Are you still relying solely on referrals and word of mouth to bring in work? That’s a risky way to run a landscaping business.

Most of your potential customers are already online, searching for services like yours in their area. But if your business isn’t showing up when they search, you’re handing those jobs to your competitors.

You don’t need a massive team or a fancy marketing degree to make a change. With the proper steps, you can start showing up in more local searches, getting more calls, and keeping your calendar booked, even during the slow months.

What Are Free Landscaping Leads?

Free landscaping leads are potential customers who find and contact your business without you having to pay directly for ads, lead marketplaces, or paid referrals. Instead of buying attention, you earn it through innovative marketing strategies that improve your visibility and build trust.

These leads often come from:

• Organic search traffic (from Google searches like “landscaper near me”).

• Local business listings (Google Business Profile, Yelp, etc.).

• Word of mouth and referrals.

• Social media engagement.

• Helpful website content and blog posts.

In this case, you’re not paying per click or lead; you’re building long-term visibility that repeatedly attracts clients.

That said, free doesn't mean effortless. Creating an online presence that draws in steady, high-quality leads takes upfront time and consistency. But once your systems are in place, these leads cost far less and convert far better than cold outreach or one-time ad campaigns.

While free leads are ideal, it helps to understand what a typical landscaping lead might cost, especially if you're considering paid options.

What Is the Typical Cost Per Landscaping Lead?

Understanding the cost per lead (CPL) is crucial for landscaping businesses aiming to allocate their marketing budgets effectively. As of early 2025, the CPL varies based on the advertising platform, targeting strategies, and seasonal demand.

1. Google Ads

Google Ads remains a popular platform for generating leads in landscaping. The average CPL for landscaping businesses is approximately $87.80. However, this cost can fluctuate significantly with the seasons:

• Spring: Around $50 per lead

• Summer: Approximately $100 per lead

• Winter: Costs can exceed $200 per lead

These variations are due to changes in consumer demand and competition throughout the year.

2. Facebook and Instagram (Meta) Ads

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer alternative ways to generate leads. A case study by Hemlock Digital showed that using Messenger ads on these platforms resulted in a cost per lead (CPL) of just $5.33, generating 258 leads for a landscaping business. 

Similarly, insights from Reddit suggest that Meta ads can yield leads for $30–$45 each, especially when targeting is optimized and creative content is engaging.

Factors Influencing CPL

Several elements can impact the cost per lead:

• Seasonality: Demand for landscaping services peaks in certain seasons, affecting competition and ad costs.

• Geographic Location: Urban areas with higher competition may see increased CPLs.

• Ad Quality and Relevance: Well-crafted ads with compelling visuals and clear calls to action tend to perform better, resulting in a lower CPL.

• Landing Page Experience: A user-friendly, informative landing page can improve conversion rates and lower CPL.

Now that you know what leads can cost, let’s break down the steps you can take to start generating them without burning through your budget.

Eight Proven Steps to Get More Landscaping Clients

Getting more landscaping clients doesn’t have to be a matter of chance. Taking the proper steps can help you attract steady, high-quality leads without wasting time or money, whether you're just starting out or looking to scale.

Below are proven strategies you can start using today to grow your customer base and keep your schedule booked:

1. Build a Website That Sells for You

Your website isn’t only there to look good; it should actively bring in leads and help close jobs. If someone lands on your site and doesn’t know what you do, where you work, or how to reach you within 5 seconds, they’ll bounce. 

Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your website brings in leads:

• Start with straightforward navigation and a mobile-friendly design. Your homepage should guide visitors to your core services, contact info, and photo gallery. Also, most visitors are on mobile; if they have to pinch and zoom, they’re gone. 

• Showcase your work with before-and-after photos, project spotlights, and client testimonials. Visual proof builds trust rapidly.

• Keep your service descriptions sharp and locally focused. Don’t just say “Lawn Maintenance”, say “Weekly Lawn Maintenance in Hendersonville.” 

All these steps make it clear where you work and help with local search rankings. List your core services on separate pages to improve SEO and help visitors find what they need.

Bonus Tip: Finally, make it effortless for people to contact you. Add “Request a Quote” or “Call Now” buttons across all pages, especially above the fold. Use simple forms that ask for only what you need. Fewer fields mean more leads.

