Local Services Ads

To be competitive in your local area, you need to have a page setup with Google Business Profile. This page will show up on the Google search engine results, as well as in local maps. It’s important to make sure all of your details are accurate and up-to-date on this page so customers can easily find you. You should also include images, descriptions, special offers, and any other information that is pertinent for potential customers to know.

Not only is this profile great for local organic search, it’s also the basis for what Google shows in local service ads.

Ratings and reviews are a must for local service ads. Because these ads feature ratings front-and-center in search result pages, you want to make sure your business has a high rating. Be sure to ask existing customers to leave reviews for your business as they will impact your overall rating and will show up in these ads.

There are several different ways to request reviews from customers. The most common option is to send an email reminder just after business is completed. Alternatively, there are text messaging programs that can message a customer to request a review on Google. Making a face-to-face in-person request works too!

In any way you choose to request a review, just know that it will contribute to your rating and show in local service ads.

Once you have a Google Business Profile and a handful of reviews to display, you’re ready to begin applying to the program. Google provides you with a “Google Screened” badge for this type of ad unit, so there are a few steps you have to take to verify your business details. This legitimizes the program and ensures people engaging with these ads in Google will be helped by a true professional.

Be prepared to submit business licensing information, as well as evidence that you are a legitimate and authorized business. After this is completed, you can submit the application for review. Google may take up to 3 weeks to review your profile and approve the campaign. Once approved, you will be able to start running local service ads with the Google Screened badge displayed on them. 

Once you are accepted into the local service ads program through Google Ads, the next step is to set an appropriate budget and bids for your campaign. While the program is based on a cost-per-lead model, there are several things that go into the cost including the number of competitors in the area, the geographic area targeted and the specific type of service offered. Be sure to have an appropriate budget for this type of advertising as it is highly competitive.

After ads are launched, we monitor the traffic and work with you to understand how the lead process is going for your business, all while managing your monthly ad spend and bids.