How to Set Up Google Local Service Ads
(Get Google Screened )
If you have a business with an office or local outlet, you likely want to attract customers in your market area. However, doing so can be challenging, especially when you have a lot of competitors. One way to distinguish yourself is by setting up Google Local Service Ads.
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What Are Local Service Ads?
Google Local Service Ads are a marketing alternative that allows your company to appear at the top of Google search results when customers search for specific keywords related to your company. A Google Local Service Ad (Google LSA) appears before all pay-per-click ads and in Maps search results for your general location.
Google Local Service Ads are different from traditional PPC ads in that you are only charged for the advertising when it results in an actual lead — not when someone chooses to click on the name of your business.
A lead occurs when a customer chooses to call your business, send a message in a Google-generated form, or schedule a service. The most common types of leads are phone calls, but some companies also see other types of leads.
When you set up a Local Service Ads account, you will identify how much you’re willing to pay for a lead. Each lead costs between $5 and $200, depending on your location and your business type. You can cap your advertising spending so you won’t exceed your desired monthly budget.
Why Set Up Google Local Service Ads?
Local Service Ads separate your organization from spam companies that sign up for advertising but don’t actually have a location in your region. Until now, almost anyone could set up a Google advertising account and market to people within specific areas.
Google Local Service Ads places more restrictions on advertising. Businesses that sign up for the service must undergo specific background checks and verifications before they can begin advertising. The restrictions enhance the quality of the search process.
Customers who locate your business are more likely to call, schedule an appointment, or seek additional information about your services. They’ll see your organization as a quality option, and the higher placement at the top of Google’s search results means better visibility for your business.
Higher quality leads result in more revenues for your company. You’ll find that the customers you attract have likely already checked out the services you offer and are ready to take the next step in the purchasing process.
How to Set Up Local Service Ads
Setting up your Google Local Service Ads account is a relatively simple process. You’ll begin by navigating to the Google Local Services Ads webpage. Once you arrive at the page, select “Get Started.”
You’ll begin by entering your basic information to determine your eligibility for the program. At this time, Google Local Service Ads are available in the U.S, Canada, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
Once you enter your state and zip code, you can choose a job category. Only specific service companies can sign up for an account.
Examples of qualifying services include various types of legal professionals, home improvement companies, and realtors. You’ll need to determine whether your company’s industry qualifies for Local Service Ads.
If your business is eligible for the service, you’ll provide additional information about your company. Further details include your business name, the owner’s name, the number of workers, and the business address. You can expand the area you service to include nearby cities and towns.
Once you’ve given the information, Google will send you a welcome email advising that your account is ready for further processing. Google will assign you a Customer ID number, allowing you to track your advertising campaigns’ analytics and success.
You’ll need to go through the Google Screened process to finalize your account. Wondering how to get Google Screened? Keep reading!
To become a Google Screened business, you’ll need to undergo the Google local service ads background checks and submit a copy of your business license and insurance policy. A company known as Pinkerton or Evident will conduct your company’s background check.
Google also offers a program known as Google Guaranteed. The Google Guaranteed program provides an insurance policy to consumers who purchase services from your organization through a Local Services Ad.
Customers who are unhappy with their services can request a refund for the total amount of your services when they begin the purchase process through a lead with Google Local Service Ads.
Each customer has a lifetime cap of $2,000. Organizations who sign up for Google Guaranteed will receive a Google Guaranteed badge on every Local Service Ad that customers see.
Finally, you’ll enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for Google Local Services Ads each billing period. You’ll also set your bid amount. A higher bid amount will result in greater ad placement with customers and may result in more significant revenues.
However, you’ll need to decide on the amount you’re willing to pay based on your preferences. You can always increase or decrease your bid amount depending on your needs.
Google LSA Background Check
When you sign up for Google Local Service Ads, you’ll need to submit to a background check. The background check is a simple procedure used to verify the validity of your business, confirm your basic information, and ensure that you don’t have a serious criminal history.
Since many services require employees to visit customer homes, Google wants to ensure that you have the appropriate business license and insurance information. They also want to ensure you’re not a convicted felon or have a history of sexual assault.
It can be especially important to be Google Screened for lawyers, attorneys, and realtors. Google Screened professionals will be at a particular advantage since customers will know they’ve submitted to specific background checks proving their licensure and credentials.
As long as you have the appropriate information, you shouldn’t have difficulty passing the background check and obtaining your Google Screened badge.
What Industries Can Set Up Local Services Ads?
Not all businesses are eligible to set up Google Local Service Ads.
For example, retail stores are excluded from Google Local Services Ads, as are corporate and government offices. However, if your company is in the service sector, you will likely qualify to use Google Service Ads.
Most home improvement companies can also sign up for Google Local Service Ads. Certain professionals offering services to the public, like lawyers and financial planners, can join the program as well.
The types of businesses that can sign up for Google Local Services Ads include:
- Acupuncture clinics
- Animal rescue services
- Appliance repair providers
- Beauty schools
- Carpentry providers
- Carpet cleaning professionals
- Childcare services
- Countertop providers
- Dance instructors
- Driving instructors
- Electrical contractors
- Fencing contractors
- Financial planning services
- First aid training professionals
- Flooring professionals
- Foundation repair companies
- Funeral services
- Garage door contractors
- General contracting services
- Handyman companies
- Home inspection companies
- Home security services
- Home theater providers
- House cleaning professionals
- HVAC services
- Junk removal services
- Landscaping companies
- Language instructors
- Law services
- Lawn care services
- Locksmiths
- Massage schools
- Moving companies
- Personal training companies
- Pest control services
- Pet adoption, boarding, training, and grooming services
- Plumbers
- Pool cleaning services
- Preschools
- Real estate professionals
- Roofing contractors
- Sewage system services
- Siding contractors
- Snow removal services
- Tax professionals
- Tree services
- Tutoring services
- Veterinary providers
- Water damage services
- Weight loss companies
- Window cleaning services
- Yoga studios
Understanding what category your business falls under can help you determine whether your business is eligible for this program.
How Accelerate Marketing Can Help You Set Up Google Local Service Ads
All advertising through Google costs money, and you’ll want to ensure you’re not wasting your marketing funds by attempting to handle Google Local Service Ads on your own. While setting up an account is relatively easy, you’ll still need to ensure that you attract solid leads by using the right advertising strategy.
Accelerate Marketing can handle your Google Local Service Ads for you, freeing you to concentrate on running your business. We’ll incorporate the right marketing strategy to attract new customers and build your customer base.
Our prior experience running numerous Google Local Service Ads campaigns lets us know what works and what doesn’t. We’ll tell you how many leads your Google Local Services Ads are generating each month and make adjustments to achieve optimal results.
Contact Accelerate Marketing to discover how Google Local Service Ads can dramatically improve your organization’s revenues today.
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At Accelerate Marketing, our team of Local Services Ads Experts will help you get started with your campaign. As a Google Certified Partner, we know how to get results with paid ads and we’re here every step of the way!
Would you like to learn more? Talk to Ryan Steinolfson, CEO of Accelerate Marketing and Local Services Ads Expert.
Text directly 619-304-5155 to get any questions answered and text “LSA” to the same number to get your FREE LSA secrets training video.