Once your website runs like a 24/7 salesperson, the next step is to make sure people can find it. Even the best-looking site won’t do much good if it doesn’t appear on Page 1 of Google.

2. Get Found with Local SEO

If you don’t show up when someone nearby searches “landscaper near me,” you’re losing business.

Local SEO helps you show up in front of the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Here's how to make it work for you:

Use the Right Keywords 

Think about what your ideal client types into Google. It’s probably not “hardscape solutions.” It’s more like:

• “Yard cleanup in [Your City]”

• “Landscaping company near me”

• “Sprinkler repair [Neighborhood]”

Use these kinds of real-world phrases in your:

• Page titles

• Headlines (like this one)

• Service descriptions

• Image alt text

• Blog content

Pro Tip: Avoid keyword stuffing. Instead, write like you talk and naturally weave in your location and services. Keep Your NAP Consistent Everywhere

NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone Number—and Google’s watching.
If your website says “123 Main St.” but your Yelp says “123 Main Street,” that inconsistency can ding your credibility.

Make sure your NAP matches exactly across:

• Your website footer and contact page

• Google Business Profile

• Yelp, Facebook, Nextdoor, Angi, and other directories

Even minor mismatches confuse search engines, and confused search engines won’t rank you. Also, while appearing in local searches is a big win, you must build authority to stand out.

3.  Earn Links from Local Sources

Backlinks are like online referrals. When other trusted local websites link to yours, Google considers your business more legitimate.

Easy ways to get high-quality local backlinks:

• Join your Chamber of Commerce or local business network

• Partner with nearby nurseries, real estate agents, or contractors

• Sponsor a community event or local sports team

• Pitch a “backyard transformation” story to a neighborhood blog or local magazine

These links don’t just help your rankings; they also build your reputation in the community.

When done right, local SEO helps you show up in front of customers ready to book, not just browse. And it works around the clock, so leads keep coming in while you sleep. 

Once your site and local SEO are in place, it’s time to show, not just tell, how your business transforms green spaces.

4.  Make Visual Content Work Harder

People only pay for landscaping that looks good. Therefore, your content should highlight the lawn makeovers you provide to your customers..

No one will read a wall of text when a 10-second before-and-after video can say everything. Visual content is how you build trust, showcase your skills, and inspire potential clients to envision their outdoor upgrade.

Share Job Reels and Transformations

Post short, satisfying videos that highlight:

• The Before → during → after phases of your favorite projects.

• Time-lapse cleanups, stonework installs, or garden designs.

• Seasonal jobs like fall leaf cleanups or spring planting.

Instagram Reels, Facebook Stories, and YouTube Shorts are great places to share these, so don’t worry about fancy edits, real and relatable wins.

Film Quick Tips and Walkthroughs

If you become the go-to expert in your area, people will be more than willing to use your services. Start by filming simple, helpful videos on topics like:

• “How to revive a dead patch of grass”.

• “What to plant this month in [Your City]”.

• “Here’s how we installed this backyard patio in just 3 days”.

This strategy positions you as knowledgeable and trustworthy before speaking to a lead. 

After creating great visuals, ensure that those photos and videos help you rank by letting your audience know your target region.

5. Tag Your Location, Every Time

Include your city, neighborhood, or service area in captions, tags, and video descriptions. That way, people nearby actually see your content—and know you’re local.

Visual content isn’t just for likes. It brings in leads who’ve seen your work, liked what they saw, and are ready to reach out. 

Now that you’ve captured their attention visually, it’s time to give them a reason to be a local visitor to your website.

6. Offer Something Valuable for Free

No matter what, people are more likely to reach out if they get something worthwhile in return.

Free tools, guides, and resources are a smart way to turn curious visitors into warm leads. You're helping them now and building trust for later. Your business can go a long way by trading some of your knowledge for contact info for a lead. 

Here are some ideas.

1. Create a Simple Giveaway

Offer one of these in exchange for a name and email:

• A printable lawn care calendar.

• A quick checklist for prepping your yard this season.

• A short PDF on how to choose the right plants for [Your City].

Make it easy to access and instantly useful.

2. Try Virtual Consults or Quick How-To Videos

Offer a free 15-minute consult on Zoom or post short DIY videos on your site. These show you're approachable, helpful, and already thinking ahead for your clients.

