The 20 Best Lead Generation Software in 2024: Top Tools to Grow Your Commercial Services Business

Introduction

So this is going to be a “listicle.” If you haven’t heard of a “listicle” before, it’s just a mix of “list” and “article.” It’s a type of content designed to provide information in a concise and easy-to-read format. In this case, we will be going through the 20 best lead generation tools and software for commercial services businesses in 2024.

Now, you may be thinking, “20 platforms is a lot to manage.” But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We will provide a brief overview of each software and its key features to help you choose the right tools for your business’s needs.

So, let’s dive in!

The Importance of Lead Generation

When you have a well-oiled “lead-gen machine,” good things happen:

• You attract higher-quality leads who are a better fit for your services
• Your sales team can focus their time and energy on the most promising opportunities
• Marketing efforts become more targeted and increase ROI
• Your sales are more consistent – supported by a steady flow of leads
• Ultimately, you’re able to grow your business in a sustainable, predictable way

Fresh new leads fuel a business. They’re like oxygen to a fire. Without them, your business will struggle to survive.

The key to outbound lead generation is to have a process that runs like clockwork so you’re not constantly scrambling to “drum up new business.” With the right systems in place, lead generation becomes a reliable, repeatable part of your sales and marketing operations.

What Exactly is Lead Generation?

At its core, lead generation is about attracting people who are interested in what you offer and nurturing that interest until they’re ready to become customers.

If you think about lead generation as a dating process, you’re not proposing on the first date. You’re starting slowly by asking someone out, and once you have their approval, building a relationship over time based on trust and a mutually positive experience.

Lead generation is the same way.

The very best lead generation tool also offers value (the same mutually positive experience) at every step. Think about an informative blog post, a price quote, a case study, a helpful consultation, or an exclusive discount. These are all ways of securing a prospective customer’s approval and interest, keeping them engaged with your brand, and ultimately motivating them to make a purchase.

Mapping Out the Lead Generation Process

To build that system, it helps first to understand the journey your ideal customer takes from initial awareness to lead qualification to final sale. While the specifics may vary, the typical lead generation process involves several key stages:

1. Identifying potential leads through online and offline channels
2. Qualifying those leads based on predefined criteria (a “buyer persona or “target avatar.”)
3. Nurturing qualified leads with personalized content and outreach
4. Converting leads into sales-ready opportunities
5. Handing off opportunities to the sales team for closing

At each stage, the goal is to have clearly defined next actions that move progressively closer to a buying decision. The more you can automate and streamline these actions, the more efficient your lead generation efforts will be—which is why, in today’s fast-paced world, lead generation software is a must.

Why You Need Lead Generation Software

If you own a commercial services business or work in sales or marketing, you know how time-consuming and complex identifying and managing leads can be. This is where lead generation software comes in. It helps you automate and streamline the process, getting better results in less time.

Lead generation software can help you:

• Capture leads from diverse channels, including landing pages, website forms, and social media platforms.
• Automating analytics, lead scoring, data enrichment, and outreach can save you time and allow you to focus on closing deals.
• Organize and prioritize leads for efficient follow-up.
• Monitor lead interactions and engagement to assess their interest level.
• Nurture leads with targeted messaging and personalized communications.
• Track the success of your lead management efforts.

Now that you know what these tools can do, let’s discuss the different types of Lead Generation tools, so you understand what they do and how to utilize them best.

Types of Lead Generation Tools

Property Intelligence and Sales Intelligence Software

• Find the right people, property, or asset. 
• Contact them with the right message at the right time.
• Examples: Convex

Website Visitor Identification Tools

• Identify anonymous website visitors and turn them into leads.
• Examples: Dealfront, LeadFuze

Lead Data Collection Tools

• Collect and organize lead data from various sources.
• Examples: Kaspr, Lusha

Email Address Lookup Tools

• Find the email addresses of potential customers.
• Examples: Kaspr, Brevo

Email Follow-up Tools

• Automate email follow-ups to nurture leads.
• Examples: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign

Form and Email Collection Tools

• Collect leads through forms and email marketing campaigns.
• Examples: Unbounce, Leadpages

