Preferred partner

All you need to know about the Preferred Partner Programme

Preferred is a status we award, not a package you can buy. It puts you above every standard listing in your category — in return for a slightly higher commission and a standard you have to keep meeting.

The benefits

What Preferred gets you

Priority placement

Preferred businesses appear above standard listings in their category, with a badge that says we recommend them.

More editorial access

First refusal on the expert columns, features and case studies commissioned each issue.

Reader introductions

When a reader asks us who to speak to about a mortgage, a survey or a build, preferred partners are who we name.

A place at the shows

Priority on stands, panels and speaking slots at the events the title appears at.

Preferred businesses get extra visibility in search results. A far larger number of customers can see that we recommend you as a business performing well — and one that is popular with the local business community.

Joining

How to join the programme

First, check whether you are eligible. You need to be among the top tier of businesses in your area and meet all of the following:

  • Relevant professional registration or accreditation for the work you do
  • An average customer review score of 4.5 or higher
  • A clear, written explanation of your fees before a client commits
  • Genuine availability — enquiries answered within one working day
  • No history of upheld complaints with your regulator or ombudsman

To find out whether you qualify, speak to your regional director or local support team. If you are close but not there yet, they will tell you exactly which of the criteria you are missing.

Staying

How to stay in the programme

After your first year we re-check eligibility annually, to confirm you are still performing and still creating value for customers. We tell you in advance of the review, and we tell you the outcome either way — no business has ever been dropped from Preferred without a conversation first.

Leaving

How to leave the programme

Opting out is easy and can be done at any time. Go to the Opportunities tab in your account, select Preferred Partner Programme, and click Leave at the bottom of the page. Your status and commission change immediately, and your standard listing carries on exactly as before.

Apply

Think you qualify?

Tell us who you are and we will check your eligibility against the criteria above, then come back either way.

We reply within one working day. No cold-calling, no shared data.