How to Evaluate Directory Lead Costs
Compare the platform's current written terms with your own invoices, staff workflow, completed consultations, and accepted written quotes.
Use verified inputs, not an industry average
Afters does not publish a benchmark for another platform's cost, no-show rate, lead-sharing rules, or conversion. Those figures depend on current vendor terms and the practice's own records.
Start With the Current Vendor Agreement
Ask the vendor for a current written proposal. Identify subscription fees, placement or promotion terms, what counts as a lead, how inquiries are routed, renewal and cancellation rules, and any services billed separately.
Then reconcile invoices to the practice's own records. A click, profile view, inquiry, scheduled consultation, completed consultation, accepted quote, and performed procedure are different events and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Inputs to Measure Locally
Do not assume a directory inquiry was shared, exclusive, informed, price-driven, or likely to proceed unless the vendor terms or the patient provide that information. Channel labels do not establish intent.
Track the actual staff work needed to validate and respond to each inquiry. Use the same communication, spam, duplicate, and attribution definitions across channels so the comparison is useful.
A cost model is only as reliable as its definitions. Document assumptions and replace sample figures with verified invoices and practice events.
Build the Calculation From Practice Records
Use a worksheet that keeps vendor charges and confirmed downstream events separate:
| Vendor invoices | Use actual charges |
| Valid attributed inquiries | Exclude spam and duplicates |
| Staff effort | Use practice records |
| Completed consultations | Confirm attendance |
| Accepted written quotes | Confirm acceptance |
| Credits or cancellations | Apply current policies |
| Decision metric | Calculate from verified records |
Choose the denominator that matches the business question and label it precisely. Do not present a modeled cost per inquiry, consultation, accepted quote, or performed procedure as an observed platform average.
How Portfolio-Based Discovery Differs
Afters lets people browse attributed, practice-published work and request information from a selected practice. The practice can respond with a personal video and written quote.
A request does not mean the person has studied the portfolio, chosen a clinician, qualified for treatment, or decided to proceed. Practices should measure follow-through rather than assuming it.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Directory Platforms | Afters | |
|---|---|---|
| Current pricing | Verify in the vendor proposal | No monthly fee; a set price to unlock a request |
| Entry point | Defined by vendor workflow | Selected practice profile or published work |
| Routing | Verify in current vendor terms | Request sent to the practices the patient picks |
| Follow-through | Measure in practice records | Measure in practice records |
| Clinical fit | Not established by an inquiry | Not established by a request |
| When you pay Afters | Not applicable | When you unlock a request |
These workflows differ, but that alone does not prove one has lower cost, better leads, or stronger conversion. Compare current terms with your own measured results.