Email Marketing Tools

• Send targeted email campaigns to leads.
• Examples: Mailchimp, Ortto

Landing Page Creation and Lead Capture Tools

• Create landing pages to capture leads.
• Examples: Unbounce, Leadpages

Complete Marketing Automation/CRM Tools

• Manage leads from generation to conversion.
• Examples: HubSpot, Pipedrive

Sales Process Automation Tools

• Automate sales tasks and workflows.
• Examples: Outreach, Drift

Live Chat Software and Live Chat Tools

• Engage with website visitors in real time.
• Examples: Drift, Intercom

Social Media and Forum Software Tools

• Engage with potential customers on social media and forums.
• Examples: Hootsuite, Sprout Social

Customer Insights and Customer Satisfaction Survey Tools

• Gain insights into customer behavior and satisfaction.
• Examples: SurveyMonkey, Medallia

Calendar Scheduling Tools

• Schedule meetings and appointments with leads.
• Examples: Calendly, ScheduleOnce

Overwhelmed yet? I was when I first started building a lead-generation process for my team. 

But keep in mind that you only need 1 or 2 of these tools to increase sales and inbound lead generation by 30-50% or more, so don’t worry about the ones that aren’t relevant to you at the moment.

“Shiny object syndrome” can really keep us distracted with all the exciting opportunities out there. It’s up to us to make sure the tools we pick are the best fit for our needs and that we’re using them to their fullest potential. So, let’s get into the tools themselves.

Top 20 Lead Generation Software for Commercial Services Sales.

Convex

Convex is the only lead generation software designed specifically for commercial services sales and marketing departments. Using the platform to generate leads is simple:

1. Find the Property, Contact, or Account that best suits your products and services—this could be anything from a property address a First and Last Name, to a hospital or airport in your area.
2. Check the Signals category to see who’s in-market and ready to buy.
3. With just two clicks, you can use Generative AI trained on their buying signals to send them an email or draft a phone call script.
4. Set up an automated follow-up sequence, or reminder, or add to your pipeline.

In other words, Convex is the “one-stop shop” for commercial services teams wanting to boost lead generation and sales without all the complicated tools from the previous section.

Our solution gives you property intelligence data, like permit history, ownership, tenant information, and contact information for decision-makers. 

We’ve added intent data, which are “buying signals,” to let you know how likely a lead is to make a purchase, as well as Generative AI tools to help with outreach. This means that your sales reps can identify a lead and make contact in less than 5 minutes.

In addition, Convex offers “data enrichment,” which involves filling in missing information or updating outdated contact details to keep your lead database and CRM accurate and up-to-date. This not only saves you time and effort but also improves the quality of your leads.

• Best property intelligence solution for commercial services sales.
• 4.6/5 on Capterra ⭐

Cognism

Cognism is a comprehensive lead generation and sales intelligence platform that provides real-time data on potential customers. It enables businesses to identify and engage with their target audience effectively by leveraging AI and extensive data sources. By ensuring accurate contact information and enhancing outreach efforts to prospective customers, Cognism helps streamline the lead generation process.

• Best sales intelligence software for GDPR compliance
• 4.6/ on G2 ⭐

HubSpot

HubSpot is a comprehensive marketing automation and CRM platform that streamlines lead generation and customer management for businesses. It offers tools for email marketing, social media management, content creation, and landing page design alongside powerful analytics for tracking performance. HubSpot also integrates perfectly with Convex, allowing sales reps to have best-in-class access to data and a sales pipeline tracking tool that keeps them up to date with leads at each stage of the sales cycle.

• All-in-one marketing, sales, and customer service platform.
• 4.4/5 on G2 ⭐

Zapier

Zapier is an automation tool that connects various web applications, enabling users to automate repetitive tasks without needing to code. By creating workflows, or “Zaps,” users can seamlessly integrate their different lead generation software tools, saving time and enhancing productivity across their sales processes.

• Automation platform for integrating lead generation tools.
• 4.5/5 on G2 ⭐

Pipedrive

Pipedrive is a user-friendly sales management tool designed to help teams visualize their sales processes, track leads, and manage customer relationships effectively. With features like activity reminders, pipeline, contact management, and reporting, Pipedrive empowers sales teams to stay organized and focused on closing deals.

