.

Question 3

How does Keystone replace that lead volume?

Accepted Answer

Three ways. First, you stop losing the leads you already get — missed calls, slow callbacks and dropped quote follow-ups account for most lost work in trade firms. Second, the review automation lifts your Google rating and unlocks more organic enquiries. Third, the optional Direct Mail and social bundles add channels you control.

Question 4

What's the difference between exclusive and shared leads?

Accepted Answer

An exclusive lead is one only you receive — your website, your phone, your referral. A shared lead is sold to multiple trades by a third party. The customer often does not realise they have triggered four firms; they just take the first call back. Keystone is designed to make sure that first call back is yours.

Question 5

Can I run Keystone alongside Bark or Checkatrade?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many clients keep one shared platform open as a top-up channel and route every enquiry through Keystone, so the AI calls back inside 60 seconds and almost always beats the four competing trades to the punch. Over six months most still wind those platforms down once organic enquiries take over.

Factor	Keystone AI	Shared lead platform
Lead exclusivity	Yours alone — sold to nobody else	Same lead sold to 3–5 trades
Cost per lead	Zero per-lead fee	£15–£40 per lead, win or lose
Win rate	Industry average 30–50% on inbound	Often under 10% (you are racing four others)
Source of the lead	Your own marketing, website, referrals	Platform-owned, not transferable
Speed to first reply	Inside 60 seconds via AI	Whoever picks up first wins
Long-term asset	Builds your brand, reviews, repeat customers	Builds the platform's brand
Volume of leads on tap	Whatever your marketing produces	Constant volume from the platform
Up-front effort	30-day setup, then auto	Sign up and leads arrive same day
Monthly cost	From £249/mo (covers everything)	Often £400–£1,500/mo in lead fees alone

Keystone AI vs shared lead platforms

When a shared platform still wins

Why most established trades switch

Common questions

See it before you decide