How to Get Customers to Choose You Over Cheaper Options

Why Do People Choose Cheaper Options?

Most customers want great work for less money, but price is not the only thing that matters.

Cheaper competitors will always exist, but being the lowest price often means cutting corners or skipping important steps.

Your clients are real people who want to trust you, feel taken care of, and know their problem will actually get fixed the right way.

If you want better jobs and loyal customers, you need to give them reasons to look beyond who is cheapest.

Getting Chosen Starts With Trust

The average homeowner or property manager does not always know how to tell a pro from an amateur.

If you look reliable and show real work, you make their decision easier.

A Google Business Profile that is fully filled out, with reviews and project photos, can be the difference between getting a call and getting ignored.

Trust starts online before they ever call you.

• Add clear before and after photos of completed jobs.
• Ask for honest reviews after each finished project, and reply to all reviews.
• List out your services, service areas, and any certifications or insurance you have.

Potential customers search for painters, roofers, landscapers, and handymen all day long—if you look trustworthy, they will reach out to you first, even when others are cheaper.

Your Website Is Your 24/7 First Impression

You do not need ten pages or endless blog posts, but you do need a simple website that looks good and is easy for anyone to find.

Your website should tell people what you do, where you do it, show proof of your work, and make it easy to contact you.

• Put your phone number in big, bold text at the top.
• Include a quick form for quotes or questions.
• Add a few clear pictures of your best jobs to show your quality.
• List your main services and neighborhoods or cities you cover.
• Share any well-known brands or products you use, like Sherwin Williams for paint or Owens Corning for shingles.

Good Stuart believes that your website should work as hard as you do, which is why we make it free to set up and only charge you when you get actual leads.

If you want to see how simple it can be to get a professional website up and running, check out our onboarding process and see how easy it is to get started.

Make Your Value Clear and Upfront

Homeowners usually do not know your day-to-day costs, but they do care about getting a good deal.

People will pay a little more if they believe it means getting the job done right the first time and not having to worry later.

• Be clear about the difference between your work and what cheap competitors leave out. For example, using top-grade materials from Home Depot or Lowe’s, prepping surfaces correctly, or including warranties on labor.
• If you are licensed, insured, or background checked, mention it. Many fly-by-night operators cannot say the same.
• Explain in simple words what makes your service safer, more reliable, or longer-lasting.
• Show real stories. Share a quick example where you fixed a cheap job gone wrong, without shaming previous owners but making your value obvious.

When people understand how you work, they stop comparing only by price and start comparing by quality and reputation.

Respond Fast and Make Things Easy

Most people hire the business that answers first or makes things simple.

If a potential customer reaches out, a quick call or fast reply can win you the job before they even compare prices.

• Set up automatic replies for website forms or Google Messages to let people know you got their request.
• Keep your phone ringer on during business hours and respond to voicemails as soon as possible.
• If you cannot answer right away, send a fast text saying when you will call back.
• Use tools like Google Calendar or Square Appointments to schedule estimates or jobs quickly so no one waits on you.

This does not just save you headaches—it gets you more chances at jobs before the customer keeps searching.

Many businesses lose work because they wait too long to reply or forget about small leads, but every call is money on the table.

Show Your Real Results With Proof

Anyone can claim to do good work, but real proof stands out.

Photos, reviews, and simple stories of jobs done right are more honest than fancy marketing words.

• Take before and after photos with your phone and upload them to your website and Google Business Profile every time you finish a job.
• Ask happy customers to leave a Google review, and text them the link to make it easy.
• Add one-sentence stories to your site—like how you helped a family get their house ready for sale faster, or fixed another painter’s rushed job so it lasted years longer.

Evidence of your work builds real trust, especially with people who do not know where to start or who to call.

Quality proof matters much more than having the fanciest logo or the lowest bid.

Take Payments and Communication Online

Busy customers value easy options for payment and communication just as much as a low price.

If your business accepts card payments, online deposits, or text updates, you show that you respect your customers’ time and make their life easier.

• Set up payment through trusted services like Square, Stripe, or PayPal so customers have options other than just cash or check.
• Offer digital quotes or invoices—there are free tools like Joist and Invoice Simple that work from your phone.
• Use quick texts or emails to confirm appointments, share updates, or send care instructions after the job.

