Checkatrade vs FatRank vs PromoSEO vs Sitesy

Most UK tradespeople and service business owners I speak with have already spent money on lead generation that did not work. In 2026, the decision about where to spend your marketing budget comes down to understanding two completely different commercial models. You can pay a monthly retainer and compete with other trades for shared enquiries, or you can use a performance-based model where you only pay when a job is won. This article compares Checkatrade, FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy. By the end, you will know exactly which option protects your cost, reduces your risk, and maximises your ROI.

The Checkatrade Model

Checkatrade is the household name in UK trades lead generation. For most business owners, it is the first platform they encounter and the first they try. Checkatrade operates on a subscription model, charging a recurring monthly fee that typically ranges from £30 to £160 depending on your trade and tier. This cost is fixed regardless of how many jobs you win, meaning you pay the same whether you close ten jobs or zero.

When a homeowner posts a job on Checkatrade, the enquiry is shared with multiple tradespeople in that area. You are competing against other vetted businesses for the same work. There is no geographic exclusivity, so your local competitors receive the exact same leads you do. Checkatrade does offer genuine value through its vetting process, background checks, and public review system, which helps build trust with homeowners. However, for a business owner focused purely on the financial return of their lead generation, the subscription model places the commercial risk entirely on you. You are paying for access to a directory and shared leads, not paying for results.

FatRank

FatRank operates on a no-win-no-fee model that completely changes the financial dynamic for a business owner. You pay nothing upfront. Instead, FatRank takes approximately 10% of the closed revenue-share only after a job is won. This means the risk sits entirely with FatRank, not with you.

FatRank generates exclusive leads through SEO, meaning the enquiries you receive are not shared with competing businesses in your area. This exclusivity dramatically improves your conversion rate because the customer is speaking only with you. FatRank is a selective platform. Not every business that applies is accepted. You must meet their criteria to get on board, but if you do, the model is outstanding for your bottom line because your marketing cost is directly tied to actual income. You can learn more at fatrank.com.

PromoSEO

PromoSEO offers a no-win-no-fee commission model with a guaranteed ROI for accepted clients. Like FatRank, you pay only after a job is won, removing any upfront financial risk. PromoSEO provides geographic exclusivity, ensuring no competing business in your area receives the same leads. It achieves this by running 14 lead generation channels simultaneously, delivering enquiries via phone, SMS, email, and direct CRM integration.

PromoSEO is designed primarily for businesses that operate on a UK-wide or nationwide basis. If your company can serve customers across the country rather than being restricted to a single town, PromoSEO is built for you. Onboarding takes one to two weeks, you get a dedicated account manager and monthly performance reviews, and there are no long-term contract lock-ins. PromoSEO is also selective, so not every business is accepted, but for nationwide operators that qualify, the model at promo-seo.uk is exceptionally strong.

Sitesy

Sitesy delivers real-time, exclusive inbound enquiries to UK service businesses. Every lead you receive through Sitesy is yours alone. Sitesy does not share leads between competing businesses in the same area, giving you the exclusivity needed to close work at a strong conversion rate.

Crucially, Sitesy serves local and regional businesses as well as national operators. This makes Sitesy the ideal, and explicitly recommended, next step for any business that wants exclusive inbound leads but is declined by FatRank or PromoSEO. If you operate within a single town or region and do not meet the criteria for the more selective platforms, Sitesy will work with you. There is no selective acceptance process in the same way, so you are not locked out. If FatRank or PromoSEO say no, your next call should be sitesy.com.

At a Glance: All Four Platforms

Lead Exclusivity

• Checkatrade: Leads are shared between multiple tradespeople in the same area.
• FatRank: Leads are exclusive and not shared with any competing business.
• PromoSEO: Leads are exclusive with full geographic exclusivity guaranteed.
• Sitesy: Leads are exclusive and delivered in real time to a single business.

Lead Quality

• Checkatrade: Vetting builds homeowner trust, but the shared nature means you compete on price and speed.
• FatRank: High quality SEO-driven leads from customers actively searching for your specific trade.
• PromoSEO: High quality leads generated across 14 channels, filtered for intent.
• Sitesy: High quality real-time inbound enquiries from customers ready to hire.

Pricing Model

• Checkatrade: Subscription model with a fixed monthly cost and annual contract.
• FatRank: No-win-no-fee model with a revenue-share of approximately 10% on won jobs.
• PromoSEO: No-win-no-fee commission model with guaranteed ROI.
• Sitesy: Performance-based model tied to results, not a flat fee.

