Lead Connection Overview
A lead connection contains settings and defaults to assist in automatically converting incoming leads into projects.
Contractors Cloud considers a Lead as bits of contact data received from an outside source like a third party lead service via an integration or uploaded spreadsheet. This information may be just a name, address, and phone number. However, Contractors Cloud requires more information to create a Project. Therefore, creating a Lead Connection allows you to provide defaults and settings in hopes of automatically convert those bits of data into a full Contractors Cloud project.
When lead data hits our servers, Contractors Cloud will use this Lead Connection data, along with AI if enabled, to properly create a Contractors Cloud project. If a Project is not created, the Lead data will remain in the lead queue until it is manually reviewed and edited.
It's a good idea to create a single lead connection per third party lead services. However, if column headers are the same, you can create only on lead connection for all spreadsheet imports.
Details
These are the high-level details for the Lead Connection.
Company (required)
A Company is required for any lead connection.
Lead Connection Name (required)
Name of the Lead Connection. It is a good idea to include the source of the lead data within the name (i.e. Zapier Leads, SalesRabbit Leads, May 2025 import, etc).
Data Type (required)
There are 3 data types to choose from.
- JSON - Standard data payloads from lead services and 3rd-party integrations.
- Text - Standard raw text with lead information. This is heavily dependent on AI, therefore AI needs to be enabled.
- Excel - Used for spreadsheet uploads. Supported file types are .xls, .xlsx, .csv, .ods
Status (required)
Only active Lead Connections will be available for use.
Description (optional)
A description highlighting the source of the data and how the Lead Connection is used.
Settings/Defaults
These are the settings and defaults the Lead Connection uses to process the incoming data.
Settings
Try to convert leads into projects automatically (recommended)
Check this setting to automatically convert leads into projects once the lead is received.
Ignore custom field requirements (recommended)
Check this to ignore any required custom fields. However, unless you are confident that every lead coming in will have a desired custom field populated.
Defaults
Any default options will be the active entities for the Company. It is recommended to set a default Event, Lead Source, and Workflow. It is also a good idea to create a Company Lead Source that reflects the source of the data (i.e. Zapier Api Leads).
Field Mapping
Field Mapping allows a User to connect source data fields to the fields Contractors Cloud requires to create a Project. Field Mapping assists with JSON and Excel data types. Text data type does not require field mapping.
Field Mapping allows you to match source data (Source) with what Contractors Cloud (Target) needs to create a Lead. What the source may call "first name" may be different from what Contractors Cloud calls a "first name".
If all target field maps have a source, the lead conversion into a project should be automatic. Otherwise, a user will have to manually update the lead to convert into a Project. The red exclamation point denotes important fields and should have a related source to ensure successful conversions.
JSON Type Field Mapping
Click "Add sample JSON payload" to upload the sample data. Contractors Cloud and AI will then scan the data and do its best to set any Field Mapping.
Excel Type Field Mapping
All uploaded spreadsheets using this Lead Connection must have the same column names as defined in the Source column within Field Mapping.
If you have a spreadsheet of data with a header row set the row number in "Excel file header row number". Click "Add sample Excel payload" to upload the sample data. Contractors Cloud and AI will then scan the spreadsheet and do its best to set any Field Mapping.
Connecting 3rd-Party Lead apps to Contractors Cloud
Step 1: Enter a Lead Connection name and Data Type
The name should reflect the source (i.e. ABC Lead System Connection, or Lead/Project Spreadsheet Uploads, etc).
Check the "Try to convert leads into projects automatically" setting to automatically convert leads into projects once the lead is received.
Check the "Ignore custom field requirements" to ignore any required custom fields.
Click Save, then move to Step 2.
Step 2: Enter defaults for Event, Lead Source, etc.
These defaults are used in combination with the source data to create a Contractors Cloud project.
Pick the "Create new lead source" option to create a new lead source related to this Lead Connection.
Step 3: Enter Field Mapping
Field Mapping allows you to match source data (Source) with what Contractors Cloud (Target) needs to create a Lead. What the source may call "first name" may be different from what Contractors Cloud needs for a "first name".
If AI is enabled, you are able to upload sample payloads for JSON and Excel data types and AI will attempt to complete the Field Mapping for you.
Text data type lead connections do not require field mapping.
Utilities
This is where a Lead Connection is deleted.
When a Lead Connection is deleted, all leads related to the Lead Connection will also be deleted.