These simple steps separate you from the cheapest alternative and add to the feeling of professionalism.

Small changes like these show customers you run a business, not just a side hustle, and make it easier for them to say yes—no matter the price.

Always Stand By Your Work

One of the biggest reasons people are willing to pay more is knowing you will come back if something is not right.

If you offer a basic guarantee on your work—even just a promise to make things right within a set number of days—it increases confidence in your service.

• Be honest about what you do and do not cover, but make it clear you care about the results.
• Mention your warranty or callback policy on your website and in your conversations.
• Include brand-backed warranties (like GAF for roofing or PPG Paints for painting) to give more peace of mind.

People want to hire someone who will not disappear after the check clears, especially for larger jobs.

Following up after a project—just a quick call or text to make sure they are happy—shows you care and leads to more referrals.

Your Service Reputation Will Close the Deal

At the end of the day, most customers pick the business that feels trustworthy, stands behind their work, and makes the whole process stress-free—not the absolute lowest bid every time.

If you set up your business to show your quality, answer quickly, and make things smooth for customers, you will win more jobs and keep people coming back, even when other bids are cheaper.

If you want to see how to start getting more leads and jobs without wasting time or money, take a look at our simple signup process and see how it works for your trade.

Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions

The strongest businesses do not just get new customers—they turn those customers into loyal fans who refer friends and family.

If you want work all year, focus on every job as the start of a long-term relationship, not just a quick paycheck.

• Remember names and ask about how past work is holding up.
• Check in a few months after finishing to see if they need anything else, like touch-ups or seasonal care.
• Send a thank-you note or small discount for repeat customers to make them feel valued.
• Encourage word of mouth by giving clients a few extra business cards or asking if they know anyone who could use your help.

People want to hire companies that remember them, not those who disappear after the job is over.

Referrals are almost always higher quality and less price-focused than brand new leads from the internet.

Use Technology to Stay Efficient

Staying organized is often what separates a busy, well-paid service pro from someone who burns out chasing small jobs.

Using simple technology gives you a better shot at responding to more leads, keeping track of quotes, and following up without dropping the ball.

• Google Business Profile and Google Calendar help you manage appointments and reviews in one place for free.
• Apps like Jobber or Housecall Pro offer affordable options for scheduling, invoicing, and tracking jobs if you start getting lots of work.
• Good Stuart makes it easy by helping you get found on Google and delivering leads right to your phone, so you only pay when customers actually come your way.

Technology does not replace skill, but it frees up your time so you can focus on delivering great results on the job site.

The less time you waste chasing paperwork, the more time you can spend winning jobs that pay better.

Proudly Share What Makes Your Business Different

The cheapest competitors usually hide behind a lack of transparency or anonymous ads with no brand or face attached.

When you proudly show your work, share your process, and let your real personality come through, you stand out online and in the neighborhood.

• Show off logos from partners or brands you trust, like Milwaukee Tools or Toro mowers for landscapers.
• Wear branded shirts or put signage on your trailer or truck to look like a trusted local pro.
• Add a short video or a selfie on your site to let people know who will show up at their house, putting real faces to the business name.
• Be specific about your specialties, whether it is eco-friendly lawn care, detailed prep for every paint job, or free inspections for roofing.

People will pay a little more for a business that feels local, honest, and different from a nameless, low-quality operation.

This confidence is what makes customers stop looking at price first and start looking for your name instead.

Think Long-Term and Invest in Real Results

It is tempting to save money upfront by cutting corners on your website or advertising, but every shortcut costs you jobs down the road.

Putting the work in now to make your business look sharp, respond fast, and show proof of your work will pay off with better customers and bigger jobs.

• Skip expensive old-school advertising like print mailers or phone book listings that rarely get results anymore.
• Use free or low-cost online tools that actually reach the people who want your services now.
• Choose solutions, like Good Stuart, that only cost you when you get real leads—not just empty clicks or fake promises.

Your time is too valuable to waste on anything that does not help you get more work.

If you want to see a low-stress way to set up your online presence, follow our onboarding steps and let us help you focus on what matters most—earning trust and getting paid for quality work.