Google Local Service Ads: A Game Changer for Businesses

Table of Contents

• What Are Google Local Service Ads
• Who Can Use Local Service Ads
• Benefits of Having Local Service Ads
• Setting Up Your Local Service Ads
• 7 Tips for Effective Ads
• Google Local Service Ads VS Google Ads
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recap

Advertising has become more challenging and complex, and it might be more difficult to stand out and reach out to potential customers.

But you do not have to worry. Google has come to the rescue by creating a Local Service Ads (LSA) program that helps you connect with everyone in your area.

What Are Google Local Service Ads?

Local Service Ads is an advertising program designed by Google that allows you and your business to reach out to your local clients with your products and services.

If you remember the ads that appear on top of your Google search results, that is what your Local Service Ads may look like once you set it up.

Your business’s name, ratings, location, and services can be found in your LSAs. These help you generate your ads and let Google screen them for you to create quality and standardized ads.

Who Can Use Local Service Ads?

Local service ads are specifically for small and medium businesses (SMBs). 

If your business focuses more on providing services, this is your lucky day. Google can help local jobs like

1. Lawyer services (Business, Family, Contract, etc.)
2. Carpenters
3. Child Care services
4. Electricians
5. General Contractors
6. Handymen
7. House cleaning services
8. Pest Control Services
9. Roofers
10.  Tax Services

Also note that Local Services Ads are available only in select cities in the United States, Canada, and Brazil. The eligibility criteria may vary by region. 

If you are interested in using Local Services Ads but are still determining if you meet the criteria, check with Google Support to see if the program is available in your area. 

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Benefits of Having Local Service Ads

Local Services Ads provides several benefits for service providers, including

1. Increased visibility

By appearing at the top of Google search results, you can increase their visibility and reach more potential customers.

Rest assured that your ads are reaching the right people with the marketing messages you create. 

2. Quality leads

The program only allows high-quality businesses to participate, ensuring that leads generated through the program are of high quality. 

That is why it is essential to set up a good Business profile and complete the screening process to qualify. 

3. Cost-effective

With Google, you only pay for leads generated through your ads, making it a cost-effective way to reach potential customers.

By focusing on high-quality leads, businesses can achieve a better return on investment for their marketing and advertising efforts.

4. Increased trust

Google screens businesses to ensure they meet quality standards, increasing trust in your business and your services.

Having a Google Guarantee and being Google Screened helps you build healthy relationships with your viewers. These people choose your business profile from every business competing with you.

5. Convenient

Customers can quickly request a quote or contact the service provider directly through the ad, making it a convenient way to connect with potential customers.

Aside from that, your business can use your resources more efficiently and perform incredibly. You can avoid wasting time and money too.

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Setting Up Your Local Service Ads

As you finish the screening process, you are eligible for Google Local Service ads in your area. After that, there are a few things that you should check to complete the process.

1. Create a Google account.

To create a business profile, follow these steps:

Step # 1: Go to the Google account sign-up page.

Step # 2: Enter your business information, including your business name, email address, password, and phone number.

Step # 3: Agree to the terms of service and privacy policy. Remember to read it carefully.

Step # 4: Verify your email address. Google will send you an email to verify your email address. Follow the instructions to complete it.

Step # 5: Set up your account by adding a profile picture and strengthening your security features. Then, you can start using Google services.

2. Claim your business.

Make sure your business is listed on Google My Business and that you have claimed and verified your listing.

3. Sign up for Google Local Services Ads.

This ensures that you can provide the best services to customers through the screening process

The screening process is designed to ensure that your business is trustworthy and can provide high-quality services. This includes the following steps:

Step # 1: Background Check

Google checks the business owners and employees’ background information to ensure they have no history of criminal activity.

Background checks include

• Business entity check
• Business owner background check
• Service Professional Background Check

Step # 2: License Verification

Google verifies that you have the necessary licenses and insurance required for your business. All of which include:

• State License
• Provincial License
• Country-level License
• General Liability Insurance

Step # 3: Customer Reviews

Google takes into account customer reviews, testimonials, and ratings from previous customers to assess the quality of the services provided by your business.

Step # 4: Google Guaranteed

Once you pass the screening process, you can earn the Google Guaranteed badge, which provides additional trust and confidence to your future customers.

Preparing these can improve your chances of success and reach more potential customers who trust you in your local area.

4. Launch your campaign.

Once you have completed the setup process, launch your Local Services Ads campaign and reach potential local customers. 

Signing up for Local Services Ads is a simple and straightforward process that can help you get more customers and grow your business. You can reach out to Google support for assistance.

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7 Tips for Effective Ads

Local Service Ads (LSA) will help you grow your business, that is a fact. But you need to get the most out of the program.

To optimize your ad and stand out from other companies, here are some practical tips you can remember:

1. Highlight your unique selling proposition

Your Local Services Ad should highlight what makes your business unique and why customers should choose your services over your competitors.

2. Use the right keywords

Keywords play an essential role in determining the visibility of your Local Services Ad. Use keywords that accurately describe your services and the areas you serve.

3. Give the correct details

Provide detailed information about your services, including the sites you cater to, your hours of operation, and your pricing.

4. Include images and videos

Adding images and videos to your Local Services Ad can help potential customers better understand your business and services.

5. Respond to customer inquiries promptly

Responding to customer inquiries promptly can help build trust and establish your business as a reliable provider of quality services.

6. Monitor your ad performance

Regularly monitoring and making changes to your ad performance can help you get the most out of your Local Services Ad campaign.

7. Keep your business information up-to-date

Make sure to include your business hours, services, and pricing. This is to ensure that customers have accurate information about your business.

By following these tips, you can perform significantly in your Local Services Ad and reach more customers in your local area.

Google Local Service Ads VS Google Ads

Google Local Service Ads and Google ads are both platforms that help you with your business advertisements. However, these two platforms differ from each other in a lot of ways.

Below is a table that lets you look at each platform’s differences:

	Local Service Ads	Google Ads
Purpose	Specifically designed for local service providers, such as plumbers, cleaners, and electricians, to promote their services to nearby customers	More focused on general advertising platforms that allow businesses to advertise a broader range of products and services to a global audience.
Target	As mentioned above, this program targets people in a specific service area.	This program targets people based on keywords, location, and device type.
Ad format	These ads appear on top of search results and include the business name, phone number, and ratings.	These ads appear anywhere on the search results page and take on a variety of formats, including text ads, display ads, and video ads.
Verification process	Your business usually undergoes a verification process (Background Checks and Licensing Verification).	There is no verification process, but your business is likely less eligible to reach customers.
Cost	Based on a pay-per-lead model, you only pay when a customer contacts you through the ad.	Also based on a pay-per-lead model. You pay each time a customer clicks on your ad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recap

Google Local Service Ads is an effective advertising platform for small and medium businesses like yours. 

As Google helps you reach the right people, you can stand out from the competition in search results. With the benefits, huge differences with Google Ads, and practical tips,  LSAs are an excellent investment for remarkable growth and outstanding business performance.