LOCAL SERVICE ADS

What Are The Benefits of Local Service Ads?

There are many perks to participating in Google’s Local Service ads, including:

• Be found by potential customers at the very top of Google

• Build trust and credibility by earning the Google Guaranteed badge

• Only pay when a customer contacts you directly through your ad, so you are only investing in leads with real potential

• Offers detailed business information that makes it easy for customers to reach you quickly

  • Your hours of operation

  • Service areas and service offerings

  • Contact details

• Shows your business reviews and ratings, helping customers evaluate your services based on the experiences of others

• Allows you to set a weekly budget, giving you full control over your advertising spend

• Provides performance tracking so you can assess the effectiveness of your advertising efforts

• Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your Google Business Profile. High ratings and positive feedback can improve your chances of becoming Google Guaranteed. 

All in all, Google’s Local Service Ads offer local businesses an effective way to boost their online presence, build trust with customers, and generate high-quality leads. The pay-per-lead model, coupled with the Google Guaranteed badge, makes LSAs a compelling option for businesses looking to thrive in the competitive world of local services. This program is really a win-win for both you and your customers.

How to Get Started With Local Service Ads

Google lists down only 5 steps for you to get started with Local Service Ads.

Give your business information to Google including your business name, location, professional services offered, and budget, so they can show your ads to potential customers with the right timing in mind.
So Google can be sure that you meet local licensing and insurance requirements, you must sign up or apply to become Google Guaranteed.

Google will then begin showing your Local Service Ads to potential customers in your area.

Customers can get in touch with your company directly when they see your Google Local Services Ads. You have full control over the jobs you want to take, and you can track your appointments too.

Using the Local Services Ads dashboard or the mobile app, you can update and pause ads, optimize your account, and adjust your budget, too.

You only pay Google when a customer contacts you directly through your Local Service Ads. 

How Does the Reimbursement for Google Guarantee Work?

It is understandable that this money-back guarantee program of Google can be worrisome for business owners who have to deal with unreasonable complaints every once in a while.

You might indeed be working hard and doing your best to have satisfied customers only for some to complain just to get back a portion of their money from Google.

Of course, if Google has to deal with many unhappy customers from your company, then your Google Guarantee badge will be at risk.

The good news is that the terms for the Google Guaranteed program are very reasonable.

They will only reimburse customers who are dissatisfied with your service, and of course, those reimbursements will also go through a screening process.

How to Identify Valid and Invalid Leads 

With Local Services Ads, valid leads are easy to identify. They are identified once a customer in the United States:

• Reaches out to your business via text message or email

• Leaves a message on your voicemail 

• Speaks with you on the phone directly

• Calls and does not leave a voice message, but you return their call and speak with them or leave a message

• Proceeds to submit a booking request 

On the other hand, an invalid lead can be anything from a solicitation call, down to spam, or even if the services required were not available at your establishment. In the instance where your business comes across a lead that fits these qualifications, Google will allow you to file a dispute.   

How much do Local Services Ads cost?

Given Local Services Ads will only require you to pay for valid leads (that are relevant to your business), you can expect to pay anywhere between $6 – $30 per lead. The exact amount you will end up paying for your ads depends on several factors such as your location and industry. 

Conveniently, there are also procedures in place that give you the power to control how much your business will spend on ads–restricting you from ever going over budget. 

You set your own weekly budget, place the maximum amount you are willing to pay per lead in bidding mode, and if an unsuitable lead comes through, it can be disputed for a refund in the form of a credit.