So, you’ve decided to add a pricing estimator to your website—great move! Now comes the next question: Should you have one estimator that covers everything, or should you create separate estimators for different services?
The good news? Both options can work—it just depends on your business, your audience, and how you want to guide potential customers.
Some businesses thrive with a single estimator that gives a broad price range across multiple services, keeping things simple. Others see better results with separate estimators tailored to specific services, offering a more streamlined experience.
Let’s break down when to use a single estimator, when to split into multiple estimators, and how to decide what’s best for your business.
When a Single Pricing Estimator Works Best
A single pricing estimator can be a fantastic tool for many businesses, especially if:
✅ You offer a limited range of services – If your pricing structure follows a similar model across your offerings, a single estimator can handle everything efficiently.
✅ Your customers often buy multiple services – If clients typically bundle different services together, keeping them within one estimator makes the process smoother.
✅ You want a simple, streamlined experience – A single estimator prevents users from having to choose between different options, keeping engagement high.
✅ Your services share similar pricing factors – If the key pricing variables (like size, materials, or labor) are consistent across your services, one estimator may be all you need.
Example: A Residential Flooring Company
A flooring company that installs carpet, laminate, and hardwood might benefit from one estimator where customers select their flooring type, size of the area, and additional features. Since the pricing structure is similar across flooring types, a single estimator keeps things simple while still providing an accurate range.
👉 Bottom Line: If your pricing is straightforward and you want to keep the user experience seamless, a single estimator works great.
When You Should Have Multiple Pricing Estimators
While a single estimator is convenient, splitting it into multiple estimators can be a smart move in certain cases.
Consider separate pricing estimators if:
✅ You serve both residential and commercial customers – These audiences often have very different needs, budgets, and pricing structures. Keeping their pricing estimators separate helps deliver a more tailored experience.
✅ Your services vary widely in complexity or pricing – If you offer both small, quick jobs and large, high-budget projects, a single estimator might not provide enough clarity.
✅ You want to speed up the experience for customers – If a customer knows exactly what they want, they don’t want to sort through pricing for unrelated services. A dedicated estimator makes it easier to get the answers they need quickly.
✅ You have different lead qualification needs – If your sales team handles certain services differently (e.g., custom quotes for high-value projects vs. automated estimates for smaller jobs), separate estimators can help streamline your sales process.
Example: A Roofing Company
A roofing company offering residential roof replacements, commercial roofing, and gutter installations would benefit from having separate pricing estimators:
- One for residential roofing (focusing on size, materials, and tear-off costs).
- One for commercial projects (which may require permits, structural reinforcements, and different materials).
- One for gutter installations (a simpler, lower-cost service with different pricing factors).
👉 Bottom Line: If your pricing is highly service-specific, splitting into multiple estimators improves customer experience and lead qualification.
The Best Approach? Start with One and Expand Over Time
If you’re still unsure, don’t overcomplicate it—start with one estimator and refine it as you go.
Why Start with One?
✅ Faster implementation – Getting one estimator up and running is quicker than launching multiple at once.
✅ Less maintenance – Managing one estimator is easier than keeping multiple versions updated.
✅ See how users interact with it – Track how customers use the estimator and what feedback they provide before deciding if separate estimators are needed.
When to Expand?
🚀 If you see a need for more specialization – If customers frequently ask, “Do you have pricing for just [specific service]?” it might be time to create a dedicated estimator.
🚀 If different services have vastly different customer journeys – If one service is a quick decision while another requires more consultation, separate estimators can help.
🚀 If you want to segment your marketing efforts – Having separate estimators can align with your ad campaigns, making it easier to guide visitors to the right pricing page.
What’s Best for Your Business? Key Questions to Ask
If you’re still weighing your options, here are a few questions to help you decide:
- Do my services have similar pricing structures? If yes, a single estimator is likely fine. If not, consider multiple.
- Do I serve both residential and commercial clients? If yes, separate estimators can provide a more tailored experience.
- Are my customers typically looking for bundled services? If yes, one estimator keeps everything in one place.
- Do I want to track leads separately for different services? If yes, multiple estimators can help better qualify leads.
Final Thoughts: Both Options Work—It’s About What Works for You
There’s no wrong way to set up a pricing estimator. Some businesses thrive with a single estimator that covers all their services, while others see better results by splitting them into multiple, service-specific estimators.
The best approach? Start with one, monitor how customers interact with it, and expand when needed.
💡 If your pricing is similar across services and you want a seamless experience, stick with one.
💡 If your pricing is more specialized or you serve different types of customers, multiple estimators will work better.
At the end of the day, the goal of a pricing estimator is to help customers, capture leads, and simplify your sales process. So choose the setup that helps you achieve that—and tweak it over time as your business grows! 🚀
