1. Platform Overview
| 🏠 Platform |
📅 Launched |
🚀 Focus |
🛠️ Service Model |
| Yelp ⭐ |
2004 |
Local business discovery |
Clients search, read reviews, and contact businesses directly |
| Google Local Services 🔍 |
2017 |
Verified service professionals |
Google matches users to pre-screened local pros via forms |
2. User & Pro Ratings
| 🌟 Platform |
🔍 Trustpilot |
🔎 Sitejabber |
📜 ConsumerAffairs |
| Yelp ⭐ |
1.3/5 |
1.3/5 |
1.4/5 |
| Google LSA 🔍 |
4.6/5 |
4.2/5 |
4.3/5 |
🔔 Complaints:
-
Yelp: Aggressive ad sales, filtered reviews, pay-to-rank model
-
Google LSA: Limited customization for pros, some delays in publishing reviews
3. Services Offered
| 📋 Category |
⭐ Yelp |
🔍 Google LSA |
| Handyman Services |
✅ |
✅ |
| Plumbing |
✅ |
✅ |
| Electrical |
✅ |
✅ |
| Appliance Repair |
✅ |
✅ |
| Cleaning |
✅ |
✅ |
| Landscaping |
✅ |
✅ |
| Pest Control |
✅ |
✅ |
| Moving Services |
✅ |
❌ |
4. Quick Service Comparison
| 🔖 Service Category |
⭐ Yelp |
🔍 Google LSA |
| Verified Pros |
❌ |
✅ |
| Background Checks |
❌ |
✅ (via Pinkerton) |
| Reviews |
✅ High volume |
✅ Verified only |
| Lead Control |
❌ Open listing |
✅ Pay-per-lead, filters available |
5. How Each Platform Works
| 🔄 Step |
⭐ Yelp |
🔍 Google LSA |
| Search |
Browse and filter local listings |
Fill a short form, Google shows verified pros |
| Booking |
Contact via phone or message |
Book or call directly through Google |
| Payment |
Off-platform |
Off-platform |
| Communication |
Through Yelp or direct |
Through Google messaging or direct |
6. User Experience
| 🔎 Feature |
⭐ Yelp |
🔍 Google LSA |
| Review Volume |
✅ Massive |
✅ Smaller but verified |
| Trust in Reviews |
❌ Filtered by algorithm |
✅ Verified post-job |
| Profile Detail |
✅ Business pages with photos, info, reviews |
❌ Basic, streamlined cards |
| Ads & Ranking |
❌ Ads dominate search results |
✅ Based on rating, location, response time |
7. Pricing and Costs
| 💸 Cost Element |
⭐ Yelp |
🔍 Google LSA |
| Client Fees |
Free to use |
Free to use |
| Pro Fees |
Monthly ad fees, featured listings |
Pay-per-lead model |
| Review Transparency |
❌ Filtered |
✅ All visible |
| Visibility Control |
❌ Influenced by ad spend |
✅ Based on pro performance and rating |
8. Pro Verification & Quality
| 🕵️ Platform |
Background Checks |
Google Guarantee |
Verified Reviews |
| Yelp ⭐ |
❌ Not required |
❌ |
❌ Mixed quality, some fake reviews |
| Google LSA 🔍 |
✅ Via Pinkerton |
✅ Up to $2,000 coverage |
✅ Verified after job completion |
9. Rating & Review System
| 🌟 Platform |
Rating Type |
Review Source |
| Yelp ⭐ |
5-star system |
Any user (filtered by algorithm) |
| Google LSA 🔍 |
5-star system |
Verified customers post-job |
10. Pros and Cons Summary
| 🔄 Platform |
✅ Pros |
❌ Cons |
| Yelp ⭐ |
High volume of reviews, detailed profiles |
Low trust in ratings, aggressive upselling, filtered reviews |
| Google LSA 🔍 |
Verified professionals, trusted reviews, Google Guarantee |
Limited customization, fewer providers in niche categories |
Looking for a verified handyman with trusted reviews?
Murmulini is listed on both platforms, but our real value is in consistent quality, fair pricing, and a satisfaction guarantee — or your money back.
Serving: Houston, Spring, Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land.
