I have been running my current small business for just over 10 years. I have never gotten BBB accreditation, and never felt like I was missing anything. Only once had a customer ask about it but showing them some of my completed projects made it a nonissue. A designer that is considering using our product/service has let us know that they require it. We will probably just pass and team up with other companies, but it has me thinking.
Do you ever look for accreditation in companies that you hire? Do you have accreditation and feel it opens more doors for you? Not have it and feel like it has been a hindrance, or not have it and feel like it hasn’t cost you anything?
$500+/year seems like a little bit of a racket.
BBB is nothing but an extortion scam, don’t do it. As someone below said, BBB is boomer Yelp. BBB’s whole business is shaking down business to say they are in good standing. If you don’t pay, they say you are not suitable for membership. Don’t pay them.