3. Host a Seasonal Webinar

Try a live (or recorded) session like:

• “How to Prep Your Lawn for Summer Without Hiring a Crew”.

• “Five Common Landscaping Mistakes to Avoid This Spring”.

Keep it light, helpful, and action-driven.

4. Don’t Forget to Follow Up

After they download or sign up, send them a quick welcome email. Then, follow up with helpful tips. Start a local newsletter, but not anything customers see as a hard sell.

Your goal is to stay top-of-mind until they’re ready to book. They’ll remember the landscaper who gave them real value upfront when they are.

After someone’s seen your work or downloaded a free guide, the next step is staying visible.  

7. Run Paid Ads (the Smart Way)

If you need more landscaping leads this month, not next year, paid ads can help fill your calendar quickly.

However, you can only get a sizeable ROI if you do it right. Here is how:

1. Use Google Ads for High-Intent Searches

People searching “landscaping near me” or “yard cleanup [City]” are already motivated. That’s why Google Ads are so powerful. You’re showing up right when they need you most.

Set up a local campaign that targets your service area with:

• Clear, benefit-focused headlines.

• A strong call to action like “Get a Free Estimate”.

• A landing page that matches what they searched for.

Bonus Tip: Use Local Service Ads (LSAs) with the “Google Guaranteed” badge for more trust and better visibility.

2. Use Facebook and Instagram for Retargeting

Not everyone converts on the first visit. Facebook and Instagram are perfect for retargeting people who’ve visited your site or interacted with your posts.

Create simple, visual ads showing your best work and returning people to the book.

3. Keep It Local and Real

Don’t use stock images. Show real yards. Real work. Real team members.

Mention your service areas by name in the ad copy and headline. This will instantly tell people that you’re nearby and ready for more clients.

Drive all traffic to a page where people can take action: request a quote, call, or book a consultation. Make it fast, clear, and easy.

After running smart paid ads to attract new clients, it's time to tap into your most trusted marketing asset: your satisfied customers.

 8. Implement a Referral Program

Referrals are one of the most potent ways to get new landscaping clients, and they cost next to nothing. When happy customers spread the word, their friends and neighbors are far more likely to trust you. 

You’re not just another listing on Google; you’re the landscaper their friend swears by. Here’s how to build a referral system that works:

1. Start with a Simple Offer

Give existing clients a reason to refer you. Offer a small discount on their next service, a gift card, or even a free add-on like shrub trimming or mulch refresh. It doesn’t have to break the bank; it's just enough to say thank you and inspire action.

2. Make It Easy to Share

Send a follow-up email after a completed job with a referral link or shareable message they can forward. If you have a physical presence, hand out referral cards that they can pass along. The fewer steps, the more likely they’ll do it.

3. Promote It on Your Website and Socials

Let people know you reward referrals. Add a short note on your contact page, share it in your email signature, and post a reminder on your Instagram or Facebook once a month. Keep it friendly and low-pressure.

4.  Thank Every Referrer Personally

When someone sends business your way, make sure they feel appreciated. A quick thank-you call, handwritten note, or bonus discount goes a long way. People remember that and are more likely to refer again.

When done right, a referral program builds loyalty, spreads your name through word-of-mouth, and brings in clients who already trust you before you even pick up the phone.

Also, don’t worry if all this sounds too time-consuming. There is a one-stop solution for getting high-quality, warm leads without too much delay.

Bring in More Leads, Without Burning Out

Understand that you don’t need to do everything at once. Start with what feels doable. It could be updating your Google Business Profile, posting before-and-after photos on Instagram, or running that first Google Ads campaign.

The key is consistency. The more places your business shows up and the clearer your message is, the more likely local customers are to call you instead of your competitors.

But you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. 

You're not alone if you're spending more time chasing leads than doing the job itself. Many landscaping and lawn care pros face the same struggle, but Gushpro makes that problem disappear.

While you focus on excellent service, Gushpro will keep your pipeline complete with ready-to-book local leads by offering:

• Exclusive leads from real homeowners within 15 miles of your business.

• Pre-qualified and sent straight to your phone via SMS with no delay, no noise.

• No contracts, no monthly fees, just pay per lead you choose to accept.

• Zero setup or tech headaches.

Try it with zero risk as your first three leads from us are entirely free. 

Sign up with Gushpro today and watch your business grow.