• CRM and sales pipeline management software.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a popular email marketing platform that enables businesses to design, send, and analyze email campaigns with ease. Powerful automation features and audience segmentation tools help users effectively engage with their leads and nurture customer relationships for better conversion rates.

• Email marketing and automation platform.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

GONG

GONG is a cutting-edge conversation analytics and salesforce training tool designed to enhance sales performance through data-driven insights. 

GONG provides valuable feedback on communication styles, objection handling, and successful selling techniques by recording and analyzing sales calls and meetings. This enables sales teams to refine their outreach strategies and align with best practices, leading to higher conversion rates and increased revenue. GONG also offers functionality for real-time tracking deals, allowing businesses to predict outcomes and manage their sales pipelines more effectively.

• Best conversation analytics platform for sales teams.
• 4.7/5 on G2 ⭐

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a powerful tool to help professionals leverage LinkedIn’s vast network for lead generation and business development. By providing advanced search filters and personalized recommendations, users can identify relevant prospects and engage with them through tailored content. Integration with CRM systems allows for seamless lead tracking, making it easier to maintain relationships and nurture leads throughout the sales process. With its emphasis on building connections and expanding networks, LinkedIn Sales Navigator is an essential tool for modern sales teams navigating today’s digital landscape.

• Best tool for leveraging social networks for leads.
• 4.5/5 on G2 ⭐

Clearbit

Clearbit provides powerful data enrichment and lead generation tools that help sales and marketing teams uncover insightful information about prospects. With real-time data access, users can gain valuable insights into their leads’ company size, revenue, and role within their organization. Clearbit integrates seamlessly with various CRM platforms, enabling teams to personalize their outreach efforts and focus on high-quality leads. This intelligence-driven approach enhances overall efficiency and effectiveness in the sales process, ensuring sales efforts are targeted and informed.

• Best enrichment platform for gaining prospect insights.
• 4.4/5 on G2 ⭐

Brevo (formerly SendinBlue)

Brevo is an integrated email marketing and automation platform that provides businesses with tools for campaign management, customer relationship management, and SMS marketing. With a focus on user-friendly design, Brevo allows users to easily create and automate targeted campaigns, enhancing engagement and driving conversions.

• Lead generation software with email, SMS, and chat capabilities.
• 4.4/5 on G2 ⭐

Unbounce

Unbounce is a powerful landing page builder that enables marketers to create high-converting landing pages without the need for extensive coding knowledge. With features like A/B testing and integration with various marketing tools, Unbounce helps businesses optimize their lead-generation efforts effectively.

• AI-powered landing page builder with lead capture capabilities.
• 4.4/5 on G2 ⭐

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign is a marketing automation platform that focuses on email marketing, CRM, and customer experience automation. It enables businesses to create personalized campaigns, automate workflows, and track customer engagement, ultimately helping to improve lead generation and conversion rates.

• Marketing automation and CRM platform.
• 4.5/5 on G2 ⭐

Leadpages

Leadpages is a powerful platform designed to help businesses create landing pages that drive conversions without needing technical skills. With its intuitive drag-and-drop builder, Leadpages enables users to develop effective lead capture pages quickly, enhancing the overall lead generation process.

• Conversion software for landing pages, websites, and pop-ups.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

Agile CRM

Agile CRM is a versatile customer relationship management platform that offers a range of features, including contact and customer relationship management tools, sales automation, and marketing tools. It is designed to help businesses streamline their sales processes and enhance customer engagement, all while providing a user-friendly interface.

• Customer relationship management software with marketing automation capabilities.
• 4.0/5 on G2 ⭐

Keap

Keap is an all-in-one sales and marketing automation platform designed to help small businesses manage customer relationships, streamline workflows, and automate repetitive tasks. By combining CRM capabilities with powerful marketing tools, Keap enables users to nurture leads and drive sales growth effectively.

• CRM and marketing software for small businesses.
• 4.2/5 on G2 ⭐

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a comprehensive customer relationship management solution designed to help businesses manage their sales, marketing, and customer support in a single platform. With features like lead management, sales automation, and analytics, Zoho CRM enhances team collaboration and optimizes the customer experience. Zoho generally comes in a bit below Hubspot from a price perspective as well.

