Most leads are lost after they arrive
Before spending more on ads, check what happens to the enquiries you already get. In most small businesses the biggest loss is the gap between someone asking and someone answering.
Run a one-week reply audit
For seven days, log every enquiry: where it came from, when it arrived, when someone replied, and what happened next. Include calls, WhatsApp, website forms and Instagram DMs.
Fix the biggest leak first
Usually it's after-hours enquiries, missed calls or forms going to an email nobody watches. An instant WhatsApp reply and a missed-call message fix most of it in a day.
Then add follow-up
Most buyers don't decide on the first message. A short, polite follow-up sequence over a week brings back a surprising share of quiet leads.
Quick checklist
- Reply within 5 minutes during working hours
- Auto-reply after hours with a clear next step
- Missed calls get a WhatsApp message
- Every lead has an owner and a next date