Local Service Ads, or LSAs, are a boon for local businesses. They provide them with the things they need to acquire more customers and maintain their livelihood. Discover our comprehensive guide on how to get more leads!
Google’s Local Service Ads have proved itself to be a game-changer in the world of digital advertisement. In today’s time, many local businesses and companies are using digital advertising to promote brand awareness, attain competitive advantage, generate leads, and improve customer engagement.
Google Local Service Ads are incredibly beneficial for local small businesses, especially for field service businesses, since these companies tend to attract more local customers related to their specific industry.
As for customers, they will get enterprises that are guaranteed by Google to provide them with the £5 slot services they are looking for.
What Are Local Service Ads?
Unlike Google search ads like AdWords ads, which are pay-per-click, Local Services Ads’ strategies for local businesses are pay-per-lead.
This means that you will have to pay Google only if the Service Ad provides a lead for your business. Once you sign up for the Local Services ad, you will receive a guarantee via Google Guarantee.
It means that Google will refund up to $2,000 of your buyer’s job if they are not happy with the quality of the work. If Google Guaranteed supports local businesses, you would receive a badge that shows up on the Local Services Ad. This means that your business has undergone all background checks and is trusted by Google.
In a nutshell, Google Local Services Ads will help the best local businesses start connecting with people looking for various types of services offered. The ads will help you advertise and generate leads for your enterprise.
These leads can get in touch with your company/business via messaging or direct calls. You will also be able to manage your leads by tracking your bookings and replying to their messages.
How Do You Get Started With Local Services Ads?
Getting started with Local Services Ads is relatively easy. All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned below:
- You need to choose the type of industry and location eligibility. Your business should be suitable for a definite market. To do this, you can visit the Google Local Services Ads page.
- You need to submit all the documents that are required to prove that your business is legitimate.
Once done, your Local Services Ads page will be ready. How do you generate more leads on local service ads?
Similar to any other product, there are a few tips and tricks that you can use to maximize efficiency and investing in local businesses. These include:
1. Generate Customer Reviews
Your ranking on Google will depend on the number of reviews your Local Service listing has. The more reviews ad star ratings you have, the more you will be able to stand out. This will, in turn, help you book more jobs on the platform.
It is recommended that you start going for reviews and be diligent when collecting them, especially if you are just starting. These reviews will play a significant role in your listing. For businesses that are established, collecting reviews should not be a tough task, as long as your marketing strategies are fast and effective.
To collect reviews, you need to tap on the ‘Reviews’ button in your Local Service Ads dashboard. Next, you need to tap on the ‘Ask for Review’ button to see right next to the related job. To increase the number of reviews, you can send out some personalized messages to your customer.
Apart from increasing the chances of them writing down a review, it will also pave the way for new potential business opportunities.
If your successful local businesses already have verified reviews on Google, they get combined with the Local Service reviews as the platform keeps developing. Additionally, you do not have to worry about these reviews if you plan to leave Local Services in the future.
2. Develop a Rigorous Inbound Call Structure
The chances of whether your organization is being charged or not for a particular lead will depend on your lead call time. Yes, Google will indeed keep track of all your phone calls. If you exceed your call time by a certain point, you will be charged.
This aspect works out well if you are sure that the lead is genuine and will be converted. However, if you have someone that has called you to ask a bunch of unnecessary questions and does not book that service, you will be paying the cost out of your own pocket. This timeframe from where you will be charged is known as ‘internal information.’
However, how do you know which caller is a timewaster? One of the best ways to ensure that it does not happen is to set up an alternative time to talk with the question caller. You need to create a particular process for all your inbound inquiries, like:
- Ask the correct questions: Your goal should be to ask and gather as much information as you can. For instance, you have a plumbing business. In this case, you need to ask the query upfront – for example, the hot water tub is not working.
- Guide them to a specific goal: Once you get a picture of what the caller is looking you, you need to lead them through the following steps. It would help if you acted like a doctor – do you send the caller to another team member, is home visitation required, etc.
- Ensure that you get their details: Once you have understood what they are looking for, do not forget to note down their names, contact details, and other types of information. Additionally, also ask them about details like callback times, and thank them for finding local businesses.
3. Review Your Booked Leads
The dashboard of the Local Service Ads has been optimized and fitted with features that will allow you to manage the work more effectively.
You will be able to mark the jobs as booked, gather customer reviews, receive and send e-mails, and even schedule them on your Google calendar. The dashboard also allows you to follow-up and ensure that the circumstances of customers that have rejected you haven’t changed.
Always review your booked leads to plan well ahead in the future and complete your jobs. This will increase the likelihood of a customer leaving behind a good review, which will also help convert the leads and promote local businesses.
Are Local Service Ads Worth the Work and Money You Invest?
This is a question asked by many new businessmen before committing to the Local Service Ads and other various internet marketing services for local businesses. The answer to this question is yes! Local Service Ads by Google are worthwhile since you do not have to pay anything for signing up.
Additionally, there is no obligation to participate, the costs of the leads are meager, and you get the first priority for advertising local businesses and ad placement.
Because most companies, especially field ones, do not have a lot of visibility on Google, the Local Service Ads provide them with a quick and easy way to jump in front of the line.
What Are Some Local Businesses Ad Categories Available With Local Service Ads?
Some categories available at Local Service Ads (for the USA) include:
- Water damage services
- Tax services
- Bankruptcy law services
- HVAC
- Tax law services
- Tree services
- Roofers
- Landscaping services
- Flooring services
- Real estate services
- Countertop services
- Movers
- Window cleaning
- Immigration lawyer services
- Flooring services
- Locksmiths
- Carpet cleaning
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Financial planning
- Window repair services
- Labor law services
Of course, the type of services that you see will depend on the country you live in.
Final Thoughts: Local Service Ads to Generate Leads
It is quite evident that Google Local Service Ads has its share of advantages and is being used by new local businesses and companies worldwide.
Thanks to it, businesses have a higher positioning on the Google homepage, have increased security checks, and better customer targeting. It is definitely a boon for both local businesses and customers.
Did you like this article? Tell us below in the comments section. Also, please tell us what you do to generate leads using Google Local Service Ads. We would love to hear from you!
Thomas graduated with a Master’s Degree in Computer Science in the UK and is currently working as a marketing expert. He specializes in SEO for local businesses and e-mail marketing. He has worked for two major companies in the past, gathering skills and experience.