• CRM platform with sales, marketing, and customer support capabilities.
• 4.1/5 on G2 ⭐

OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a powerful lead-generation software that enables businesses to create high-converting opt-in forms and campaigns. With features like exit-intent pop-ups, A/B testing, and advanced targeting options, it helps improve conversion rates and grow email lists effectively.

• Tool to increase website conversions and improve lead generation efforts.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

Outreach

Outreach.io is a robust sales engagement platform designed to enhance productivity and streamline communication between sales teams and their prospects. Its features include automated outreach, analytics, and integration with various CRM systems, empowering users to optimize their sales processes and improve overall performance.

• Sales tool for automating tasks and workflows.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

Drift

Drift is an innovative conversational marketing platform that enables businesses to engage with website visitors in real-time through chatbots and live chat features. This solution enhances lead generation and customer support by facilitating instant communication and personalized interactions, ultimately driving conversions and improving customer experience.

• Conversational marketing platform with lead generation capabilities.
• 4.4/5 on G2 ⭐

Zendesk Sell

Zendesk Sell is a sales automation and CRM tool designed to improve sales team productivity and streamline sales pipeline management. It offers features such as lead tracking, pipeline visualization, and integration with other Zendesk products, helping teams enhance customer engagement and drive sales growth.

• Sales CRM platform for managing customer relationships and sales processes.
• 4.2/5 on G2 ⭐
• Sales tool for tracking customers, deals, and tasks.
• 4.2/5 on G2 ⭐

Dealfront

Dealfront is a cutting-edge platform that streamlines the sales process by providing businesses with advanced lead generation and targeting tools. With its data-driven approach, Dealfront enables users to identify high-quality prospects and optimize their outreach efforts for improved conversion rates.

• Lead generation software for identifying high-quality prospects.
• 4.3/5 on G2 ⭐

So now that you’ve seen 20 different top lead-gen tools, how do you choose the right ones to generate more leads and the highest ROI?

Choosing the Right Lead Generation Tool

With so many options available, how do you determine which lead generation software is the best fit for your business? Here are some key factors to consider:

Integration with CRM and Marketing Automation

– Ensure the tool integrates seamlessly with your existing tech stack, particularly your CRM and marketing automation platforms.

– Avoid disrupting current workflows or requiring manual data transfer between systems (unless the tools you’re replacing them with make them more efficient, faster, and get better results).

– Look for native integrations or robust API capabilities to enable smooth data flow.

Automation Capabilities

– Evaluate the tool’s ability to automate repetitive tasks like lead capture, follow-up emails, and lead distribution.

– Automation should enhance personalization, not make your outreach generic or robotic.

– Consider features like automated lead scoring, chatbots, and dynamic content delivery.

Lead Capture and Qualification Features

– Assess how well the tool can capture leads from your website, landing pages, social media, and other channels.

– Optimize conversion rates by looking for customizable forms, pop-ups, and landing page builders.

– Scoring and grading features help prioritize leads based on fit and engagement so sales can focus on the most promising opportunities.

Cost and Scalability

– Consider the monthly or annual cost, along with any onboarding, training, or add-on expenses. Some tools charge per user, and others are charged by database size.

– Ensure the pricing model can scale reasonably as your lead volume and team grows. Avoid getting locked into an expensive contract if your needs may evolve.

– Calculate the expected ROI in terms of time savings and conversion improvements to justify the investment.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the right lead generation tool is the one that aligns with your team’s processes, goals, and budget. Don’t get swayed by an extensive feature list if you’ll only use 10% of the functionality.

Focus on core capabilities that will impact your business more than the others, and choose a vendor committed to your success. With careful selection, lead generation software can be a powerful ally in filling your pipeline and driving revenue growth.

Ready to transform your lead generation process and drive significant growth? Take the first step today…Schedule a demo of Convex to discover how our comprehensive suite of lead generation software sales intelligence tools can revolutionize your sales process, save time, and drive more qualified sales leads to your business.