In its latest business move, Angie’s List, the website that hosts online reviews from home improvement services, announced it’s making its basic business review service available for free.
The company has more than 10 million online reviews, with more than 3 million users. The decision comes as a way to keep Angie’s List competitive with other companies like Amazon (AMZN) (who now offer ways to order home services), as the company’s fourth-quarter earnings were disappointing to Wall Street, despite reporting its first year of profitability in 2015, the Indianapolis Star reported.
“This is a transformative moment for the new Angie’s List as we welcome more consumers into our community so they can experience the industry-leading value and unique services that we provide,” said Angie’s List President and CEO Scott Durchslag at a launch event in New York.
The company has also decided to create three new tiers of membership—green, silver, and gold—which includes the free service. In the past, these services a cost an annual $9.99.
Now, the green membership gives users free access to companies in more than 700 service categories along with verified reviews and ratings, as well as receiving Angie’s List (ANGI) digital magazine.
The two other tiers, silver and gold, cost $24.99 and $99.99 each year, respectively. Those subscribers will have access to enhanced customer service, as well as pricing and quality guarantees, according to the company.
After struggling for a number of years, the change reflects the new direction the company is headed in after it implemented a new CEO last fall. In March, Coins2Day previously reported that the company said it would be, “removing the ratings and reviews paywall and enabling consumers to access this service for free.”