Everything You Need to Know About Google Local Services
Ryan Redding • Feb 22, 2021
So, we all tend to gripe a bit about Google. Its shape-shifting algorithms are shrouded in mystery, and it seems hell-bent on squeezing every last ad dollar out of home services businesses.
But here’s the deal: Google’s mission
is to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
So Google’s just trying to make it easy for people to find what they need.
And if what someone needs is plumbing or HVAC services, then we really ought to look at Google like our (super well-paid) BFF, not our nemesis.
With that in mind, let’s talk about Google’s most recent addition to its helping-people-find-what-they -need line-up: Local Services.
What is Google Local Services for home services companies?
Local Services is a pay-per-lead (as opposed to pay-per-click) ad program.
Local Services ads show up at the top of the search engine results page (SERP). Like waaaaaaaay above organic results, above the map pack, and above text ads. We’re talking the tippy-tippy-top of the SERP.
To get started with Local Services:
- Set up your business profile and establish your budget. (I’ll say more about budget in a sec.)
- Google makes sure you meet local license and insurance requirements and then runs background checks for your techs. (As a Local Services customer, you’re required to keep Google in the loop on new hires, too.) The background check is currently free.
- Assuming everything checks out, your ad goes live.
How Local Services Leads Work
When locals search for what you offer, your Local Services ad shows up at the top of the SERP. Depending on your service area, your ad might appear with other Local Services businesses or alongside businesses from other “trusted sources” like Home Advisor or Porch.
Here’s what happens next:
- Customers can click your ad directly, or they can click “More plumbers in…” to go to a page with all Local Services listings.
- When a customer clicks your ad, they see details about your business, including your star-rating and reviews.
- Customers can then choose to connect with you in one of three ways:
- By clicking the phone number in your ad. The phone number Google displays is actually a Google number that forwards to your line. You’ll hear “call from Google” so you know the lead came from your Local Services ad.
- By sending a message (if you enable that feature). You can see and respond to messages through the free Local Services app.
- Or by booking an appointment right through your Local Services ad, if you use Service Titan or Housecall Pro.
- You’re only charged when a lead connects with you. If you happen to receive an invalid lead, you can dispute the charge.
- Customers who hire you via your Local Services ad are encouraged to leave a review, which then gets automagically posted to your profile.
Are Google Local Service ads expensive?
As with all things Google, you can spend as much or as little as you want, and you can change your budget at any time. For Local Services, you’ll have two decisions to make:
- Your maximum monthly budget.
- Your maximum per-lead budget. You can set this cap manually or you can let Google optimize it based on your monthly budget.
Either way, remember you’re paying for leads, not clicks—so Local Services ads might feel expensive compared to your regular PPC spend. Depending on your services and market, you can expect to pay something like $20-$35 per lead. Use Google’s budget tool
to get a more accurate estimate for your area.
Also, keep in mind these aren’t just randos doing research.
These are high-quality leads.
They’re near you, they’re looking for exactly what you offer, and they need it urgently enough they’re willing to call, message, or book immediately.
By the way, Google attempts to distribute your ad budget evenly across the week so you don’t get inundated with leads (although what a great problem to have) and so you don’t use up your budget too quickly.
What’s the deal with Google Guaranteed for plumbing and HVAC?
When you advertise with Local Services, you automatically become a Google Guaranteed business. That means if a customer books through your Local Services ad and they’re not happy with your work, Google may reimburse them. Conditions apply, as you might imagine.
Having the Guaranteed badge ups your credibility with customers, because they know Google has vetted you and backs your expertise.
Currently, the only way to receive the Google Guaranteed badge is to sign up for Local Services ads or to advertise through a partner affiliate network like Thumbtack. In mid-2020 there were rumblings about companies being able to upgrade their Google My Business profiles with a Guaranteed badge for a monthly fee, but it’s not clear if that’s actually going to happen.
By the way, if you’ve seen Google Screened, that’s for attorneys, financial planners, and real estate professionals. It’s similar, but the badge doesn’t carry quite as much clout with customers because Google doesn’t guarantee those services.
Google Local Services v. Google Ads
Local Services ads are completely separate from Google Ads, and Local Services ads aren’t meant to replace
Google Ads.
If you’re already running Google Ads and you’re trying to figure out why you’d add Local Services, think about this:
- Local Services ads show first on the SERP.
- Local Services calls are recorded, so you can easily evaluate your team’s level of customer service.
- It costs nothing to participate in Local Services. You only pay for leads.
- Local Services has a simple management platform both online and through the app.
- You don’t have to deal with keywords to run Local Services ads. No more endless ad testing!
- You can pause your Local Services ads at any time. If you do, your badge will disappear and you’ll drop below other paid ads. But depending on your market, you may still generate leads—for free.
- As a Google Guaranteed business, you may also be listed when customers search for you via Google Assistant—at no cost to you.
In most cases, it’s wise to run both types of ads, with a budget nudge toward Local Services. I’d be happy to talk you through this so you can make smart, confident decisions about how to best invest your ad dollars.
How to Make the Most of your Local Services Ads
As with all things Google, your placement compared to other advertisers depends on a number of factors. One is most certainly your proximity to people searching for services, which you obviously can’t control.
So focus on the things you can
control:
- Take advantage of opportunities to showcase important aspects of your business through your Local Services business bio. For example, use up all five highlight spots.
- Keep your Google My Business profile complete and up to date.
- Consider expanding your business hours. Google may not display your ad to someone searching for services while you’re closed. (You can also intentionally set days and times to display your ad and can pause at any time.)
- Respond to leads quickly. If you’re slow to respond, your ad rank may be affected.
- Do good work so you don’t get a bad rep with Google.
- Get lots of positive star ratings and reviews.
- Be sure your NAP (name, address, phone number) is listed exactly the same way across all directory sites.
- Consider raising your budget or maximum bid per lead.
Knowing how to invest in ads for HVAC and plumbing can be tricky.
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