Can Google's Local Services Ads Generate More Leads For Your Small Business?

Local Services Ads are the ideal tool to help you connect with searchers on Google and highlight the services you have to offer. 74% of search traffic from all over the world comes from Google and Local Services Ads will push your business to the top and showcase what you do to customers in your local area. 

If you're a service-based business and you're looking for a new way to increase the visibility of your website and drive sales in your local area, then Local Services Ads is a great choice. 

Local Services Ads are different from regular Google Ads. They show up above all the other results - crazy, we know.

So, if somebody is looking for your services and you have an ad set up, it'll be one of the first things they see. What makes it even better is you only pay per lead - not per click. 

But don't just take our word for it - let us show you all the benefits of Local Services Ads and how you can implement them for your local service business. 

Why should you use Local Services Ads?

There are a lot of benefits to using Local Services Ads instead of Google Ads and other online advertising platforms. 

Not only are Local Services Ads being better positioned on the SERP (search engine results page), but they also help you improve your credibility thanks to the green Google checkmark. 86% of consumers use the internet to find a local business so by using Local Services Ads you’re putting yourself in a great position to get the attention of consumers. 

Local Services Ads are straightforward to set up and maintain too, making them perfect for anybody who wants a simple yet effective advertising campaign. 

There are many other benefits to Local Services Ads, and today we're going to tell you about four of the most important ones! 

Easily Show Up On The Google Search Results

Your ads will show up on Google a lot easier with the help of Local Services Ads. When a customer in your local area searches for your services, your company will be one of the first they see. 

When somebody searches for a service on Google, they're taken to the SERP, and it usually includes a mixture of:

• Google Ads
• Local Services Ads
• Local results
• Organic search results

Opting for Local Services Ads allows you to push your company to the top of all the other types of results - even Google Ads! 

This gives your service business a massive advantage since most people tend to click whatever is at the top of the search results. 

Improve Credibility And Trust

Another great thing about Local Services Ads by Google is the Google checkmark next to your ad. This little green checkmark next to your ad shows your audience that Google verifies your services. 

The green checkmark and the 'Google Guaranteed' or 'Google Screened' will show up if you're one of the three sponsored service ads. 

This benefits both you and your audience because if a customer books through Google local services, they know they're more likely to get their money back if they're unhappy with your service. This type of reassurance means they're more likely to choose your business over your competitors. 

Google Guarantees make sure you get qualified leads - not just clicks. It makes sure that the people clicking on your services are genuinely interested in what you have to offer and they'll follow through. 

Your local service ad will also link to any reviews of your business on your Google Business Profile, and it'll highlight your star rating, which helps improve trust even more!

How Do You Qualify For Google Guarantee?

If you want your ad to qualify for Google Guarantee, you'll have to agree to a background check or provide proof of liability insurance. 

It's worth it, as the Google Guarantee increases the trust your potential clients have in your brand. It also improves the user's odds of choosing your services over your competitors. 

Get Specific, High-Quality Leads

By using and setting up Local Services Ads, your clients will be able to find you on Google with ease and contact you directly for your services. 

Local Services Ads also require less maintenance yet still allow you to find targeted clients. 

For example, you don't have to select specific keywords like with Google Ads. All you have to do is indicate what services your company provides with the service category. 

You Only Get Charged When You Receive A Lead

One of the best things about Local Services Ads is that you can easily control your budget. You only have to pay when a customer gets in touch directly from your ad instead of every time they click on it. 

With Google Ads and other ad platforms, you have to pay per click but paying per lead makes it easier to manage the money you're spending on ads. 

This makes it the better choice because you won't just be paying for some random clicks from people interested in your business - you'll be paying for actual leads. 

How to set up Local Services Ads?

Getting started with Local Services Ads by Google is easy and stress-free. It won't even take you a day to finish setting up - you'll be set up in a couple of hours!

What you have to do to set up Local Services Ads is:

• Check if you're eligible
• Add your business information 
• Include your region 
• Highlight your services
• Update your business hours

Let's take a closer look at setting up Local Services Ads with these three steps. 

Are You Eligible To Use Local Services Ads?

The first step you have to take when setting up Google's Local Services Ads is to check if your business is eligible for it.

It's easy to do this, don't worry. All you have to do is add your country, state, and service area ZIP code. Then you simply choose your service category and click 'Check Eligibility.' 

Not all services and regions are supported by Local Services Ads, but many metro areas in the US are available. But small towns or areas with a small population don't tend to be eligible. 

Some services like tailors, hair stylists, and seamstresses aren't eligible for Local Services Ads.

Here's an example of eligible Local Service Ads businesses.

Google Local Services Ads Categories

• Acupuncture
• Animal rescue services
• Appliance repair
• Beauty School
• Carpentry
• Carpet Cleaning
• Childcare services
• Dance instruction
• Driving instruction
• Electrical
• Fencing
• Financial Planning
• First aid training
• Flooring
• Foundations
• Funeral services
• Garage door
• General contracting
• Handyman
• Home inspection
• Home security services
• Home theater services
• House cleaning
• HVAC
• Junk removal
• Landscaping
• Language instruction
• Law
• Lawn care
• Locksmith
• Massage school
• Moving
• Personal training
• Pest control
• Pet adoption services
• Pet boarding
• Pet grooming
• Pet training
• Plumbing
• Pool cleaning
• Pool contractor
• Preschool
• Real estate
• Roofing
• Sewage system services
• Siding
• Snow removal services
• Tax services
• Tree services
• Tutoring
• Veterinary services
• Water damage services
• Weight loss services
• Window cleaning
• Window services
• Yoga

Add All Your Details 

If you're eligible for Local Services Ads, great. Now we can move on to adding your business details! 

These details include:

• Business name
• Phone number
• Your name 
• The among of people working for you 
• The year the company was founded

A lot of these details are used by Google to confirm the legitimacy of your company. It also lets your potential clients know more about your business without visiting your website. 

For example, knowing how long you've been in business will encourage clients to commit to working with you. 

You'll also have to add information about your area, including:

• The area you serve
• ZIP codes
• Names of cities you work in 

After you've filled all this information in, it's on to detailing all about the services your business offers. This section is more specific, and although it'll be tempting to select all the categories in hopes you'll show up more - this could damage your business. 

If the services you've listed don't align with what your business offers, you could end up with low-quality leads. Nobody wants to pay for a dead-end, so stick to your business's services. 

You'll also have to add in the hours you or your employees are available to take calls or emails from customers. Make sure you choose accurate opening times. You can select a 24-hour option, but if you're not available 24/7, then you're only making false promises to your customers. 

Verify Information & Preview Your Local Services Ad

Now that you've filled in all your information, you'll be on to the last part of your Local Services Ad adventure. 

Here you'll be able to preview what your ad will look like on Google and make any changes before submitting it to be finalized. 

Make sure all your information is correct and check to see if all of this information is visible on your ad:

• Your business name
• The service area
• Phone number
• Google Guaranteed checkmark 
• Google Business Profile rating 
• Link to your reviews

For many businesses, Google's Local Services Ads are an incredible tool that will generate high-quality leads from local clients. 

By using Local Services Ads, you'll be able to increase your conversions and improve your visibility and trust online. 

If you're stuck and unsure how to set up the perfect Local Services Ads, then the team at 406 Marketing will be there to help. 

Start getting more high-quality leads through the door - get in touch today.