Quick Answer
Skills are display-only keywords that appear on your profile but do not affect which leads you receive. To get matched with referral leads for specific services, add those services to your Industries section instead.
Overview
One of the most common misconceptions on Heritage Web is that adding skills will help you receive more leads. This isn't how the platform works.
Skills are free-form tags meant to help visitors understand your capabilities at a glance. They're useful for display purposes but have no impact on lead matching or publication placement.
Industries are what actually drive lead matching. When someone requests a referral, the system looks at your Industries selections—not your Skills—to determine if you're a match.
The Key Difference
Feature | Skills | Industries |
Format | Free-form tags (type anything) | Hierarchical picker (select from list) |
Lead Matching | ✗ No effect | ✓ Primary factor |
Publication Placement | ✗ No effect | ✓ Primary factor |
Maximum | 50 | 10 |
Purpose | Display keywords for visitors | Filter leads and assign publications |
Common Mistake
❌ Wrong approach: "I'll add 'Immigration Law' to my Skills so I get immigration leads."
✓ Correct approach: "I need to select 'Immigration' in my Industries section to receive immigration leads."
What You Should Do
Step 1: Review Your Industries
Open your Edit Profile page and expand the "Industries" section. Make sure you've selected all the services you want to receive leads for.
Step 2: Add Missing Industries
Click "Add Industry +" and select any services you offer but haven't yet added. Include both broad categories and specific sub-specialties.
Step 3: Use Skills for Display
Keep your Skills section for keywords that help visitors—but don't rely on it for lead matching.
Important Notes
Skills complement Industries: Use Skills to add detail and context, but ensure your core services are in Industries
No duplicate needed: You don't need to add the same terms to both sections
Skills help visitors: Even though they don't affect matching, Skills help clients quickly evaluate your expertise
FAQs
I added skills but I'm not getting related leads. Why? Skills don't affect lead matching. Add those services to your Industries section to start receiving related leads.
Should I bother adding Skills at all? Yes—Skills help visitors quickly scan your capabilities. They're valuable for display, just not for lead matching.
Can I remove my Skills section? You can toggle visibility off to hide it from your public profile. But there's no harm in keeping useful keywords displayed.
What actually controls which leads I receive? Three main factors: Industries (service type match), Languages (language requirements), and Licenses (valid credentials for regulated services). Location also plays a role for geographically-targeted leads.