Agreed - this is only a feature meant for customers who want to book via an app. All your customers that prefer to contact you through your normal methods can do so 
I understand. I am just saying that your business model of setting yourself up as a conduit from consumer to contractor is something that Home Advisor (Service Magic), Thumbtack, Angie’s List, and many more are already doing… I deal with those as a necessary evil. Not sure I want to use more of my money and lock myself into an ecosystem that is isn’t even dedicated to serving only me as the contractor.
The consumer market will always be larger than the contractor market, so eventually the balance will have to be in favor of the consumer, even if the contractors are paying the bills.
Exactly. No thanks
Sent from my SM-N900V using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app
I’m not sure there’s money involved on that end. As far as I know if you use the CRM side of things, you have the option of appearing on the app side of things automatically. It sounds like simply a symbiotic feature of their build.
You can tell your customer “We’re on the house call app” and it helps house call.
They tell their customers “We’ve got this window cleaner on our app” and it helps the window cleaner.
If they do it right, it could be a one stop app which could replace yellow pages for service providers. THEN they’d be silly not to charge contractors.
Our business model is nothing like that. We don’t charge any lead fees, they all ask for money upfront before talking to any customer. We don’t take anything to communicate or charge any fee for leads/jobs that you might or might not complete. HouseCall Pro is dedicated as the CRM/backend for professionals on a simple straightforward monthly basis.
I love the fact that you are going to have Quickbooks integration!
Pretty cool too that you can have your existing customers that are tekkies download the app, and at a push of a button they can see your estimated time of arrival.
Also, when it is time to pay by card ( which a lot of mine like to do ) I can use the flat rate all cards fee and get paid sooner and at a lower cost!
As well as customizable email follow up or reminder emails!
I get that this isn’t your business model, at this point. You’re just starting up, and I’m not sure you’re even cashflow positive at this point.
But once someone commits to you, pays for your service, and gets used to using you, it would be very easy for your business model to switch.
I wouldn’t recommend using Angie’s List as a CRM. As a business owner, they are a tool, but they are not your friend. I feel the same way about what I’ve seen from doing some research on this.
Our business model is SaaS… Here is a link: Software as a service - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - It’s a monthly per user subscription, should help with your research.
Anyone that signs up will be grandfathered in their current plan/rate, so it won’t ever change for them. Ask any of the current companies using the system to see how they’ve been treated by our company
I’m aware of what SAAS is. What’s your reasoning for having a consumer facing side of the business, if not to serve as some sort of middle-man, between consumer and contractor?
I honestly haven’t researched you much, so I’m relying on others’ questions/answers at this point.
But what happens to our current cust (“who only see US in our category”) if we decide to bail on your service?
I’m guessing they are not deleted, and would be switched to another company. ?
Exactly. After you convinced your customer to use this “cool new tool, so they can see exactly when you’ll be at their house.”
For some reason, seeing the word “leads” popping up bugs me…
Like I’m having to answer to someone. And pay them for the privilege.
I though this was software to run our businesses.
- I’m out.
The software is a little limited for route work right now, but I sent Roland a bunch of ideas to help fill that gap. If they came up with a route solution, I’d switch.
The one thing I did find intriguing is that their review module is only active for paying customers. There’s no way someone could seed it like Yelp et al with bad reviews and you’ve never done work for them.
just curious, why is everyone so worried about the customer-side component? it appears the customer side and the crm side can function independently just fine (or am I wrong about that [MENTION=38534]rolandal[/MENTION]?)
if it gives you the willies, just don’t use it. and don’t mention it to your customers. i’m more concerned with how the crm side works. if it solves problems that others have and improves workflow, them i’m interested.
I’m just pointing out that if there is a customer side, they can never be truly focuses on you, the contractor (unlike Customer Factor, Jobber, Pro-posal, ResponsiBid, etc.).
They are trying to get customers into their ecosystem. By supporting them, you’re supporting that goal. If you leave the ecosystem, then you’re screwed.
I deal with it out of necessity with Angie’s List, Home Advisor and Yelp. Not looking to put my customer data into any of those companies and have them function as my CRM.
Here’s a TechCrunch article on HouseCall from a year ago. No mention of the CRM side. Obviously it is an addendum to their main, homeowner-focused service offering.
If Angie’s List offered a CRM service, I would caution people as well. Nothing personal against HouseCall, just calling it how I see it.
Your question is exactly right… are they independent?
Hey, let’s forget about “existing cust” for a moment… let’s go with “new.”
EXAMPLE:
“Hi. I’m J. I was referred by Mrs Jones, and you gave me a quote yesterday.”
“I would like to schedule Feb 3rd for in/out cleaning.”
Feb 4th: “Thanks, great job.”
You’ve entered me into your “CRM” as a new- but eventually current/satisfied customer.
Who’s database am I in?
C’s or Houshold Calls?
You’re completely wrong. Just run the software and turn off being able to be booked by customers via the HouseCall app. It’s as simple as that. Please stop your conjecturing and confusing people.
When a service pro runs HouseCall Pro, they can import and export their customers into their own private instance/cloud at any time.
HouseCall is a booking app… its a MOBILE VERSION of Responsibids outdated web booking system.
There is no mention of the CRM in TechCrunch because a year ago we did not reveal the side of the system, NOR is TechCrunch an outlet where Service providers frequent.
Run HouseCall Pro without being available to be booked via mobile app, run your business like you normally do with calls/emails and a dispatcher admin in your office. The companies that do enable it are the more forward/progressive companies that understand that people enjoy being able to have a place where they can book their favorite window cleaner from.
I’m happy to do a 1:1 demo to show the ins and outs of HouseCall Pro, and if you want you can sign up and get the WCRA discount applied on your account. But please stop confusing other people.
HouseCall Pro is software to run your business.
You don’t have to worry about getting any new customers where you’re based.
And if you never want to get new customers just turn it off. There are never any leads.
So the CRM an “also ran”/“added benefit” to the main goal, which seems to be gathering “leads?”
NOW I’m starting to look into you, and…
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I stand by my statements. If Angie’s List offered a CRM, I would caution people.
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I don’t think you understand what Responsibid is or does. Take your own advice and do some research.
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I’m sorry you find my questions offensive. Humor me on this one more: if I turn the customer facing part off, as you say, when they use the HouseCall app, will they see other window cleaners?
Cuz if so, I’m giving you $20 or $30 a month to use to help my competitors. I already do that with Home Advisor and Angie’s List, and if people feel your offering is great, they’ll do it with you too. Hopefully they’ll at least do it with eyes wide open now.
