GreenPal reported on May 9 that a recent survey of over 20,000 lawn care and landscape maintenance contractors found most do not see the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as relevant or worth the investment.
The findings highlight a shift in how service providers view reputation management and customer trust. With new online platforms for reviews and feedback, many contractors believe traditional organizations like the BBB are less important than they once were.
According to GreenPal, 94% of surveyed contractors said they did not belong to the BBB or check their standing with it. Additionally, 78% felt that the BBB was misleading or fraudulent based on their experiences. Only 4% said they were active members who saw enough return from their membership fees through new leads and increased sales.
GreenPal’s report suggests that costs ranging from $500 to $1,200 for local businesses to participate in the BBB may deter smaller companies from joining. Many prefer spending those funds on other advertising channels such as Yelp, Thumbtack, Facebook, or industry-specific marketplaces like GreenPal itself.
While some participants noted that being listed with the BBB can help attract customers over age 50—particularly those in the baby boomer generation—the overall consensus is that “the Better Business Bureau best most viable days are behind it.” The report also referenced concerns raised in media coverage about executive pay and alleged issues with fairness in ratings.
Survey feedback indicated doubts about whether the BBB will remain relevant over the next five to ten years. GreenPal concluded that “those advertising dollars are probably better spent on more advanced platforms and review sites such as Facebook, Yelp, or industry specific marketplaces like Thumbtack.”
