Local lead generation is one of the hottest online business models right now. Instead of chasing trends like dropshipping or Amazon FBA, more entrepreneurs are turning to digital real estate — building small websites that generate leads and renting them out to local businesses for monthly income.
One program that promises to teach this model is Digital Storefronts. Marketed as a coaching program for beginners, it claims you can build “digital storefronts” that attract customers and then collect recurring income from local business owners.
But is Digital Storefronts really the shortcut to passive income it claims to be, or just another overpriced course?
Before I start…
After more than 15 years of testing countless ways to make money online, I’ve narrowed it down to one model that consistently works.
It’s simple, scalable, and beginner-friendly. If I had to start all over again today, this is exactly what I’d do.
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Key Takeaways (If you’re in a hurry!)
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Digital Storefronts is a training program teaching local lead generation
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Founded by Cory Long, who has a background in marketing and online business
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The model is legit: build niche sites, rank them, and rent them out to local businesses
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Costs several thousand dollars for the program plus additional spend for tools and ads
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Verdict: The business model is solid, but the program is expensive compared to other options
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What Is Digital Storefronts?
Digital Storefronts is a coaching program built around the local lead generation business model. The idea is to create small niche websites that attract customers searching for services like roofing, landscaping, or plumbing. Once the site ranks and generates calls, you rent it out to a local business for a monthly fee.
For example: you could build a site like DenverRoofPros.com, get it ranked on Google for “roof repair Denver,” and then rent the leads to a roofing company for $500–$1,000 per month.
The program provides training videos, group coaching, and mentorship designed to help beginners set up and scale this process.
Who Runs Digital Storefronts?
The program was created by Cory Long, an entrepreneur who has worked in sales, marketing, and online business. His background is more credible than many anonymous course creators in the space.
While Cory presents himself as a successful practitioner, it’s worth remembering that a significant part of his income now comes from selling the course itself, not just from running lead gen sites.
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How Much Does It Cost?
Digital Storefronts pricing isn’t published publicly, but reports from students suggest it costs $5,000–$7,000+ to join.
On top of that, you’ll need to budget for:
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Domain names and hosting
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SEO tools or software
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Paid ads (optional but often encouraged to speed things up)
This pushes the real startup cost higher than many beginners expect.
Does the Model Work?
Yes, local lead generation as a model absolutely works. In fact, it’s one of the few online businesses where you:
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Build a real digital asset (the site)
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Own and control the property
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Collect predictable recurring income
The key is ranking your sites in local Google searches. That requires SEO knowledge, patience, and sometimes upfront spend on content and backlinks.
When done right, though, a single site can bring in $500–$2,000 per month in semi-passive income.
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The Pros of Digital Storefronts
✅ Teaches a proven, long-term business model
✅ Focus on recurring income (not one-off commissions)
✅ You own the digital assets you build
✅ Real-world value for local businesses
The Cons of Digital Storefronts
❌ High ticket entry ($5K–$7K+)
❌ Additional expenses for SEO, hosting, and tools
❌ Ranking sites takes time — no fast results
❌ Founder profits more from course sales than personal lead gen
Is Digital Storefronts a Scam?
No, Digital Storefronts is not a scam.
The model is real, and people do make money with it. But calling it a shortcut to wealth is misleading. The program itself is expensive, and you’ll need to work consistently to see results.
As with most coaching programs, success depends far more on your execution than the training alone.
Who Is It Best For?
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Beginners who want to build a real digital asset, not chase gimmicks
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People willing to invest several thousand dollars and put in 6–12 months of work
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Anyone interested in recurring, passive-style income with long-term upside
If you’re looking for overnight results, this is not for you.
Better Alternatives to Digital Storefronts
The local lead generation model is excellent — but you don’t need to spend $7K to learn it.
Cheaper and often better options include:
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DIY SEO learning – Books, YouTube, and free communities can get you started for minimal cost
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Affiliate marketing – Build sites around products/services and earn commissions with far lower startup costs
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Freelancing with AI tools – Offer SEO, content, or web design services while you build your own digital assets on the side
These approaches are lower risk and don’t lock you into high-ticket coaching.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Digital Storefronts legit?
Yes, it’s a real program that teaches a real business model.
How much does Digital Storefronts cost?
Expect to pay between $5,000 and $7,000, plus expenses for SEO tools, domains, and hosting.
Can beginners do this?
Yes, but ranking sites takes time and effort. Don’t expect fast results.
Do I need technical skills?
Not much — basic website setup is taught, and tools make it easier than it used to be.
Is local lead generation profitable?
Yes, when done right. Many people earn $500–$2,000 per month per site.
Final Verdict – Should You Join Digital Storefronts?
Digital Storefronts teaches a solid, long-term model. The training is real, and the strategy works. But the course is expensive, and you can learn the same fundamentals for far less.
If you’ve got the budget and want mentorship, it may help shorten your learning curve. But if you’re starting on a tighter budget, there are better ways to learn local lead generation without dropping thousands on a program.
Before You Go…
If you’re serious about building a real online business – something simple, proven, and scalable – skip the overpriced coaching and focus on what actually works.
After 15 years of testing, there’s only one approach I consistently recommend above everything else.
👉 Click here to discover my No.1 recommendation

Mark is the founder of MarksInsights and has spent 15+ years testing online business programs and tools. He focuses on honest, experience-based reviews that help people avoid scams and find real, sustainable ways to make money online.