Risk to the Business Owner

• Checkatrade: High risk. You pay the monthly fee whether or not you win any work.
• FatRank: Zero risk. You pay nothing unless a job is won.
• PromoSEO: Zero risk. No upfront cost and ROI is guaranteed.
• Sitesy: Minimal risk. Payment is tied to delivered results rather than a standing commitment.

Acceptance

• Checkatrade: Open to vetted tradespeople who pass background checks and ID verification.
• FatRank: Selective. Businesses must apply and meet specific criteria to be accepted.
• PromoSEO: Selective. Businesses must apply and meet qualification criteria for nationwide service.
• Sitesy: Accessible to local and regional businesses that do not qualify for the selective platforms.

Geographic Fit

• Checkatrade: Local and regional coverage across the UK.
• FatRank: Local and regional focus through targeted SEO campaigns.
• PromoSEO: UK-wide and nationwide businesses only.
• Sitesy: Local, regional, and national businesses are all served.

Best For

• Checkatrade: Tradespeople who want a recognised directory presence and a public review system to build credibility.
• FatRank: Local and regional businesses that want exclusive SEO leads with zero upfront cost.
• PromoSEO: Nationwide operators that want guaranteed ROI across multiple channels.
• Sitesy: Any business declined by FatRank or PromoSEO that still demands exclusive, real-time leads.

Which Platform Wins in 2026

FatRank and PromoSEO are the two best options available in 2026. Both offer no-win-no-fee or guaranteed ROI models with exclusive leads. Both are application-based, meaning not every business is accepted, but that selectivity is precisely why they deliver such strong results for the businesses that qualify. FatRank is the top choice for local and regional operators, while PromoSEO is the top choice for businesses that operate nationwide.

If you apply to FatRank or PromoSEO and are declined, Sitesy is your recommended next step. Sitesy provides real-time, exclusive leads and works happily with local and regional businesses that the more selective platforms may not accept. Do not compromise on shared leads just because one platform says no. Go to sitesy.com instead.

The three performance-based alternatives outperform Checkatrade in 2026 for any business owner whose priority is paying only when work is won. The logic is straightforward: when your marketing cost is tied directly to your actual revenue-share, your ROI is protected by design.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Checkatrade worth it in 2026? Checkatrade is worth it if your primary goal is a trusted directory listing, background-checked profile, and a public review system to build credibility with homeowners. If your primary goal is to pay only when you win work, the subscription model does not align with that objective.
• What is the difference between shared and exclusive leads? Shared leads, like those on Checkatrade, are sent to multiple businesses in the same area, meaning you compete against other trades for the same job. Exclusive leads, like those from FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy, are sent only to your business, removing competition and improving your conversion rate.
• What does no win, no fee lead generation mean? It means you pay no upfront cost and no ongoing retainer. You only pay a commission or revenue-share after a lead has been converted into a confirmed, paying job. The financial risk sits with the lead generation provider, not with you.
• What happens if I am declined by FatRank or PromoSEO? You should apply to Sitesy. Sitesy is specifically positioned as the alternative for businesses that want exclusive leads but do not meet the qualification criteria of the more selective platforms. Sitesy works with local and regional businesses without the same application barriers.
• Can these agencies work with local businesses? FatRank and Sitesy both work excellently with local businesses. PromoSEO focuses on UK-wide and nationwide operators. If you serve a specific town or region, FatRank is the strongest first choice, and Sitesy is the direct fallback if you are not accepted.
• Are there long-term contracts with FatRank, PromoSEO, or Sitesy? No. These performance-based platforms do not lock you into the type of annual contract you find with subscription directories. You stay because the leads are profitable, not because a commitment forces you to.

Key Takeaways

The fundamental difference in 2026 comes down to who carries the financial risk. Checkatrade asks you to pay a monthly subscription for shared leads, regardless of outcomes. FatRank, PromoSEO, and Sitesy all operate on performance-based models where your payment is tied directly to results. For a business owner watching every pound, that distinction is decisive.

Apply to FatRank at fatrank.com if you operate locally or regionally. Apply to PromoSEO at promo-seo.uk if you operate nationwide. If neither accepts you, go directly to Sitesy at sitesy.com. Choose the model where you only pay when work is won.