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Delivering An Outstanding Customer Experience With HomeAdvisor with Craig Smith and Tommy Mello

📅 December 25, 2019 ⏱️ 54:15 🎤 Craig Smith, Tommy Mello

Chapters

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  • 0:00
    Intro: background checks and vetting vs. older mediums
  • 6:28
    Elite Service program for larger businesses
  • 9:45
    Narrowing focus to the home marketplace
  • 13:07
    Team values, culture, and tracking to invest confidently
  • 16:24
    Scaling from $15-30M toward $100M
  • 19:47
    Create raving fans - referrals are the best customers
  • 23:07
    Why competing on price alone fails
  • 26:28
    Filling idle time and evaluating return
  • 29:47
    Which media drives the highest return and close rate
  • 36:23
    He who can pay more per acquisition wins
  • 42:59
    Angie's List positioning and commitment to the home
  • 49:42
    Blockbuster-to-streaming analogy and the Home Service Millionaire book

Speakers

C
Craig Smith
Executive, HomeAdvisor / Angie's List
T
Tommy Mello
Host / Founder, A1 Garage Door Service

Key Takeaways

HomeAdvisor added accountability that older advertising mediums lacked - comprehensive background checks and screening create a feedback loop that protects homeowners.

For larger and medium-sized contractors, programs like Elite Service reward strong ratings and let quality businesses stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Focus wins: narrowing to home-related categories rather than every service vertical let the marketplace become the best destination for anything related to the home.

Track your numbers so you can confidently decide whether to invest more in a channel - measure the return before scaling spend.

Referrals are the best customers, so create raving fans; competing purely on price is a trap small companies fall into.

Fill idle time strategically - if the team is already paid and the schedule has gaps, a lower-return lead can still be worth booking to stay efficient.

A core acquisition principle: 'he who can pay more per acquisition will always win' - but only if paired with great customer satisfaction that raises lifetime value.

Markets shift like Blockbuster to Redbox to streaming - stay focused on the home and adapt to changing customer behavior or get left behind.

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